Yong Studios

One of the immutable laws of the universe is that all Koreans (maybe others, too, but I only know what I know) are required to take piano and/​or taekwondo from a young age.
So we’ve been bringing our son to Yong Studio for the last 6 months. He’s your average kindergartener with high energy and a short attention span, and this place has done wonders for his ability to concentrate and follow directions. (Not that he’s extraordinarily focused by anyone’s definition, but we’ve seen a definite improvement since he started.)
Master Kim, Mr. Surage, and the other instructors are great with kids without being indulgent, and somehow they’re able to command respect, maintain discipline, and communicate their high expectations while keeping the students engaged. Despite their sometimes stern demeanor, you can tell that they genuinely care about the kids by the way they get to know them as individuals (even when they’re all dressed the same!).
It’s not cheap — think it’s around $ 170 a month — but you can do a free trial class to gauge your kid’s interest before you commit. (Hint: show them cool TKD moves on youtube to get them psyched.) There’s no limit on the number of classes you can take, and they have classes 6 days a week at varying times for each level. (We try to go twice a week and feel we’re getting our money’s worth.)
True, the facilities could use an update, and there isn’t a lot of room for the parents to watch their kids, but come on, folks, this ain’t a spa or a talent show.

I am really surprised by some of the negative reviews here. I realize some were a while back but still quite surprising. I have been taking my eight year old to Yong Studios between 1 – 3 times per week for four years now. It is on the second floor of a C class building in Tenleytown. When the kids do jumping jacks the entire place shakes like it’s going to fall down. It’s crowded, the air conditioning doesn’t always work and so on and so on. So why do we keep coming back week after week and month after month? Because my child has learned how to respond yes sir and no sir. Because he has learned from Master Kim that practice doesn’t make perfect but perfect practice makes perfect. Because he has learned that you have to earn things in life (belts and stripes) they are not just given to you. My son is a red belt. Many others who started at the same time are black belts. Others disappeared altogether because it was too hard. My son who is by no means a stellar athlete now has strong balance and confidence that have helped in other sports and in life. I thank Yong Studios for much of that. I believe every single one of the instructors received his or her black belt at Yong Studios so they are true believers. I don’t think tae kwon do is right for every child. I for instance have not yet signed up my other two children. This being said, if it is right for yours this is the place to be. There is a free class offered. I see lots of kids coming in for it some continue and others do not.

I trained with this studio for three and a half years during high school, and I continue to return whenever I am in the DC area. Let me make something clear: this is the best martial arts studio I have ever experienced. Here are a short list of reasons why.
One: The instructors are superb at both martial arts and instruction. These are some of the best martial artists I’ve ever seen, and they genuinely want to teach you how to equal or exceed them. They will give you one-​on-​one advice and help you with problems in the techniques. Overall, the instructors are very supportive and friendly. However, they are tough and there’s no doubting who’s in charge.
Two: The demands of this school are extremely high. They have to be. They want precise technique, excellent footwork, strong attacks and defenses. The only way to ensure that is to demand the best from their students. Here’s what that means: the instructors are not going to flatter you. If there’s a problem with your techniques, they will tell you so. They’re not going to praise you for doing average work. However, if they praise you, you will know that you earned it by doing a truly exceptional job. That is a good feeling. The constant push from the instructors will also force you to work hard, get in shape, and become an excellent martial artist. That is why you’re here, right?
Three: class specialization. Unlike most other martial arts studios that I’ve seen, Yong Studios divides classes into beginner, intermediate, and advanced classes. That means two things: white belts won’t spend half the class sitting in the back watching higher belts do their material, and high belts can spend the whole class working on their techniques. Much more efficient. Further, Yong Studios holds three specialty classes a week, one sparing and two forms classes. Those classes allow students and instructors to focus on a single subject, rather then spending the hour doing four different things. It’s a much more efficient setup.
Four: the customer loyalty at this place is great. I’m at college for most of the year, so I terminated my membership, but Master Kim still lets me train at Yong Studios when I’m in town, and the instructors all know me and are eager to help me relearn what I forget. I don’t think I could possibly find that level of flexibility elsewhere.
Five: the payment scheme is very flexible. You pay for a month’s instruction at a time. If you want to stop, you simply tell Master Kim so. Next month, no payment. Simple as that. If you need to skip a month, same story. They’ll take you right back next month, no questions asked. Also, the monthly fee covers an unlimited number of classes that month.
As for some of the complaints posed by others, here are some thoughts:
Prices: they are high, but you get what you pay for. This is a full-​time martial arts studio, open six days a week and through most federal holidays. Since the fee covers an unlimited number of classes, you could easily train here six days a week. Suddenly $ 170 a month doesn’t look so expensive, especially considering the quality of the instruction. Plus, classes are rigorous enough that this counts as a gym workout.
Tracking system: it’s dead easy, and your fees won’t change one cent. The only purpose is to keep track of how many classes the student attends. That way, the instructors have an idea of how much material the student should know, and thus how close they are to testing.
Cleanliness: it’s a Tae Kwon Do studio. We practice martial arts in our bare feet. But, the instructors clean regularly, and I’ve never seen the place really dirty. There’s always dust and such, but really, to prevent that the instructors would have to spend all their time cleaning and none teaching. Let’s be realistic, folks.
Discipline: I’ve never had a problem with discipline here. The children’s classes tend to be a bit chaotic, but, um… try taking care of fifteen six-​year-​olds at once. They do a remarkably good job, in my opinion. The kids know what they’re supposed to do, and by and large they do it. If the kid fails to obey instructions, they will be called out for it. How else should the studio tell them what to do? The instructors are the boss in the class, there’s no doubting that, even if they are quite friendly about it.
Material: I learned a lot here. Christine H claims that her child learned nothing during his two months. There are two points to be made here:
1) How long someone is enrolled matters a lot less than how many classes they attend.
2) For the first four months or so, you’ll be learning white belt basics (front punch, back punch, front kick, side kick, round kick). These are the foundation of the rest of the material. It may seem like you’re not learning anything new during those four months, but practicing these kicks and punches now saves a lot of trouble down the road. It’s not the quantity, it’s the quality.

My biggest complaint about this place is the pricing. $ 170 fixed every month. Say you are taking 2 classes a week, that’s about $ 20/​class which isn’t outrageous but it is outrageous when you realize that with vacations, getting sick, busy work weeks, etc. you are still paying that $ 20/​class and you really end up paying like $ 25 or $ 30 a class when it all figures out. And that’s if you actually plan on going twice a week. Also they have this absurdly complicated tracking system despite the fact that it is fixed price. I feel like they want to know if you are using them more than 2 or 3 times a week so then they can figure out a way to charge you more.

I signed my 5 year old up three months ago. We couldn’t be happier. I mean, sure to address other’s comments, it ain’t the hilton. But I would call it gritty or real, not dirty. The area to watch is cramped, but that’s because the space is for learning Tae Kwon Do, which they take seriously. That is clear, and that’s what matters. The instructors and classes themselves are fantastic. My son has learned SO much, not just the kicks and punches, but application of physical/​mental discipline and focus that 9 months of OT have not been able to achieve. He was SOOO proud to get his second stripe as a white belt, and when we called grandma to brag he kept saying he got the stripe because he was «a good listener» and «focused». (not strong or the best kicker) He also happens to be improving rapidly in form through the movements. The instruction is rigorous, and strict, but clearly from a spirit of guidance, not control. I drive 20 minutes one way to get here 3 times a week. It’s worth it. Can’t wait for my 3 year old to be ready to join.

I’ve been with this studio for almost four years and recently received my black belt from them. This place is like a community of support where you are rewarded for doing your best.
I’m also jumping in to disagree with Christine H’s review. Granted, the space is small, but dirty? I constantly see the instructors cleaning it. I get the feeling that Christine is expecting a million-​dollar mansion and for her child to be treated like a saint. Yes, they discipline the kids… but do you expect them to run wily-​nily sans discipline? Better the studio instill discipline in these children while they’re young instead of letting bad behavior go unchecked. Another misconception is that more than one kids’ class goes on at once — not true. The kids’ classes are large and are split in smaller groups which each instructor is assigned to handle.
Yes, the space is small, but we work with what we’ve got. Obviously it’s a great studio because for every student who leaves, more sign up.

My 9 year old son joined Yong Studios in late December as a beginner and after two months we have decided not to continue. The studio is dirty, dusty and generally not well kept or organized. There is no convenient viewing area for spectators leaving caretakers sprawled on the floors to watch. There were often two classes held at once in one large room with so many kids it was distracting for my son. The cornerstones of TaeKwonDo; self-​control, discipline, respect are not at all evident the children’s classes. Often while watching I would hear children being reprimanded for misbehavior. There is a general lack of authority and structure not commonly seen in a martial arts program. More importantly though, my son didn’t learn anything in his two months there. I would not recommend this program.

I am a first degree black belt who has trained at Yong Studios for many years. I know the price tag can be a big deterrent for newcomers, but there is a reason why this studio is thriving.
First, the level of instruction is absolutely amazing. Master Kim has studied under some of the legendary tae kwon do masters. His assisting instructors are all amazing martial artists.
Second, the studio has a perfect balance of the mind-​body aspect of martial arts. There is an emphasis on the traditional forms and training, as well as modern sparring and meditation.
Third, this is a full service martial arts studio. That is, it is open every day of the week, with classes for adults from 6:00 pm running through 9:00 pm, and three times a week there is a noon class. Most martial arts studios only offer three or four classes a week, and often with hugely mixed classes. Here, you have classes every day just split between various levels, and even a black belt class once a week. There is also two levels of sparring classes and yoga for martial artists offered three days a week.
Fourth, I am always slightly amused when I see black belts come in from other studios, mostly because it really drives in how good the training is here. You can advance at a fairly fast pace, by Asian standards, but the focus on technique becomes apparant when you see folks come in from other studios who fall over on side kicks, etc. I am by no means the best martial artist out there, but I feel like I’ve earned my belt.
Fifth, sure you don’t get the pricing up front, but you do get a free class so you can decide whether or not to join. The initiation fee pays for a full uniform and your first month’s fee. There are no year long contracts. I’ve had to suspend my account several times for travel and it has been absolutely no issue. Just a quick email or comment, and its done.
Finally, the one-​on-​one mentoring from the instructors as well as the other students makes for a wonderful learning environment. People here are serious about training, but are also social and really care about your progress. The students work together before and after class and everyone is cheering each other on. Most other studios in the DC area run around $ 100+ per month and don’t offer nearly the depth or variety of classes. They are not full-​time studios, often running at gyms or schools. You get what you pay for.

I really wanted to like this place. I love sports and wanted to try something new besides lifting. first off they would not tell me the price upfront but «invited» me to a class. Slick sales move I guess. The place is nice and everything, but what I did not like were the steep prices. To sign up is around 250 and thereafter is 125 a month! I’d expect to be the next Bruce Lee going here for those rates. I am used to paying about 40 – 55 max per month. Those were the prices I’ve paid living in LA, Detroit, and Columbus. I am finding this city to be insanely expensive. yikes.