Tang Soo Do Training

At Aim and Focus Karate we offer classes in the Korean Martial Art Tang Soo Do. The school was founded in January 2000. The head instructor/owner is Master Ben Johnson. Master Johnson is a 5th Degree Black Belt in the Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan Association and has been training in Tang Soo Do for over 30 years. Master Johnson has over 30 active Black Belts in the school and they are all original white belt students of Aim and Focus. The quality and consistency of instruction at our school is simply exceptional.

The primary teaching duties at Aim and Focus Karate are split between Master Johnson and Kyo Sa Nim (Certified Instructor) Holly Holt. Kyo Sa Nim Holt is a 3rd Degree Black Belt and original White Belt student of Master Johnson’s. She has been training at Aim and Focus Karate for over ten years. Kyo Sa Nim Holt is an incredible instructor and competitor. She has been the Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan National Champion in every category allowed for Black Belt Women:

• Women’s Black Belt Forms • Women’s Black Belt Weapons Forms • Women’s Black Belt Sparring • Black Belt Team Forms • Black Belt Team Sparring

The combination of Master Johnson’s experience and Kyo Sa Nim Holt’s youthful energy make a wonderful combination for our students. They get the best of both worlds.

Kyo Sa Nim Holt is also an exceptional example of what young women can accomplish in the martial art world. In today’s society, women must be able to protect themselves. Kyo Sa Nim Holt inspires the young ladies training in our school to excel.

Tang Soo Do is a "stand up" kicking style of martial art. It is very similiar to Tae Kwon Do and shares its origin with the martial arts of Korea. At Aim and Focus we study the following general categories of study:

• Basics (kicking, punching, blocking) • Forms (preset sequences of motions…some of which are centuries old) • Self Defense (specific techniques if an attacker has their hands on you)

• One Steps (specific responses to a single committed attack…precursor to sparring)

• Sparring (bringing all our training together in an effective defense) • Breaking (board breaking…teaches us "aim and focus") • Special Master Combinations and Basic Sets enhance the student’s experience

We offer a flexible class schedule (see Calendar/Events page) that allows families to train together. We have two active training floors, so it is easy to separate different groups and/or conduct separate classes as needed.

Master Johnson is not a believer in financial contracts that tie you into something you may no longer wish to continue. We send out monthly statements to our students. This does NOT mean students can interrupt their training / payment because of conflict with other obligations. It means as long as you are a student of Aim and Focus Karate, you will receive a monthly invoice.

We offer a free “Introductry Class” to anyone interested in training with us. This class will last about 30 minutes. It gives perspective students a chance to tour the facility, meet the instructors and train in Tang Soo Do.

The tuition structure is very simple:

• $105/month for the first student in a family • $90/month for the second student in a family • $90/month for all students if three or more family members train together

Additional charges:

• $50 Belt Test fee o Students must wait 3 months between tests o Red Belt students must wait 6 months between tests

• $85 Sparring Gear (helmet, gloves, boots and bag) o Required for all students Green Belt and higher o Optional for White and Orange Belts

• $30/year annual membership in the Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan Association (Aim and Focus Karate pays the first year membership)

• $20 for a new uniform (first uniform is free)

Students can attend as many classes per month as they wish. We structure classes by rank not by “tuition program”. If we offer special classes or programs, they are open to all students (rank appropriate).