HMD Academy Of The Tae Kwon Do

Specialties

HMD — Academy Where Self Defense Leads To Personal Growth. Cooperative tae kwon do practice leads to increased self-​esteem, self-​discipline, and perseverance to set goals and accomplish them.

History

Established in 1964.

While studying at the University of Illinois, Grandmaster Nam Kwon Hyong was the first to teach tae kwon do in the University of Illinois community. He believed that the primary benefit of tae kwon do was self-​improvement. He named his academy «Pil Seung Academy» — from the Korean saying: «To Win is Inevitable.»

In 1993, his brother Namsoo Hyong built a new dojang called «HMD Academy» — from Hyong Moo Do, where Moo Do means: «Way of Overcoming Obstacles.» In the same year, he published an article «Tae Kwon Do at the Crossroads,» concluding that tae kwon do and martial arts should move away from competition and toward the diverse needs of participants. The benefit of his noncompetitive teaching philosophy is supported by his success in certifying dozens of instructors and improving the lives of thousands of students.

HMD Academy is the oldest martial arts academy in Champaign, and it retains tradition while staying on the leading edge of educational theory.

Meet the Business Owner

Namsoo H.

Business Owner

Grandmaster Namsoo Hyong began studying Tae Kwon Do at the age of nine, when his elder brother, Nam Kwon Hyong, introduced him to their traditional family education.

Namsoo joined his high school Tae Kwon Do team, and soon after joined a local Academy, both of which focused primarily of Tae Kwon Do as a competative sport. Namsoo continued this training for 10 years, rising through the ranks of Korean national competitors.

In 1984 Master Hyong began to change his philosophy and teaching style toward Tae Kwon Do, transforming his practice from a competitive orientation into one of emphasizing individual self-​improvement. He realized that competition was an inadequate means of achieving the ends of Martial Arts practice: physical, psychological and philosophical development.

Since 1993, he has emphasized this understanding of tae kwon do at HMD Academy of Tae Kwon Do. Master Hyong has trained dozens of instructors and thousands of students in this philosophy.

HMD Academy Of The Tae Kwon Do also recommends

HMD Academy Chicago

4

reviews

Arts martiaux

Namsoo H. says,

«Master Sarkiss is HMD’s highest ranked instructor, both in belt level and in the esteem of his community. Chicagoans should try a free lesson!»