Testimonials
When we enrolled the children in Tae Kwon Do, we wanted them to learn self-defense. With Grand Master Im’s instruction and guidance, we have seen our children improve in both skill and execution of techniques. As their proficiency level has grown, we have seen other positive effects emerge: increased confidence, composure under pressure, enhanced concentration,
greater self-discipline, and improvement in their overall behavior. Undeniably, Tae Kwon Do has helped them develop stronger bodies, more confident attitudes, and healthier minds!
Through the years, we have seen this gradual transformation in our children and the positive effects of Tae Kwon Do. Repetition and daily practice have helped them improve their forms and techniques, which has translated into higher confidence and self-esteem. They have learned that through determination, hard work, and perseverance, anything is possible. This mental attitude has impacted other areas of functioning and has motivated them to set high goals and to achieve them, to appreciate their successes, and to see failure as an opportunity to grow and improve. These lessons are invaluable and have been instilled by their study of Tae Kwon Do under Master Im’s guidance.
Y J Im Tae Kwon Do Academy has been a fantastic experience for our children. They have gotten excellent instruction from Grand Master Im and his family. He has impressive credentials and extensive experience which includes over 39 years of teaching. The Academy also provides the opportunity for the whole family to get fit together since it offers family classes multiple times per week. In addition, Grand Master Im is a very talented and patient instructor. With his encouragement and inspiration, our three children have all earned their black belts.
We would recommend Y J Im Tae Kwon Do Academy as the best place to learn Tae Kwon Do. It provides excellent instruction, individualized attention to every student, and an invaluable learning experience to those willing to pursue it.
Alcira & Aman Sahami
Our proud Black Belts!
Our family at the start of our Tae Kwon Do journey.
In Bakersfield where the weather is impossibly hot during most of the Summer, Tae Kwon Do is also ideal since it is an indoor sport that can be practiced even during the extreme temperatures seen in this area!
It is a great honor to be taught by Grand Master Im. His extensive knowledge, experience and expertise are a value-added wealth of information to pass along to his students of all ages. He not only teaches us forms, self-defense and sparring techniques, but provides us with the history and philosophy of Taekwondo and explanation of techniques.
Through these Taekwondo lessons, I not only get a good work-out training my body and mind, but am able to apply the tenets of integrity, perseverance and self-control in every day living. As a busy Mom, working and raising an energetic young son (who is also a student of Grand Master Im), I recommend other families to enroll at this Taekwondo school, so you too can reap the benefits of Grand Master Im’s classes.
Emma S.
I love being able to take classes with my son. Being able to learn with him gives both of us a great workout and time to bond!
The boys made great friends at Tae Kwon Do!
We have two sons who attend Y. J. Im Tae Kwon Do Academy. As parents, we often discuss what types of activities to enroll the boys: one that will keep them engaged physically and mentally and the one that we agreed upon was Tae Kwon Do. We had looked at a few other existing facilities and talked to friends with children enrolled in different martial arts programs. We ‘discovered’ this academy in late January and felt this would be a good place for our boys to learn Tae Kwon Do. We finally decided to enroll our two older boys in March, after they had finished their basketball season.
The boys were a bit overwhelmed at first. During the second week, they got ‘comfortable’ with the sessions and were having a lot of fun in the process. By the end of the first month, the boys had become Tae Kwon Do fans. Every day, they look forward to attending Tae Kwon Do practice and learning new techniques as well as reviewing learned materials and forms. In addition to learning new materials, they also enjoy interacting and being in a classroom setting where age is not a factor. They truly enjoy being in a classroom setting with students of all ages, young and older alike, who share one thing in common, which is a desire for learning Tae Kwon Do.
Since starting here at Y. J. Im Tae Kwon Do Academy, taught by Grand Master Im, we have noticed several positive changes in our boys. One of the notable changes in our boys is that they have both developed greater patience as they learn forms and techniques from Grand Master Im. They understand that, if they cannot remember the form or the move after the lesson, they must be patient to see the moves and forms again and take advantage of that opportunity.
Another notable change in our boys is greater focus and attention to the task at hand. As they practice, the body doesn’t always do what they envision it doing. They have learned that the details matter. Where does the punch land? How high is the kick? What direction do I turn? How is my belt tied? Am I sitting up or standing properly? Gratefully, this newfound attention to detail has boosted self-confidence and courage that has translated to self-starting tasks at home and elsewhere that neither would try without help. They realize that if they fail the first or even the second time, they must not give up and try again and that practice really does make perfect or near perfect.
As parents of three little boys, and like many of the parents and grandparents here today, we do our best to keep our boys occupied in ways that will help with their development, whether it be physically, socially, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually. Here at Y. J. Im Tae Kwon Do Academy, we have noticed the positive changes in our boys in many of those areas. Our boys are still too young to understand the depth of the physical and mental lessons learned. However, as parents, we know that all the daily lessons learned and the emphasis on ‘focusing’ and most importantly, the emphasis on “courtesy, integrity, humbleness, respect, control, spirit, courage, and belief” are lifelong lessons that will be with them into adulthood.
Thank you Grand Master Im for your dedication, encouragement, and expertise in helping our boys develop in areas they are lacking as well as encouraging their abilities.
Sincerely,
Marian & Ed S.
To: Parents and prospective students
From: Theodore Fisch, parent of black belt student of Grandmaster Im
First, Grand Master Young Ju Im’s credentials are impeccable and his Tae Know Do Academy is the best school for kids and adults in northern VA! For parents like me whose kids attend schools in South Riding (Chantilly), Stone Ridge, Aldie, Brambleton, and Ashburn areas Grand Master Im’s Academy is your best choice for your kids because Grandmaster Im and Mrs. Im are exceptional leaders and are truly dedicated and care about developing and enhancing each of your kid’s mental and physical confidence, self-defense skills, quality of life and your son and daughter character. Most importantly, Grandmaster Im’s Tae Kwon Do philosophy teaches your kids skills and develops their positive mental attitude, character, respect for parents & teachers, teaches your kids not to cave into peer pressure and confidence to defend against school or out of school bullies (as a kid or adult). These and much more are major benefits of enrolling with Grandmaster and Mrs. IM’s Academy and the reasons why my son is there and continues to thrive. He is hoping to attend the Naval Academy and the skills and values Grandmaster IM instills will be a positive benefit.
Second, as a parent of a black belt student, I’m incredibly happy with the training and individual attention, detail, and care Grandmaster Im and Mrs. Im show my son and their other students. As a former USG Special Agent with over 20 years for and with US State Dept, Defense Department, US Secret Service, et al., protecting leaders including the President, Secretary of State, foreign leaders, and internationally protected persons (Nelson Mandela, Dalai Lama, Royal British families et al), in my humble personal opinion, I’m confident that Grandmaster Im and Mrs. Im truly care, nurture, inspire, motivate, equip and lead our children to grow, develop and become highly respectful, confident and well-rounded kids. The skills my son and your kids can learn will be with them as they grow up and confront situations that may be challenging.
Lastly, Grandmaster Im’s credentials are truly outstanding. He is a 9th degree black belt, former Korean Secret Service Special Agent, former six times Korean National Champion, and former 2000 Olympic Tae Kwon Do coach) plus he has over 35 years of teaching children and adults. Because of his credentials, our nation’s most elite local law enforcement agencies, Los Angeles Police Dept (LAPD) and Los Angeles Sheriff’s Office (LASO) recruited him to teach and train their officers including elite SWAT teams.
Finally, for parents of elementary and middle school kids, I highly recommend that you consider joining Grandmaster and Mrs. Im’s Academy especially for afterschool because your kids will learn life long skills and build their character and the price to start is very reasonable. When your kids grow up they will thank you and appreciate what you did for them.
Sincerely, very respectfully,
Ted Fisch