The Hwa Rang Do Martial Art Academy proudly serving the Twin Cities since 2001

The Hwa Rang Do Martial Art Academy has classes in the Twin Cities, perfect for kids, teen, and adult martial arts lessons.
Don’t forget about our amazing Afterschool Program, Summer Camps, and Birthday Parties!

Who we Are And why You Should Train Here

Since we’ve opened, we’ve been dedicated to changing the lives of people one person at a time, through martial arts, education and coaching. We strive to provide a safe, comfortable and welcoming atmosphere for all students and family members. We take pride in creating an environment for individuals to achieve, develop and succeed in their personal goals.

Hwa Rang Do is one of the true complete martial arts where you will have the opportunity to study all aspects of the combative arts such as striking, grappling, and weaponry, plus also delve into the inner arts of meditation, energy, and health. We are a traditional school that respects the lineage of our art which goes back to the ancient days of historical Korea.

We strongly believe that martial arts can be for everyone, regardless of age, gender or experience levels. Throughout all of our programs, students will not only learn the necessary skill sets to protect themselves, we stand behind our realistic and practical approach, confident it will enable every member to achieve greatness and live their best life..

What is Hwa Rang Do?

Hwa Rang Do can be translated as the “Way of the Flowering Knights.” It is one of the most comprehensive systems of self-defense and combative techniques in the world. This system has been developed in accordance with the ancient principles of Um-Yang, which emphasizes balance in life and harmony with others and nature. With this foundation, Hwa Rang Do includes both hard & soft styles, both linear & circular styles, and strives for mastery of all possible situations.
Hwa Rang Do also has a long history dating back to the Hwarang warriors of Korea some 1800 years ago. These famous warriors were selected from the royal court and were trained in all aspects of combat, leadership, philosophy, civility, as well as the arts, literature, science, and deep spiritual practices. This tradition has been passed down through the generations in an unbroken lineage to us today. The schools and clubs of the present still abide by and resonate with our historical tradition, culture, and principles making for a unique and genuine martial art experience.

Hwa Rang Do is the mother art of Tae Soo Do, the undergraduate program that prepares Martial Artists with the fundamentals, basic mechanics, and philosophies inherent in the practice of martial arts. Through this step-by-step structured program individuals progress through a very effective martial art education in order to become as complete a martial artist as possible.

How does Hwa Rang Do Compare?

There are many differences between the various martial arts that exist today. They all have their own goals, principles, and types of techniques, as well as different concepts and training methods based on this.
Additionally, please note that many other martial arts only place a focus on the sport side or on the tactical/technical side of things. Hwa Rang Do on the other hand is a true traditional martial art, with the focus on maximizing our students’ potential through the vehicle of a complete approach to training. Martial arts can be so much more than kicking/punching/grappling and we strive to bring out the full experience!
The below table is designed to help you understand how Hwa Rang Do and Tae Soo Do compares to other martial arts.

Um Yang Philosophy

Um-Yang is the Korean word for Yin-Yang in Chinese. It is a theory of Eastern metaphysics. It states that in nature, there exists an equal polar dichotomy, which co-exists to form everything within nature.

It is the interaction of these two forces, which articulates the dynamic movement and shape of the variety of life that we see around us. The symbol of Um-Yang is a circle with a squiggly line through the middle, which overlaps both halves, equally. It is said that the symbol of Um-Yang is a representation of two dragons swallowing each other in a constant rotation, never ending without any beginning. It is important to understand that the symbol is not just a circle divided into two halves. However, they interact to form different degrees of Um and Yang, but as a whole the opposing forces are equal. In order for one to exist, there must also exist the opposite to one: Light and dark, heaven and earth, right and wrong, love and hate, good and evil, strong and weak, microcosm and macrocosm, stability and flexibility, finality and eternity, etc. All things co-exist and one must learn to create a harmonious balance to develop the ultimate good within the universe.

Analogy of building a house:

We believe, whether you are building your moral character or physical attributes, one must build it as though building a house. You first lay a foundation of rock or concrete, then build the body or frame with wood, which gives it flexibility. You would not build a house on the foundation of sand or lose gravel and if you did, the house would surely move and collapse. It is this concept, which we utilize in combining the Um and Yang to develop a harmonious balance within the “self,” humanity, and the universe.

Three Elements of Um:

Yu- Yu is the concept of soft, unrelenting motion, like flowing water. Water is soft yet it can erode the strongest of metals. Water moves in perpetual motion, unrelenting and constantly seeking a path. It rounds angular edges and conserves energy by conserving momentum, maximizing on its kinetic energy.

Won – Won is the concept of circular patterns. It shows that all things in life follow a cyclical pattern, starting from one point and finishing at the same point, which it started. Force can be curved or redirected by minimal opposing force, conserving energy to maximize impact. It also relates to centrifugal force, the power generated by a spinning motion. Even a fishing line can cut through flesh and bone, if spun with enough speed.

Hap – Hap is the combining or gathering. In order to create something, one must know all of its fundamental parts. Then, one can vary the combinations in order to create functionally different objects. In the combinations of things, one must maintain the concepts of efficiency, maximizing energy with minimal force.

Three Elements of Yang:

Kang – Kang is the concept of hardness, like rock or steel. Without a strong foundation, there is no stability, form or longevity. It also has to do with determination of will, never giving in nor yielding, but always staying focused at the task as hand.

Kak – Kak is the concept of angles. All things possess specific shape and pattern to create specific results. Knowing angles enhances the understanding of form, movement and positioning to maximize balance and power. This also refers to angles of attack and body positioning in relation to the opponent and the environment, developing better orientation and directions of attack and defense. This is particularly important in executing effective joint manipulation techniques. With the slightest change of angles, any person’s joint can be dislocated with minimal force.

Kan – Kan is the concept of distancing. One must understanding the proper range of the opponent’s and the individual’s arms, legs and/or weapon in order to effectively create a defensive perimeter as well as executing proper attacks, striking the target. Proper footwork and body positioning must be practiced in order to maximize mobility for attack and escape