John Kennedy Martial Arts, LLC, opened for business on Monday at White Marsh Shopping Center.

Owner John Kennedy of Hayes said he offers a variety of classes for children and adults, both male and female. He works with individuals age 7 years (second grade) and up.

Kennedy specializes in Tang Soo Do, an older Korean style of karate, and Tae Gun Do, an American style of stand-up jiu-jitsu. An emphasis is using martial arts for defensive purposes, he said.

The 1,200-square-foot dojo features an assortment of training apparatus, including “Bob,” a lifelike model with “skin” that gives like a human’s; wave masters that provide targets for kicks and striking; body bags (similar to those used by boxers), hang bags, blockers and other practice equipment.

Each session includes a warm-up, followed by kata, or forms. Then, the class works on kicks, punches and defensive techniques. Kennedy said students receive a gi, or training uniform, when they enroll for cla...