Imperial Combat Arts- Denver Martial Arts - Denver, Colorado

Justin Paul

I was accepted into ICA back in August, and I have to say, I'm surprised to even read negative comments about them. I realize everyone has their own experiences, but this training group is full of very helpful, knowledgeable instructors who genuinely want you to advance. Many of them have been training for 20+ years in various martial arts.

You will always leave class having learned something valuable, and you will always leave feeling incrementally improved. Additionally, leave your egos at home as this is not the environment for that. I encourage anyone who's interested in learning the true art of self-defense to apply. If you're accepted, rest assured that each class provides lessons in each discipline taught to you. We get to train knives, clubs, elbows, fists, kicks, grappling, and then some in each class. We get to learn about martial arts history and how ALL of the various martial arts have similarities and intertwine or can be used against each other. This is combat training for us to apply what we learn if necessary in the real world to keep ourselves and others safe. We do not do this for competition training because a lot of what we learn goes against tournament rules. What we train is effective at shutting down your opponent if someone tries to harm you. I've had previous experience in Tai Kwon Do and jiu-jitsu, but this training is different, and while there's emphasis on learning moves to hurt opponents, we spend a great deal of time keeping each other safe in our studies. You feel the comradery between warrior friends and grow to really appreciate and applaud each other through individual development. I'm forever grateful I was accepted into this training group.

Shaunie Rasmussen

Since joining this school several months ago, I’ve found myself growing stronger physically, mentally and spiritually. Each instructor has a wealth of knowledge alongside a unique approach to teaching the arts, providing both a breadth and depth of insight. You get out what you put in and it’s incredibly rewarding to witness yourself and those around you conquer fears, build confidence and discipline, and accomplish things you may not have thought possible. Being a female, this has had a particularly profound impact on me, and I have experienced nothing short of genuine support from the group throughout this entire process.

Cynthia Barnett

At the age of 52 I apparently lost my mind and decided to train in kung fu, which at one time was a big part of my life and was greatly missed. Of the numerous kung fu schools in the area this one stood out. If you’re reading this you’ve probably browsed the website already and can see why. So I gathered up my Lady Balls and went in for the interview. Afterwards I thought “hell yeah, I want to train with the guy whose dream was to build a kung fu school in his backyard!” I signed up but it didn’t go well as the training is difficult, I’m over 50, and out of shape. I also had the distinct impression the student body was wondering what the hell I was doing there.

About a month in I switched to training with one of the instructors, Sifu Warfield, also a personal trainer, which I needed. It has been challenging in numerous ways and despite being likely futile I’ll ever be a fighter, Sifu does not give up training you how to survive an attack.

I’m not a member of the “I like Getting Punched In The Face Club”, as so many here seem to be, and find it more traumatic than fun, but you have to work thru that to learn any semblance of self defense. This school spars. You’re not going to learn just forms here. They do actual toughening. When they say they train traditionally, they mean it.

They come across as harsh, but aren’t actually Dbags. There’s no coddling or handholding in warrior training. In a real life attack no one is going to wait for you to adjust your footing, consider your next move, or care if you’re tired. If someone trying to kill you chops your arm off with a machete, Sifu would probably say “he’s trying to kill you and he’s not done yet. You have an arm left, pick up the one he chopped off and beat him with it!”

Sometimes it feels like I’m in Kung Fu Special Ed attempting to train with numerous handicaps but I keep working on it. It seems unlikely I'd be able to train anywhere else and I appreciate the extra time, patience, and attention to detail as I pursue the dream of training again at a particularly challenging school. The knowledge of Traditional Chinese Martial Arts, quality and comprehensiveness of the curriculum, and caliber of instructor at this school is far above average.

Who knows, I might eventually be able to take an old lady….if they’re on crutches their *** is mine.

Tinea Gray

I trained at Imperial Conbat Arts for two years in my early 20s. The skills I learned and confidence, self control and empowerment I gained from my time at the school changed my life. I will be forever grateful to the opportunity to train at the school.

Laura Chamberlain

Imperial Combat Arts is dedicated to the centuries-old fighting style of Wu-Tang in a professional, state-of-the-art, top-notch school with master’s level combat instruction, personal development, and self-discipline. Safety and integrity are always a priority. The atmosphere is positive, and good energy is apparent.

Elizabeth C.

I am so SO incredibly grateful to have found Imperial Combat Arts and to have been accepted to train here. The training is literally everything I've been wanting to find for years and then goes beyond that.

It is the most intensive & comprehensive curriculum I've ever come across, including multiple full martial arts, self-defense / combat training, weapons training, wilderness & survival skills...and you also get to learn combat meditations, and about the philosophy, history, and mindset behind the martial arts and fight training.

All the instructors are highly skilled and legitimately badass, and they embody that perfect combination of professional and friendly/approachable. All the classes are taught directly by High Master Mang Taan with the support of 1-3 instructors (all trained by him to become Sifus, Li Sifus, and Masters), and the class size is kept small, so you really receive individualized training as well.

High Master Mang Taan (and his instructors by extension) will push you just beyond what you think you are capable of, never with the intention of “breaking you”, but rather to offer you the opportunity to discover what kind of person you are, what kind of person you want to become, and what you are truly capable of if you have the desire, courage, and dedication to become a true warrior/warrioress.

And because of all of this, it is not just the instructors that are high caliber humans, but my fellow students as well. I respect and am inspired by them, and I feel respected, supported, and challenged (in the best way) by them as well.

I am so excited to continue my training at Imperial Combat Arts and to witness myself grow fully into the warrioress I know already exists within me.

Prince Jay

I can't stress how lucky I feel to train at imperial combat arts. The school offers a complete martial art that is unique and yet extremely efficient. The techniques you learn are practical. With the short time that I've trained here, I already feel safer in my community.

Jacob Lujan (“Cubby”)

Imperial Combat Arts is not a strip mall McDojo. It is a school for serious students seeking to undertake serious training in traditional martial arts. Beyond that, Imperial Combat Arts is a school for true warriors, people who seek to be battlefield ready and prepared to accept and rise to any and all challenges life presents. The school is a place to learn combat fighting informed by deep traditions from the far east. Discipline, respect, classical martial morality, and physical and mental toughness are what are taught and learned at ICA.
It was a great honor for me to be accepted for study at the school, and High Master Mang Taan's martial skill is matched by his pedagogical prowess and dedication to the arts. The instructors and advanced students at ICA are all remarkably kind, knowledgeable, and encouraging. The training is incredibly rigorous, but far more rewarding than any I have undertaken in fourteen years of physical conditioning. If you are serious about Kung Fu study, the warrior culture of the art, and propelling yourself to new heights as a person and a martial artist, you will find yourself right at home at ICA.