Open Classes

Our main Philosophy is Choong- Sil which is never ending improvement. By learning to fight well you are learning not to fight.

https://choongsiltkd.com/

Master Leon Reeder 

My name is Leon Reeder. I am 75 years old and a Master in TaeKwon-Do. I began my training in martial arts 56 years ago. 

There were two motivators that pushed me towards becoming involved in martial arts. The first one, what I thought as of a curse, was at the age of one I contracted polio which left the right side of my body weak and crippled. I also had a heart murmur. As a result I was not allowed to participate in any sports during grade and high school. I felt cheated and that life was just not fair. 

The second motivator was a classmate who bullied me. Every chance he got he would jump on me and hit me. I did not defend myself because I believed I couldn’t. One day in the school gym he picked up a volleyball and hit me in the face with it, then did it a second time. I just stood there believing I could not defend myself. The principal had just came into the gym and saw what happened. He gave my classmate a spanking (yes, spanking was allowed when I went to school). The principal then said to me that if I just stood there and did nothing he would spank me too. Again, I said I can’t defend myself. The principal was an ex-marine and took the time to show me how to punch, block and kick. My uncle then gave me a book on self-defense and with my brother’s help we practiced the techniques. Once I learned some techniques I fought my classmate and defeated him. He never bothered me again. 

After high school I attended college in Ada, Oklahoma. At the university there was a student from China, George Ing, who taught Kung Fu. I studied with him for about a year and a half. I then had to leave college due to funds and move back home. 

When I could go back to college I started a junior college to complete my required classes. I had a classmate who had been in the air force and had just returned from Korea. He was a second degree black belt in Chong Do Kwan. He started teaching TaeKwon-Do and I studied under him. I was able to reach my black belt. I also participated in Judo and GoJu Karate class. 

After junior college I took a leave from college and moved back to Ada where once again I was able to study under Master Ing. During this time I met Mr. Phillip Johnson who grew up in Korea and was a 3rd degree black belt in Moo Duk 

Kwan. I trained with him for 7 years and earned my black belt. After Mr. Johnson left I decided to return to college to earn my degree. 

After graduating college I moved to Heavener and studied under and instructor in American TaeKwon-Do and earned another black belt. Later, I moved to Ponca City and studied under Mr. Joe Ball, who was under Grand Master Kang in Tulsa. I also began to study with Grand Master Kang and earned my 4thdegree black belt. I earned my 5th degree black belt from Grand Master Won.

My 6th degree black belt was awarded to me from Grand Master Stephen Dorshorst. My 7th degree black belt was awarded to me from Grand Master Robert Hardin. 

Master Jon Neff

My name is Jon Neff. I am 71 years old and started practicing taekwondo over 37 years ago with Masters Steven Dorshorst and Leon Reeder. At first, I wanted to learn a martial art to be able to defend myself. I had been bullied as a teen and mugged twice as an adult. I realized that we live in a dangerous world, and I wanted both the ability and the confidence to defend myself and my family if necessary. However, as I grew in the practice of taekwondo, I gained much more than just self-confidence and the art of self-defense. I learned that taekwondo teaches us many things—to respect and honor others and to exercise self-control, discipline, perseverance, humility, a strong spirit, and many other positive virtues. 

As a fifth degree black belt, I do less sparring and spend more time teaching students the patterns and art of taekwondo, as well as the philosophy and values that are the foundation of taekwondo. In a world that often discounts the important values that taekwondo teaches, we try to pass these strong values on to our students. One of the results of developing strong personal values, self-discipline, and skill in a martial art is a growing sense of self-confidence which tends to flow into all areas of your life. 

As teachers, our reward is seeing our students blossom into stronger, better individuals. Also, practicing and teaching taekwondo helps us to maintain our own physical health, including flexibility, strength and balance. Taekwondo teaches that we never stop practicing and never stop improving ourselves, and I’m glad to have found taekwondo to challenge me for the rest of my life. Finally, I gain a lot personally from the enthusiasm of the students and their positive energy, and I value the camaraderie of our “taekwondo family.”  I almost always leave class feeling much better than when I arrived!