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AKYI Martial Arts
5 ★★★★★ 33 Google reviews · Taekwondo school in Glenview, Illinois
Style / system: Olympic / World Taekwondo · Kukkiwon-certified — based on the school's own site and student reviews. Taekwondo systems (Olympic/World Taekwondo, ITF, and ATA/Songahm) differ in forms, sparring rules, and tournaments; if lineage matters to you, confirm it with the school. ATA vs WT vs ITF, explained →
Affiliated school — reviews and the school's own info point to a recognized taekwondo organization or franchise (think ATA Martial Arts, Kukkiwon certification, World Taekwondo, or ITF). If credentials matter to you, ask which association the school belongs to and where the head instructor earned their black-belt (dan) rank and certification.
Plan your first class
- Free trial or intro class most schools welcome new students with a free trial or intro class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
- Kids & teens classes kids and teens taekwondo classes (ages 5) — built around discipline, focus, confidence, and anti-bully skills
- Beginner-friendly all ages and levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
- Competition & demo team a competition and demonstration team for students who want to test themselves at tournaments and events
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule akyima.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 847-998-1111
Hours
| Monday | 3:30–8 pm |
| Tuesday | 3:30–7 pm |
| Wednesday | 3:30–8 pm |
| Thursday | 3:30–7:30 pm |
| Friday | 3:30–7 pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“There are several martial arts schools in the area, but what I like about this school is how Master Ray incorporates teaching everyday values to the children through Tae Kwondo.”
“His kickboxing classes are a great workout but also teach useful self-defense moves.”
Other martial arts here
“It feels great to have somebody guide me, whether in TaeKwonDo, Hapkido or KickBoxing.”
“I highly recommend giving it a try, if you are thinking martial arts or kickboxing you can't go wrong.”
“His kickboxing classes are a great workout but also teach useful self-defense moves.”
What students say
“Master Ray is a very skilled and knowledgeable instructor for students of all ages--the perfect mix of high expectations with kind encouragement.”
“Master Ray is a very skilled and knowledgeable instructor for students of all ages--the perfect mix of high expectations with kind encouragement.”
“He and his wife are very welcoming and they really safe with the COVID and not spreading it and have social distance.”
“The schedule is great, the dedication to providing correct technique and creating a fun, respectful environment and getting fit are always number one to Master Ray.”
“Weather you send your kids to compete or just to build focus and confidence, all kids are represented equally and with pride.”
“Master Ray is very inspiring and the best coach who is an international referee and is very knowledgeable about all the rules of taekwondo.”
From the reviews
There are several martial arts schools in the area, but what I like about this school is how Master Ray incorporates teaching everyday values to the children through Tae Kwondo. Weather you send your kids to compete or just to build focus and confidence, all kids are represented equally and with pride.
We found Akyi by luck when my son’s old taekwondo school closed. My Son loves this program so much! He goes almost every week day, and looks forward to class every single day. Mr. Ray and Amanda are great! Thank you for providing a safe and engaging school for my son!
So incredibly proud of our son, now a black belt in Tae Kwon Do. He has shown honesty, integrity, courtesy, & indomitable spirit to get to where he is today. But, most of all, he has shown amazing perseverance in seeking out a new & better school, all but starting over to get this high honor from a truly genuine,…
I started almost ten years with master Ray and never looked back. He is the best teacher and really cares for his students and want them to succeeded in life not just inside the dojan but outside life as well.
New to taekwondo? Start at AKYI Martial Arts
AKYI Martial Arts comes up as a beginner-friendly school — noted on their own site. If you've never trained or set foot in a dojang, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or flexible to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and instructors scale the intensity to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard sparring — reputable schools build fundamentals (stances, blocks, kicks, and basic forms) for weeks, sparring eases in gradually and with gear on, and instructors keep it controlled and safe. Third, all ages and all levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or fundamentals class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out. Most schools are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.
Your first taekwondo class at AKYI Martial Arts
Nervous about walking into a taekwondo school for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good instructors expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling basic stances, blocks, and kicks with a partner or on pads — not hard sparring. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: loose athletic wear you can move in (or a dobok if you have one); you'll train barefoot on the floor. What to bring: water and a positive attitude — many schools lend a loaner dobok for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll get your own dobok and belt, and sparring gear (mouthguard, headgear, and guards) once you begin sparring. Sparring eases in gradually, once your fundamentals and forms are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the instructor. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.
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