The Sin Thé Karate School is the oldest and most reputable martial arts school in Lexington, KY. It is the international home of Shaolin-Do, offering the ancient martial art of the Shaolin Temples in China to the people of Lexington since 1964! Before anyone had ever heard of Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, and Jet Li, Grandmaster Sin Thé was teaching Shaolin-Do!

We offer a range of classes, including both hard and soft style Shaolin-Do Kung Fu for both adults and children! Our hard style curriculum covers such classic animal styles as the tiger, bird, praying mantis, monkey, and snake systems and weapons like the staff, nunchaku, short stick, broadsword, and sai. Our soft style curriculum covers breathing and meditation techniques and also empty hand and weapon forms from Tai Chi, Pa Kua, and Hsing I.

We have something to offer everyone — honor, loyalty, discipline, conditioning, and mental health. Come join us today to start your life-long journey to both a better mind and a better body in Shaolin-Do!

"If your primary interest is tournament skills, I advise you to seek your training elsewhere! Most of what you will learn here is too lethal for tournament use. I teach the ancient system of Shaolin-Do, 'Art of survival, not of sport.' As did the immortals, we should learn to destroy so that we may preserve! It is a way of truth. The knowledge that I offer you is not an athletic training; it is a sacred trust."

Shaolin-Do Grandmaster Sin Kwang Thé

News & Information

Summer Rank Advancement Test

Posted: Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Elder Master Bill Leonard will be conducting our summer rank advancement test on Thursday, June 21st at 6:00 PM.

The pretest will be on Monday, June 18th at 7:00 PM for White - Green Belts and on Tuesday, June 19th at 6:00 PM for Brown Belts.

Open Letter from Elder Master Leonard

Posted: Sunday, April 1, 2012

Amid some controversy that has been swirling on the internet about Grandmaster Sin Thé and Shaolin-Do, Elder Master Bill Leonard has written an open letter to all Shaolin-Do students in response. Please take a few minutes to read it.

Download a copy of the letter (PDF).

Summer Seminars

Posted: Monday, March 26, 2012

Elder Master Bill Leonard has agreed to hold of a series of seminars this summer to review the lower rank kata. All seminars are on Sundays at 11:30 AM (schedule below) and will be held at the Sin Thé Karate School in Lexington, KY. You must be at least a 3rd degree brown belt to attend and the cost is only $35 per seminar! The schedule will be as follows:

  • April 15th — Short Kata (1-30), Sparring Techniques (1-20), Ippon Kumite, and Hand to Hand Techniques
  • May 20th — Long kata (empty hand and weapons) up to 3rd degree brown belt
  • June 10th — Three White Cranes, San Njie, and the Broadsword
  • July 8th — Three Shaolin Birds, Sai, and Se Pa Kuen (4/8 Staff)
    * Open to 2nd degree brown belts and up
  • August 12th — Ching Kang Foo Hoo Chien, Lien U Chang, Chie Chien, Kwando, and Hai Lung Chang (Sea Dragon Cane)
    * Open to 1st degree brown belts and up

Download the registration form (PDF).

Update: The date for the June seminar was originally listed incorrectly as June 17th instead of June 10th. We apologize for any confusion or inconvenience.

Save the Dates

Posted: Sunday, March 18, 2012

Grandmaster Sin Thé has announced that the 2012 Fall Gathering will be held on Saturday, September 15th in Lexington, KY. The following day, Sunday, September 16th, he will be holding his annual fall seminar. Material will be announced soon.