About us

Grandmaster Mountain Kim, the President and founder of Mountain Kim Martial Arts, was the first person to start a Tae Kwon Do school in the metropolitan Washington area since 1973. (Headquarter website –www.mtkim.com). Over 35 years, Mountain Kim Martial Arts has been providing instruction in world federation style Taekwondo and the martial arts with more than 20 locations from children from 3 years old through adult. Over years our school has produced tens of thousands of student from different ages and abilities.

It’s never too late or too early to begin Martial Arts training! If you would like to improve your self-esteem, add a new exciting as aspect to your life, Mountain Kim Martial Arts center is the place for you.

Now Master Kang brings martial arts to Charlottesville. He is one of excellent martial arts instructor from Mountain Kim. In Charlottesville location,& we offer Tae Kwon Do, Gumdo (Sword), After School Program (AMP), No School Day Camp, Summer/Spring Camp, and Birthday Parties regardless of your gender, age, or martial arts background. There is a program at our school that will meet your needs.

Taekwondo is a modern martial art, characterized by its fast, high and spinning kicks. There are multiple interpretations of the name Taekwondo. Taekwondo is often translated as ‘the way of hand and foot.’

Put this together and Taekwondo means: “The art of kicking and punching” or “The art of unarmed combat.”

Tae Kwon Do is a system of complete body exercise, as well as a way of life. It includes physical techniques and mental discipline. Therefore, taking Tae Kwon Do is more significant than just learning how to fight and keep fit. There are many reasons why Tae Kwon Do is an excellent hobby for men, women, and children. Some of them include:
Self-Defense – Tae Kwon Do is an excellent way to learn about how to protect yourself physically.
Sport – Tae Kwon Do is fun, exciting, challenging sport, and Olympic sport.
Physical Fitness – Tae Kwon Do involves aerobic, strength, flexibility, coordination, and balance training all at once. It will help you achieve all-around athletic prowess. All activities are done with the instructor encouraging you to work at your own pace. Discipline/Mental Sharpness – Tae Kwon Do is a forma disciplined martial art that aids you in improving your own self-discipline, respect for others, and mental sharpness.
Flexibility – Consistent training and stretching will help you develop much more limber muscles. Artistic/Creative Outlet – Tae Kwon Do provides an artistic outlet with Poomse, or forms. These are beautiful, exciting to perform, and instructive. Fun – Tae Kwon Do is FUN to do and learn, by yourself, or with your family.
Physical Coordination – Learning Tae Kwon Do means discovering how to manipulate your body with grace, speed, and force.

Haedong Gumdo literally translates into “East Sea Swordsmanship”. It is a traditional Korean sword martial art that focuses on battle between multiple foes, as opposed to the Japanese style of one on one. This style of weaponry is what we like to consider a true art form at sight. This ancient art requires the practitioner to learn how to maneuver the sword in multiple directions, executing footwork and coordination, which will make one’s swordplay seem like beauty in action.
Haedong Gumdo will improve upon many aspects of the practitioner. Build a stronger mind, body, and spirit through the practices of the ancient and rare art of Haedong Gumdo. The Haedong Gumdo classes consist of defense and striking techniques, one step sparing, forms, cutting and candle light techniques, and meditation. Kumdo is designed to be useful in mind and body training and experiencing the tradition of the sword.