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Health & Fitness

KUK SOOL WON: More than a health kick for the New Year

Kuk Sool Won is more than exercise, more than a health kick (pun intended), it is fun and family oriented too!

Kuk Sool Won is a systematic study of all the traditional fighting arts which comprise the martial arts history of Korea. As a martial arts system, Kuk Sool Won is extremely well-organized as it intigrates all the established Asian fighting arts and body conditioning techniques. It stresses mental development, self control and traditional weapons training. Often called the “Cadillac” or top of the line martial art, the growth of Kuk Sool Won is rather “young” in the US.

For children and adults, Kuk Sool Won encourages development of discipline and endurance. A student learns methods to increase the ability to focus on things outside him/herself. Training includes attention to responsibility, as well as physical training. Respect: showing respect to people or objects, honoring parents, teachers or elders, helps students to gain the ability to avoid conflict. Kuk Sool Won stresses peaceable living through confidence, lack of fear and strength. I know it works. It has definitely helped my grandson who has ADHD.

A sixth degree black belt since 2008, Head Master (Joo Im Kwahn Jahng Nim )Jack Harvey has been actively involved with martial arts for most of his life. He began his Kuk Sool training in Galesburg, Illinois in 1974. Jack received promotion to fourth degree black belt (Instructor level) in October 1996. In his more than 25 years as an instructor of Kuk Sool Won, Head Master Harvey has helped train more than two hundred students to black belt level.

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Head Master Harvey has been awarded numerous awards and titles from the tournaments and competitions in which he has been a participant. He has been featured in several martial arts magazines. He and his wife Master Alesia (Lee) Harvey have been recognized repeatedly by the community as caring, giving business leaders.

Master (Pyung Kwahn Jahng Nim) Alesia Harvey started practicing martial arts in 1988 in Los Angeles, Ca. She has attended classes and taught at Kuk Sool Won St. Louis since August 1991. Lee was awarded her Fifth Degree Master title at the Kuk Sool Won World Championships in October 2008

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Master Lee holds Grand Champion titles from Galesburg, San Francisco, St. Louis, West Point Military Academy, and World Championship Kuk Sool Won tournaments. She is the owner of the school in Brentwood. She also holds the important title of Mrs. Jack Harvey and Mommy to their son Sean Robert. Mr. and Mrs. Harvey were married in April, 1994. Their son Sean Robert was born January 17, 2000. Sean is following in the footsteps of his family by learning and practicing Kuk Sool Won.

Along with running schools, working, and raising a son. Head Master Jack and and Master Lee. Raise funds for local charitable organizations with martial arts demonstrations. Funds raised go directly to BackStoppers and Paralyzed Veterans of America local chapter-giving over $4000 to each of these organizations in 2012. The family and schools are also passionate about helping the Salvation Army. Each holiday season, the schools adopt families in need and donate toys and other items, teaching the spirit of helping others.

The school at Brentwood Recreation Center (2505 S. Brentwood) is growing! Be a part of this excellent lifestyle choice. It is more than exercise, more than a health kick (pun intended), it is fun and family oriented too!

Classes are $80 per month, held each Monday and Wednesday evening from 7:30-8:30pm. Call 636-928-0035 for more information or to register.

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