Hwa Rang Do Academy - Korean Martial Arts4514

The Grandmaster Lee is a natural leader and children are able to feel his power and love almost immediately. Real power and love are the key-concepts under the lessons he teaches to our children in his Academy. You can see the eyes of the children next to him during the lessons. There is fire inside: fire of love and motivation, something really unusual nowadays. His Academy, the West Coast Hwa Rang Do(r) Academy, is a School of Leadership and not only a gym. A place where our children are trained to be fearless, powerfull, compassionate and to work hard. And, most important, they can learn that by example and not only because of empty words.

This is a serious school which teaches children and adults life lessons through training in martial arts. This school is not just about kicking, punching and fighting. It is a medium through which we challenge ourselves. While we cannot all jump 10 feet in the air, each individual is pushed to his or her limit and challenged to break personal barriers, addressing personal weaknesses while in a nurturing and supportive environment. Facing these challenges is what makes us better people both as students of the art and in life. The instructors and staff are dedicated to the growth of each individual student. At the same time we have fun and grow together.

I wanted to add one more thing. I have a girl and a boy in the school, and they are treated equally. That means they both get encouragement or admonitions in accordance with whatever they have done to deserve them, not according to their gender.

Both my children attend West Coast Hwa Rang Do, and I am pleased with their progress. It does demand huge commitment from students and parents alike, tough, and there is no way to do it if you don't take it seriously.

I whole-heartedly agree with the many positive comments already stated. This academy is a *very* place where young and old work together to challenge each other to exceed our (supposed) limitations only to find out that they were self-imposed in the first place. This makes this one of the few places where we can really develop in a safe and nurturing environment to become stronger, more competent and more empathetic human beings. Given its tremendous value to all men, women and children it's truly sad that this opportunity isn't available to everyone around the world. I can only assume that the rarity of this type of training, coupled with some simple misunderstanding, is the source of the concern expressed by Bridget F. I've trained in martial arts for over 25 years and have never seen another school or instructor that I would recommend more highly -- for children or adults. Anyone remotely interested in martial arts or self betterment in general should do themselves a favor and visit the school in person.

both my teenage son and husband train at Master Lee's Hwa Rang Do Academy in West Los Angeles. They both give it and Master Lee rave reviews. Even more importantly, I am seeing my son taking large steps towards adulthood. I believe the personal discipline he is learning through Hwa Rang Do and the self confidence that goes with it are playing key roles in his development. Jacklyn Marcus PhD

Hwa rang do is a school that is helping me change my life. If I would've only been a part of this family from a early age I would've learaned to be disciplined and to be mind ful of my actions.

@ Bridget F I have had the great opportunity of training at the West Coast Hwa Rang Do Academy for the past 5 years, having been involved with various different martial arts schools in the past 18 years I can say that the west coast is by far the best among any I have ever seen which includes their children program as well as adults. Most martial arts schools today have compromised their traditional values and are closer to a nursery or day care center rather then a martial arts school, with a primary focus of making sure students of all ages have fun and get what ever they want in order to keep the doors open and make a profit. Traditional martial arts schools primary focus is to teach discipline, respect, honor, virtue, and build an individual’s overall character. Grandmaster Lee at the West Coast Hwa Rang Do Academy runs his school in a very traditional way with the main focus of bettering each and every one of his students. In the event a child or any student does not follow the rules of the school is disrespectful or discourteous to their parents, teachers, or peers they can expect to be disciplined. In the years I have been at the west coast, never have I seen a child treated in a way that was demeaning by Grandmaster Lee or anybody else at the school for it simply would not be tolerated. When children are disciplined it is done with great love and care so the child is left with a sense of being empowered and cared for by the community. On a final note I was present at the belt test when Grandmaster Lee was talking about women in relationship to honor. To imply that Grandmaster Lee gave a 10-15 minute talk about why women "do not know honor" and why only men could be honorable is to take the words out of context. What was said is that men have to work at and learn what it is to be honorable while women do not have to worry about being honorable because they are that way by their very nature. Grandmaster Lee then went on to talk about how he has greater respect overall for women than he does men because of there strength and selflessness when it comes to birthing, raising children and caring for community. The West Coast Hwa Rang Do Academy is one of the best martial arts schools in LA with a student body consisting of people from all walks of life and all ages who regularly come together as a community to support the growth, transformation and well being in each other.

Along with having the best technical instruction, there is a great emphasis on discipline and personal growth, which is basically absent from 95% of commercialized schools out there today. Master Lee's goal is not just make you the best martial artist you can be, but to be the best person you can be and strive to living a life of significance. My mind is blown everytime I see Master Lee perform and have a glimpse into the vast knowledge he has to offer his students, children and adults alike. Grandmaster Lee is like a genie, regardless of the issue, who grants the wishes of parents whom want only the best for their children. It's incredible to watch the children transform.

Along with having the best technical instruction, there is a great emphasis on discipline and personal growth, which is basically absent from 95% of commercialized schools out there today. Grandmaster Lee's goal is not just make you the best martial artist you can be, but to be the best person you can be and strive to living a life of significance. My mind is blown everytime I see Master Lee perform and have a glimpse into the vast knowledge he has to offer his students, children and adults alike. I've also never seen anyone who is better keeping children focused, attentive and disciplined. The worst problem child's behavior seems to turn around within a week of being at the West Coast Hwa Rang Do Academy. I'm amazed every time! It's a MUST, if you want your child to grow up and live a life of significance.

As a father of an enrolled teenager and someone who spent many years training in martial arts myself, Master Lee's Hwa Rang Do school is top flight offering far more than other schools i have seen. Master Lee has a very keen perception of his students and helping to make the most out of their lives.

DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILDREN HERE.

The main instructor ("Master" Lee) thinks the best way to instill a sense of discipline and a work ethic in children is by yelling and screaming at them while simultaneously demeaning them.

I had the opportunity to view a belt test (testing to become a higher level color belt) and "Master" Lee spent a good 10-15 minutes speaking about why women "do not know honor" and why only men could be honorable. This is certainly not a message I would want young girls to hear nor would I want young boys to begin to develop these sexist attitudes so young.

There are plenty of martial arts programs in Los Angeles. Save yourself the money, time, and energy and find one that creates a positive atmosphere for children.

My child has been here for a couple of years now and I have to say he has learned a lot. He holds himself with confidence and he is very proud of the belt levels that he has achieved. He is very close to earning a black belt in Tae Soo Doh. If you are looking for a place where your child can gain empowerment through learning hard things, this is the place. However, the training is tough. It is not a touchy feely place. Instructors are positive, but the take their Martial Arts seriously. This is not a place where trophies are given out gratuitously. Praise and achievement is awarded when it is earned. The values of honesty, hard work and personal responsiblity are constantly reinforced here. Students have to submit an application to their academic instructors before being allowed to test for the next belt level. Master Lee is interested in training the whole child. He seems to want academic excellence as well as mental and physical toughness. By the same token, the instructors understand when kids have special needs and issues. The school does well with mainstream kids as well as those who have might have developmental issus. I see parents of both we are more than satisfyed with how things are going. I do recommend this school for those who want their children to get in the habit of doing hard things, mastering hard things and then earning a reward for such mastery. I see it as a great practice for life. He will have the self confidence to know that if he applies himself and works hard -- actually sweats -- he can achieve his goals. I think this is the most valuable thing you can teach a child. That dreams are attainable but you have to do the work to get there.

As a father with a child enrolled, I can recommend the Academy without qualification. It is an outstanding place to learn not only an extraordinary set of physicall skills but more important the virtues of respect and honor.