Larry Tatum Kenpo Karate Studio

The reason I moved to Pasadena in the first place was to train with Master Larry Tatum.

I mean, the rest of Pasadena is great too, but as soon as I fell in love with the art of American Kenpo, I knew about Larry Tatum. And at the time of that first introduction to the art ten years ago, I was living across the country in Ohio. Who knew that I would end up in Southern California and have the opportunity to actually live in Pasadena and attend his American Kenpo school in my spare time?!

I haven't been able to train steadily in quite a few months due to schedule constraints, as my time to work out is limited to the early mornings for the most part. But I am very fond of the classes and teaching structure. I've been to so many dojos, and I don't get emotionally attached to many of them... but when the training is solid and the environment is golden, well... it's something you never forget and strive to return to. The longer I'm away from it, the stronger the urge gets to jump back into a technique line or dive into the fundamentals of a new kata. The love for this school is never leaving me.

FYI, the Kenpo school has relocated to a studio on Lake, so check the website for the new address. I'll be back soon, I hope!

My son (5) has just started karate at the Sierra Madre location, he's really enjoying it! Larry Tatum and his staff are so friendly and is very attentive to both parents and kids. My son, has so far, had some private lessons (which they schedule to suit our timetable) and he can't wait to continue to the group classes. The teachers are great with him, they teach at my son's 'eye level' and have helped him learn a lot already, and made him feel confidant and comfortable- not overwhelming at all. All together very happy!

Larry has a special promotion period where you can take a certain number of classes for a discount price. He told me that I needed to buy ghis (the karated uniform) from him for myself and my two children to work out there. He assured me the price of the ghis would be 100% refunded if we chose not to work out there. Okay, we signed up for the promotion period.

The facility: The dojo absolutely reeks of incense. And one has to climb an insanely steep staircase to reach it.

The instruction: Instructors were assigned haphazardly to me and my two kids. We would show up and Larry would grab a blue-belt / brown belt / black belt, and ask them to teach us. There was very little organization.

One time we showed up for a scheduled lesson and there was noone to teach us. An instructor was just waiting for her client to show up. He did not. So she started to teach me and my kids after fifteen or twenty minutes. After about fifteen minutes, her client finally showed up, about a half hour late. She immediately stopped working with us, bowed out, and began working with her late client. What about taking responsibility for your actions? If your client is late, they pay the price where they have to wait. Whatever. So a ten minute lesson that one day.

Ultimately, we were not able to continue instruction there. I got a new job and had to move. This was within the "promotion" period. I returned the ghis, washed and folded. Larry assured me a check would be in the mail. It never came.

I have since called twice asking him what is going on, both times he assures me the check is in the mail, blames the delay on an assistant. But still, no check ever arrives. So either Larry is a liar or he is extremely lazy. I have waited long enough (months now). So much for his warrior code of ethics.

I believe there are better karate facilities in Pasadena with more organized and more responsible instruction. My recommendation: go elsewhere.

Anyone who is interested in the martial arts should consider American Kenpo because of it's practicality and real world usefulness. Not only this but it has a scientific nature to it and is categorized in a way that makes it adaptable to the individual how humans actually move in an altercation.
If you are considering joining you could not choose a better instructor as Mr. Tatum is a 1st generation black belt under Founding Grand Master (FGM) Edmund Parker.
Mr. Tatum knows how to bring what may seem complex down to anyone's level and explain it in such a way that you will not forget the principles inherent in this art.
I've seen and trained with many American Kenpo black belts and there are very few who move like Mr. Parker did. Mr. Tatum knows this art and moves like our founding father. Do your homework and you will find that Mr. Tatum is one of the best if not the best choice in the world. Don't pass this opportunity up if you are close enough to train in his school. He does have a long distance program too for those that can't attend his school.