MARTIAL ARTS FOR EVERY LEVEL
ABOUT
MEIJI KICKBOXING LONDON
GROW WITH US
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 – 80 years old, you’ll be welcome and looked after at Meiji Kickboxing in London.
SENSEI DENISE'S STORY
Sensei Denise Bailey shares her journey in life - taking her from her Bajan roots, to growing up in 70s King's Cross to today and the Meiji Kickboxing dojo...
WATCH THE MEIJI KICKBOXING STORY
JOIN US
OUR LONDON KICKBOXING DOJOS
ST. JOHN'S WOOD DOJO
Group classes available from £16.25 per class.
Private 1:1 and Small Private Groups (1-4) available from £40 per class.
TEMPLE FORTUNE DOJO
Group classes available from £14.50 per class.
Private 1:1 and Small Private Groups (1-4) available from £40 per class.
STUDENTS
WHAT OUR STUDENTS SAY
★★★★★
"So delighted this #kickboxing club has opened. Such a great atmosphere and fantastic skilled instructors. Great club for the whole family. 10/10"
PHILIP GREEN
★★★★★
"The Meiji team has a fantastic group of instructors that hold numerous different skills from diverse backgrounds. I can highly recommend Meiji and its team."
MARK TOBIAS
★★★★★
"This team of instructors are diamonds; great kick-boxers, fantastic teachers and impeccable in their approach. I could not recommend them more highly."
NILI NEWMAN
★★★★★
"These guys are highly professional trainers. I can only give the highest superlatives and recommendations. Try and you will not be sorry!"
AMIT KRAUS
★★★★★
"I love seeing my grandson enjoy himself at these classes, the staff are fantastic. It’s such a pleasure to watch and see the amazing results!"
FIFI GEORGESCU
★★★★★
"Highly experienced, friendly, passionate about their art, and an excellent range of lessons – I cannot recommend these Senseis highly enough."
SIMON NEWTON
SPORTSMANSHIP
Respect, self-respect, camaraderie and honour establish the mark of good character.
GROW WITH US
Whatever your level you’ll be welcome and looked after at Meiji Kickboxing.
THE TEAM
MEET OUR INSTRUCTORS & PARTNERS
MEIJI KICKBOXING INSTRUCTORS
MEIJI PARTNERS
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.
YEAR
EVENT
PLACE
1987
Mod-Ka Invitational
2nd
B.M.A.F
1st
A.K.A National Championships
1st
A.M.A National Championships
1st
1988
B.M.A.F
1st
Mod-Ka Open
1st
A.M.A National Championships
1st
1990
W.A.K.O European Championships (Venice)
2nd
W.A.K.O World Championships (Madrid)
2nd
1991
A.M.A International (Spain)
1st
British Championships
1st
W.A.K.O World Championships (London)
1st
1992
British Championships
1st
W.A.K.O European Championships (Bulgaria)
2nd
1993
British Championships
1st
1994
British Championships
1st
W.A.K.O European Championships (Portugal)
3rd
1995
British Championships
1st
W.A.K.O World Championships (Germany)
3rd
1996
A.M.A International (Spain)
1st
British Championships
1st
W.A.K.O European Championships (Venice)
1st
1997
A.M.A Open - Tournament Organiser
W.A.K.O World Championships (Dubrovkic) - Women's Team Captain
1998
W.A.K.O European Championships (Germany) - Women's Team Captain
1999
W.A.K.O World Championships (Venice) - Women's Team Coach
SENSEI GIBSON ARIZA
Black Belt
My martial arts journey began in the Philippines when I was 9, for about 3 and a half years. After taking a break to focus on my studies, I began training in boxing and Brazilian jujitsu, and had 2 successful competitions. Then my mother moved us to Blackpool, UK in 2011 for a better life.
It was a new beginning. I discovered a different passion when I became a break-dancer with Freefly crew for 7 years. But although my dancing career took me to many places, martial arts was still my greatest passion. I tried taekwondo but I wanted to integrate my boxing skills, and this led me eventually to kickboxing
Seeking better opportunities, I moved to London where I became Sensei Denise’s student. This steered my career as a junior instructor, and with diligent hard work I achieved my Black belt in 2018. I have been privileged to work alongside Sensei Denise and my kickboxing family ever since.
SENSEI JAMES GUERRERO
2nd Dan
"In real life the hardest aspect of the battle between good and evil is determining which is which" - G. R. R. Martin
Born and raised in London, Sensei James started his kickboxing journey at the age of 4.
His love for the sport began to flourish whilst at secondary school when he was faced with the challenges of being bullied over his weight and height. This was a particularly difficult time for him, and it was with the support of his martial arts family and the confidence that the discipline and adjustment of mind brings that aided his growth, development and true sense of self.
He was so dedicated that he was awarded his black belt and encouraged to begin teaching at the age of 15, and this was the beginning of his passion for teaching.
Sensei James says ‘There is nothing more rewarding than being a part of someone else’s development’.
His commitment and dedication were such that he was awarded his first Dan at 17, and encouraged to participate in several competitions, which led to his 2nd Dan at the age of 19.
Under the mentorship and guidance of Sensei Denise, his perception of life transformed, and he has learned that true and enduring success will always be built upon a solid team and community foundation.
SENSEI JOHN RUOCCO
5th Dan
"You can apply Meiji Kickboxing to all aspects of your life."
Sensei John has been a kickboxer since 1994, bringing comprehensive fighting skills to the dojo. He is a 5th Dan, and will share his knowledge with you on your own journey.
SENSEI JOSHUA REES IVEY
1st Dan
I came to London in 2015 to begin a professional career in the West End and internationally as a dancer and choreographer. With a background of gymnastics, break dancing and hip hop styles, movement is something that came naturally to me.
I always had an interest and underlying passion for martial arts and I was fortunate enough to find the right avenue to express this passion when I met Sensei Denise Bailey. She and the team pushed me way beyond what I ever thought I was capable of, which led to me competing successfully over the last few years. I consider myself fortunate, privileged and proud to be part of the Meiji Kickboxing team. Every day I look forward to what we can achieve together and I enjoy seeing growth and progress in our Students and Instructors.
SENSEI MATTEO SILENO
Black Belt
"I first put my feet on the dojo floor back in Italy when I was 12, and practised karate for nearly 2 years. I then took a break until I was 17, when I stepped into kickboxing (American style), and rose to competitor level."
"After several years, I then began to practise krav maga, in the meantime becoming a personal trainer and acquiring certificates in postural gymnastics. I decided to move to London in 2017, where I had the opportunity to continue practising krav maga. I ran classes after earning the Level 3 personal trainer certificate and a blue belt (minimum grade required to be an instructor)."
"I then became a kickboxing instructor after earning a black belt in Niedo Kickboxing, where I had the opportunity to teach people of all ages. After Niedo, I worked in a fitness centre, before joining Meiji Kickboxing."
SEMPAI RADHA CASTELLINO DOMINGUEZ
Black Belt
"When I was 9 years old I was fidgety, awkward and a little chubby. I had tried a few sports but found them generally uninteresting and difficult. I have always felt a lot of pressure to be the best at everything I do. At kickboxing, I felt no pressure, finishing every class feeling empowered and satisfied, even though I was a bit ungainly."
"Sensei Denise inspired me, and her team have always made me feel safe. I never felt clumsy or useless as I did with other sports. They taught me values (self-control, discipline, hard work) and the self-confidence I gained has positively impacted many areas of my life."
"I am currently doing my GCSEs as well as several extra-curricular activities. Kickboxing gives me a safe space to forget any stress, to unwind and refocus in a safe environment, leaving my problems at the door."
SENSEI VOLODYMYR HAVDYDA
Black Belt
I arrived in the UK in late 2008 and struggled a lot with the language barrier for the first couple years. Having tried a variety of sports including football, tennis and karate, I was never satisfied with what they had to offer - but I knew with karate that I was heading in the right direction. And then I discovered the sport of kickboxing, which surpassed karate for so many reasons. Since leaving karate in 2014, I have never regretted my decision. My kickboxing experience has been phenomenal, especially with Meiji Kickboxing, which gave me the opportunity to compete at both National and World Championship level. It has become part of my life, helping me deal with all its challenges, and the club is like my second family!
SEMPAI OLIVIA BAKER
Junior Instructor Belt
"There’s no greater metaphor for life than sports itself” Kobe Bryant"
"While at university in Durham, I originally got into boxing to improve my mental and physical health, and ended up falling in love with how empowered and strong combat sports made me feel. Returning to London after university, I started kickboxing and was hooked with the amazing energy and community created by the instructors and the fellow students. Martial arts has been life-changing for me both inside and outside the dojo, and I feel incredibly grateful to be a part of other people’s kickboxing journey."
"Currently, I am also studying for a nutritional therapy degree, from a functional medicine model, as am passionate about making people feel amazing from the inside out!"
SEMPAI MAYAN ZUCKER
Junior Instructor Belt
"After moving to London at the age of 4 from Tel Aviv, I was quickly swept into the world of sports. Over the years, having tried a variety of sports such as gymnastics, netball and competitive swimming, I found myself unsatisfied in terms of my progress, happiness and health. At the age of 15, I was introduced to the world of kickboxing. It changed my perspective on everything that came my way. It gave me the confidence and discipline that I needed in my everyday life to grow as a person both inside and out."
"Now, after completing my A-levels in Fine Art, Fashion and Photography, I've moved forward in my education and been accepted to study an art foundation as a pre-university course through the ‘University of the Arts London’. Over the next year or two, I hope to proceed to a degree course in Fine Art on the human body."
"My enthusiasm for kickboxing has fed into my understanding of how the human body works, both physically and mentally, and helped me to create art and designs that portray my view on the world’s rights and wrongs, the beauty of our functioning bodies and of life itself."
KIERAN LOWE
Just One Body
Kieran has been in healthcare for over 20 years, working with a range of active and occupational patients. He is a keen sportsman and has been involved with football, dance, martial arts, climbing and endurance sports from an early age.
As an Osteopath and Sports Rehabilitator, Kieran is well placed to manage a range of injuries, whether traumatic or caused by overuse.
"The key to a great recovery is understanding what has caused the issue in the first place. The onset of pain or injury is a bit like a recipe - it has a number of ingredients contributing to the outcome. Our job is to look at the whole of your body and explore all those ingredients, so we can get you back on track."
Kieran is Clinic Director of Just one body, managing a team of therapists at 3 clinics in London. The nearest one to Meiji Kickboxing is his Swiss Cottage clinic in the Better leisure centre.
Find out more at JustOneBody.com
STAMINA
Regular exercise and training will quickly build your stamina, enabling you to outlast and out-perform those around you.
STRENGTH
Increase mental and physical strength without the use of weights or machines..
CONTACT
FIND US AND GET IN TOUCH
Meiji Kickboxing London Dojos
St. John’s Wood
Lower Ground,
62A St. John’s Wood High Street,
London NW8 7SH
