St Johns Wood · Adults
Kickstart.
Begin, Learn, Progress
About Adults Kickstart
The ideal introduction to kickboxing at Meiji — perfect if you've ever been curious but didn't know where to begin. KICKSTART covers the fundamental techniques and combinations that underpin everything we teach. You'll learn the basics of kickboxing — foundational kicks, punches, and combinations — along with punch bag work, pad work, and full-body conditioning exercises. Every class starts with a proper warmup and stretch, so you'll leave loose, worked out, and ready for more. All this happens in a relaxed, no-pressure environment — no uniform, no belt grading. Come once on a drop-in, buy a block of classes, or treat it as your introduction to our Technical class, ready for whenever you feel it's time to move up. However you arrive, you'll leave feeling like you've found something.
Benefits
- Complete beginners welcome
- No experience or fitness prerequisites
- Fundamentals taught step by step
- Clear pathway into main adult classes
Schedule
Timetable.
Instructors
Meet Your Coaches.
Sensei Denise Bailey
7th Dan — Founder & Chief Instructor
Sensei Denise has a lifetime of kickboxing behind her — a 7th Dan World & European Champion, international judge and referee. She's the guiding light to our team of exceptional instructors, whilst always being in the dojo herself, teaching and inspiring. Her competitive record spans decades with multiple World and European championship titles.
- W.A.K.O World Champion (London 1991)
- W.A.K.O European Champion (Venice 1996)
- Multiple British Champion titles
- International Judge & Referee
Sensei James Guerrero
2nd Dan — Kickboxing
Sensei James started kickboxing at age 4 and was awarded his black belt at just 15 — encouraged to begin teaching immediately. He achieved his 1st Dan at 17 and 2nd Dan at 19. Under Sensei Denise's mentorship, James has transformed his life through martial arts and found his calling in teaching.
- 2nd Dan Black Belt
- Teaching since age 15
- Competitive kickboxing background
- Junior Coaching Programme mentor
Sensei Vlad Zaremskyi
2nd Dan — Taekwon-do & Kickboxing
Vlad's martial arts journey began in Ukraine with Taekwon-do ITF, where he competed and taught for 12 years. Holding a 2nd Dan Black Belt and a Bachelor's degree in Physical Education, Vlad joined the Meiji team in 2022 and brings a wealth of technical knowledge and teaching experience.
- 2nd Dan Black Belt — Taekwon-do ITF
- 12 years teaching experience
- BSc Physical Education
- Competitive Taekwon-do background
Sensei Radha Castellino Dominguez
Black Belt — Kickboxing
Radha began kickboxing at age 9 and found in it a discipline that built her confidence and self-worth. Now a black belt, she balances her own training with university studies and is passionate about creating the same safe, empowering environment for students that she found at Meiji.
- Black Belt — Kickboxing
- Junior Coaching Programme
- Competitive experience
- Student mentor
Sensei Alex Blomquist
4th Dan — Kickboxing
Sensei Alex started training in 1998 at age 15 under Sensei Denise. After 3 years he became a full-time instructor and achieved his 1st Dan at 20. A British Championships silver medallist and Spanish Championships gold medallist, Alex earned his 4th Dan in 2013 and helps shape the Meiji curriculum.
- 4th Dan Black Belt
- Spanish Championships Gold (2006)
- British Championships Silver (2005)
- 25+ years martial arts experience
Sensei Jamal Stern
2nd Dan — Kickboxing
Sensei Jamal is a 2nd Dan Black Belt and a dedicated instructor at Meiji Martial Arts. He brings energy, precision and an infectious passion for kickboxing to every class he teaches, inspiring students of all ages and abilities.
- 2nd Dan Black Belt
- Competitive kickboxing experience
- Youth programme specialist
Membership
Pricing.
Getting Started.
New to Meiji
Monthly Memberships.
Price for Life
All classes included — train across every discipline, every age group, at no extra cost.
- Only 8 members per class
- All disciplines included
- Price for Life (until cancelled)
- No contract / 1 month cancellation period
- Meiji uniform and equipment required
- Only 8 members per class
- All disciplines included
- Price for Life (until cancelled)
- No contract / 1 month cancellation period
- Meiji uniform and equipment required
- Only 8 members per class
- All disciplines included
- Price for Life (until cancelled)
- No contract / 1 month cancellation period
- Meiji uniform and equipment required
Class Blocks.
One-off upfront payment — no contract
All classes included — use your block across any discipline, any age group.
Private Classes.
1-to-1 personal training — at the dojo or as a home visit
Any discipline, any level — personalised sessions, one-to-one or shared with one other person.
1 Private Class
£110
5 Private Classes
£525
10 Private Classes
£1,000