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Asheville Self Defense
Asheville Self Defense is a non-commercial, traditional martial arts school that specializes in Chung Do Kwan style self-defense training. Recognized as 'the only authentic source of 'Old-School' Chung Do Kwan self-defense training in North Carolina' (USKF HOF, 2016), we are a veteran-owned and family-operated school since 2011. We offer unlimited class attendance, personalized self-defense training, adult instructors, and a variety of free add-on fitness training opportunities.
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New Journeys
New Experiences
New Experiences
See those three in the photo? The summer they each started their journey in Chung Do Kwan martial arts 25 years ago, they were just looking for something to do. They never even expected to become Black Belts, let alone imagine what they actually achieved. One became a fierce pro-am competitor, while two of them coached a team to Gold and Silver Medals in international competition. All three experienced significant growth through fitness and self-defense training, which improved their employment by enhancing their self-confidence, worldly experiences, and personal presence. None of them ever expected to be among the founders of a pioneering new school 12 years later! And none of them could have imagined they would become skilled enough to be recruited for a professional photo expedition to a mountaintop at sunset!
New Experiences
New Experiences
New Experiences
The new experiences coming your way are far beyond what you might expect! From meeting and training with seasoned USA/World Karate, Hapkido, and Taekwondo champions to attending large weekend seminars with martial arts champions and Grandmasters, and traveling across the country to compete in 10 different martial arts styles, including Chung Do Kwan, it's been an exhilarating journey! Six of our Black Belts have been inducted into the US Kido Black Belt Hall Of Fame, and four have been honored at the AMAA 'Who's Who In Martial Arts' Awards. None of us ever anticipated achieving this level of recognition; we simply started out seeking a fun way to engage in fitness training and self-defense training!
New You!
FAQ - Visitor's Questions About Training
FAQ - Visitor's Questions About Training
Our program focuses on enhancing your health and wellness, helping you manage or even overcome various health issues such as AFIB, Arthritis, ADHD, Asthma, Osteoporosis, Scoliosis, Vertigo, and PTSD. Many of our members are building denser bones and stronger muscles through our comprehensive fitness training, which also enhances endurance, balance, flexibility, and sharpens reflexes—among numerous other benefits.
In addition to physical improvements, you'll experience mental and emotional advantages from this program. Our distinctive approach to self-defense training, coupled with the myriad health benefits of classical Chung Do Kwan, establishes an exceptional health and wellness regimen tailored specifically for you.
We founded this school with a mission to make a meaningful difference, and we chose classical Chung Do Kwan because it consistently produces superior progress in its practitioners.
FAQ - Visitor's Questions About Training
FAQ - Visitor's Questions About Training
FAQ - Visitor's Questions About Training
Is it ever too late to start martial arts training?
Absolutely not! Our oldest regular class members are 62, 64, 68, and 69! We also have several members in their 50s. Our oldest active member ever was 76 when she retired (and she started at 72!!)
What is the best martial art for real self-defense training?
Naturally, EVERY school is going to say theirs is the best! But there is a way for you to decide:
Of the 18 Black Belts currently in our school, 14 came from other systems and styles. Those 14 martial artists have backgrounds in Jujitsu, Shotokan Karate, Goju Ryu Karate, Daito Ryu Karate, ITF/WTF/JTF/USAT Taekwondo styles, Krav Maga, Kickboxing, Shaolin, Tai Chi, Kempo, Aikido, MMA, Muay Thai, Sistema, and Wing Chun. Five of them are military veterans (three are combat veterans), two of our Black Belts have been police officers, and one is a bodyguard for VIPs. In the past, two of Master Hughes' students have gone on to become United States Secret Service agents. Nearly a dozen others have gone on to BLET law enforcement academies or have joined the military.
There's over 285 YEARS' worth of accumulated training there! They've trained all over the world (India, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Okinawa, Thailand, Africa, The Middle East, Central America, and Eastern Europe), practiced lots of styles, and worked with many fighters. But where are they?
THEY'RE HERE, ready to train YOU! And you can ask them why, while you’re here on your free tryout. We hold no secrets from you!
What Is The Best Martial Arts Fighting System?
Again, every school is going to claim theirs is the best. Our art, Chung Do Kwan, is the predecessor of Taekwondo and actually WAS early Taekwondo for 30 years. It was adapted by, and is still used today as the fitness training system for the ROK Marines and ROK Army. In the 1990s, it was adapted into the US Military's hand-to-hand combat system and is still used today as the basis for all US Army, Marine, Ranger, Green Beret, and SEAL training. Jung Kwon Martial Arts is cited by the USKF Hall Of Fame as being the only authentic source of old-style traditional fighting Chung Do Kwan in North Carolina.
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Challenge Yourself! It's Fun, Rewarding, and Exciting!
Challenge Yourself! It's Fun, Rewarding, and Exciting!
Asheville Self Defense is a non-commercial, traditional martial arts school that specializes in Chung Do Kwan style self-defense training. Recognized as 'the only authentic source of 'Old-School' Chung Do Kwan self-defense training in North Carolina' (USKF HOF, 2016), we are a veteran-owned and family-operated school since 2011. We offer
Asheville Self Defense is a non-commercial, traditional martial arts school that specializes in Chung Do Kwan style self-defense training. Recognized as 'the only authentic source of 'Old-School' Chung Do Kwan self-defense training in North Carolina' (USKF HOF, 2016), we are a veteran-owned and family-operated school since 2011. We offer unlimited class attendance, personalized self-defense training, adult instructors, and a variety of free add-on fitness training opportunities.
Challenge Yourself! It's Fun, Rewarding, and Exciting!
Challenge Yourself! It's Fun, Rewarding, and Exciting!
Challenge Yourself! It's Fun, Rewarding, and Exciting!
Some of our students enjoy competing and excel, boasting hundreds of medals across 10 styles, including Chung Do Kwan! Above, Blue Belt mom, Candace, showcased her skills by defeating two black belts for the Gold at the 2023 Hendersonville Karate Open. Her teen son often joins her in competition. While we are not primarily a competition s
Some of our students enjoy competing and excel, boasting hundreds of medals across 10 styles, including Chung Do Kwan! Above, Blue Belt mom, Candace, showcased her skills by defeating two black belts for the Gold at the 2023 Hendersonville Karate Open. Her teen son often joins her in competition. While we are not primarily a competition school, you might be curious about the quality of our training. Our fitness training and self-defense training have proven effective; two of our students earned Gold and Silver at the Pan Am Games, and over two dozen have qualified for the US Nationals. We proudly hold over 40 NC State Games Gold and Silver medals in TKD and Karate. Overall, our small teams have amassed a remarkable total of 577+ medals and trophies across 10 different martial arts, spanning over 5 states, including Chung Do Kwan.
Train Hard, Stay Safe, Have A Blast!
Challenge Yourself! It's Fun, Rewarding, and Exciting!
Train Hard, Stay Safe, Have A Blast!
Our unique Chung Do Kwan program is recognized for its impressive 15-year track record of safety and professionalism in both fitness training and self-defense training. This success highlights our dedicated instructors, commitment to integrity, and our choice to establish a results- and goals-oriented non-commercial program. It fosters a
Our unique Chung Do Kwan program is recognized for its impressive 15-year track record of safety and professionalism in both fitness training and self-defense training. This success highlights our dedicated instructors, commitment to integrity, and our choice to establish a results- and goals-oriented non-commercial program. It fosters a rewarding, drama-free environment where our students thrive and enjoy more fun than they ever anticipated!