Welcome to JP Wood Martial Arts and W. Kim Taekwondo, a family of martial artists where the focus is on families. Discover exciting classes where you can learn the most popular martial art in America. You or your child will grow physically strong and mentally tough while training to learn kicks, strikes, self-defense, forms, sparring, agility and more along with our structured character building program!
Our mission is to empower kids and parents to thrive together as a family, fostering the development of good habits as the foundation for holistic growth.
JP Wood Martial Arts: A Legacy of Excellence
Palatine Park District is proud to offer a wide variety of martial arts classes for participants of all ages. One of the long-standing providers of these programs is J.P. Wood Martial Arts, located at 249 E. Northwest Highway in Palatine.
We focus on providing top notch instruction in a family atmosphere. J.P. Wood began the martial arts in the Cleveland area in the mid 1970's, and at the age of 19 years he was running and teaching his first program under the tutelage of his instructor. In his 20's he moved to Palatine, Illinois and continues to teach, along with his wife, to this day.
With decades of experience and a strong community presence, J.P. Wood Martial Arts stands out as a premier martial arts school in the area.
Benefits of Martial Arts
According to Wood, the benefits of martial arts are extensive. Physically, students develop strength, speed, flexibility, balance, endurance, and coordination. The mental benefits are equally impactful.
Students can begin as early as three years old and continue training well into adulthood. With so many facets to the art, students are continually challenged and engaged, even years after starting. Martial arts truly is a lifelong pursuit.
Parents often wonder if martial arts requires full commitment. Wood explained that most students participate in other sports or activities throughout the year, such as dance, gymnastics, band, choir, or foreign language studies. In the younger age groups, the ratio of girls to boys is fairly equal.
Registration is currently available for all Martial Arts classes at Palatine Park District.
Programs at JP Wood Martial Arts
- Taekwondo (1st grade - Adults): Classes for all ages, focusing on kicks, strikes, self-defense, forms, sparring, and agility.
- Koryo Gumdo (Ages 11+): Train in sword drills and skills, self-defense, padded soft sword sparring, forms, and target cutting.
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Meet the Instructors at JP Wood Martial Arts
The Woods are really great people and great instructors. They get you working and push you to achieve your best with encouragement and positive feedback.
- Grand Master, Dr. John P. Wood: A certified 9th degree black belt with the Wold Eclectic Combat Arts Council (WECAC), 8th Dan with the Kukkiwon, 7th Dan in Koryo Gumdo, and 5th Dan in Dae Han Hapkido.
- Grand Master Janice M. Wood: A 7th degree Grand Master instructor in Taekwondo, 5th Degree master in Koryo Gumdo and 2nd Degree Instructor in Hapkido.
- Master John P. Wood Jr.: A 5th degree Master Instructor in Taekwondo and 4th degree Master Instructor in Koryo Gumdo.
- Master Rory D. Wood: A 5th degree master instructor in both Taekwondo and Koryo Gumdo.
- Master Casey D. Wood: A 5th degree master instructor in Taekwondo and 4th degree instructor in Koryo Gumdo.
W. Kim Taekwondo: Where Tradition Meets Excellence
W. Kim Tae Kwon Do has been established in the Chicagoland area for over 40 years, offering a community of committed and positive martial arts instructors and students who are striving to improve the physical, mental and social aspects of our lives. We work together to help everyone achieve their respective goals and become the best they are capable of becoming.
The focus of our Palatine martial arts school is on character development, physical fitness, and self-defense. Our overarching goal is in building our student’s self-esteem, self-discipline, respect, confidence, and more.
Programs at W. Kim Taekwondo
We offer a wide range of Taekwondo classes in multiple locations 6 days a week that serve the Palatine, IL.
- Kids Program: Provides a supportive environment for young children to learn physical techniques while developing life skills.
- Teens Program: Helps teens build friendships and confidence.
- Family Program: Creates strong bonds through training together.
- Adult Program: Offers a structured workout program to develop flexibility, coordination, reflexes, strength, and cardiovascular health.
What Makes W. Kim Taekwondo Special?
What makes W. Kim Tae Kwon Do special is that our training goes far beyond the kick, the punch, and the throw. We also place a strong emphasis on the personal character development of our students.
While we are experts in teaching Taekwondo techniques, a large focus of our training is on developing the following personal attributes in our students:
- Self-confidence and self-esteem
- Focus and concentration
- Self-discipline and mental toughness
- Social, interpersonal, and anti-bullying skills
Class Structure and Belt System
A student taking Taekwondo classes at W. Kim will start from a white belt, which will focus on building a foundation for your martial arts journey. There are ten colored belts before the rank of black belt, in which students dedicate themselves to train consistently in classes in order to learn and embrace the fundamentals of Taekwondo.
Belt graduations take place every three months for lower level belts that are consistently attending and six months for higher belts. A student who is consistently practicing martial arts will take approximately three to four years to reach the black belt level.
Contrary to a common misconception, attaining a black belt does not signify the conclusion of one's learning journey. In fact, it marks the beginning of a deeper exploration.
Benefits for All Ages
Our martial arts programs are offered to people of all ages, from the ages of 4 years old to adults and family members.
- For kids: Our emphasis is on character development, building confidence, physical fitness, anti-bullying, and social skills.
- For adults: Our training focuses on the physical and mental benefits of martial arts.
Here’s a summary of the programs and benefits offered by both JP Wood Martial Arts and W. Kim Taekwondo:
| Feature | JP Wood Martial Arts | W. Kim Taekwondo |
|---|---|---|
| Programs Offered | Taekwondo, Koryo Gumdo | Kids, Teens, Family, Adult Taekwondo |
| Focus | Family atmosphere, top-notch instruction | Character development, physical fitness, self-defense |
| Benefits | Strength, speed, flexibility, balance, coordination, mental toughness | Self-confidence, focus, discipline, social skills, physical health |
| Community | Strong community presence, lifelong pursuit | Committed and positive martial artists |