About
I am a teacher of martial arts. I hold the rank of 7th dan in the Korea Hapkido Federation as well as 7th in the Kuk Sool Kwan of Hapkido, representing 32 years of practice and 24 years of teaching.
I am also an oriental medicine physician and a scholar with 4 degrees: From SCUHS, Master of Science in Oriental Medicine, valedictorian and summa cum laude; From UCI, Bachelor of Arts in Classics, summa cum laude and Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies, summa cum laude and distinguished graduating scholar; From Humboldt State University, Bachelor of Arts in Theater Arts. I am a member of Phi Beta Kappa and the honors society for ancient Greek and Latin.
Martial Arts is not just a skillset, but a way of life with the goal of cultivating and discovering the Self, and I teach these arts with that ultimate purpose in mind. With that said, an art that has not been assessed for solid real world application does itself a disservice, and so the art I teach can reliably be used for bodyguard work, special forces, or even ring fighting.
I am able to teach various aspects of martial arts including kickboxing, grappling, or weapon work, but the fullness of the art I teach, Kuk Sool Kwan, was used by the royal palace guards of Korea and is currently used by their special forces. Details can be found at my website, www.ockoreanmartialarts.com in addition to a class schedule. I offer classes and private instruction.
Passing on this way of life and all the benefits it provides is the most rewarding thing for me. I also enjoy the camaraderie and community of a thriving school, with everyone working together toward the common goal of self improvement.
Photos and videos
Reviews
Courtney B.
Jonas L.
Daniel K.
Elizabeth L.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I teach all students from the beginning, providing the basics of the art, no matter what their level of previous experience. The art is very friendly for beginners, and is designed to provide a very solid foundation before proceeding to more advanced concepts.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
30 years of martial arts training, 22 years of teaching
Licensed CA Acupuncturist (AC 17099)
Certified personal fitness trainer with the National Federation of Professional Trainers
Certified lifeguard, YMCA of Seoul, South Korea
Certified in Wuji Qigong Taijiquan
Former substitute teacher and academic tutor
Masters of Science, Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, summa cum laude, valedictorian, Southern California University of Health Sciences
Bachelor of Arts, Religious Studies, summa cum laude, distinguished graduating major, UCI
Bachelor of Arts, Classics, summa cum laude, UCI
Bachelor of Arts, Theater Arts, Humboldt
Worked as stuntman and fight choreographer
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
My group classes are four nights a week for two one hour blocks, and cost between $140 and $170 monthly, depending on a number of factors including length of commitment and availability of military, family, or college student discounts.
For private lessons I charge $75 an hour and discount to $62.50 an hour if a client pays for at least 8 lessons at once.