Legacy & Ethics
We’ve been growing for 35 years
There’s always more to learn, and that’s what’s so exciting about genuine, progressive, martial arts.
Our founder, Denise Bailey, BA (Hons) Philosophy, trained originally with Mugendo, the system pioneered by Meiji Suzuki. We honour him to this day for his inspiration.
Denise, 7th Dan, European & World Champion kickboxer, is ‘mother’ to an expanding group of young, dedicated kickboxing and martial arts instructors of outstanding merit. Whatever your level, from beginner to seasoned martial artist, from 4 – 100 years old, you’ll be welcome and looked after at Meiji Martial Arts in London.
Sensei Denise Bailey
7th Dan
Sensei Denise has a lifetime of kickboxing behind her, a 7th Dan World & European Champion, international judge & referee. She’s the guiding light to our team of exceptional instructors, whilst always being in the dojo herself, teaching and inspiring.
Meiji Martial Arts Ethics and Values
At Meiji Martial Arts, we have a clear and easy-to-understand set of principles, driven by our ethical positioning, and creating our ongoing policies.
The Dojo is a special place, where mutual respect is the underlying principle at all times. As human beings, we are all equal, and the only distinction we make between us is the belts we earn, as a positive mark of individual achievement. The respect we have for our instructors (our Senseis and Sempais) is equally matched by their respect for all Students. We have a zero tolerance of swearing, bullying, racism and dishonesty.
Our Workforce
The people who work for us are selected fundamentally for their character. Of course there are qualifications to consider, but only after their assessment as a person. We look for honour, respect, diversity, inclusiveness, humanity and humility. We return that with fair pay, good conditions of employment, open dialogue, and involvement in Dojo & business decisions. Our maxim is that the best pathway to 100% customer satisfaction is 100% staff satisfaction.
Ecology & Supply Chains
We will only contract with suppliers who share the same principles and code of ethics as us. This applies to the environment and the production of goods and services. Those shared principles include manufacturing transparency, pollution control, ecological waste disposal, sustainability, no child labour, and compliance with the Modern Slavery Act 2015.
The Law
We stay up-to-date and abide at all times by English Law. We expect the same from our staff, our students, and our suppliers.
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Yes, you will get fit from our program and through our training, provided you train regularly and train hard. When training at Meiji Martial Arts and undergoing our program, it is essential to push yourself to your limits. More than anything, however, you will have fun with our training program, while acquiring life skills like being able to defend yourself. And you get fitness as an automatic bonus.
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Martial Arts is known to be a contact sport, so health and safety at our Dojos are particularly important to us. Our policy is to give every member a sense of safety and security. We provide an environment for students to work out and develop their martial arts in a safe and controlled environment. The Meiji Martial Arts team are world-class, full-time professionals who are fully insured, licensed, DBS checked and qualified in first aid. Our instructors deliver a diverse experience full of fun, under control, where no one is harmed. Meiji Martial Arts is for everyone, at all levels, age, and fitness.
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We welcome people of all levels, age, and fitness to our classes. Our instructors are trained to assess each individual, understand their level of fitness and ensure the program is paced appropriately.
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Yes, there are dedicated changing rooms and toilets for our members. There are shower facilities at St. John’s Wood, no shower facilities at Temple Fortune.
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You should arrive at the Dojo 15 minutes before your class time. Your instructor will meet and greet you, give you a tour of the facilities, and get you comfortable and ready for when the class begins. When coming to your first free-trial class, it is important that you bring: loose clothing, so you can kick, punch, and move around in the class (the Dojo will provide boots and gloves for your first session): A bottle of water and a towel. Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for their first session.