Brantseg’s Tae Kwon Do

This is one of those rare finds in the current martial arts world. Michael Brantseg delivers a perfect balance of technique refinement and practical application. Minimal fancy ceremonies with a focus on hard and practical training — this is a powerful class. When part of this class, you feel like you belong to something very special. From the warm-​up, to forms and finally sparring, you will give everything you have to the class and come home feeling enlightened and strong. I got my black belt with Mr. Brantseg and it was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

This is a small TaeKwonDo school that teaches ATA (American TaeKwonDo Association) style TaeKwonDo. There are 4 – 12 people in each class, so the chief instruction Mr Brantseg will pay personal attention to each and every student. Also, there are normally enough senior ranks in each class to provide guidance if needed.
Don’t be fooled by the small size of the class or lack of fancy amenities. I first learned TaeKwonDo in Korea (the «olympic style») in a huge room designed for martial art, also trained at a university club in Australia, and tried a couple of other schools in SF before discovering this school 10 years ago, and I can honestly say this is easily my favorite school — to a point I still train here even though I now have to make one hour detour from my normal commute to get here.
Mr Brantseg is a very very good teacher no doubt — he’s passionate about TaeKwonDo, has ton of experience practicing and teaching, great techniques, excellent coaching skills, and he makes classes enjoyable yet challenging. He’s also a very humble and respectful person who is a genuinely a nice guy. He always treats each students with respect which sets the tone for the whole class. He is mindful of each student’s needs which is very rare.
There are a wide range of people training here — beginners to people who’s been training TKD with Mr Brantseg for 20+ years, people from different martial arts, college students, people with kids going to college, mother of 4 (who kicks ass by the way) etc. It’s a very welcoming and friendly environment overall.
Sparring is competitive but in good control. Students are taught to control the kicks and punches to ensure safe yet competitive sparring. Beginners will need a few months of training before they are allowed to join the fun so they first learn good technique and control — that way they don’t hurt themselves or others accidentally.
Adults class are on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6:15pm-7:30pm & 7:30pm-8:45pm. There are kids classes at 4pm on those days too I believe.

My kid did his 1^st class today and he loved it Teacher very nice and its great because is a small class so kids really get full attention from the Taekwondo Teacher! …

This is a smaller sized Tae Kwon Do class led by Chief Instructor Michael Brantseg, 5^th Degree Black Belt in the American Tae Kwon Do Association (ATA), the largest martial arts system in the United States today (also see
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Mr. Brantseg is the greatest instructor I have ever had (I have trained in other systems also). His technique is awesome, he is fun in class and pushes his students to do the best they can, whatever their abilities. I have been his student for 10 years. The style of the class is traditional Tae Kwon Do. That means we all wear traditional Tae Kwon Do «dobaks», which are the standard white pants and jackets. We all line up in order of rank facing the flags and the instructor. After bowing in, the instructor leads the class through a series of drills (kicking, punching, and combos), then we break off into smaller groups to work on kicking and punching drills on bags with our partners. We then work on our forms. Each new belt rank has a new form. The forms are the ATA standard forms, so they can be learned for the purpose of advancing in rank or competing in regional and /​or national tournaments. Finally, the senior ranks break off and do some free sparring (pads are worn on feet and hands, as well as mouth gear and foam helmets for protection). Finally, after about an hour class is finished, we formally bow out and are dismissed.
We have a very diverse class. We have and encourage students of all ages and abilities. We are not a «brass knuckles» school that teaches «quick kill» techniques; rather, the idea is that after years of training and having fun with the things learned in class, the ability to defend yourself along with improved self esteem and discipline become second nature. We encourage ANYONE interested to come on down and check it out. We don’t pressure anyone to join, most who see the class join on the spot.
If you are interested in checking it out, come to the Konko Church and go to the side of the church (facing Laguna). Go down the stairs into the basement. Make a right and follow the hall down. Class will be in the last room on the left (don’t confuse us with the Aikido club!)
Classes are taught M-​Th evenings, with classes at 6:15 and 7:30 on T and Th and 7:30 only M and Wed. You’ll be glad you did!