This month we're donating close to 1k, most of which will go to a local who's fighting cancer and unable to afford medical care (even with insurance). A small portion will also go to Chhahari, an organization based in Kathmandu dedicated to rescuing children from poverty, malnutrition, drug addiction, sex trade and murder for organs.

A third of all gross proceeds generated from our yoga program goes directly to charity every month. I and some of our teachers are also donating over half of our shares. We are so grateful!

From my father's book, The Complete Martial Artist - Volume 1, published in 1981.

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This moment is reality. I therefore cannot live captured by the ideals of the past or in fear of my future. Neither am I afraid to admit change into my life, especially within my teaching of Taekwondo. If there is a superior way of teaching or developing techniques, I want to know about it; I will adapt that way into the methods I have established before. The future of all systems of martial arts depends on continual growth, as with any art form. While retaining our noble traditions, we can and should continue to explore new concepts and training methods.

Imported From The Original Academy Blog 2011-2016
Re-Release 14 of 14 -- First Posted - June 26, 2015
"First Academy Jr. Black Belt: Brayden Jenson"

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“Training in the art of Taekwondo has helped me to develop patience, confidence, self-discipline, a positive mental attitude and respect for myself, my school, my training, and for those around me. My training has helped me overcome fear, self-doubt, weakness, laziness, and bad habits. Through hard work, discipline, persistence and dedication, training has strengthened my mind and my body.”

Excerpt from Brayden Jenson’s Black Belt Thesis

Imported From The Original Academy Blog 2011-2016
Re-Release 13 of 14 -- First Posted - June 26, 2015
"Cho's Academy Team Brings Home the Gold"

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Throughout the months of March, April and May the academy adult team competed in several open Brazilian Jiu Jitsu tournaments, including the 18th Annual Copa Pacifica in Huntington Beach, Dream Gi Open Championships in Los Angeles, IBJJF Pan Ams in Irvine and IBJJF Worlds in Long Beach. 

Travis Zardeneta (32) who teaches Fridays at the academy brought home a gold from the Copa on Sunday, April 26th. Laguna Beach native, Kellen Uchizono (20) brought home a bronze from the Dream Gi Open on Sunday, May 3rd; hard-earned in a division of over twenty competitors.  
Jacob Cho (42) brought home a silver, also from the Dream Gi Open. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt, Jason Bukich, who has recently signed on to lead the Cho’s Academy Jiu Jitsu team just won his division’s Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) Trials earning a spot to compete in the ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championships, one of todays most prestigious international grappling competitions--this is event is scheduled to take place in Brazil at the end of August.  The academy also has adults it is helping prepare for competition in Tae Kwon Do, kickboxing and MMA.

The Academy's martial art programs are first focused on building character and discipline through hard work.  There is an emphasis to promote an overall commitment to developing the mind, body and spirit.  Along with this focus are programs developed to push athletes to elite levels of international competition.  Cho says that whether competing or not, being active in the martial arts is for people of all ages. 

Imported From The Original Academy Blog 2011-2016
Re-Release 11 of 14 -- First Posted - September 23, 2014
"Youth Outreach Initiative - Team 2014 Update"

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September 21, 2014

Cho’s Academy is proud to announce that its Youth Outreach Initiative is well into its second year and going strong. 

The team spent today walking around Laguna educating local merchants about our cause and rallying their support.  This was a great way for us to spend our morning and afternoon... time devoted to making a difference and raising awareness. 

Imported From The Original Academy Blog 2011-2016
Re-Release 10 of 14 -- First Posted - March 23, 2014
"TKD Testing March 23rd - 2014"

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Someone asked me recently, what I believed the essence of martial arts to be.   This is a tough answer to whittle down, but in my experience it would have to be, Integrity…. doing the right thing always.  Integrity as the essence would be all-inclusive:

hard work… earnest consistent actions free of excuses or blame

modesty… letting our actions speak for us rather than our words

courtesy… being polite and respectful and treating others as we would like to be treated

discipline and self-control… cultivated skills that allow us to consistently make responsible promoting choices

perseverance and courage… it is not meant for us to give up or be stunted by fear

Imported From The Original Academy Blog 2011-2016
Re-Release 9 of 14 -- First Posted - January 20, 2014
"Coach Luke Adams Adds Another Pro MMA Win To His Record"

Imported From The Original Academy Blog 2011-2016
Re-Release 8 of 14 -- First Posted - November 25, 2013
"3rd Annual TKD Youth Awards Banquet & Fundraiser"

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Friday, November 22nd, 2013 marked the evening of another great milestone for our academy.  We proudly hosted our 3nd Annual TKD Youth Awards Banquet and Fundraiser.  This was the first time we combined a fundraiser with the awards, and this was made possible by the efforts of our Youth Outreach Initiative.  The outreach team, with some help from Jason Feddy (local Laguna Beach radio personality) hosted a live auction that raised $3,870 for The Red Cross!  With over 100 in attendance, our largest event to date, it was another great achievement for our community.

Imported From The Original Academy Blog 2011-2016
Re-Release 7 of 14 -- First Posted - November 24, 2013
"Jacob Cho Featured As One Of Laguna Beach Magazine's Top Ten Change-Makers"

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JC:  Thank you for this recognition and opportunity.  I’m sure there are many others deserving. I am humbled and will use this opportunity for whatever good I can make of it. 

1. LB:  What do you think are your most distinctive accomplishments?

JC:  The accomplishments I believe to be most important are the individual successes of each student... particularly the kids.  It's a victory every time I help a weak kid grow strong, a shy kid grow confident, a wild child to develop control and focus, an outcast to find a home and for those passionate about martial arts a lifetime pursuit.  Over the past three years, our competition fight team has been successful on the open tournament circuit.  I'm also proud to be part of a family legacy (beginning with my father and teacher, Grandmaster Hee Il Cho), and a chain of teachers dedicated to passing along the important lessons of martial arts.

Imported From The Original Academy Blog 2011-2016
Re-Release 6 of 14 -- First Posted - October 11, 2013
"Cho's Academy Welcomes 3rd Degree BJJ Black Belt, Marcel Louzado"

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Multi-time world Brazilian JiuJitsu champion and Checkmat 3rd degree black belt, Marcel Louzado joins our team.  

Marcel is a top representative of the Checkmat team and has credited much of his success on the mat to his unique blend of BJJ, Judo and wrestling; a powerful and effective blend of throws, takedowns, sweeps and submissions.

Imported From The Original Academy Blog 2011-2016
Re-Release 5 of 14 -- First Posted - March 29, 2013
"Cho's Academy Hosts Kenpo Legend Bob White :: Together We Raise Funds For Children In Need"

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On Saturay January 26th, Cho’s Academy hosted Kenpo Karate legend, Bob White and his wife Barbara White for a youth workshop and fundraiser.

Mr. White passed up a professional baseball career to pursue martial arts and has been contributing to the art of American Kenpo for over 40 years.  On the tournament circuit he won numerous state, national, and international fighting championships.  Bob White fought on the National All Star Black Belt Team, which went undefeated in 1973 and 1974. As a teacher and coach, he has consistently turned out some of the world's finest karate fighters.  He was involved in the original "Karate Kid" movie and appeared as a referee in the film.  His school had over 50 students that appeared in the movie as tournament competitors.  Mr. White was also involved in The Karate Kid part 3 and worked to promote the new “Karate Kid” version with Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith.

This was a great opportunity to expose our local kids to an icon who has helped shape martial arts in the United States.  Cho’s Academy students are active competitors, and so to receive tips from this multi-time international champion was a special opportunity.

Imported From The Original Academy Blog 2011-2016
Re-Release 4 of 14 -- First Posted - December 31, 2012
"Cho's Academy Featured in the Local Paper Again"

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Excerpt from LB Indy, 2012

Twelve young martial artists from Cho’s Academy competed and medaled in tae kwon do sparring and hyung at the 20th Annual KS Choi California Open, held at the Home Depot Center in Carson last month. More than 1,000 young competitors participated in the event.

The medal count by Cho’s team, ages 6 to 15, was four golds and one silver in sparring, one silver and one bronze in hyung, and a school appreciation award. 

Imported From The Original Academy Blog 2011-2016
Re-Release 3 of 14 -- First Posted - December 6, 2012
"2nd Annual TKD Youth Awards Ceremony & Banquet"

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Friday, November 2nd, 2012 marked the evening of another great milestone for our academy.  We proudly hosted our 2nd Annual TKD Youth Awards Ceremony and Banquet.  With over 80 in attendance, it was another great event for the kids.

“Thanks for putting together a perfect awards event. I can only imagine the countless hours you spent putting together such a brilliant evening. You made the kids feel special with the extremely thoughtful awards, and I also thought it was wonderful to recognize many of the kids for their academic achievements and improvements.” – Jan Schrieber

Speech Transcript:

Imported From The Original Academy Blog 2011-2016
Re-Release 2 of 14 -- First Posted - November 23, 2011
"1st Annual TKD Youth Awards Ceremony & Banquet"

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Friday, November 18th marks the evening of a great milestone for our academy.  We proudly hosted our 1st Annual TKD Youth Awards Ceremony and Banquet.  With close to 70 in attendance, great times were had by all. 

"Dear Jacob,
What a perfect evening, thank you so much.  I cannot imagine the countless hours involved for it to be so wonderful and come off so flawlessly, but we really appreciate it... We all really felt a part of a strong and special community last night.  Thank you for providing this at such a high caliber, we are very fortunate. Warmly, Anne" – Anne Shea

Speech Transcript:

Imported From The Original Academy Blog 2011-2016
Re-Release 1 of 14 -- First Posted - June 5, 2011
"Cho's Academy ~ Our Second Tournament, One Small Step"

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We are not a school solely focused on competition and will never be.  As a teacher I believe that promoting traditional values and life skills are higher on the priority list.  Competition is one tool that is part of a bigger picture.