The beauty of the martial arts world is that there are so many to choose from; each one being suited to different individuals with many claiming to offer something unique.

Choi Kwang Do might not be considered unique in its approach to martial arts; techniques are geared towards street self-defence, as with many other styles (after all, it’s all very well having a repertoire of spectacular techniques, but how many of them could actually be used in real life?) However, Choi Kwang Do can be considered unique in the sense that it harmonises a complete health and self-defence programme within a single martial arts system.

The founder of Choi Kwang Do, Grandmaster Kwang Jo Choi, was formerly an 8th Degree black belt and International Master Instructor of Tae Kwon-Do (the Korean art of hand and foot fighting), training under it’s founder General Choi Hong Hi. However, whilst training, teaching and demonstrating Tae Kwon-Do at a very high level (he was personally responsible for spreading the art to Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Hong Kong), he became discouraged through both impracticality and injury.

Despite being highly proficient in Tae Kwon-Do, when placed in a real life-threatening scenario many of the techniques he had been conditioned to perform and think were effective simply didn’t work. Growing up in the war-torn streets of Korea regularly forced him into experimentation...

In addition, the way that some of the techniques were designed to be performed actually harmed the body (eg. arms and legs) through excessive and forceful locking of the joints known as hyperextension. Over a long period of time, training in this manner can ultimately reduce your ability through injury.

These are some of the points that the individual should consider when selecting a martial art to study. They were also part of the driving force for Grandmaster Kwang Jo Choi to draw upon his 40 years experience of the arts and set about devising a completely new martial arts system Choi Kwang Do.

Since its inauguration in 1987, the Choi Kwang Do system has been developed to maintain it’s focus on 3 aspects:-

To promote good health and longevity of life
Choi Kwang Do techniques are designed to work in harmony with the body, eliminating unnecessary stress or hyperextension. All major joints and muscle groups are utilised meaning that aerobic, anaerobic and cardiovascular conditioning can be achieved. At the end of the day, you may go through life never having to use your self-defence skills, but you will always require good health.

Effective street self-defence
Avoidance and awareness are imperative. However, Choi Kwang Do addresses confrontations in a simple and direct manner:- the modern sciences of biomechanics and kinesiology are applied to all striking techniques resulting in explosive power. This allows even a smaller person to develop devastating power, enough to stun or even knock out a potential attacker.

Personal development
Choi Kwang Do strongly advocates the ethics of martial arts through its teachings, eg. respect, discipline, self-confidence, humility and similar positive human values. This is a very important focus of Choi Kwang Do. The benefits and fulfilment that can be gained from developing such attributes are priceless and reach far beyond the realms of the training environment.

Choi Kwang Do is suitable for everyone from 'Tiny Tigers' of 3 to 5 years of age; through the 'Kids' levels, 5 to 15; 'Adults' from 16 to 30 and a 'Senior' level for those over 30 who don't want to "compete" against the younger ones. Our oldest student started at the age of 58!