This place is excellent. Shifu Gary Mitchell is a wonderful teacher, and so are his students

The Chien Hong School if Kung Fu is an excellent traditional martial arts school. I trained here for 4 years and absolutely loved the adult program. In fact, it has been hard to find another school that matches it quality since I left Atlanta. It’s also cheaper than any other school (in terms of per class cost).I’ve trained two other martial arts prior to Chien Hong, as well as another art after leaving Atlanta. I found that the two most important aspects of any martial arts school are:1) the teacher - Gary Mitchell is nothing short of fantastic.. His classes blend traditional Kung fu drills with creative conditioning that will whip you into shape. He also makes Kung fu applicable to the modern realities of self defense. He is traditional in his mentality, and will you to your personal limit in order to make you grow physically and mentally. He is not in the business of selling you a black belt, so if you advance to the next level you know you’ve earned it.He cares about you as a student too. I was a medical student at the time I trained and he always checked in to make sure I was doing okay, and if there were ways he could support me. He was flexible if I couldnt come to the school to train, and would find solutions to make sure I can keep progressing outside of class.2) the community - every classmate is great. Everyone shows up, works hard, and does their best to push you to grow. The senior students are great at teaching. There is no ego, and regardless of gender, age, and size, you are treated with respect and welcomed with open arms.Other aspects of the school include lion dancing (which is optional, but a key component of any TRADITIONAL Kung Fu school). He also offers Tai Chi, as well as Wing Chun, both of which are separate from the traditional adult program.Class structure: Classes are split between conditioning during the first half, and forms or fighting techniques in the second half. Sparring is allowed after a certain level.I can’t say enough good things about the school. Training here was an excellent way to relieve stress. I highly recommend it.

I began training at Chien Hong in 2018 and I knew right away this is where I wanted to train. There is a strong camaraderie that I felt at my first class and that continues today. Shifu Gary Mitchell has extensive training which means you truly learn kung fu and its history here at Chien Hong.

With the current state of the world its very difficult to find ways to be together and still remain safe. Our family has a strong and respectful affinity for Lunar New Year. Its a time of celebration and fellowship stemming from the birth announcement of our oldest child coinciding with LNY years ago. This year the idea of not celebrating what has become a part of our family tradition was not an option. A chance encounter with Chien Hong at a LNY celebration in Chamblee a while ago made me reach out. Shifu Gary was so kind and helpful. We corresponded many times over the course of 2-3 days getting the details ironed out. A small Celebration fitting of the Moon Cycle and allowing us to still practice social distancing. The performance was intimate and special. Without a doubt it has been the talk of our neighborhood and we are looking to possibly do this again next year. While there are many unfortunate circumstances to the pandemic. Having our own personal Lion Dance has been a jewel to place in our crown of memories. It was time well spent and we are thankful for the artistry and the talent the School shared with us. thank you thank you thank you

I have always wanted to learn Kung Fu. Discovering Chien Hong School was and continues to be a real blessing. Shifu Gary Mitchell has over 40 years of experience! Not only do you learn fighting applications but also the history, meaning, and tradition of the styles. This school is for the student looking for a real traditional Kung Fu experience with a great sense of fellowship between students and teacher. Highly recommend!!!

An excellent School. Ive been in the Martial Arts since I was 7 and Shifu Mitchell is without a doubt one of the best teachers Ive ever had. Highly recommend this environment for anyone seeking to start in the martial arts or expand their martial knowledge.

This school isnt just your garden variety martial arts class. Its a school which focuses the instructors nearly 40 years of experience in Kung Fu, and the school has a proud lineage. I highly encourage this place for people looking for something more than simply learning to fight. This school is about mastery of the art. Theres a wonderful sense of family among the students. Ive been going here for a couple of months now and I highly recommend this place.

I have been attending many Chinese New Year events and have seen many lion dancing. This team is one of the best. They are totally professional and delivered great experience for our clients. The performance was amazing and the lions were very cute. Not only that, the communication with the team was so easy and the whole arrange process was smooth without any problem. The team was on time and very courteous and very pleasant to work with. Definitely will hire them again. Thank you, Chien Hong School of Kung Fu. Great job!

It was great the teacher is very wise

Ive been searching my entire life for a traditional kung fu school that was as close to training in Taiwan as possible and this is the place. Ive trained for roughly 7 years in various disciplines so I have some background. Shi Fu Gary really pushes you to do your best. Youll really feel a sense of accomplishment by training here. It is not a McDojo that hands out promotions liberally. You will know that youve earned it and youll be following in the footsteps of hundreds of years of time tested martial arts. No sugar coating. Its tough but if you want to be challenged and be a part of a real family, this is the place for you. The rates are incredibly reasonable and I believe you would be hard pressed to find a better deal.

I joined the Chien Hong school when Shifu had a branch in Macon. Unfortunately that branch closed. So I was faced with a choice of giving up on a martial arts style that I liked given by a teacher that I greatly respected, or going to the main school in Atlanta. I chose the latter, so for the last 3 years or so I have been making an almost weekly trip from Macon to Atlanta just for this martial arts school and Shifus teaching.This is not a school that you can just show up to and get belts. Shifu makes it clear that you have to put in the work but the journey is all yours. Shifus knowledge of martial art styles, traditions, and history is incredibly broad and deep (as are his song references and puns).Shifu is genuinely concerned about his students wellbeing and martial arts as a whole. My training brothers and sisters are a pretty awesome group too. I have found my martial arts home for as long as I am in GA.

I have been taking classes for a little over two years and I love it. The classes really get you in shape both physically and psychologically. Shr Fu Gary Mitchell is an awesome teacher; he understands his students. He keeps the classes interesting with many exercises and a variety of teaching techniques. He also takes the time to get to know all of his students, forming a great student-teacher bond. The conditioning is healthy for the body and he keeps the self-defense realistic.The students are awesome too. The school is very diverse and welcoming. The students are not the stereotypical beat up the new student or I am better than you type of people. They are very generous and are willing to help newer students whenever it is needed.

I have been taking classes here for about a year and I really like it. The curriculum is well-rounded and focuses on all aspects of martial arts training (weapons, forms, conditioning, fighting techniques, philosophy ). When you train at Chien Hong, you are part of a proud lineage that goes back for hundreds of years. I would recommend this school to anyone who wants to get in shape or for anyone who wishes to deepen their understanding of Chinese martial arts.

We just had an awesome experience with the Chien Hong School of Kung FU! They performed the dragon dance at my elementary school for Chinese New Year. Their performance exceeded our expectations! Our students were captivated by the dancers performances. The organization was professional and very easy to work with. We will definitely invite them back in the future.

Ive been studying with Shifu Gary Mitchell for two years now, and both his ability to teach and his expertise and understanding of martial arts are clearly evident. Shifu teaches in a direct and organized manner, with deeper elements being layered onto a strong foundation over time. Very much attention is given to the basics to establish a strong understanding of the core mechanics and footwork that appear in a myriad of situations further in the training. Shifu demonstrates techniques effectively, both in form and practical application, and he explains clearly how they fit into the whole. On top of this, he has a great sense of humor, and it is clear he cares and takes pride in his students and school. I would recommend Chien Hong without hesitation to anyone interested in traditional martial arts.

I have been a student at the Chien Hong School of Kung Fu since 2014. Originally I started in the Tai Chi program. Having come back from living in Taiwan, I wanted to learn real Chen style Tai Chi (somewhat hard to find in Atlanta!) and came across Shifu Gary Mitchells school. I immediately fell in love with the art and have since expanded my studies at the school to Kung Fu as well as Qigong.If youre looking for the real deal, look no further. Shifu Gary Mitchell shows 100% dedication to preserving the integrity and tradition of Shaolin martial arts with no compromises. He encourages not only learning the moves, but the meaning and history behind them, both of which he explains in ways easy to grasp. I cannot recommend this school enough.

I really enjoyed my experience learning from Gary. He knows what he is talking about and has much experience to back it up! If you want someone who is passionate and knowledgeable about what they teach you. This is the place to go!

This school is amazing! I had the best experience learning from Gary and watching his class. He really tries to capture the essence behind the art and makes sure to teach the histories and philosophy of kung fu. I enjoyed it so much and recommend him to anyone wanting legitimate and thorough lessons.

I discovered Shifu Gary Mitchell when I first moved to Atlanta in 1995. I chose to study with him because I could tell immediately his commitment to tradition and authenticity in martial arts training, as well as philosophy and lifestyle. I learned so much more than just how to do kung fu techniques and forms. I learned discipline, tenacity, patience, humility, and I continue to learn from him even though I can’t train at the moment. All of these things that I learned are amazing gifts that have helped me deal with very difficult things throughout my life. I don’t think I could’ve survived some of the difficult things I’ve been through without my foundations from this training. After I recover from my injuries, I plan on learning Qi Gong.

I have observed the childrens class at the Chien Hong School of Kung Fu over the past six months and am impressed by the skilled teaching and balance of discipline and support given by Shifu. My five-year-old grandson likes it so much that he practices the moves between classes. An extra is that he has learned many Chinese words. A great program for physical and mental development and confidence-building for these children.

My son and I have been training at the Chien Hong School of Kung Fu for just a couple months. In that short time, under Shifu Gary Mitchells training, we have already learned several traditional Kung Fu forms and are learning the philosophy of Kung Fu. Shifu Gary has been teaching Kung Fu to adults and children for over twenty years. His commitment to Kung Fu and the Chien Hong School is contagious. Many of the students have been with him for 10 years plus. Ive been looking for an outlet that satisfies body, mind and spirit and I havent been disappointed. I believe in his mission and for anyone who takes the class Im sure they will become a believer too. Class rates are affordable and the uniform is included. Do yourself a favor and check it out.

Loved the student involvement with each other. everyone wants to help the other exceed in their knowledge of the arts and i enjoy that greatly. shifu is very helpful and even if u dont get it he will help emphasize it as many times needed so they can understand.

Ive been a part of Chien Hong School of Kung Fu for a little over a year. I had done some martial arts as a teenager and decided that I wanted to get back into it but wanted to learn more about Kung Fu. I found Chien Hong on Google and decided to try it out. Shifu Gary Mitchell was very responsive to all my questions and invited me to try a class. It was pretty immediate that I realized I had found where I belonged.Shifu creates an environment of discipline, respect, and family. One of my favorite things that was immediately obvious was that he takes Kung Fu extremely seriously, but not himself at all. It makes for a great atmosphere where you are comfortable but you also know that you are getting the best instruction from someone who genuinely wants you to succeed, but will not just give you a sash. Hes also great with the kids classes. He makes them laugh and feel comfortable but also ensures they are learning the respect and discipline associated with martial arts.I have also enjoyed the fact that we dont just learn moves and forms in Shifus classes. Hes extremely well educated on the history of his style and the lineage. Its very fulfilling to know that what we learn has such a rich history. I could not recommend Chien Hong School of Kung Fu more for anyone looking for anything from a great workout to really delving into the spirit of Kung Fu, this is the place to go.

This is definitely the best Kung Fu school in the entire Atlanta area. Gary Mitchell is an amazing teacher who is very knowledgable & passionate about Kung Fu & truly cares about his students.

While I have studied several different martial arts in the past, I had never had the opportunity to train in any of the Chinese martial arts. With this in mind, I was lucky enough to find the Chien Hong School of Kung Fu, and have been studying here for the last year.Chien Hong has been around for decades and offers several styles of animal-based Kung Fu, Tai Chi, and Wing Chun, among other systems. While the emphasis is on the art itself, students are also taught the history and culture surrounding the Chinese arts. Physical conditioning and practical usage are intermixed so the student gets the whole experience. My choice in discipline was Wing Chun. (Also known as Yong Chun in the Mandarin dialect.)If you want to train in (literally) close combat, Wing Chun is for you. Training and application are point-blank, and practitioners learn how to defend against and overcome an opponent in tight quarters -useful for anyone, but perhaps especially for those who may not be of larger stature. In any case, Wing Chun is a thrilling and practical martial art to study.Shifu Mitchell has studied and instructed Kung Fu for forty years, including several years in Taiwan. His dedication to Chinese martial arts and his school are without question. Traditional students can find a place here as well as those of us with unique life and work schedules. (Personally, I have never had so much success achieving so much frequent, valuable private instruction.) Choose this school and you wont be disappointed.

I am incredibly grateful to have found Chien Hong, and to take part in the training and community lead by Shifu Gary Mitchell. Since moving to Atlanta three years ago, I have visited a number of martial arts academies, and Chien Hong was the first place at which I could immediately see the expectation and practice of respect. Shifu Mitchell leads his class with the expectation of respect for himself and the art, and he mirrors that respect back to all of his students. He is dedicated to preserving and honoring the traditions of the art and culture, as evidenced by the integration of Mandarin in our practice and leading of a traditional Lion Dance troupe.Thanks to the leadership of Shifu Mitchell, the students are incredibly welcoming. Chien Hong truly is a brotherhood and sisterhood where you can train all aspects of traditional Kung Fu.

I went to his school for my Perspective class assignment. Sifu very knowledgeable with both Martial art and martial art history.

Wasnt impressed by Gary Mitchell at all. He came off as very arrogant,very rude, and had very little to say when asking questions about his school and its history. I would recommend taking your business elsewhere.

These folks are AWESOME!We have had the Chien Hong School perform at our librarys Chinese New Year Celebration several times over the past five years, both the lion dance and their kung fu demonstration. We keep bringing them back because it is a terrific show.Shifu Gary is so personable! He manages his team well and is comfortable educating the audience about the traditions of the lion dance and Chinese New Year too.They always bring this big drum that fills the library with rhythm. The live drumming is a great touch. And the lion is absolutely charming. The team really knows how to bring it to life. These guys are serious professionals who know their stuff! There are moments I forget that there are more than one person inside the lion because the performers dance so seamlessly. The audience loves it when the lion bats its long eyelashes and wags its tail! The lion and his trainer dance together, play ball and more. When the lion moves from the stage area into the crowd the kids are so excited. They all want to touch it!The kung fu demonstration is great as well. I love that there are male AND female martial artists in the group - inspiring for all our kiddos! Shifu Gary shared some background information regarding the various forms of Kung Fu, then his performers demonstrated and finally the audience got to join in some punching and kicking action. Shifu Gary is a natural leader who had a room full of children following his every move. Many parents commented afterward what a great time they had and how impressed they were with Shifu Gary and the whole team.

Ive been regularly practicing Tai Chi with Shifu Gary Mitchell for almost 3 years. As far as I am aware he is the only teacher who offers authentic Chen style Tai Chi in my area. Whether you want to learn for health and well being or for martial aplications and self-defense this is the best place. Shifu Gary makes classes fun and engaging and has spend many years perfecting his skills with his teacher in Taiwan. Alongside martial arts training you can also become involved with the Lion and Dragon dance performance team. It is a great place for kids too.

Shifu Mitchell and his school are the real deal. Some of the exercises and drills we do seem straight out of a Jackie Chan movie. And thats exactly why I like it. I grew up wanting to do kung fu and this school does not disappoint. Shifu will spend hours helping you develop your martial arts, but he will also challenge you to do your best. I have fun here, but this school requires discipline, hard work, and commitment. Trust me, youll leave a stronger person than when you arrived.

I joined the school hoping I could begin and nurture a life long journey that would promote good health, physical activity, and in the process teach me about a fascinating cultural art. I have not been disappointed. Shifu Gary Mitchell knows a ton about kung fu and is an excellent teacher. He is enthusiastic to impart his knowledge about both the physical aspects of kung fu (technique, fighting applications, and forms) as well as the historical and cultural aspects of the art. The students who train at the school are extremely welcoming and helpful as well. This school is amazing because after every class I feel encouraged and inspired to continue training in kung fu and learning more about this wonderful cultural art.

Shifu Gary is a down to earth martial arts teacher with a huge amount of knowledge of several martial arts. Im learning a very traditional style of Taiji (Tai Chi), but Shifu makes it very approachable and fun to learn. I now practice nearly every day and go back to learn more once a week. Overall a great experience.

I had to look for several places before I chose this place.My son joined the school just before he turned 4. It was a challenge in the beginning to have him stay still and follow directions very well. Now its been a year since we are there and I just LOVE it there! I love watching my son growing, and performing! Its all about discipline, focus, memorizing a bunch of directions, and its ART! I originally had my son there to help him a bit with his breathing control and train his lungs to breath the right way so that we have less asthma attacks. Now , not only (fingers crossed) we didnt have asthma episodes at all year long, but also his focus, discipline and GOALS are a lot different now! yes! they learn to work toward achieving a goal, they learn to respect other friends, and they learn about how to deal with a bully in school, ... Its NOT about fighting, but when your kid will need to fight, he WILL be ready :-)They will also learn how to get up fast from a fall and not make themselves hurt , they will be stronger than gravity to get hurt the least :-)Besides all that ShiFu teaches a lot in chineese language and most kids are like a sponge! they learn it fast too! Its AMAZING!!!I had the chance to attend the schools chineese new year performance! That was BEAUTIFUL! and VERY ARTISTIC!! It was inspiring a lot for my son and ShiFus skills (and taste in music:-)) was definitely a model for my son!

I few months ago, I came to Chien Hong looking to pursue an interest in kung fu that I had for years. I was 36 years old with absolutely ZERO martial arts experience. I spoke with Shi Fu Gary Mitchell and immediately realized that he has a deep understanding and passion for kung fu and Chinese culture. He is an excellent teacher that will push your physical and mental abilities. I participated in one class, and I was hooked. Shi Fu Mitchell and the Chien Hong family welcomed me into their family from the moment I walked in the door. Shi Fu Mitchell and the other students are always willing to clear up any questions that I have and help me advance in my training. It is a great training environment where everyone is pushing each other to do their best. While I am very early in my training, I still feel that I have pushed my boundaries and physical limits. Also, I have an erratic work schedule, so I appreciate that there is a mix of morning classes and evening classes. I highly recommend anyone with an interest in kung fu or martial arts to pursue training at Chien Hong School of Kung Fu whether you have previous martial arts experience or not.

My two sons and I started with Chien Hong in November 2013. My boys enjoy the class - Shi Fu Gary has a good sense of humor and makes the class fun, but is also firm and demands discipline and respect. The result is a great rapport between students and teacher. In my sons I have already noticed better behavior at home, and a greater willingness to undertake difficult tasks.As for myself, I had some prior martial arts experience, but not in the last fifteen years. I am only able to go once a week and find that there is a LOT of variety in the class. The material covered as part of the curriculum is immense and includes conditioning and stretching, basic kick/punch/block drills, animal drills, forms, fighting technique combinations, weapons, breakfalls, joint locks, lion and dragon dance (these are optional though we occasionally do lion dance footwork as a drill), Chinese language, and history of the school and its ancestry. Beginners start at 8th level and work up to 1st from there over time. I am currently in 7th level, and the form I am learning has 103 movements in it. These movements arent simple punches and kicks for the most part, and it is challenging to just remember all of them. I think anyone would find that kung fu (and in particular this school) is a great way to expose your body to a wide range of movements and work muscles you didnt know you had.

Really like the atmosphere and the people here are very kind!

A member of Chien Hong Family for over 20 years. Traditional King Fu.

Fantastic Lion Dance Performance!