Fargo-Moorhead

◆ Martial Arts in Fargo-Moorhead · Moorhead, MNWalk a
little taller.

Shou Shu kung fu, jiu jitsu & kickboxing for kids and adults in the heart of Fargo-Moorhead. Real self-defense, not sport fighting.

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  • ◆ Kids & Adults
  • ◆ First Class Free
  • ◆ Kung Fu · Jiu Jitsu · Fitness
  • ◆ Part of the Bad Ace Family

Start here

Who's stepping
on the mat?

Shifu Alexis with three Little Dragons students
Ages 4–17

For Kids & Teens

Confidence, focus, and the skills to stand up to bullies, taught with structure, patience, and fun.

Kids & teen programs →
Sparring practice in full protective gear
Ages 18+

For Adults

Practical self-defense that works against bigger, stronger attackers, plus serious fitness and stress relief.

Adult programs →

Our story

Same mats.
Bigger family.

For years, this studio has taught Moorhead families to defend themselves as Shou Shu Martial Arts. Now we're proud to carry a bigger banner: Bad Ace Martial Arts, joining forces with Rodger Martin's academy in Minot, ND to bring the Bad Ace standard to Fargo-Moorhead.

Same instructors. Same values. More curriculum, more community, and a name that says exactly what we build here.

BehaviorAttitudeDisciplineAssertiveCharacterEducation
Shifu Alexis with a medal-winning young student
8Programs
4+Ages welcome
2Locations
(Moorhead & Minot)

What is Shou Shu?

The fighting way
of the beast.

Shou Shu is a Chinese martial art built on the movements of seven animals. Students learn to pair styles, like the tiger's ferocious power with the crane's elegant precision, so a smaller defender can beat a bigger, stronger attacker. It isn't fighting for trophies. It's self-defense for life.

And you don't just learn the seven beasts. You earn them, one degree at a time:

1st

Bear

Power

2nd

Tiger

Ferocity

3rd

Mongoose

Speed

4th

Crane

Balance

5th

Mantis

Control

6th

Cobra

Precision

7th

Dragon

Mastery

“We don't break bricks, because bricks don't fight back.”

Shifu Alexis Potter, Head Instructor

The ground game

Standing is only
half the fight.

Shou Shu handles the fight on your feet. Jiu Jitsu handles what happens if it goes to the ground: escapes, positional control, and leverage that let a smaller person neutralize a bigger one without throwing a single strike.

That no-strike foundation is also why it's the safest way for kids to build real skill: full-effort training that teaches discipline, respect, cooperation, and problem-solving under pressure.

Jiu Jitsu runs deep in the Bad Ace family. It's the specialty of our Minot academy, and our kids train it here in Moorhead twice a week.

Escapes & control Leverage over strength No strikes · kid-safe

Kids Jiu Jitsu · Tue & Thu 6:30–7:30 pm

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Partner drill working grips and control

Programs

Find your program.

Whether you're 4 or 64, drop in for a free first class and we'll find the right fit. See all programs →

Two Little Dragons in sparring gear01
Ages 4–7

Kids Martial Arts Little Dragons

Stranger awareness, emergency readiness, motor skills, and character, all sized for little bodies and big imaginations.

Mon–Thu · 5:30 pm

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Kids Kung Fu class practicing kicks02
Ages 8–12

Kids Kung Fu Shou Shu Kids

Real self-defense for a wide range of situations, building fitness and next-level confidence.

Mon & Wed 6–7 pm · Tue & Thu 5:30–6:30 pm

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Young students with tournament medals03
Kids

Kids Jiu Jitsu

Ground techniques that teach discipline, respect, cooperation, and what to do if a fight hits the floor.

Tue & Thu · 6:30–7:30 pm

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Teen student holding pads for a kicking drill04
Ages 13+

Teen Martial Arts Shou Shu Teens

Built for teens: self-defense skills, real fitness, and a crew that pushes each other while having fun.

Mon & Wed · 6:30–7:30 pm

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Shifu Alexis with a student after competition05
Ages 18+

Adult Martial Arts Shou Shu Adult

Hands-on training with practical application to everyday dangers. Defend yourself and the people you love.

Mon & Wed · 7–8 pm

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Student driving a kick into the heavy bag06
All levels

Kickboxing & Self-Defense

50 minutes of cardio kickboxing meets real self-defense basics. Get in shape, meet people, burn off stress.

Tue & Thu · 7:30–8:30 pm

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Students pressing bumper plates in fitness training07
All levels

Warriors & Weights

Functional strength for real life: kettlebells, dumbbells, plyo boxes. Dynamic, explosive, beginner-friendly.

Wed · 6–7 pm

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One-on-one pad work between students08
1-on-1 · All ages

Private Lessons & Personal Training

One-on-one martial arts instruction or personal training built around your goals, your pace, and your schedule.

By appointment · Call (218) 512-0142

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Free

Not sure where to start?

Come try a class on us. We'll size you (or your kiddo) up and point you at the right mat.

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Weekly schedule

Evenings that fit
real families.

Monday

  • 5:30 Little Dragons
  • 6:00 Kids Kung Fu
  • 6:30 Teens
  • 7:00 Adults

Tuesday

  • 5:30 Little Dragons
  • 5:30 Kids Kung Fu
  • 6:30 Kids Jiu Jitsu
  • 7:30 Kickboxing

Wednesday

  • 5:30 Little Dragons
  • 6:00 Kids Kung Fu
  • 6:00 Warriors & Weights
  • 6:30 Teens
  • 7:00 Adults

Thursday

  • 5:30 Little Dragons
  • 5:30 Kids Kung Fu
  • 6:30 Kids Jiu Jitsu
  • 7:30 Kickboxing

Doors open Mon–Thu from 5 pm. Private lessons & personal training available by appointment.

Your first class
is on us.

1

Show up comfy

Athletic clothes, water bottle. That's it. We handle the rest.

2

Meet Shifu Alexis

Tour the studio, watch a class, get your questions answered.

3

Train free, no pressure

Take a real class. Then decide if it's for you. Easy.

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Instructor coaching a young student through a self-defense technique

Women's self-defense

This studio exists because of one women's self-defense class.

Shifu Alexis walked into a women's self-defense class as a student and walked out hooked on the feeling of empowerment. Now she teaches it, using techniques built on natural movements anyone can do. No athletic background required.

Answering a phone is the same motion that breaks a wrist grab. Opening a cupboard is a back-knuckle strike. You already have the movements. We teach you to use them.

Try Kickboxing & Self-Defense Free →

Member reviews

What FM families say.

★★★★★
[Real Google review #1 goes here. Pull the top parent review from the studio's Google Business Profile.]
A Parent · Google Review
★★★★★
[Real Google review #2, ideally from an adult student on self-defense or kickboxing.]
B Adult student · Google Review
★★★★★
[Real Google review #3, with a confidence or anti-bullying angle if available.]
C Parent · Google Review

Read all our Google reviews → Trained with us? Leave one →

Shifu Alexis Potter with a medal-winning student

Your instructor

Shifu Alexis Potter

Owner · Head Instructor · Black Belt, Shou Shu

A Park Rapids, MN native, Alexis found martial arts as an adult, then built this studio to share the confidence it gave her with every kid, teen, and adult in Fargo-Moorhead. She holds a black belt in Shou Shu's bear style and an MBA, and she runs every class with structure, patience, and heart.

“I believe all people, especially women and children, should have the right to defend themselves.”

Training under the Bad Ace Martial Arts banner alongside Rodger Martin's academy in Minot, ND.

Questions parents ask

Before your first class.

What age can my child start?

Little Dragons starts at age 4. We meet kids where they are. Early classes focus on listening, motor skills, stranger awareness, and confidence, not combat.

What should we wear to a first class?

Comfortable athletic clothes and a water bottle. No uniform or gear needed until you decide to join.

Is the training safe? Is there sparring?

Safety runs every class. Students learn control first, and any partner work is supervised, progressive, and matched to age and experience.

How much does it cost?

Come take your free class first. Then we'll walk you through membership options in person and find what fits your family. No pressure, no contracts sprung on you.

Visit the studio

Come see the mats.

Address 900 1st Avenue North, Moorhead, MN 56560

Phone (218) 512-0142

Hours Mon–Thu 5–8 pm

Facebook @ShouShuFM

Claim your free class

We answer within one business day.

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