Martial Arts Winchester – Choi Kwang Do for All Ages

I love it!

I joined Winchester CKD a few months ago and absolutely love it. The classes push you, but to your own limits, and the physical & mental benefits are obvious from the outset. The instructors are patient and encouraging, and the whole tone of the class is friendly, calm, respectful & fun. Both my daughter and I have been made to feel very welcome, I highly recommend it to anyone of any age or ability.

Jeaninne Law – Winchester CKD

Winchester CKD

Inclusive, respectful tuition offering bags of fun!

Students are challenged physically and mentally in a relaxed but focused atmosphere, with quality instruction from a well-led team of instructors. All backed up by national and international events.

Tuition is underpinned by a robust system to develop and support assistant instructors; providing an excellent student: instructor ratio. There are also opportunities to train with other local clubs and if you are working away from home, the club offers support to guests at other classes, so my training was uninterrupted.

Importantly, over several years of training I did not pick up an injury, my self-confidence grew and my physicality increased. All, whilst making some great friendships!

Jeaninne Law

A community that’s fun to be around

I joined Winchester CKD in 2017 as a means of exercise and common interest with my daughter.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this time, not just the CKD and the physical and health benefits it brings but it is also a community that’s fun to be around.

Winchester CKD is a great social group of diverse individuals with each person having their own unique reason to be part of the group.

The Buckley Family

Perhaps like other parents, we hadn’t planned to make Choi Kwang Do a family thing. We wanted our eldest son to try it to keep fit and to give him the tools to defend himself.
Dad and eldest son (now 10 years old) started 4 years ago, with Mum and youngest son (now 6 years old) starting 3 years later.
In the case of Dad, the plan wasn’t to do anything but watch. Having seen his older brother training, there was no question that our youngest would be joining at the first opportunity. Mum wasn’t going to be left out.

Our eldest says “you learn great skills and have fun”. Our youngest says “I like the games”.
For Mum and Dad, it’s a bit of quality time and a regular commitment to exercise.

Choi Kwang Do isn’t about fighting, it’s about building confidence and seeking self improvement.
The classes are inclusive and different each week. You learn with like-minded people at your own pace. The belt gradings don’t require you to fight others to progress.

Whether you’re looking to exercise, build confidence or just do something together as a family, Choi Kwang Do is a rewarding way to spend an hour together each week.

Family activity

How our CKD journey started.
My son was invited to Choi Kwang Do on buddy week, by his friend. I did not want him to go as he had recently just stopped doing MMA, which I was not a fan of.
After much thought, I decided to let him go.
He came back from the session with a big smile on his face and said ” can I go again?” He was so excited, and he really enjoyed the session. How could I say no? When I went to see the instructors, to fill out the paperwork, Mr Bicknell said “come and try out Choi Kwang do too” I started to laugh and I said “it’s not my kind of thing.” When I was there, I felt that Mrs and Mr Bicknell were very approachable, friendly and down to earth people. Not like other instructors that I have met in the past during other martial art fields.
Funny as it seems, it was buddy week the week after again and my very good friend invited my daughter and I too attended a taster session! we went just for the sake of it. My daughter didn’t want to go, but she came anyway to see how things went. She is such a girly girl and had no interest whatsoever.
After the session, my daughter and I were amazed how much we actually enjoyed the session and how comfortable we were during the session, everyone was so welcoming, since that time, us as a family have become addicted to CKD, especially my daughter, who didn’t want to go at first, CKD has embedded into her blood ! The reason that keeps us going back, week after week, is our lovely instructors, the Bicknells. They are so professional and encouraging. The thing that stands out the most about them is the way they interact with the younger children in class. The way they build up their confidence, by little encouraging words. Choi Kwang Do was a life choice that we made and it is one of the best things we have done! we love being part of the amazing CKD family.

Got fitter and happier…

Hants CKD truly changed my life.
I have made amazing friends, learned incredible skills, got fitter and happier…
With CKD I have traveled the world and taken part in international events. I fulfilled my childhood dream of earning a black belt, and am halfway to my Second Dan.
You cannot overestimate how much good trying something new will do for you – and we are a super friendly family too!

All thanks to Choi Kwang Do

What can I say!! Choi Kwang do has changed my life so much!
I started when I was 17 and I could barely speak to anyone I was very anxious. I came to choi Kwang do after they came to my college for a sports experience day so I tried it out which was a massive step for me! My confidence grew, I achieved my 1st dan black belt and my 2nd dan and now I am a head instructor and teach classes and made some wonderful friends!
I’m 24 now and I will never look back and I will keep achieving! All thanks to Choi Kwang Do!
Justine Hatcher

With an element of discipline

CKD is a fantastic way to meet people, get some exercise, have fun and learn a fantastic skill. It is such a friendly and helpful environment coupled with an element of discipline which I think is particularly helpful for children (including mine).
I would highly recommend CKD to anybody of any age!
Anthony Russell

the right choice of martial art for me and my family

CKD enables you to develop at your own pace and increase your sense of wellbeing, with great support from patient instructors who are to able encourage and train adults and children of all ages. CKD promotes equality, achievement and fun in equal measure, which is why it was the right choice of martial art for me and my family.
Joe Kelly

It wasn’t long before I wanted to join in

Hello! This is me Paula Cooper. A Mother, Wife, hairdresser and assistant instructor for Choi Kwang
do!
I joined Hampshire Choi Kwang Do Oct 2008 totally by chance!
My daughter(13) and Son(12) were introduced by their step brother, and when he went off to university they needed me to take them to classes! I only knew a little about what they were doing and really thought it was one of those hobbies that children would start and it wouldn’t be long till they would get fed up and start missing classes!
But this wasn’t happening they were always full of the new and exciting techniques they had learned. So I found myself taxiing my children! Whilst sitting and watching I was always surprised at how friendly the members of the class were and all different ages! It wasn’t long before I wanted to join in! I love having an interest in which my children are a part of. Its lovely to have a form of exercise that is challenging to the mind and body which is always changing and is so much fun!
I’m still amazed that I’m actually doing a martial art and I’m on my journey which will take me to becoming a black belt!
Amazing!!!! !

I’m having the time of my life on my own journey to becoming a black belt

Well where do I start, firstly I want to thank the Bicknell family for everything. Their kindness and passion are inspiring.
I only started training in Choi Kwang Do in February 2009, but it took me a while to build up the courage to contact them, due to lack of self confidence which was from bullying in school, college and even my workplace. I trained at the gym in Portsmouth where the Hampshire Choi Kwang Do ran classes on a
Friday night. In 2008, I used to watch the students and instructors coming out from their classes and I always a wanted to talk to them but never could. I decided to ask the trainers at the gym about it, but I was told that it was only for children? I was really disappointed as it had taken me so long just to ask that.
That same year I decided to join a Kung Fu class in my local area, I was so nervous but I really wanted to learn a Martial Art, so I made myself go. I was there for a few weeks, but I knew from the first moment I stepped into the hall it didn’t feel right. After a few weeks, I decided to quit, even though I’m not a quitter.
Anyway, 2009 came and again I was training at the gym, when in walked the students and instructors from Hampshire CKD. I spent the whole session thinking to myself right that’s it I’m going to speak to them when they come out, but unfortunately, I missed them.
I went straight down stairs and got one of their leaflets from the front desk, I’m going to call them tomorrow.
I had the leaflet for about a week before I was able to ring them, I even considered getting my mum to call for me. Finally, I made the call, I was greeted by a lovely warm and friendly voice (little did I know that it was Mrs BickneIl) She was so lovely and I felt so comfortable, I booked in my first class.
Well, the day came for my first class, I was so nervous, I nearly cancelled it. I walked into the room, to again be greeted with a huge friendly smile from Sabumnim Bicknell, which magically took away my nerves. She spent the whole lesson with me, going through the stretch and teaching me the basics. I loved every minute, every student in the class greeted me with the same kindness and respect, I felt like I fitted right in. I spent the whole weekend telling my parents all about it and I couldn’t wait for the next class.
And it’s like they say ‘The rest is History, I have been training now for 10 months working through my belts. I can see the difference it as made to me, not just physically but mentally too. I feel so much more confident and have made so many friends. It’s an amazing martial art and I could talk forever about it, I’m having the time of my life on my own journey to becoming a black belt, I’m just glad I found it.
So once again, thank you to the Bicknell Family, you’re more than just Instructors your more like family.
Love & Pil Suhng
Alexandra

A martial art with a difference, ie. it was designed to avoid injury!

As a founder member of the baby boomer generation exercise has been important to me throughout life, usually by way of various sporting activities. In recent years this has been somewhat curtailed by a knee injury. Looking around for a suitable activity with which to stay fit I was told about Choi Kwang-Do, a martial art with a difference, ie. it was designed to avoid injury. Taking that on trust it was nevertheless with some trepidation that I thought I would give it a go. I need not have been concerned as training is incremental and done at a pace that suits the individual. So far, after six months, I am generally fitter and not only no damage, but the knee is if anything becoming more stable; this plus a bonus of noticeably increased mental awareness, stamina, sense of balance and greater confidence in my ability to cope with the stresses of life. My work as a nutritional therapist has given me an understanding that good health is predicated upon some basic foundations these being nutrition, of course, but also exercise, mental and spiritual health, life style, sleep and rest. It is my experience that Choi Kwang-Do makes an excellent contribution to these latter elements. Then another bonus – it’s great fun, especially trying to keep up with the high octane energy output of youngsters although that is not obligatory. All in an orderly, disciplined environment where all students of all ages are both shown and taught respect, high standards of conduct expected and the encouragement of others is the order of the day. To repeat –it’s great fun and the only way to find out if it would be fun for you is to give it a try!
Tim Walden

kindness, respectful discipline and good humour

Dear Sir,
You love what you are doing and it really shows. From the perspective of a mother with three boys; the effects of just a few classes of Choi are highly noticeable. We have become more unified as a family, through a sense of purpose and achievement.
I came to Choi looking for good role-models for our boys and have certainly found them. The kindness, respectful discipline and good humour we have received has been priceless.
Thank you,
Kind regards
Tracy Frost
Pil Sung!