Fun Foto of the Week

This is BY FAR one of my favorite photos EVER!
Master Greg Williams and Grandmaster Jun Chong pose a la Bruce Lee style for this photo.
Look at how young and buff everyone is!!!
circa 1975-6...?

If you have any good photos that you'd like to submit, email them to me at junchong411[at]gmail.com. Enjoy!

Fun Foto of the Week

Who's this crazy-eyed gal?
It's Kaelyn Choi dressed up for our Halloween event 2009!
For more fun photos from this event, click here.


If you have any good photos that you'd like to submit, email them to me at junchong411[at]gmail.com. Enjoy!

Interview with Instructor Stephanie Texdahl

Ms. Stephanie Texdahl has been training for a number of years with Jun Chong Martial Arts, receiving her 1st dan black belt in 2006 and teaching the same year.

Her background:
Stephanie is a late comer to the martial arts scene and began training when she was 28. Over the course of nine years her passion has led to a life long dedication to instruction and the hope to eventually promote and develop a broader community of practitioners within the Los Angeles area.

Her devotion has also expanded into other areas of martial arts to include a love of weapons and styles that compliment her Tae Kwon Do training. Stephanie’s weapon of choice is the nunchukas and more recently she has added bo staff and kamas.

Above all, Stephanie ardently believes in the physical, emotional and spiritual growth that ensues when one follows any discipline with passion. “Tae Kwon Do is a way of life. There are many ways to live; this is the way I choose.”

Her Philosophy:
“Discipline with fun. If you aren’t having fun, what’s the point?”

What to expect in her Martial Arts Classes:
Stephanie instructs children and under Grandmaster Chong’s guidance has developed a fast pace, energetic and engaging workout. “Kids have shorter attention spans. You have to keep the class moving and insert material that requires more focus in between drills students like. It's important students leave class on a positive note so they want to come back for more, but you also have to instill the techniques necessary for progression. It’s not always perfectly executed, but feedback from parents is students enjoy my class.”

Interview with Instructor Stephen Howison

Mr. Stephen Howison has trained with Jun Chong Martial Arts since he was in 1st grade at the North Hollywood school. He received his black belt in Taekwondo and Hapkido in 1994 and began teaching at the Wilshire school in 2009.

His Background:
Stephen comes from a family of black belts including his mother Diane, and his 2 sisters Heather and Caitlin. He was a member of the North Hollywood Demo team and has also trained in weapons including Escrima, Iaido, and various other weapons. Stephen was also involved in the military and trained in the Marine Corp Martial Arts Program.

His Teaching Philosophy:
"I believe that students should learn the intricacies of Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido techniques and have a firm understanding of the basics."

What to Expect in His Classes:
"Students can expect to learn basics and techniques in a consistent environment."

Fun Foto of the Week

Yummy! Stephen Kim enjoys Rocco's Pizza at our first Movie Night last July 2009.
Our Summer Movie Night starts Friday July 23rd at 8pm. RSVP in the office (323) 658-7570 early so we know how much pizza to get!


If you have any good photos that you'd like to submit, email them to me at junchong411[at]gmail.com. Enjoy!

July Students of the Month!

Congratulations to

Nikolas Papageorgas & Terry Ayzman
July Students of the Month!

Full Name: Nikolas Papageorgas

Occupation/education level: college
Belt Rank/Training since: Red 2, training since 2003

Q) Describe yourself in 3 words:
A) Good family man

Q) Name one thing you wish you knew before joining TKD:
A) To know TKD before so he can join soon

Q) Your biggest vice:
A) Not consist w/ class and lazy

Q) Your favorite food?
A) Lamb Chops

Q) How has TKD changed you?
A) discipline, balance for every work

Q) What is the most embarrassing thing that happened to you in TKD?
A) Forgot a form in blue belt & testing in a group of little kids in Santa Monica.

Q) What are your hobbies?
A) Soccer, swimming

Q) What made you want to join TKD?
A) At first it was to encourage my son to continue.

Q) What are you best at in TKD?
A) Sparring

Q) Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
A) If I'm healthy, then in TKD.

Full name: Terry Ayzman

Education Level: 5th Grade
Belt rank/training since: Orange belt, about 1 year

Q) Describe yourself in 3 words:
A) funny, cool, and creative.

Q) Name one thing you wish you knew before joining TKD:
A) Knowing how to do a goo split.

Q) Your biggest vice:
A) Having a hard time concentrating.

Q) Your favorite food?
A) French Fries

Q) How has TKD changed you?
A) It made me more disciplined.

Q) What is the most embarrassing thing that happened to you in TKD?
A) Made a really smelly gas (no one heard it).

Q) What are your hobbies?
A) Studying mythology, TKD.

Q) What made you want to join TKD?
A) The cool nunchakus, swords, and bo staff.

Q) What are you best at in TKD?
A) Splits and kicks.

Q) Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
A) The coolest black belt ever!

Fun Foto of the Week!

Here is black belt instructor Stephanie Trott with her adorable daughter Natalie at our annual Jun Chong TKD Halloween party and "Witch's Cooking Show." The class included obstacle courses, games for kids, showing off their costumes, and a wicked cooking show from the Witch of Wilshire Blvd. herself!

If you have any good photos that you'd like to submit, email them to me at junchong411[at]gmail.com. Enjoy!

Fun Foto of the Week

Don't Hate!
Yes, some of us are on the annual Korea/China trip right now, and it's FABULOUS!!!
Here's a random but gorgeous photo of a boat in China. The details are amazing!
We'll be back soon so we'll share more photos then!

If you have any good photos that you'd like to submit, email them to me at junchong411[at]gmail.com. Enjoy!

Testimonial from Black Belt Phillip Blackman

Master's Corner

"Injuries in the Martial Arts" by Master Phillip Blackman (Blackman TKD, New Mexico)

Taekwondo is typically associated with minor injuries: sprains, strains and swelling. On April 20th, I had to have surgery to repair my shock absorber in my right knee. I thought that I would share a 5 step plan to help minimize our exposure to severe injuries.

1: Warm up properly before you begin practice or enter competitions. This includes walking, jogging, jumping rope, or a variety of light aerobic exercises that will increase blood flow and oxygen to your muscles.
2: Cool down after practice. Return your body to a resting state by gradually doing stretching, deep breathing, and other non-aerobic exercises. It's the best way to avoid stiffness and pain and prevent injury brought on by a lack of conditioning.
3: It is our duty and as black belts to teach students proper "form." We must be able to adjust a student's body posture and movements so that they are executed with as little stress to the body as possible, especially when they are learning new techniques.
4: I have worn knee braces, as preventative. I enjoy feeling the added support. If you have any weaknesses, I strongly encourage braces or wraps until you are healed, or if it is chronic.
5: Weight train apart from your Taekwondo training. Your focus should be to help increase your body's natural support of joints and bones to prevent breaks, strains, and sprains.

I wish everyone continued success and good health and be sure to train smart!