Libby, Rich and Sylvester training on top of a mountain.

When we moved to Alameda, my wife and I started looking for a martial art to take. We called all the studios on the island, and Sir, Erik Lee, sounded the nicest and even invited us to come take a class to see if Kuk Sool was for us. We took the class, and were completely impressed with Sir: he knows the material, is amazing in its performance, and is fantastic at teaching it to his students. Sir Rocks. We were also impressed that Kuk Sool does not sell balck belts. The process of getting a black belt requires at least four black belt tests, so in Kuk Sool, a black belt means more than paying for the belt.
Richard R. - Black Belt

Below is an article from Alameda Magazine where our hometown black belt, Melissa Lim, extols the virtues of martial arts training.

“Hip Hip Hoorah! Carlos is doing a marvelous job in all of his school work, participation in classroom discussions, completing his work using a lot of effort, and being a leader in citizenship both inside and outside of our classroom! Wow!".
Letter forwarded from Provi (Carlo's mom) who credits us with his improvement.

We wanted to thank you and Sir for taking the time to really teach and prepare Kyle for the tournament. He was really excited to go to his first tournament and had a great time...

We didn't know what to expect when it came to Kyle. Though he practiced at home, we weren't able to tell if he was really doing it well enough to compete. The extra practices at the school were very helpful and we did notice big improvements after each ession. Still, we just didn't know what wouuld happen...Could he do it?...Would he forget? Would he get nervous? The answers came that Saturday...

He started with his form. he didn't seem nervous at all. In fact, he did it smoothly. We were amaxed at how well he did it. We were even more surprised when he got a bronze out of it.

Next was technique. Problem was his partner, Carlos, was busy competing himself. The judges had him pick somone unfamiliar to be his parner. We thought surely this was trouble. Here was an unfamiliar partner and a girl almost a head taller to boot. Yet, he did his techniques without problems. In fact, his defining moment of the tournament came with his last throw. He was able to effortlessly throw his partner over his shoulder and down to the mat! There was not a hint of awkwardness...That moment demonstrated to us that Kyle had indeed learned his lessons well. And that Sir and you had taught him well. The gold medal was almost an afterthought to that moment.

[In sparring] we marveled at the kicks Kyle pulled off as well a the energy he put into the matches. The effort got him a silver medal but again another moment shone even brighter. Jerry Chow had come by to sit with Kyle and give him advice. We were touched that he cared enough to do that and thought how the school seemed to be filled with good people like Jerry.

A gold, silver, and bronze. Far more than we ever thought Kyle would do at his first tournament. We would have been happy just to see him compete and have a good time. Instead, he showed why we are so happy to have Kyle (and Kory) attend KSW of Alameda. He has great teachers there, like Sir and you [Maria]. And he's surrounded by good people , like Jerry and Carlos, who encouraged him in the weeks before.

The whole idea fo the school is not to win medals, but to teach Kuk Sool. In that one throw, Kyle showed he was learning. Thank you.
Gary and Ly Ly C.

I have two daughters. They have taken Kuk Sool for three years and both are brown belts. My wife and I are very appreciative for what Kuk Sool Won has done for our daughters.
Our youngest daughter has become an intramural tear in soccor, softball, and basketball because of all the calisthenics they do. Kuk Sool has really helped her with her speed and agility.
Kuk Sool has done wonders for our oldest daughter also. Not only has she gotten in great shape, but her concentration is so good she has a 3.8 GPA in high school.
My wife and I believe [their success] comes from their teacher Erik Lee. He is firm but not harsh. He’s authoritative but not dictatorial. His easy patient teaching style really helps kids to prosper.
Gil F.