a family martial arts school
Ambrose Academy of Wing Chun Do
Since 1988, Ambrose Academy’s motto has been “Turning Martial Art Into Martial Science.” We look at the science of efficient movement, energy, and superior positioning. We search for the most effective techniques that allow us to neutralize and walk away from an altercation.
We stand on the shoulders of giants in the martial arts world, Yip Man, Bruce Lee, and Sijo James DeMile, each a martial art scientist. Through their experience and experimentation, a new interpretation of the fighting arts emerged. They each engaged in extensive research and development throughout their martial arts careers. Their scientific approach to fighting skills and self-defense gives us a head start in our journey in the martial arts. Their years of knowledge and experience provide insight into the physics of bio-mechanics inherent in Wing Chun Do.
Martial Life Skills Center
Our School
Ambrose Academy of Wing Chun Do is an award-winning school and a full-service family martial arts center. We offer a full range of classes for all ages with age-specific curricula. We focus on total family participation in our programs. What makes Ambrose Academy unique? It is the welcoming, caring atmosphere and nurturing, fun-filled environment, a place of camaraderie and community where our ultimate goal is your success.
This unique teaching style and approach to learning are why Ambrose Academy is one of the top schools in the Metropolitan Detroit area for adults and kids. Our school is listed on Expertise.com website for Best Detroit Martial Arts Schools in 2022, one of five schools picked by local editors for Nickelodeon's Parent's Picks Award with the distinction of winning Nickelodeon's inaugural award in 2009 and winning again in 2010 as the Best Martial Arts Class and Best Family Friendly Business.
Our comprehensive instructor-training program ensures highly qualified instructors that teach in great detail using an easy-to-learn, step-by-step instructional method emphasizing individual attention. Ambrose Academy's carefully formulated teaching system ensures success in a relatively short period.
Ambrose Academy is the only school in Michigan that offers Wing Chun Do, a style that has a direct lineage to Bruce Lee and is based on his concepts developed in Seattle, Washington. Wing Chun Do is a modern, practical, reality-based self-defense system for the new millennium. Defined by James W. DeMile, a member of the original Seattle group and now taught by the inheritor, Rocco Ambrose. Anyone can learn practical self-defense skills regardless of size, age, or physical condition in a surprisingly short time.
We provide a wide range of public safety programs, such as our anti-abduction programs for women and children, conflict avoidance program, field trips, after-school fundraisers, and adult Personal Protection Programs. Our STRANGER SMART© program is a successful and entertaining program to teach youngsters the tools for dealing with strangers with presentations throughout the Metropolitan Detroit area.
Since 1988, Ambrose Academy of Wing Chun Do has established a reputation of service to students and the community. Ambrose Academy has generated funds for local schools and athletic organizations through our After School Martial Arts Fundraising Program and helped raise needed funds for playground equipment, renovations, sports equipment, and uniforms. Ambrose Academy has provided self-defense programs for companies, including Detroit Diesel Automotive, UAW, Ford Motor Company, and the Livonia Army Reserves.
Award-Winning School
2022 Top Martial Arts Schools in Detroit by expertise.com
Using criteria like reputation, credibility, engagement, experience and professionalism, Expertise selects and reviews the top local businesses throughout the nation, to help readers find the best experts in each field. Expertise has recognized Ambrose Academy of Wing Chun Do as one of the Best Martial Arts Schools in Detroit for 2022.
Nickelodeon Parents Picks Award Winner
Two Years In A Row!
Local editors awarded Ambrose Academy numerous awards for Best Martial Arts Class and Best Family Friendly Business in the Metropolitan Detroit area. We won the first-ever Nickelodeon's Parents' Picks Award in 2009, where local editors, based on research and client feedback, chose only five schools to participate in the award's inaugural year. In 2010, from a field of twenty or more schools, Ambrose Academy Family Martial Art Center was again chosen as the winner. We now hold the distinction of winning the award two years in a row! Our dedication to the personal growth, development, and safety of our students and their families, our emphasis on creating a warm, inviting atmosphere, and our goal of giving excellent service make Ambrose Academy one of the Best Martial Art Schools in Michigan.
WDIV 4 The Best
2007 & 2020 Runner Up and Top 5 Martial Arts School
When WDIV Channel 4 introduced its 4The Best contest to showcase the best in the Detroit Metropolitan Area, Ambrose Academy was one of the first schools nominated for Best Martial Arts Class chosen Top Five in 2007 and 2020, taking the runner-up position. More gratifying for us were the fantastic 254 testimonials with a five-star rating given over the years by students, former students, parents, and family.
Picked to be included in first year of WDIV 4 The Best Contest.
Instructor of the Decade Award 2001
In June 2001, at the first Wing Chun Do Convention held in Waikiki, Hawaii, and in front of his peers, students, family, and friends, Sifu Rocco Ambrose was awarded Instructor of the Decade by Sijo DeMile. The award reads: "In recognition for over ten years of excellence as a Wing Chun Do instructor. You are an instructor's instructor and a primary example of what qualities an instructor should seek to develop. Your dedication, sincerity, creativity, and friendship have helped make Wing Chun Do what it is today."
Today, Sitai-gung (Grandmaster) Rocco Ambrose is recognized as the inheritor of Wing Chun Do Gung Fu. He continues to inspire and instill the qualities needed to become exceptional Wing Chun Do instructors.
Wing Chun Do’s SIJO Award
In January 2002, Sijo James DeMile presented the highest award in the Wing Chun Do to Sibok Rocco Ambrose – The Sijo Award. The plaque reads: For your dedication to the art of Wing Chun Do, the sincere concern for your students, the high degree of teaching skills, and the many years of friendship. – Sijo James W. DeMile.
Sijo DeMile continued to recognize Rocco throughout the years, making him the only one of all his certified instructors allowed to train and certify all future instructors of Wing Chun Do.
What parents, students, and their families have to say about Ambrose Academy of Wing Chun Do
We are proud that our school, Ambrose Academy, is an award-winning school and recognized as one of the Best Family-Friendly Businesses in Metro Detroit with a 5-star rating and one of the top Martial Arts schools in Michigan.
Over three hundred students and families recommend Ambrose Academy because of its unique teaching style and approach to learning. The welcoming, caring atmosphere and nurturing, fun-filled environment is a place of camaraderie and community, where egos stop at the door, and our ultimate goal is your success.
Our School’s Facilities
Skillful instructors and a Friendly training environment are major assets of Ambrose Academy of Wing Chun Do. The school is extremely well equipped with a wide variety of Training Devices for more Creative Learning. Some of the training devices are custom made and developed by Sijo James DeMile and others to enhance and complement the needs of Wing Chun Do Gung Fu.
Ambrose Academy facility includes: Main Training Hall, Padded Mat Room, Small Training Room, Parent Gallery and Pro Shop.
Wide variety of custom built training devices and apparatus: Stress Wheel, Live Dummy, Running Heavy Bag, Heavy and Speed Bags, Wavemasters, Reflex Timers, Lights, Station Training and Training Equipment.
Training and Safety Equipment required to train, available for purchase at the school.
Certain rooms are closed due to the ongoing pandemic at this time. The facility has a sanitation station and is sanitized for the student and instructor’s safety after every class. New HVAC system with multiple UV air scrubbers, and an ozone generator activated every evening.
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Mat Room, Bag Rail, Throwing Mats
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Freestanding Wing Chun Wooden Dummy and Bag Rack
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Spring Loaded and Wooden Dummy Wall
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Painting and Office View
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Main Room with Wavemasters
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Equipment Racks
Community Services
Stranger Smart© Presentation
Fantastic and effective presentation on stranger safety and awareness, endorsed by teachers, administrators, and civic leaders. Stranger Smart© Program offers Five Steps to Safety that gives children the tools in dealing with strangers.
A fun interactive program presented at schools, community events, and at Ambrose Academy.
(temporarily suspended due to pandemic)
60 - 80 mins | TBD | Want more info? See below.
Martial Arts Movement Class Field Trips
This program offers a great field trip experience for local community children’s groups or camps. Your campers will have a great time learning martial arts, kicking, jumping, and running through fun skill challenges. Contact us to schedule your event.
(temporarily suspended due to pandemic)
180 mins | per person price | Want more info? See below.
Smart Girls “Street Smarts”© Program
Look for Smart Girls Street Smarts© classes scheduled throughout the year at Ambrose Academy. Preventative safety measures and tips, social media safety, introduction to mental and physical self-defense, overall safety and well-being when away from home and more.
6- 55 mins classes | $139| Want more info? See below.
WCD Newsletter
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