American Kenpo Jiu Jitsu

Welcome to the Woodland Hills Martial Arts Center, home of American Kenpo Jiu-Jitsu. Our martial system is a blending of two practical and robust arts: American Kenpo and Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. American Kenpo is internationally recognized as one of the premier stand-up martial arts, well known for its speed and power. Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is the current world-leader in grappling and submissions. We teach each art so that it remains true and complete to its unique style, yet combine them in seamless application. The synergy between the two arts is so complete you will not know where one ends and the other begins.

Both American Kenpo and Gracie Jiu-Jitsu are taught in their unaltered entirety. For example, when you are a Blue Belt in American Kenpo Jiu-Jitsu, you will also know all the material for a Blue Belt in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.

We offer classes in both American Kenpo Jiu-Jitsu and stand-alone Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.
You have the choice of studying the combined system or just Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.

The Woodland Hills Martial Arts Center is a Gracie Academy Certified Training Center.

Development of American Kenpo Jiu-Jitsu

Through his decades of intense study and dedication to American Kenpo, Senior Master Tabatabai became increasingly aware of a gap in the system: None of the techniques included defense if you were taken to the ground. In order to fill this gap, Mr. Tabatabai sought the best instructors in the best ground system available today. That ground system is Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.

Our School

The Woodland Hills Martial Arts Center opened in 1990. For over two decades, The Center has been a training icon in the San Fernando Valley. Due to the strict adherence standards, Senior Master Tabatabai has promoted fewer than eighty students to the rank of Black Belt. There are many karate-ka, but the few who have trained under Senior Master Tabatabai are clearly recognizable. Our goal is to make you a great martial artist.

“Train your students to be better than yourself.” - Senior Master Tabatabai

Our Philosophy

We teach an effective combination of stand-up and ground fighting techniques, weapons training and fitness. Through our practical approach to self-defense, our students quickly become capable of defending themselves in virtually any situation.

About Mohamad Tabatabai

Mr. Tabatabai began his martial arts journey in 1978 at Sr. Grand Master Ed Parker’s West Los Angeles American Kenpo School. He was personally promoted to the rank of Master (5th Degree Black Belt) by American Kenpo’s creator, Sr. Grand Master Ed Parker. He currently holds the rank of 9th Degree Black Belt (Grand Master/Senior Master of the Art) in American Kenpo.

In addition to these amazing credentials, Mr. Tabatabai has been training at the Torrance Gracie Academy directly under Senior Masters Ryron and Rener Gracie, son of Grand Master Rorion Gracie. Mr. Tabatabai is a Gracie Combatives Certified Instructor.

Tae Kwon Do Times Magazine School of the Month, January 2010

The Woodland Hills Martial Arts Center was awarded “School of the Month, January 2010” by Tae Kwon Do Times Magazine (Volume 30 No. 1/Issue Number 173, pgs. 36 & 37).

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