Published on July 28, 2026 | By Sensei Rebecca Kane
Welcome to the British Kempo Society! Whether you are completely new to martial arts, looking for a dynamic way to boost your fitness, or wanting to equip yourself and your family with practical self-defence skills, you have come to the right place. Martial arts are about much more than just throwing punches or learning how to kick. They are a transformative journey that builds physical strength, sharpens mental focus, and connects you with a supportive, welcoming community.
If you are curious about who we are and what drives our passion, take a moment to explore our About page. At the British Kempo Society, we believe that martial arts should be accessible, empowering, and enjoyable for everyone: regardless of age, athletic background, or experience level.
1. What is Kempo Ju Jitsu? Striking, Grappling, and Real-World Self-Defence
At the heart of our academy is Kempo Ju Jitsu, a comprehensive martial art that combines the devastating striking power of Kempo with the intricate joint-locks, throws, and ground-fighting techniques of Ju Jitsu. This dual approach makes it one of the most effective and practical self-defence systems available today.

When most people think of self-defence, they picture raw physical strength. However, traditional martial arts teach us that leverage, balance, and timing are far more important. In our classes, you learn how to neutralize threats using smart, biomechanical principles rather than brute force. This makes Kempo Ju Jitsu exceptionally effective for individuals of all sizes and body types.
Whether you are walking down a city street at night or navigating everyday situations where confidence is key, knowing that you can protect yourself and your loved ones changes how you carry yourself. It replaces anxiety with quiet assurance. To find out more about our philosophy and training methodology, feel free to visit our Instructors page to see the dedicated team guiding your progression.
2. Empowering Adults and Kids: Building Confidence from the Ground Up
Martial arts training offers incredible benefits across every stage of life. For adults, it is a phenomenal antidote to the stresses of modern life. Between long hours at a desk and daily household responsibilities, finding a fitness routine that genuinely excites you can be tough. Traditional gym workouts can feel monotonous, but martial arts engage both your body and your mind. Every class requires problem-solving, coordination, and agility, making it an engaging full-body workout where you burn calories without even realizing it.

For children, the benefits run even deeper. Parents frequently tell us how transformative our kids' classes are for their child's development. In a fun, safe, and structured environment, children learn essential life skills such as:
- Discipline and Focus: Listening to instructions, respecting peers and teachers, and following through on complex tasks.
- Resilience: Learning that failure is simply a stepping stone to mastery: if you fall down seven times, you stand up eight.
- Anti-Bullying Confidence: Standing tall, speaking with authority, and understanding how to defuse conflict before it turns physical.
We foster an atmosphere of mutual respect where every child feels encouraged to push their personal boundaries. Seeing a shy child transform into a confident, self-assured young martial artist is one of the greatest joys of teaching.
3. Kickboxing and High-Energy Fitness: Getting Fighting Fit
In addition to traditional Kempo Ju Jitsu, our training incorporates high-energy kickboxing drills designed to elevate your cardiovascular endurance, agility, and muscle tone. Kickboxing is an explosive, exhilarating way to condition your entire body.

Picture yourself striking heavy bags and focus mitts with precision and power. The combination of rapid combinations, footwork drills, and core conditioning torches fat, builds lean muscle, and relieves stress faster than almost any other workout. You do not need any prior fighting experience to jump into our fitness and kickboxing sessions; our instructors break down every movement step-by-step so you can progress at your own pace while enjoying an incredible workout with friends.
4. Meet Our World-Class Instructors: Ben Ledwick and Rebecca Kane
Behind every great martial arts society is a leadership team deeply dedicated to the craft, the students, and the community. At the British Kempo Society, our members train under some of the most accomplished martial artists in the country.
We are proud to be led by exceptional instructors including Ben Ledwick, whose technical precision, dedication, and passion for teaching inspire students of all ranks every single week. Alongside Ben is Sensei Rebecca Kane, a World Champion martial artist and Head of Weapons Training for the UK and Europe. Rebecca brings decades of elite competitive experience, deep historical knowledge of weaponry and empty-hand combat, and an infectious enthusiasm for helping every student unlock their absolute potential.
Rebecca's expertise extends beyond the dojo. If you want to dive deeper into her martial arts journey, philosophy, and ongoing projects, you can visit her personal site at www.thedancingfighter.com. Learning from instructors who have competed and succeeded on the global stage ensures that every technique you learn is authentic, battle-tested, and refined to absolute perfection.
5. Why Join Our Community?
More than anything else, the British Kempo Society is a community. Modern life can often feel isolated, but our dojo is a place where bonds are forged through shared effort, mutual encouragement, and shared triumphs.
When you step onto our mats, you are not just joining a gym: you are joining an extended martial arts family. You will celebrate promotions together, support one another through challenging gradings, and build friendships that extend far beyond the training hall. There is something uniquely powerful about bowing in with a group of people who share your commitment to self-improvement.
Take the Next Step on Your Martial Arts Journey
Are you ready to discover what you are truly capable of? Whether you want to improve your physical fitness, learn life-saving self-defence skills for you or your family, or immerse yourself in the rich traditions of Kempo and Ju Jitsu, the British Kempo Society is here to welcome you.
Don't wait for the "right time" to start your journey: the best time to begin is today. Reach out to our team through our Contact page to ask any questions, check class schedules, or book your very first introductory session.
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