Han Martial Arts

There’s a reason why Han Martial Arts gets only 5 star ratings… it’s phenomenal! You will find a welcoming, accepting, energized, fun and motivating environment. My highly distractible 6 year old child focuses better here than in any other setting I’ve seen. Master Han is magical and Master Lee is so loving and playful with the kids. These are teachers that command respect simply because of who they are and how they model kindness and diligence. There’s never any shaming, only positive reinforcement and playful encouragement to stay focused and engaged. The exercise is great for the body and the philosophy to strive and focus is great for young minds. We are so happy to be a part of the Han community.

Wonderfully inviting and inclusive atmosphere at Han’s Dojo. I attended a intro Judo Class and have now been hooked for almost two years. Every class challenges, I love the fitness emphasis which is so different from any activity ive done before. Incredible 1:1 instruction by attentive, knowledgeable and patient Sensi Wi. Enjoy also learning about the Judo culture and attending with motivated class mates with positive energy overall. Class count size is small and no detail escapes attention. At times it feels competitive but its always friendly and all about learning to find your own path. All ages welcome and I recommend to anyone who is interested in seeing results and discovering a new passion.

My children LOVE the classes. They get very upset if they miss a class! Since the first time we met Mater Han, we felt at home. He is down to earth and very good at teaching, as are his highly engaging instructors. My children not once have questioned their ability to advance thru the belt system. They have learned to be motivated, patient and present in order to get to their goal. Master HAN and his instructors have a way with engaging, motivating and challenging any age and ability child, all while having fun themselves. As a parent i cannot value anything more than good teachers and staff at a learning facility.

My 5 year old daughter has been attending here since July of 2015 and has become a Taekwondo addict. Master Han and the other instructors as well as the staff are amazing. So friendly and positive the whole time. Master Lee and Master Kim are two of the most knowledgeable and fun instructors I have ever been around. I also recently started attending classes as well, the first time in 20 years. They have made me feel welcome and not quite the troll that I am. When my daughter first asked to go I was a bit nervous because she has always been intimidated by loud noise and bigger kids running about. When she broke down crying and fled the mat during her first class and second class and third class I was mortified. But Master Han with his awesome and magical ways, calmed her and proceeded to get her to return. It took a few classes but before I knew it she was the loudest and most confident child in the class. Now Taekwondo has become her other favorite thing beside reading and her mommy of course. I think I am a close third. I hope…

we’ve been coming here for six months and love it. it’s one of the few classes where we’ve seen our son so engaged, motivated and disciplined! he’s almost a completely different kid when he walks through the doors.
completely agree with @alastair — come watch your child and see how master han and his team engage, encourage and teach the kiddos. it’s amazing and delightful to see each child so engaged, focused, motivated, and actively participating with so much enthusiasm and happiness.
it’s a great program to get some exercise and learn tae kwon do – all with big smiles on your faces (including our little one). and they’re still smiling when they leave and look forward to the next class :) what’s more, what you learn here — focus, listening, trying (never quitting), practicing, discipline, respect, and self-​control — are foundational elements that help you in all aspects of life. we can’t say enough great things about master han and his team!

Han Martial Arts is a great taekwondo studio. Master Han and all the other instructors I’ve worked with over the past several months are excellent. As an adult attending the class, I get a great workout and feel like I am learning a lot about this Korean martial art form. I watch the kids in the other classes and they seem to be getting great exercise as well, while also learning self-​control, respect, and discipline, and having fun while they do it. I would highly recommend this dojang to both adults and children. It has changed my life.

Go and watch your child in class; you’ll learn as much about teaching as you’ll learn anywhere. Master Han may have been on the Korean Nat’l team and have gone to the Olympics, but the most important thing he is, is a fabulous teacher. He might wait an entire class to find one thing a kid does right, and then he magnifies it and gets the kid proud of himself. No kids have any discipline problems in this place, and it’s all done through encouragement, not anger or fear.
Each instructor is as good as the other; and Master Han and another were both on the Korean Nat’l teams; and then a third was the world champion in his weight class.
And none of them – NONE of them – are arrogant or dominant or anything but kind and encouraging.
Our son is busy, and doesn’t always listen as well as he might (he’s four) – Master Han and his team guide him lovingly and consistently, and it’s just such a valuable element in his upbringing. I’m not a martial artist, never have been, and I’m not particularly focused on my son being some super-​duper tae kwon do practitioner; but I think the process is totally invaluable.
As you can see, I can’t say enough about this place. Just a gem, and to think it’s here in Montclair… if you have the opportunity to try it out, do it. You won’t regret it.

I wrote a review in the past geared more towards the kids program (both of my children attend weekly). I mentioned that I was starting the adult program as well. I absolutely love it and am working hard towards black belt. 1.5 years later, tae kwon do is such a big part of my life. The Han family are part of our family. They are simply the best. The adult program is growing and we hope to continue that growth along with the huge success of the tiny tiger, big kid and teenager programs!

Upon the recommendation of friends, we signed up our 6 year old for classes with Master Han. He loves it! We couldn’t be happier with the program and Master Hans approach. My son attends classes three times a week and works really hard to advance his belt level. He is smiling and laughing even when he is huffing and puffing through the warm ups. I’ve noticed a positive change in his attitude and his physique. Wish we could give them six stars!

Master Han is one of the most affable instructors I have ever met.
This school purports the idea that there is not such thing as «no» and «can’t.»
His program is a great opportunity to introduce children to fitness, self-​discipline, respect, and self-​confidence in one little package!
They also offer an adult program that I have not personally attended, but I am sure it’s great as well.
After all, the master was an Olympian!

There is something magical about sparring with an olympic level judoka and realizing that no matter what you do, they will predict your movements before you yourself are even aware of them, and they are in complete control of the situation. There is this undeniably certainty that you are about to be flipped onto your back within a couple seconds. I’ve only had this sense of being «completely dominated» in Judo sparring with about three people in my life, and Master Han was one of them.
Master Han is awesome. Not only is he an olympic level Judo competitor, he is also extremely charming and humorous. Despite the language barrier and Korean accent, you always find yourself laughing with him rather than at him. I literally cannot imagine anyone not liking him after being around him a while.
And the best part — you’re not enrolling your kid in some bull**** kiddy «karate» or aikido or useless half-​assed self-​defense that were really popular in the 90’s … you get to learn things that actually work — like JUDO!
don’t let that video scare you; I’m sure the kids do not train like that; I just wanted to show you that Judo is legitimate and proven to, you know, actually work in a real situation!
I have not been to his new facility but I trained under him in Judo at UC Berkeley, so my review is relevant for as long as he keeps teaching at this facility.

How to say this delicately? My kids attended a different dojo for nearly 2 years and always had fun, but never really learned anything other than how far they could push the sensei before they would get in trouble. With Master Han, however, after the 2^nd lesson, they came home asking me to look online so they could learn how to count in Korean and my older son is practicing his steps and sequences freqently (and without direction from me) so he can advance in his belts. Additionally, since Master Han focuses on positive reinforcement instead of discipline, my kids spend the class trying to be as good as they can be (and are therefore learning a ton). I always try to get some work done during the class, but every time end up totally engrossed in watching the class and laughing with delight at Master Han’s good natured teaching and my children’s reactions. I could not be happier there.
Here’s what my kids have to say:
I think it’s really good martial arts place because they don’t really yell at us that much and it makes me feel really comfortable that they don’t yell at me. I don’t get headaches, because they don’t yell at me. I’ve also learned a lot there — like how to count in Korean. It’s a really good place beacause there are a lot of really nice kids and Master Han is a really nice teacher. — 7 year old
I LOVE Master Han’s place because he doesn’t make us do pushups. He’s also really funny and he plays a fun game called Doggy (where we have to jump) and Monkey (where we have to duck) and I love that game. — 5 year old

I think this is a really good place to have fun and defend yourself. Master Han is a very good teacher and is VERY VERY nice. I have been taking classes with him for over a year and have a lot of fun in his new studio. I learn a lot of cool moves that will probably come in handy one day. –Master Han’s student, 8 years old
As a parent of Master Han’s student, I can vouch for the positive and nurturing (yet serious and focused) environment he provides for students of all levels to learn the skills of Tae Kwon Do. He creates the perfect tone in class to promotes self-​confidence, strength, social interaction and responsibility and the value of having fun while you exercise. I could not recommend him more highly.

My two boys love going to martial arts with Master Han. They have gained more flexibility, confidence, and focus. Master Han is a wonderful teacher, caring, encouraging, and with a sense of humor, while taking the boys to the next level. The kids respect him, and he them. Tenicia, who manages the place, is helpful and approachable. It feels like a big family in the dojo!