Business Details
36 Years
experience
Your Trusted Shaolin Kung Fu & Tai Chi School in Boise, Idaho
Founded in 1990, Idaho Shaolin has been dedicated to teaching traditional Chinese martial arts in Boise, Idaho, for over 35 years. As the leading Shaolin school in the Treasure Valley, we specialize in authentic Kung Fu and Tai Chi Ch'uan training, rooted in the centuries-old practices of the Shaolin Temple. Our programs cater to students of all ages, from teens to seniors, with a focus on practical self-defense, physical fitness, and mental discipline. Under the guidance of 8th Degree Black Belt Elder Master John Keller, certified by Grandmaster Sin Kwang Th, we emphasize lifelong skills over tournament competition. Our curriculum includes Northern and Southern Fist Kung Fu, classical animal styles, weapons training, and internal arts like Tai Chi, Pa Kua Chang, and Chi Kung.With a second location in Caldwell led by Associate Master Russell Lesko, we continue to expand our mission of preserving traditional Shaolin methods while adapting to modern needs. Our students consistently report improved confidence, mobility, and overall well-being through dedicated practice. We offer a one-week trial for $20, allowing prospective students to experience our community-focused approach firsthand. By maintaining systematic training methods unchanged for 1,500 years, we ensure our students receive authentic Shaolin education that transcends generations.
Services
Shaolin Kung Fu
Tai Chi Ch'uan
Northern Fist Kung Fu
Southern Fist Kung Fu
Classical Animal Styles
Kung Fu Weapons
Pa Kua Chang
Hsing-I Ch'uan
Chi Kung Training
Meditation
Details
- Year established: 1990
Highlights and features
- 35+ years of traditional Shaolin training in Boise since 1990
- Certified by Grandmaster Sin Kwang Th's Shaolin lineage
- Programs for all ages from teens to seniors
- Focus on practical self-defense and wellness over competition
- Extensive internal arts curriculum including Tai Chi and Chi Kung
What people say
Excellent and understanding teacher
Confidence and skills development
Age doesn't affect training
Never too late to start
Wonderful school environment
Services
Shaolin Kung Fu
Shaolin Kung Fu teaches practical self-defense techniques rooted in 1,500 years of tradition. Our program builds physical strength, mental discipline, and real-world protection skills for students aged 12+. Training includes Northern and Southern Fist styles, classical animal forms, and weapon techniques. This martial art emphasizes conflict avoidance through heightened awareness and confidence development.
Tai Chi Ch'uan
Tai Chi Ch'uan combines graceful movements with health benefits for all ages. Our curriculum improves balance, stability, and cognitive function through traditional Chinese forms. Students learn meditation practices and Chi Kung techniques that enhance mobility and reduce stress. Particularly beneficial for seniors, this internal martial art promotes wellness through controlled, flowing motions.
Northern Fist Kung Fu
Northern Fist Kung Fu features wide stances and long-range techniques emphasizing powerful strikes and kicks. This dynamic style develops leg strength, flexibility, and spatial awareness. Practitioners learn circular movements and acrobatic transitions that characterize traditional Northern Chinese martial arts. Ideal for students seeking athletic development and expansive motion patterns.
Classical Animal Styles
Classical Animal Styles replicate movements from five traditional Shaolin animal forms: Dragon, Tiger, Leopard, Snake, and Crane. Each style cultivates specific attributes like agility, power, or fluidity. These forms preserve the Shaolin Temple's original training methods while developing unique combat applications and physical conditioning through biomimicry.
Chi Kung Training
Chi Kung Training focuses on breath control, meditation, and coordinated movements to enhance vital energy flow. Our program improves respiratory capacity, mental clarity, and overall vitality through traditional Chinese health practices. Students learn techniques that complement martial arts training while promoting stress reduction and internal balance.
People
John D. Keller
Head Instructor
8th Degree Black Belt certified by Grandmaster Sin Kwang Th, John Keller has taught traditional Shaolin martial arts in Boise since 1990. With over 35 years of experience, he emphasizes practical self-defense and lifelong wellness through authentic Shaolin methods.
Russell Lesko
Associate Master
5th Degree Black Belt Russell Lesko leads the Caldwell location after training under Elder Master Keller since 1997. With 26 years of Shaolin experience, he continues annual training with Grandmaster Sin Kwang Th while teaching traditional methods to local students.
Questions
What martial arts do you teach?
We teach traditional Shaolin Kung Fu including Northern and Southern Fist styles, classical animal forms, and weapons training, plus Tai Chi Ch'uan, Pa Kua Chang, Hsing-I Ch'uan, and Chi Kung.
Are classes available for seniors?
Yes, our programs accommodate all ages with modified techniques for seniors focusing on mobility, balance, and practical self-defense while maintaining traditional Shaolin principles.
Do you offer trial classes?
We offer a one-week trial for $20, allowing prospective students to experience our traditional training methods and community atmosphere before committing.
What are your class schedules?
Classes run Monday-Thursday 5:30-8:30pm, Friday 4:30-8pm, and Saturday 10am-2pm. Check our website for updates, seminars, and holiday schedule changes.
Do you teach tournament fighting?
No, our focus is on practical self-defense and lifelong wellness rather than competition, preserving traditional Shaolin training methods that emphasize real-world protection skills.
Where are your locations?
We have two locations: 6501 Ustick Road in Boise and our Caldwell branch established in 2004, serving the Treasure Valley area since 1990.
Reviews (7)
Jaya Smith
Dec 24, 2021
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Positive:Professionalism,Quality,Value
Master John is amazing. His patience, skills, knowledge, and mastery of his art are transmitted to students in each class. He offers internal (tai chi) and external (kung fu) classes, as well as kids classes. Amazing place!
Master John is amazing. His patience, skills, knowledge, and mastery of his art are transmitted to students in each class. He offers internal (tai chi) and external (kung fu) classes, as well as kids classes. Amazing place!
Jo Werenka
Aug 28, 2021
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I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE This place!!! The Absolute Best martial arts training! Master John is Amazing! He and the other trainers have and continue to change my son's life in a positive manor every week! I can not say enough wonderful things about Idaho Shao-Lin.
Mark Perrine
May 07, 2021
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Positive:Professionalism,Quality,Value
Been a friend of the school for 20 years, training for 6. Best place for health, fitness, and authentic Chinese martial arts.
Been a friend of the school for 20 years, training for 6. Best place for health, fitness, and authentic Chinese martial arts.
Kyle Scott
May 04, 2021
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Unprofessional. As well as discriminatory. All so called policies That are asked of a newcomer ought To be the same policies the higher level members should follow. If they are there to in fact, protect. Double standards will undermine any business or any relationship. Good people have come here with the intent to show respect and to learn! But the values and ethics here are not to be sought for your own personal life or business. There may be quality techniques shown and practiced. However it would mean much more if those showing the techniques Would not allow their personal/character flaws
Nikki Semmelroth
Apr 28, 2021
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Best place ever for kids Kung Fu. Master John and Teacher Lauren are patient, kind, and professional.
Marie Mess
Apr 17, 2021
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Not your typical martial arts school, for sure. There is so much material offered, there is something for everyone. No contracts, just honest dues for honest training. You get out of it what you put into it. There are elements of training for mind, body, focus, endurance, balance, flexibility, and more. It's amazing and so fun! The owner and all instructors are respectful, humble, and help you to challenge yourself. They teach self discipline, rather than using discipline to teach. I started because I was interested in just tai chi. But there was so much more!! Here I am, 20 years later, still
Thomas Kirkham
Mar 18, 2021
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This is my favorite Martial Arts school! With both internal and external styles represented this school represents the full spectrum of training. A sense of peace, tranquility and health permeates as your train and learn the history of the style and the reasons behind each movement its impact on your well being. What more can I say... Master John is a wonderful teacher.
