CKD Martial Arts (main branch), Desa Sri Hartamas

Choi Kwang Do

CKD Martial Arts, programme teaches ‘Choi Kwang Do’. Choi Kwang Do is a science-based evolution of Taekwondo, it was founded by a former Technical Director of Taekwondo who suffered from a catalogue of chronic injuries as a consequence of 30 years of Taekwondo’s rigid movements causing wear and tear. CKD is a holistic martial arts system developed in the 70’s that is designed to improve a practitioner’s mental, physical and emotional wellbeing by applying the latest scientific knowledge to the style’s movements and training drills.

Kwang Jo Choi is famously known for being one of the twelve original masters of Taekwondo of the Korea Taekwon-Do Association. In contrast to Taekwondo, Choi Kwang Do was developed to promote the sort of self-defence mechanism that advocates the use of peaceful means, healthier and happier lifestyles, character development and, above all, a deep and abiding humanity.

Martial Arts School

Conveniently nestled in the commercial shop-office, Galeria Hartamas, is the main branch (also known as Martial Hartamas) of the CKD Martial Arts programme. Benchmarked against the philosophies of Choi Kwang Do, CKD Hartamas continuously strives to be known as a martial arts training centre that places greater emphasis on the development of both the physical and the cognitive aspect of each student, with the belief that learning to increase one’s opportunities to enhance one’s health is far more beneficial if not constructive than having a mindset focused on the needless pursuit of competitiveness and aggressiveness.

Martial Arts Programmes

CKD Martial Arts School offers a variety of carefully designed, age-appropriate martial arts programmes. In its effort to impede competitiveness among its practitioners, students are taught non-contact and non-fighting lessons and activities in a structured, methodical, disciplined manner. What this means is that, despite being a centre that teaches self-defence martial arts, most if not all programmes at CKD Hartamas are mainly written in a way meant to downplay competition. What’s more, there are also classes catered for individuals with special needs (i.e. Autism and cerebral palsy). The goals of each programme are as follows:

a) 3 – 6 year olds

Small children are prepared to be successful in school with classes that improve listening skills and respect.

b)6 – 12 year olds

Practical self-defence, discipline and positive goal setting are the main topics in kids martial arts classes.

c)Teen and adults classes

Adults and teens classes include self-defense, a workout and an escape from the stress of work and life.

d)People with learning disabilities

CKD welcomes children or adults with learning difficulties through various programmes that cater to specific needs. These include the “Self Regulation Programme” for children with low self control as well as those who act aggressively as a result of their impulses (ADHD and/or ADD) and the “Learning Support Programme” for children with global delay, sensory processing disorders, general learning difficulties, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, dyspraxia, autism, and children who are socially/sensory sensitive.

A Family of Experienced, Instructors

To ensure that children are able to get the best from Choi Kwang Do in the shortest time, CKD Hartamas employs a team of experienced and certified instructors. Each lesson, training and assessment at CKD is thus designed in a manner that moves and challenges its students, be they cognitively or physically as each progresses through the system.

All of the instructors in the CKD Martial Arts programme are registered, active members of the CKD community. Amongst them are international contest winners and apprentices from across the globe who have travelled to Malaysia to receive instructor training. Most recently, a group of 9 practitioners from Mont Kiara and Petaling Jaya travelled to London for the 30th Anniversary Seminar of CKD in the UK. Two of the black belt instructors won their contest divisions and one placed in the top three in the Master’s division, behind instructors from the CKD Headquarters in Atlanta, USA. In order to better serve their members and to deliver the best martial arts experience possible the management team receive weekly mentorship from Master Vince Cassar, who runs a successful CKD school of 450 members in London. Furthermore, CKD Hartamas also hosts visiting instructors from abroad from time to time at several of their CKD centres in Malaysia.