TEEN KICKBOXING
a supportive martial arts practice for unique, deep-feeling teens (13 - 16) to transform stress and overwhelm while discovering their inner strengths
A space for deep-feeling teens to discover their inner strengths
Social pressure, academic stress, and the weight of the world can be overwhelming. Tender Warrior offers a space to transform that stress into deep inner strength of body, mind, and heart.
Through mindful martial arts and connection practices, teens learn to release tension, reset their nervous systems, and uncover their authentic gifts. Here, sensitivity is a strength, not a weakness.
With instructor guidance and peer support, teens cultivate resilience, presence, and self-trust — discovering the power that comes from being fully themselves.
Is this program for you?
You may already be a Tender Warrior if…
You have big feelings
The world feels like it’s too much sometimes
Your care hard about other people, animals, and/or nature
You feel like an outsider
You’re creative, and/or deeply engaged by art, games, music, etc
You want to move your body but aren’t into team sports
There’s a place for you here. This program meets you where you are and invites you on a fun journey to discover your unique strengths.
Four elements to build strength from the inside out
Tender Warrior is a journey through the four elements. Each represents a different aspect of our practice that we learn to embody through kickboxing and martial arts training. Together, they create a path that’s simple, clear, and fun to follow.
Air / Focus
Techniques to quiet the noise and help you choose how to direct your attention
Earth / Presence
Find your power as you regulate your breath, body, and nervous system
Water / Connection
Build trust in yourself and others as you master partner holding pads for one another
Fire / Expression
Discover your personal style and authentic voice through community engagement
A note from your guide
I started karate when I was 13, at a dojo across the street from my house. I wasn’t into team sports and I struggled to find where I belonged. The dojo was a sanctuary for me as a shy, artistic kid who got bullied.
By 15, I was teaching classes. Martial arts gave me something I hadn’t experienced before: confidence, self-esteem, and a way to move through the world with strength.
Decades later, I opened my own dojo, Fighting Chance Seattle, and launched a teen kickboxing program. I had so much fun teaching those classes. I valued passing on the mentorship I received as I supported advanced students to grow into strong, confident instructors.
However, I was starting to see how martial arts reinforced a culture of dominance and insecurity, both in myself and in my students. There was a gap between what was being taught and what we needed as individuals and a community to thrive.
In 2018 I made the difficult choice to close my dojo to go on a multi-year journey of healing and discovery. I didn’t expect to teach martial arts again. I completed trainings and workshops in mindfulness, conscious communication, and somatic awareness.
Each experience helped me to see myself more deeply and move towards wholeness.
I discovered I was neurocomplex, broadened my understanding of masculinity, and addressed the impact of trauma on my nervous system. Through this lens I came to see that while my teenage dojo experience was valuable, it also encouraged me to mask my sensitivity with toughness.
My vision for Tender Warrior: Kickboxing for Sensitive Teens is to offer a program for kids like me that integrates the best parts of my martial arts training with everything I have learned about cultivating resilience: a safe place to move, belong, and to discover that your sensitivity is the source of your greatest strength.
I look forward to training with you,
Jordan Ferretti
tender warrior is a practice of gentle strength and fierce compassion
Parents FAQ
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We recommend loose, comfortable workout clothes, and depending on the season, they may want to bring layers. Bring a water bottle. We will provide boxing gloves for the first session.
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We recommend trying to attend both weekly classes, but if you are only able to consistently make one class per week that can work. There is no contract required, but to benefit from this program we recommend committing for at least 3 - 6 months.
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There is street parking available on the streets around the studio. We can provide a parking map. For drop-offs you can pull onto Dearborn and your child can enter through the front, or you can enter through the Big John’s PFI parking garage and take the elevator up to our back entrance.
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While there are some chairs in the studio, it’s a small space and our emphasis is on creating a distraction free environment where teens can practice being in their agency and autonomy with peers.
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Our classes are oriented towards skill-building and pad work, while we do occasional light play-sparring activities, these are more like games, and we don’t allow any head contact.
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Our recommended age range is 13 - 16. We are open to considering mature 12 year olds who are comfortable participating with older teens in a supervised environment.
Be part of our newly forming class community!
Our students don’t just train together, over time they become friends and supporters, helping each other to level up inside and outside of the dojo.
These photos are from our original Teen Kickboxing program at Fighting Chance Seattle (2013 - 2018).
Get Started
Our Teen Kickboxing program just launched, and we’re excited to welcome our first group of new students!
1 Week Trial
Date: Mon, Oct 27 & Wed, Oct 29 @ 4:30 PM
Ages: 13 - 16
Price: $30 — this includes a free pair of boxing gloves, and if you decide to join your fee applies to your first month of membership — save $10 when you register with a friend
Location: NW Kajukenbo Club (718 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144 - Please note, this is a different location than our adult classes)
You’ll get to know the instructor, learn the basics, and see if this class is a good fit.
Grand Opening Offer
The first 10 members lock in $120/month tuition for all of 2026 (regular membership is $135/month)
Classes meet Mondays & Wednesdays, 4:30–5:30 PM
Sliding scale pricing is available :)
Can’t Make This Date?
If Oct 27 doesn’t work — or you’d like to start sooner — use the form below to contact me.
We can schedule a private lesson or trial session to get you started right away.
Contact / Waiting list
If you have any questions or if you’d like to be added to the waiting list for a future intro workshop, please use this form to contact us.