Kim's Hapkido is an awesome place! My son started at the South Pasadena location when he was 5. But after only 3 months, the Covid pandemic shut down everything. Afterwards, at age 8, he had his second start and has been learning Hapkido for nearly 4 years now. He enjoys it a lot. This school is a wonderful place to learn self-defense, develop self-confidence and how to stand up to bullies, practice discipline and respect, and forge friendships. Master Kim and every single instructor are great with the kids (and adult students, too!). Hapkido as a martial art combines kicking, striking, throws, grappling and joint locks into a very effective self-defense system. While these techniques might seem scary and, as a parent, one might be concerned about injuries during practice, there is no reason to worry at Kim's Hapkido. The entire team of instructors is patient and skilled, and safe instructions have priority. In all the years watching my son practice, I've never witnessed an accident or unsafe instructions, including during the sparring sessions. Kim's Hapkido employs a neat belt system, with about 13 different belt colors and stripes from white to black belt. While these many steps are more than what you typically have in other martial arts, they provide an effective motivational tool to keep attending practice. Achieving the next level belt color is based on performance and an official exam (with board breaking!), and each kid is immensely proud when they are awarded the new belt. No belt is given merely based on the time spent in the dojang, but rather is awarded based on the merits of having learned the respective set of techniques. By now, my son has climbed up the belt ranking by 10 steps, and each successful passing of a belt exam represents a wonderful highlight that nurtures his self-confidence and personal growth. The adult classes at the South Pasadena location usually are 8-15 in size, whereas the kids' classes are larger, depending of the day of the week. However, in all classes there are always multiple black belt instructors available; therefore the teacher-to-student ratio is excellent; during the detailed technique portion of the class, safe and personalized instructions are assured. My son attends practice 2-3 times per week (depending on his soccer practice), plus 1 sparring session in addition. The sparring sessions are restricted to intermediate + advanced students and require the wearing of well-padded sparring gear (hitting the head is prohibited!). The gender distribution is about 50:50, and it is great to see how girls hold their own during sparring; a valuable lesson to learn for the boys! Another clever concept is Master Kim's Star Program, where kids can earn small, star-shaped merit badges for their uniform, based on achievements outside of Hapkido (such as in school or church or another sport). Some of the kids wear over a dozen of them as a proud display of their varied accomplishments during their young lives! This is one more example of how thoughtful this place is with regard to instilling a sense of achievement in its students. Despite its location in the heart of South Pasadena with its high rental costs, Kim's Hapkido has managed to keep its membership fees fair and affordable, which I appreciate. The studio is nicely spacious and there is a designated seating area for the parents in case they want to stay during class and observe (or read a book). Parking is easy and free; there is street parking along Fair Oaks Ave, dedicated parking behind the studio, and a large lot behind the Canoe House across the street. read more

If you're looking for a good martial arts school and organization to send your kids to this is the place. They have studios throughout southern California and are a pretty reputable and established hapkido family and organization. I studied under the founder at the Alhambra studio 30 years ago and his son at the Pasadena studio along the same timeline. I'm probably the oldest/longest Red-Black student/practitioner in their history which is probably the longest running joke. But now is probably the time to pass that torch on and I have three kids currently attending and learning the same things I did during my time there. My favorite memory from the old days was of when the head sparring instructor at the time "Red" was teaching defense against kicks and I raised my hand and asked what if your opponent kicks so fast you can't defend against their kicks. He invited me to demonstrate a kick like that against him. Me being the idiot I was, took his challenge. Except it probably didn't work out the way he planned, because I ended up hitting him so fast and hard with a roundhouse kick (after he told me to go for it) that the sound echoed across the studio before he could blink and his arms grasped empty air while my foot was already back on the ground before he could even react. I remember the stunned look on his face and the gallery of people at that moment and the words, "well okay, for the rest of us that can't kick like that, we need to practice this." He then proceeded to pummel me with his superior height and range in the sparring bouts that ensued later that night. Lol, those were good times and some of my fondest memories in life. If you ever see a tired old guy with a red-black belt hanging around from time to time, it might be that I'm still there keeping up the legend. read more

Watered down. Not the same as old school. Basic. If you have money they will give you a colored belt! This place is a joke! I come from the old school of Master Kim... I'm a 5th degree bb... I'm 59 years old. I know what I'm talking about! Trained in this for 35 years of my life! read more

Kim's Hapkido is a great place for people (kids and adults) to be active, learn self discipline and practice martial arts. They have several locations. (South Pasadena, Alhambra and Pasadena). Their South Pasadena studio is currently under construction as they just moved to a new location. All studios have a friendly environment and no intimidation. The staff will take the time to give you a tour and answer any questions you may have. My daughter has been attending classes in South Pasadena for about 3 years now and she absolutely loves it. She has a higher level of confidence and determination. She's made friends from classes and has friends from school as well. Kim's has been operating during this pandemic. They follow all the health and safety guidelines set forth my the CDC/LA County. Temp checks, social distancing, individual partitions. Everyone wears masks. The instructors even use pool noodles to simulate strikes and kicks while maintaining social distancing. Please come by and see for yourself. read more

My boys have been going to Kim's hapkido for a few years now. They love it! All the instructors are caring and strict. They start with warm ups, then break out into smaller groups for technique. Need to earn the tapes for belt test. read more

After searching for a martial arts class. I decided to enroll my son here. Besides the self defense and forms and techniques of hapkido--I love that the instructors are strict, but fun and playful. I love they include rules in their teachings. The instructors --Ms. Alva, Mr Alva, Mr Kevin are great instructors. Never thought I would be that mom--cheering and yelling at my son on the sideline. read more

So far so good, we wanted to be enrolled in a local training program that was open to working with our young kids, we have been here for about one year. We appreciate the support and attention they have given our kids so far, there are times that they have provided special attention to our kids when they needed extra help in areas. For the Jr. Hopkido class they'll try to make it fun by throwing in physical games at the end. We look forward to years of commitment! read more

Kim's Hapkido - Eli training with Master Kim - Kickboxing Near Me - Alhambra, California

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Nothing but positive things to say about this place and the staff. After you one visit you can tell right away that the staff genuinely cares about the children and teaching them how to execute the hapkido moves correctly. They make it fun yet teach discipline at the same time . We have a our 7 year old,6 year old and 4 year old enrolled and they love it here . Kudos to mr and ms. Alva ! They are the best with the kids . read more

Kim's Hapkido - Kickboxing Near Me - Alhambra, California

I have been bringing my daughter here for lessons for a year and a half now and after she had been attending class for 6 months she joined the "Black Belt Club". She loves her classes and she loves sparring. In fact she loves it so much that my husband and I have joined the studio now as well! It is such a friendly atmosphere--kind of second family after you've been going a while. My daughter's main instructor worked with her each day after class to prepare for the tournament--she ended up getting 2 first place trophies! (one in sparring in her division and one in the demonstration event) The other parents, students and instructors are so encouraging and nice our whole family that it makes not just class fun but makes coming to the studio is something we all look forward to. Watching my daughter excel in her class has become the highlight of my day! =D read more

I cannot stress how much I love this studio. My timid son soon learned confidence and to strive to achieve his goals Hapkido-wise. He became competitive and sociable. I would recommend this place to anyone interested in Hapkido or martial arts for their kids. Mr. Alva is great! My son likes him so much and looks up to him. Ms. Alva is always so playful and sweet with the children with a hint of strict to balance it out. She is wonderful. The staff is out of this world and we will keep our son at this studio for as long as we can. read more

My children love coming here. They are patient with my son even when he is a bit wild. They even help my daughters out after class when they don't understand a move. Everyone is respectful, friendly, and kind. They really care about each student and street the importance of defending themselves and never giving up. They are encouraging and use a firm yet friendly way of dealing with discipline problems. When asked, my son's favorite place to go is Hapkido class. read more

The instructors are ALL top notch, experienced, kind and encouraging. Kim's Hapkido is a great place but be advised, it's strictly for children and teens. read more

The instructors are so good with the children especially in the Jr. Hapkido Saturday class. They are patient and funny at the same time. They want the kids to succeed. I can tell they love what they do. read more

I love it here. My son is enrolled in junior Hapkido and he loves it, too. The staff is amazing. Dont have one bad thing to say.

Our twins have been coming to Kim's Hapkido for approx. 4-5 months and we love it! The staff is great, our girls have learned so much and they truly enjoy the training. read more

I love this place. I've attended 3 other studios, but this has been by far the best. Both the students and the instructors are welcoming and helpful. There is a real family feel to this studio. There are numerous picnics and parties throughout the year where everyone gets together. The instructors are great and will give you extra help if you need it. They are great with kids as well. I'm going to send my kids there as soon as they are old enough. You won't be disappointed if you join or your children. I just wish I would have started sooner! read more

I have been part of Kim's Hapkido, Alhambra for almost 7 years not only as a parent but as a student as well. I had the honor of being instructed by Grandmaster Chong S Kim for a short time before his passing; he was the one that encouraged me to join after hours of watching my own children practice. I have to admit I was in my 30's, had bad knees and was very overweight, so I was quite hesitant. I am now in my early 40's and I am only a few belts away from Black Belt. Master Kim and the other instructors have never discouraged me from practicing despite my age, knees and now only "slightly" overweight body. It takes me longer for to remember techniques (I am not a teenager) so my instructors are very patient and understanding even though it was something I just learned only a few moments before! My family never joined Kim's Hapkido to win at competitions, get trophies or medals, or to have any of us become a Black Belt as fast as possible. Master Kim has always encouraged his students to take their time and test when they are ready not just physically but they must be mentally ready as well. There are those that believe since you've earned a Black Belt, your training is now done and you should move on to your next sport. At Kim's Hapkido that is not the case. Training continues not only for yourself , but Black Belts become instructors to pass on their knowledge to the younger students. Learning to instruct a large group of 6-8 year olds is training in itself! Every evening many of the older Black Belts come by to help train not only the younger students but also the younger black belts. My family has always felt welcome at Kim's Hapkido and my boys have never been shunned for pursuing other interests and then coming back. I am hoping my boys will continue training in Hapkido well into their adulthood. We joined to learn and understand Hapkido, to make it healthy lifestyle for ourselves and for our children. For our family Hapkido really is a way of life! read more