Josh Kalos is a highly skilled Senior Instructor at the American Institute of Kenpo, known for his sharp technical ability, deep understanding of the art, and dedication to practical combat application.

Josh began his Kenpo training in 2000 under the American Kenpo Karate Academy (AKKA). In 2005, he transitioned to the American Institute of Kenpo (AIK), where he has continued training and refining his skills in both traditional Kenpo and the combat arts. From the beginning, Josh demonstrated a natural aptitude for martial arts and a remarkable ability to quickly grasp fundamental theories, concepts, and principles.

With a decade of dedicated training, he began his teaching career in 2010. From 2013 to 2016, he served as the primary instructor for both Junior and Senior Kenpo classes. His excellence as a teacher was recognized in 2016 when he was named AIK Instructor of the Year. In 2017, he was further honored as Black Belt of the Year.

In 2016, Josh was appointed as a full-time Kenpo Karate instructor at BASIS of Tucson, a nationally recognized charter school, where he teaches martial arts as part of the Physical Education curriculum.

As a high-ranking black belt, Josh has increasingly focused his personal training on practical combat applications. He actively incorporates kickboxing, boxing, Muay Thai, and grappling fundamentals into his practice. He credits AIK with providing the strong foundation that allows him to effectively integrate these elements.

In 2020, alongside Jeremy Rose, Josh took on the responsibility of co-coaching AIK’s Tactical Sparring program. Together they develop class plans and training regimens to help students apply core Kenpo principles in practical, tactical ways. Josh remains an exceptionally demanding and valuable training partner and coach for students seeking high-level growth in combat fundamentals and strategies.

The American Institute of Kenpo is deeply grateful for Josh Kalos’s many contributions as a student, instructor, and leader within the school.

~ Last Updated 5/28/2026