Supreme Grand Master JB Lee
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Grandmaster JB Lee began his martial arts career in 1953 at the age of 12. He earned a 3rd degree Black Belt in Judo and was a highly skilled competitive boxer before finishing high school. It was in 1958 that J.B. Lee began training with Grandmaster Lee Dong Gu in Soel, South Korea. J.B Lee went on to found the International Hapkido Karate Association utilizing the "Hoshinsul" Hapkido taught to him exclusively by Grandmaster Lee Dong Gu. In addition, Grandmaster JB Lee also holds black belt ranks in Kendo and Kung Fu. He was invited to be the exclusive instructor for hand to hand combat for the Los Angeles division of the FBI. He recieved the first martial arts instructors visa issued by the South Korean government to come to the United States in 1970. He operated a Hapkido studio at the FBI headquarters at 11000 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA from 1970 to 1976. He has also trained both CIA and US Special Forces. Prior to 1970 he was an instructor for the body guards for President Park during his time as President of South Korea. In addition to training the FBI, JB Lee also opened several Hapkido schools in Los Angeles area beginning in 1972. Since that time he has traveled the world promoting and teaching Hapkido. Over the years he has taught and supervised the instruction of several thousand Hapkido students. Today his students carry on his Hapkido teaching in schools around the wold.
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What is Hapkido
Hapkido is a dynamic and highly eclectic Korean martial art. Because of its eclectic origin, in today’s culture, there are many style variations and governing organizations under the Hapkido banner. Although similar in practice, many have adopted a specific name to their particular variation of Hapkido. In general, it is a form of self-defense that employs both long and close-range fighting techniques, utilizing jumping kicks and hand strikes at longer ranges and pressure point strikes, joint locks, or throws at closer fighting distances. Hapkido emphasizes circular motion, redirection of force, and control of the opponent. Practitioners seek to gain advantage through footwork and body positioning to incorporate the use of leverage, avoiding the use of strength against strength. Hapkido has many similarities to the currently popular form of martial arts, Krav Maga, practiced by the Israeli Defense Forces.
"Hoshindo" Hapkido
The form of Hapkido practiced by the International Hapkido Karate Association (IHKA) is referred to as Hoshinsul. Hoshindo means “self-defense” in Korean. The specific history and origins of the IHKA style of Hapkdio began with Grand Master Lee Dong Gu who was a well accomplished Hoshindo practitioner. Lee Dong Gu’s Hoshinsul incorporated similar techniques and high kicks now universal in today’s Hapkido. In addition to the self-defense hand techniques, Grand Master Lee Dong Gu was known for his high and powerful kicking techniques. Grand Master Lee Dong Gu was invited to train with Choi Yong-Sool at his dojang in 1954 in Dague, South Korea. Choi Yong-Sool had become very popular in the South Korean martial arts community because of his unique martial art not seen before in South Korea. The Daitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu system he had been teaching was very different and more effective than the martial arts being taught in South Korea during that time. Choi Yong-Sool initially renamed the Daito-ryu Aike-jujutsu system Yawara and then eventually Hapkido. The Hoshindo of GM Gu and the Yawara of Choi had many similarities. Grand Master Lee Dong Gu accepted the authority and leadership of the senior Choi Yong-Sool. With Choi’s blessing, he moved in 1958 to join Ji Han Jae, a top student of Choi, to Soel, South Korea where a dojang was opened. Grand Master Lee Dong Gu taught privately out of Ji Han Jae’s dojang under the authority of Choi. The name Hapkido appears and begins to incorporate not only hand techniques but also a set of kicking techniques including the now notable high kicks that are universal to Hapkido. It was in 1958 that Supreme Grand Master JB Lee began training with Grandmaster Lee Dong Gu.
"Hoshindo" Hapkido
The form of Hapkido practiced by the International Hapkido Karate Association (IHKA) is referred to as Hoshinsul. Hoshindo means “self-defense” in Korean. The specific history and origins of the IHKA style of Hapkdio began with Grand Master Lee Dong Gu who was a well accomplished Hoshindo practitioner. Lee Dong Gu’s Hoshinsul incorporated similar techniques and high kicks now universal in today’s Hapkido. In addition to the self-defense hand techniques, Grand Master Lee Dong Gu was known for his high and powerful kicking techniques. Grand Master Lee Dong Gu was invited to train with Choi Yong-Sool at his dojang in 1954 in Dague, South Korea. Choi Yong-Sool had become very popular in the South Korean martial arts community because of his unique martial art not seen before in South Korea. The Daitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu system he had been teaching was very different and more effective than the martial arts being taught in South Korea during that time. Choi Yong-Sool initially renamed the Daito-ryu Aike-jujutsu system Yawara and then eventually Hapkido. The Hoshindo of GM Gu and the Yawara of Choi had many similarities. Grand Master Lee Dong Gu accepted the authority and leadership of the senior Choi Yong-Sool. With Choi’s blessing, he moved in 1958 to join Ji Han Jae, a top student of Choi, to Soel, South Korea where a dojang was opened. Grand Master Lee Dong Gu taught privately out of Ji Han Jae’s dojang under the authority of Choi. The name Hapkido appears and begins to incorporate not only hand techniques but also a set of kicking techniques including the now notable high kicks that are universal to Hapkido. It was in 1958 that Supreme Grand Master JB Lee began training with Grandmaster Lee Dong Gu.
Black Belt RegistryGrand Master JB Lee takes very seriously the quality and integrity of his IHKA organization. Black Belt certification is required. Click on the link below to see the current list of certified IHKA Black Belt holders. Click Here
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Hapkido CertificationsUnder the leadership of Grandmaster J.B. Lee, we can assist you in obtaining a Hapkido teaching certification for your dojang. We will consider applications from all martial arts disciplines. We also will consider Hapkido Dan rank transfers and Dan rank promotions from other Hapkido associations.
Contact us TODAY for more information **Subject to certification and advancement criteria established by Grandmaster J.B. Lee. |