Today we’d like to introduce you to Barbara King.
Hi Barbara, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My martial arts journey in Kuk Sool Won™ started 19 years ago as a single mom of two boys, ages 4 and 7. Martial arts was recommended by a friend and after visiting several studios, I fell in love with the approach and philosophies of Kuk Sool Won™. We became a martial arts family and both of my sons trained for nine years in the martial arts and received their second-degree black belts in Kuk Sool Won™.
One of the many things I enjoy about our martial arts school is the family atmosphere at Kuk Sool Won™ of Oak Hill Martial Arts. My husband is a 5th Degree Master Black Belt Instructor and I’m a 4th Degree Black Belt Instructor. I’m so grateful for the lifelong friendships I have gained from this supportive community. I am passionate about teaching martial arts to 4-6 years old and empowering women’s lives through Women’s Self Defense Workshops.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
The pandemic in general has reminded us of our resiliency as martial artists and the ability to pivot in the face of adversity. We have had classes over Zoom, at the park, in the parking lot, in student’s front yards…you name it, we’ve done what we needed to do to keep the integrity of the art while also meeting everyone’s needs. We are forever grateful to all of our families that stuck with us during this very difficult time.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Kuk Sool Won™ of Oak Hill Martial Arts specializes in children’s classes ages 4-6, 7-12, 13-adult, Women’s Self Defense Workshops, Spring Break Camp, and Summer Camps. Students are encouraged, empowered, and supported not only in the martial arts but in life skills too. The martial arts will teach self-control, concentration, focus, teamwork, etiquette, discipline, respect, commitment, character and behavior development, leadership, and courage.
Students progress at their own pace, according to their own abilities, and are encouraged to attend as often as their schedule allows. We offer age-specific classes (4-6; 7-12; 13+ adult) as well as classes that allow families to train together. Our classes provide quality martial arts instruction for men, women, and children as young as age four and older adults of all ages.
Our certified rank Black Belt Instructor team consists of ten black belt instructors, who each have been training from 10-30 years in Kuk Sool Won™, and who are committed to helping students succeed to their greatest potential. Each instructor attends continuing education seminars, workshops, and tournaments, to add new skills and keep them current in their martial arts practice. The safety of our students is a number one priority at Kuk Sool Won™ of Oak Hill. All of the black belt instructors are CPR/First Aid Certified and have passed their Criminal Background Checks and FBI Fingerprint Checks.
Kuk Sool Won™ of Oak Hill Martial Arts is an Award-Winning School and has placed in the “Top 10 Schools” at the WKSA World Tournament since opening its doors in 2008.
In October 2018, 122 students represented Kuk Sool Won™ of Oak Hill at the WKSA World Tournament in Galveston, Texas. For the first time in school history, with a total of 890 points, Kuk Sool Won™ of Oak Hill won 1st place out of the 35 schools that competed!
In October 2019, for the second year in a row, Kuk Sool Won™ of Oak Hill won 1st place at the WKSA World Tournament in Galveston, Texas, with 120 students attending for a total of 914 points.
In October 2021, Kuk Sool Won™ of Oak Hill proudly won 2nd place at the WKSA World Tournament in Galveston, Texas, with 90% of our student population in attendance. We are exceptionally proud this year as Kuk Sa Nim bestowed upon Oak Hill the greatest achievement by acknowledging our hard work in winning first place in 2018 and 2019. This is the greatest honor that a school owner could achieve at tournament and we are so grateful for his guidance and teachings of the art we love so much. The Winner Flag has found its home in Oak Hill.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
As we all work together to get our lives back to something resembling normalcy, the fundamentals in life are going to be the key to keeping us on track and the rebuilding the foundation of our martial arts training after Covid.
Ironically, the character traits that are associated with martial artists are even more applicable to our training during the pandemic. It’s important to think about the definition of these character traits and see how it pertains to what each of us is going through during this pandemic.
Patience – The ability to calmly wait or put up with pain or trouble without getting upset or angry.
Courage – The ability to face fear or danger; bravery.
Focus – To direct your attention or effort toward something specific.
Discipline – Training of the body and/or mind according to certain rules and principles.
Determination and Perseverance – A quality that makes you continue trying to do or achieve something that is difficult.
Pricing:
- Free Introductory Class for Ages 4-Adult
- Introductory Month for $79, includes martial arts uniform, white belt, and one month of martial arts classes
Contact Info:
- Email: barbarak@kswoakhill.com
- Website: www.kswoakhill.com
- Instagram: @kswoakhillmartialarts
- Facebook: Kuk Sool Won of Oak Hill Martial Arts
