According to founder General Choi, Hong Hi, "Tae Kwon-Do is the mental training and techniques of unarmed combat for self defense as well as health. It involves the skilled application of punches, kicks, blocks, and dodges with bare hands and feet for the rapid destruction of a moving opponent or opponents."

Anyone is welcome; due to class length and size, students should be age 8 or older. A waiver is required to participate.

We do offer kids-only classes. Junior classes are appropriate for age 8 to 17. Additionally we provide an adults class for ages 18 - 100. It’s never too late to learn to defend yourself! It's important that we provide a safe and focused learning environment for ALL of our students and as such, we aren't able to give younger children the attention they require.

First four classes are free!

After your first four classes, membership in our class costs $40 a month*

*Additional students from the same household pay a discounted rate of $25 per month.

Be comfortable! Lightweight stretchy fabrics, such as gym wear or sweats will work just fine. We do work out barefoot, so please trim your toenails for the safety of others.

We wear traditional, white "crossover" Tae Kwon-Do uniforms, which may be ordered through the instructor.*

*A free uniform is included if you sign up for two months.

No special equipment is needed, although Tae Kwon-Do uniforms are very comfortable and allow freedom of movement. Uniforms are required prior to participating in a formal Tae kwon-Do event, such as a belt test, tournament, seminar, or camp.

Sparring gear is recommended for all students. Sparring gear includes headgear, gloves, footgear, mouthpiece, and groin protection for male students. Sparring gear is not required until a student reaches 7th gup, or chooses to participate in a tournament.

Yom Chi California Tae Kwon-Do takes student safety very seriously. No horseplay is allowed, and everyone will receive instructions on proper form. However, we can't promise you won't get a bump or bruise at some point. We do hands-on self defense, light contact sparring, breakfalls, jumping, midair/flying kicks, rolls, and many other activities that can cause injury if not performed correctly. Accidents can happen, but we carefully monitor every class, and provide consistent instruction.

At no point do we teach or allow full contact sparring, nor do we practice Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). White belts begin with "no-contact" sparring as they learn techniques, safety, coordinated attacks, and defenses. Later, students will proceed to “light-contact” sparring.

The purpose of Tae Kwon-Do is not to fight, but to give students tools for self defense, situational awareness, and to enhance physical fitness.

Sure! If you've trained in another martial arts style, or even had Tae Kwon-Do training in the past and would like to join our class, please come watch a class or try it out!

Our patterns, sparring style, and testing requirements may be different than you're used to. Come to class with an open mind and a good attitude, and we'll take it from there.

If you've achieved a belt rank and would like to continue training from that point, that's fine too. Wear your uniform and rank belt, and we'll figure out where you are in our system and move forward from there. Questions? Contact the instructor directly.