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Cho's Academy - Martial Arts & Self Defense
5 ★★★★★ 46 Google reviews · Taekwondo school in Laguna Beach, California
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 3–5) — 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
- Women's classes dedicated women's taekwondo classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
- Private lessons private, one-on-one instruction available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
- Competition & demo team a competition and demonstration team for students who want to test themselves at tournaments and events
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule chosacademy.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 949-281-7517
Hours
| Monday | 3–9 pm |
| Tuesday | 12:30–8:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 3–9 pm |
| Thursday | 12:30–9 pm |
| Friday | 4–6:30 pm |
| Saturday | 9 am–1 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“COVID-19 has left few options for kids to get quality exercise along with positive messages, and we've been thrilled with his online experience with Master Cho.”
“My boy is on his journey to black belt and loves the teens Kick boxing and Jiu Jitsu.”
“I have also had the opportunity to train in the adult classes and really enjoyed the practical sefl defense based curriculum and rolling.”
Other martial arts here
“I’ve been going to the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu classes for the past 8 months and I have learned so much.”
“Kickboxing and B Jujitsu is a lot to master but at Cho's Academy the discipline and skills each student learns is second to none.”
What students say
“Jacob Cho is a fantastic instructor. He takes a great interest in how each child develops.”
“Jacob demonstrates an amazing balance of discipline and good-natured fun that creates an engaging and rewarding environment for kids at all levels.”
“Master Cho cares deeply about the development of his students, not just in martial arts but in their overall development as good people.”
“Everyone looks forward to TKD even when there are conditioning work outs right before a tournament.”
“Our kids have gained confidence, focus, and strength while having a great time.”
“Our son had a great experience with Master Cho when we lived in Orange County-he helped reinforce discipline, respect, taking care of your body and your mind.”
From the reviews
Our son has been training at Cho's Academy for ten years, since he was three. Over the years, he has progressed in taekwondo and jujutsu and we are extremely proud of his accomplishments. Master Cho is serious about martial arts and belts are not awarded unless they are deserved.
Our son had a great experience with Master Cho when we lived in Orange County-he helped reinforce discipline, respect, taking care of your body and your mind. We moved to San Diego last year and tried a couple of studios but couldn't replicate what we had at Cho's Academy.
We recently enrolled our 4 year-old in the Lil’ Panthers program and could not be happier with our experience. Jacob demonstrates an amazing balance of discipline and good-natured fun that creates an engaging and rewarding environment for kids at all levels.
Sensei Cho has been a close ally for our family many years. His attention to every student is consistent with the absolute best. For over eight years our son Brentan has trained with Sensei Cho and is approaching his goal or his first black belt in TKD.
New to taekwondo? Start at Cho's Academy - Martial Arts & Self Defense
Cho's Academy - Martial Arts & Self Defense 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 Cho's Academy - Martial Arts & Self Defense
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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