Primary goal

Make self defense and martial arts training available to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay.

Why we need your help

• Our fee-based system doesn’t completely cover our expenses.
• We need to continue to create a safe space where everyone can be challenged mentally, physically, and spiritually in our traditional martial arts program.
• We want our members to learn the life-changing skills of empowerment self defense.
• We need to spread the message to our community that everyone has a right to defend themselves, no one should be the target of bullies, and we all have the power to stand up for ourselves and for others.

How does martial arts training help our students?

A fundamental skill for martial artists is awareness of our surroundings and the ability to respond immediately to changes and challenges in our environment.  For example, when Covid struck Austin, we quickly realized that our traditional approach to teaching was no longer safe and within a week we had completely shifted to online classes via Zoom. Our goals also pivoted from teaching physical skills in person to creating an online refuge where our students could connect with others, feel a sense of comfort and continuity with their pre-pandemic lives, and continue to love and support their friends and partners despite the physical separation. Sun Dragon’s Zoom program was an important resource for all of us to help get through the pandemic and deal with the loss and disconnection that we’ve felt over the past couple of years.

Our doors are open to people of all races, genders, ages, and sexual orientations.

The event

In the weeks before the event, students engage in active fundraising to reach their personal financial and sponsorship goals. The day of the event, participants of different age levels get to complete their own kicking goals and participate in a community celebration. For some of us it’s our favorite day of the year.

On November 2, 2024 we will gather for a kicking marathon (hence KICKATHON). Our youngest students will do two hundred kicks, while older kids do five hundred. Adult members will continue on and accomplish the task of a thousand kicks each.

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