The art Choi Kwang-Do (Named after its founder literally translates as the art of Kwang Jo Choi) is a dynamic, innovative approach to martial arts training that is recognised as one of the fastest growing martial arts in the world. Founded by Grand Master Kwang Jo Choi, 9th Degree Black Belt, Choi Kwang-Do is the culmination of Grand Master Choi's more than 40 years of martial arts experience and has resulted in the most effective martial art system for today's modern society.
Choi Kwang-Do is based on traditional martial arts philosophy that emphasises the ideal of personal and social development being paramount, rather than sports competition. Choi Kwang-Do classes provide a safe and non-competitive environment for a student that helps them to grow not only physically, but mentally as well. The development of good manners, courtesy, self-discipline, self-confidence, and good social adjustment can be considered primary objectives of this art, along with the development of practical self-defence skills.
The techniques and concepts of this art can be considered very non-traditional. Principles of modern science, derived from psychology, kinesiology, and biomechanics, form the basis for Choi Kwang-Do. Conventional martial arts methodology is more often based on mysticism, impractical traditional techniques, or sports competition. Choi Kwang-Do is not designed nor optimised for athletic competition. Instead Choi Kwang-Do is designed to be a devastatingly effective self-defence system that can be used in real street situations. Furthermore, Choi Kwang-Do has been designed to enhance the student's overall health, fitness, and well being rather than cause the injuries and damage that many competitive activities do.
While the art has its roots in Korea being Grandmaster Choi's birth place, and his martial arts background being Korean styles namely Kwon Bup and Tae Kwon Do. Choi Kwang-Do is considered an International Art not a Korean one. This is a concept that Grandmaster Choi is keen to see established since his idea is that people from all walks of life anywhere in the world should be able to benefit from this art.
Finally, Choi Kwang-Do is a dynamic art that continually evolves. As new information on health, fitness, and improved training methods are discovered and developed, it may be formally integrated into the Choi Kwang-Do training system. As students in Choi Kwang-Do, it is welcoming to know that you are not training in a system that is static or based on outdated training methods.