• We teach the ancient art of Shaolin-Do kung fu.  Come learn the original martial art with us.  Get in better shape, learn to defend yourself, and have fun doing it!  It's not a hobby, it's a way of life!
  • In addition to our hard-style kung fu program, we also offer a soft-style internal curriculum that covers Tai Chi, Pa Kua, and meditation.
  • We offer a separate kids program to help our youngest students thrive!  <i>Shaolin Kids</i> is open to children from ages 5 to 12 and meets on a variety of days and times to accommodate everyone's schedule.

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


What We Offer
Shaolin Kung Fu
Tai Chi / Internal Program
Weight Room

We offer Shaolin Kung Fu and Tai Chi for adults and children.

More Information

Please select one of the options above so we can better serve your needs.

Testimonial

Barbara Elzey

5th Degree Black Belt

I began Shaolin-Do Karate in 1982 while a junior at the University of Kentucky at the urging of my fiancé, who was a black belt in the style. I entered the study of karate with a certain amount of skepticism. I did not have a great desire to be punched and kicked and began, as most women begin, with a very tentative attitude. I had been an athlete all through high school and college so the physical exercise was something I was used to, but I soon found that Shaolin exercised muscles I never knew I had. During that first year, I went to a seminar at Sin Thé's dojo. There, a female green belt kicked me so hard in the stomach that I went down and couldn't get back up for what seemed an incredibly long time. It was then and there that I came to a strong realization. If a woman smaller than me could put me down to the ground, just about anyone could. It was time to learn how to prevent that from happening.

Continue reading the testimonial...


To read more of what our students are saying about us, be sure to visit our testimonials page.

Upcoming Events

Winter Rank Advancement Test

Tuesday, December 5, 2023 at 6:30 PM

Grandmaster Sin Thé will conduct our quarterly rank advancement test for all students who are ready to advance.

2nd Road of Praying Mantis Tai Chi Seminar

Saturday, December 9, 2023 at 9:00 AM

Grandmaster Sin Thé will teach the 2nd Road of Praying Mantis Tai Chi at his winter seminar in Lexington, KY.

Master Joe's School Growth Playbook & Seminar

Saturday, December 9, 2023 at 2:00 PM

Elder Master Joe Schaefer will hold a seminar to discuss how to grow your school. Cost is $50 and you must register via the link to his website.

Lower Rank Testing

Sunday, December 10, 2023 at 10:00 AM

Grandmaster Sin Thé will conduct a rank advancement test for any students who are ready to advance.

Black Belt Testing

Sunday, December 10, 2023 at 11:00 AM

Grandmaster Sin Thé and a committee of masters will conduct a rank advancement test for any black belt students who are ready to advance.

2nd Road of Praying Mantis Tai Chi via Zoom

Sunday, December 10, 2023 at 2:00 PM

Grandmaster Sin Thé will teach the 2nd Road of Praying Mantis Tai Chi online via Zoom.


Be sure to check out the schedule for all the upcoming events, class times, and hours.

News

December Events

Posted: October 31, 2023 7:27 AM

December is always a busy month for everyone but we have a number of events coming up. All times are ET and events will be held at the Sin Thé Karate School in Lexington.

Tuesday, December 5th

  • 6:30 PM — Rank Advancement Test with Grandmaster Sin Thé

Saturday, December 9th

Sunday, December 10th

Thursday, December 14th

  • 6:30 PM — Sin Thé Karate School Christmas Party and Potluck Dinner

Scholarship Donations

Posted: July 18, 2023 7:50 AM

Anyone that would like to donate to the scholarship fund in Eldest Master Leonard's name can write a check to the Master Leonard Martial Arts Scholarship and mail it to the school:

Master Leonard Martial Arts Scholarship
c/o Sin Thé Karate School
282 Gold Rush Rd.
Lexington, KY 40503