Song’s Hapkido West LA

This was a second home to me growing up. I learned how to protect myself in any situation but more importantly, I learned how to discipline myself. Hapkido has played such an important role in shaping who I have become.

This is a great place, I have been training here for at least 5 years and I have really enjoyed it. I would recommend it to everyone. I have really enjoyed my time here and Ms. Chacon is the best!

Wonderful place! The staff are friendly, welcoming and truly passionate about the techniques and principles of HapKiDo. Several years ago, I was introduced to this Korean martial art by a close friend who trained (now teaches) at Song’s studio and was completely taken back by the level of dedication, discipline and self empowerment that their students reflected at such a young age. I never felt unsafe or uncomfortable despite my inexperience. On the contrary, this place is like a family that cares and looks after one another.
If you’re looking for a great place for yourself or for your children to learn martial arts, definitely come check out Song’s HapKiDo in West L.A.!!

Better think twice…
I have two kids that I was thinking about enrolling in a martial arts school. I wanted to do my homework so I visited a number of schools in the LA area. First I did my homework on-​line and then in person with the ones who seemed top notch. After my research, I decided Hapkido was the most practical self defense my kids could learn, to enable them to defend themselves in any situation.
The price for Song’s Hapkido immediately caught my attention, so I attended a class for kids. Where I had seen positive reinforcement for doing things RIGHT at the other schools, I pretty much saw only negative reinforcement when they did it WRONG. Jessie was the instructor that day. Master Sean was there but not playing an active role as the instructor. The look of impatience and the condescending tone of voice told the kids they weren’t doing the routine correctly. I got the feeling, by the lack of any smiles in the room, that these had to be kids with thick skins.
I decided that maybe I caught Jessie on the wrong day. Besides, the other Hapkido schools in LA were either in Gardena, South Torrance, or Burbank. So I went back for another class. This was an adult class. The results were repeated — actually reinforced. Again Jessie ran the show. I was surprised to see him treat the female instructor with the same condescending tone as he treated the kids when they didn’t do things correctly. The students were grouped according to belt levels so people were paired up with someone at their level or close to it — which seemed wise. One person «attacks» and the other defends. This particular day’s lesson was learning joint locks or takedowns for the higher levels. When two female partners were paired up, one of them did the move incorrectly, which caught Jessie’s attention. Again, the look of sarcasm and impatience. He walked over and showed her the move — at her partners expense. These are painful moves for the attacker when carried out, The partner immediately tapped the other arm indicating it hurt. Twice this happened.
These moves can be done in slow motion so the student attacker is not hurt by the defender. Jessie didn’t seem to be interested in that while he showed the move. A young teenage male black belt did a move incorrectly. Jessie demonstrated the move and with the kid on the ground, he gave him a quick punch to the gut that I could HEAR from across the room. The kid weighed all of 140 lbs. That was all I needed to see.
It says alot about the Master who would allow this to happen on a consistent basis in his school. I am sure that no other school that I witnessed would tolerate their instructors treating people with such lack of respect. Martial arts repeatedly proclaim their philosophy is one of respect for people. My kids will either learn another discipline or we will travel to learn hapkido.

This place is like a second home to me. I started when I was 5 and this transformed me from a timid, reserved child into an outgoing, ambitious individual. All of the instructors are amazing and show that they care deeply for the children. Sean is a great teacher and very supportive. I grew up with Lorenzo, Jesse and Melissa and they are some of the most trustworthy people i know. In my 15 years of attending Hap Ki Do, I have never felt unsafe nor scared. I absolutely love this place and everyone in it

Best place to take your kids to learn hapkido. Hands down. Awesome instructors not to mention Jesse. Great guy and mentor. The best in the west…