General Questions

Do I have to sign a contract?
No. At Lee's we offer pricing by one month or three month blocks, but at no time will you be required to sign a contract.

How long will it take to earn a black belt?
Most people will require three years to earn their black belt. However, testing is offered at the school's discretion according to the student's readiness, therefore it could take either a longer or shorter time to achieve your black belt.

Why do you bow to each other?
Martial Arts come from Asian cultures, where bowing is a sign of respect. We show our respect by bowing to the flags and picture of Grandmaster Lee who founded our school.

Why are some uniforms white, some black, and some a mix of the two colors?
Traditionally white uniforms were worn for Taekwondo and black for Hapkido. At Lee's you can wear either color, however only Black Belts can mix the colors.

What is a Master or Grandmaster?
A Master is someone who has achieved at least the rank of fifth degree Black Belt and has been awarded the title of Master. That signifies that they have put at least 10 to 15 years of practice and instruction at the Black Belt level. Grandmasters have at least a seventh degree Black Belt and generally have put in around 17 to 20 years of practice and instruction.

I have practiced martial arts before. Can I wear my belt when I start at Lee's?
We welcome all martial artists at any age, but any discussion of rank can only be answered by the grandmasters, masters, or owners of the school. We have several martial artists who have joined us with rank in another system and once they learn the traditions at Lee's they usually move up the ranks quickly.

I am a former student at Lee's. Can I go to class with my old rank?
Lee's has a long history in Bloomington so we welcome back former students. As above, all discussions about rank must be made in conjunction with the leadership of the school.

There are several martial arts schools and clubs in town. How do I pick one that is right for me and my children?
Please visit and participate in a class. Go to every school or club that you are interested in and see how it feels to be there. Join the school or club where you feel most comfortable and like the instructors. Martial Arts is hard work, so pick a school where you feel good. At Lee's we encourage you to try or watch a class and see how it feels to work out with us, and you can generally try out a couple of classes free of charge. You're welcome to watch for free anytime!

Won't I be sore?
Yes you will be sore after practice. It's important that you get plenty of rest, drink fluids and stretch outside of class. The best cure for being sore is to practice again and work out the soreness.

Can I get hurt?
At Lee's we understand that you have to go to work or school and that you come to us to get healthy, not to get injured. Instructors take every precaution to make sure you are safe. However, despite our best precautions, injuries can sometimes occur.

What do the belt colors mean?
The belt colors are symbolic. White signifies innocence. In martial arts tradition, the white belt became black after years of use. Modern martial artists now use colored belts to represent what level of training students are at. For example, a yellow belt represents the sun, as a new student has all the potential and promise of a new day. A brown belt represents winter, as the student has practiced long enough to achieve a high rank but now the promotional tests come at longer intervals. The red belt signifies danger, as the student getting closer to their goal. The Black Belt is a combination of all the previous colors and symbolizes the universe, which is unlimited.

Why do you practice falling down?
Eventually, you will fall down during a class. If you are prepared and know how to fall properly, your chances of being seriously hurt will be greatly reduced.

Taekwondo FAQ

What are forms?
Forms are a series of defending and attacking movements performed against imaginary opponents in a set pattern. The forms are numbered in Korean. There are three Kee-cho forms and eight Palgwe forms, as well as several Black Belt forms. The forms start out simple and get progressively harder.

What are the differences between the different types of Taekwondo?
Taekwondo is a general term for Korean martial arts, like Karate is a term for Japanese martial arts. There are different types of Taekwondo and different national and international organizations that schools belong to. Some examples are the WTA (the World Taekwondo Federation), the ITF (the International Taekwondo Federation) and the ATA (the American Taekwondo Federation). The differences between these types of Taekwondo include the types of forms required, different traditions (uniforms, testing requirements) and different philosophies about training. Lee's Martial Arts is affiliated with the WTA.

I saw Taekwondo at the Olympics. Is that what you teach?
There is a difference between Taekwondo as a sport and as a martial art. In the Olympics you see sport Taekwondo which emphasizes point sparring. Although we may occasionally participate in tournaments, we do not teach sport Taekwondo and we do not emphasize or require sparring.

Do you have to be flexible to do Taekwondo?
Flexibility, like strength, is something you can develop over time. Some people are naturally flexible and my have no problem doing flying or jumping kicks. Others may be less flexible. We try to teach people to practice Taekwondo in a way that makes sense for your body. So while you may not be expected to perform every jump kick at head level, we will teach you to kick so that you can teach it to others. We can work to push your limits but also stay within those limits.

Hapkido FAQ

What is Hapkido?
Hapkido is a martial art involving a set of circular, flowing movements. It incorporates techniques such as escapes, joint locks, and throws. Hapkido is a sister martial art to Taekwondo.

Does Hapkido have forms?
Yes, but Hapkido does not use forms in the same way Taekwondo does. While forms are an integral part of Taekwondo, they are only one aspect of Hapkido. Lee's does not currently teach any Hapkido forms because our focus is on other parts of the art.

Is there an age restriction on learning Hapkido?
At Lee's, you must either be at least 16 years old or at least 14 years old with permission from Master Land, Master McCrory, Grand Master Cecil, or Grand Master Richards.

Why do you have an age restriction?
Hapkido involves potentially dangerous techniques which we do not feel are well-suited to children.

Is Hapkido better than Taekwondo?
Each type of martial arts has its own unique merits. Neither is better than the other. Lee's encourages you to try both types and see which works better for you. Many people feel that learning both at the same time is best.