Student Testimonials

My time over the past three years practicing tai chi, kung fu and qigong at Lau Kune Do Temple has helped me build strength, improve balance and deepen my awareness of breath. I’m grateful that I’ve developed small daily practices that I now carry with me beyond the training space, and I appreciate the space that Sifu Rafał Brzozowski has created.

Dorin Donahue

I’m 27 and have been at the Lao Kun Do temple for about a year. My experience has been fantastic. I enjoy the tai chi and the kung fu classes a lot, and I really love the sense of community. The people are great! I also enjoy participating in the group events such as the yearly showcase. Sifu is an incredible teacher and always knows how to guide his students. I feel a great sense of calm and confidence every time I go to temple for class. I would recommend Lao Kun Do to anyone looking to slow down and find more peace in their life.

Alex Cheng

Lau Kune Do martial arts temple is truly one of Santa Barbara's hidden gems. The instructor, Sifu Rafal, is a highly respected practitioner of Qi Gong, Tai Chi and Kung Fu. He is a patient and engaging teacher, with an incredible eye for detail, who nurtures the progress of all of his students no matter what level they are at. Classes at the temple are open to all ages, and focus not only on the martial aspects, but also increasing strength, flexibility and overall health of all the students. Studying at Lau Kune Do is really an amazing experience.

Richard North

Practicing Qigong and Tai Chi at Lau Kune Do under Sifu Rafal Brzozowski, my flexibility and range of motion have significantly improved. The experience has brought more awareness of my own body, from how I move to how I breathe. Practicing at LKD regularly is a peaceful and much-needed change of pace in my daily life.

Stephanie Mendes

When I started practicing with Sifu Rafal Brzozowski, I was unable to walk without the use of a cane. Hip replacements and nerve damage in my feet had taken a toll on my body and my spirit. After a year of direction and encouragement from Sifu, I was able to regain the use of my legs to the point I no longer needed a cane. I have taken advantage of the group classes and the one-on-one private lessons offered by Lau Kune Do, which have increased my proficiency in self-defense, fighting skills and weapons training.

My mobility and balance continue to improve. The daily practice in Lau Kune Do has restored my spirit and the self-confidence I need to continue to work in my profession.

Bob Strong

Working as a certified nursing assistant means 8-hour shifts on my feet, constant movement, lifting, stress, and back pain no matter how careful I am with body mechanics. Sciatica made it even harder. But Tai Chi really changed something for me. It helped my focus, reduced stress, and eased my back pain in a way I didn’t expect. Tai Chi feels like a magic wand for both the body and mind.

Laxmi Oinam

At the age of 56, living in Santa Barbara, I joined Sifu Brzozowski’s Lau Kune Do temple and committed to a life-long practice of this ancient art.
In the early years, my learning focused mostly on memorizing movements, repeating the forms without understanding their deeper purpose. I did not yet grasp the philosophy, health implications or the transcendental power that makes Tai Chi and Qi Gong a life-changing way of life. With time, I have come to see that learning is not the same as understanding. Bridging that divide requires not just instruction, but a unifying philosophy and thoughtful guidance.
Finding Lau Kune Do—The Way of the Flowing Fist—and studying with Sifu Brzozowski felt like something destined. My relationship with Tai Chi felt like a natural progression in a person’s life as seen from the Taoist point of view: A young person with an able body strives through life with strength, control and perfectly choreographed moves, while an older person with a less able body can now approach life with grace, flow and attunement.

Annie Pham-Cheng

I began training at the Lau Kune Do Temple of Martial Arts, Santa Barbara with Sifu Rafal Brzozowski in early 2017. Lau Kune Do has taught me patience, discipline, courage, and to be self-confident and tenacious while being mindful of others. I continue to gain self-defense knowledge and build strength through the practice of Kung Fu and Wing Chun and continue to heal my body via Tai Chi and Qi Gong. I have grown passionate about Lau Kune Do and consistently train at the temple. I truly believe that Lau Kune Do is a way of life. Sifu Browozozki and the Lau Kune Do family has helped me become a better human being.

Emanuel Garcia

As a Minneapolis "snowbird" who spends three winter months each year in Santa Barbara, I was looking for something meaningful to do with my time, something that would challenge my mind, maintain my flexibility, and help improve my balance. In my 70s and living with neuropathy, I wasn't sure what was possible. Then I found Lau Kune Do and Sifu Rafal Brzozowski, and everything changed.
From my very first class, Sifu Rafal's depth of knowledge and skill were immediately apparent, but what truly set him apart was his patience and kindness. He met me exactly where I was, never rushing, always encouraging, and made the art of Tai Chi and Qigong feel both accessible and deeply rewarding. His professionalism is evident in everything he does, yet the atmosphere he creates is warm and completely welcoming.
What I didn't anticipate was how seamlessly my practice could continue once I returned home to Minneapolis. Through online classes and private lessons, Sifu has made it possible for me to stay connected to this discipline year-round. I especially enjoy the online Saturday classes from the beach, especially when the snowflakes are flying outside my window.
The community at Lau Kune Do is very special. From Day One, I was embraced with warmth and genuine camaraderie that made every class a pleasure to attend. These are people who lift each other up, and that spirit runs through everything Sifu teaches.
If you are considering Tai Chi or Qigong (or one of the other disciplines Sifu teaches), whether you are a beginner, managing physical challenges, or simply looking to enrich your life, I would highly recommend Sifu Rafal Brzozowski at Lau Kune Do.

Debbie Stouffer

I have been training with the temple since the age of 5, and I must say it has been one of the most rewarding things I have ever experienced. Great place to seek fitness, wellness and knowledge of your own body. Would highly recommend this place to anyone seeking USEFUL self defense techniques, tai chi exercise and a positively constructive environment while getting in amazing shape.

Amado Hernandez