Great way to introduce kids to martial arts. Very friendly instructors and kids love it.

I originally joined Martial Arts for the wrong purposes in the past but coming here changed my whole perspective. Looking for a Martial Arts School right when facilities were starting to open up again, I fortunately found Burlingame Martial Arts (Kuk Sool Won of Millbrae). PKJN Dong and the rest of the instructors run an excellent program where they help you reach your limits and elevate to new heights! Through Kuk Sool Won, In many ways, I have learned to find a balance in my life, and I learned to constantly keep learning new things, always keeping your foundation strong. But its not just the lessons learned here, but the community that has helped me out so much, as it helped me become more social and feel welcome again after a dark period in my life. If you're looking for a martial art for your kid or yourself, Try out Kuk Sool read more

Burlingame Martial Arts - My Blue Belt Promotion (February 25 2022) - Martial Arts Near Me - Burlingame, California

See all

The story behind this family that runs this studio is amazing. Not only does the entire family practice but their daughter was a black belt even before reaching her teenage years. You see people who go to work then you see people that are passionate about what they do and truly I see the difference at Kuk Sool Won, Millbrae. There's also other activities within the same plaza art and math that you can sign up for as well. Conveniently located across a plaza with Panera, L&L BBQ, gas station, car wash, and Bao Dumpling place (yummy!! owner of Koi Palace's son opened it!!), and In N out for a quick bite after practice! My girls started practicing at 3 and they are so strong, focused and (most importantly) have discipline to continue working hard academically while balancing outside activities. Cindy always around to answer question!! Come by to see us practice. read more

See all

The school has been in decline for some time. The owner (Mr Don) has made the place very commercial where it is mostly kids teaching other kids. Even when he is around all he cares about is chit chatting with other parents rather than focus on kids and teaching them. Some student teachers are ok, some not so much and there is limited quality control. The classes have become very big and offers limited time windows. read more

I continue to be beyond impressed by Kuk Sool Won of Millbrae. This family is amazing. All of their kids practice and are so well behaved. We've been coming here for close to three years now and I loved having my kids join in person classes because of the level of engagement, passion, and energy all of the instructors bring. I know that they are learning not only self-defense and physical skills, but invaluable lessons in life through KJN Dong and his staff/family! The foresight that the they had early on to offer distance/remote/virtual learning via Zoom in March has been instrumental in helping my kids keep up with their daily and weekly routines during these difficult times. Now with the new physical fitness and other places reopening, I was super nervous to allow my kids back, but KSW Millbrae has again continued to impress me with their strict reopening guidelines and protocols to ensure proper sanitation between classes and social distancing. If you are seeking a place for your kids to join to do something active -- while learning how to be disciplined through self-respect and respect for others, don't hesitate--I cannot recommend KSW Millbrae enough! read more

Going on 4 years and I'm still as impressed with this team as when we first started. I love that they instill hard work and respect while keeping it fun at the same time. I recommend this dojang to everyone! We recently had my child's birthday party here and it was so much fun! They kept the kids busy the whole time! The kids and the parents raved about it even days after. My kiddo said it was the best birthday party ever! read more

Coach Dong is a great teacher, professional, patient, and full of insights. He knows how to teach, not only the martial arts, but also the mentality. My son is five year old and he has been here for 2 month. My son is very energetic all the time. He is an independent thinker, so sometimes (actually most of the times) he does not listen to me or his mother. After about one month/eight classes, he improved so much in listening! And discipline, too! My son does not speak English because we recently came to usa. And this is not an obstacle at all, just like Coach Dong (as native English speaker) said when I signed up this classes for my son. As a matter of fact, my son learned more English here from Dong than anywhere else! Coach Dong is an amazing coach, and I will continue the classes for my son as long as possible! And my son loves this practice very much! read more

See all

Korean Martial Arts, I have to say Kuk Sool Won is a pretty well rounded style of martial arts. From flexibility training to learning how to fall properly, kicking, punching, throwing, and self-defense. Most of the self-defense techniques involves escape against clothing grabs, head lock escapes, knife defense, finger breaks, neck breaks, as well as getting out of and up from a ground situation. Like most Korean arts, board breaking is always fun. ("Boards don't hit back" but hey, so does the boxing bag...) There is also an *optional* annual competition that one can enter, it is VERY friendly but still competitive. It is a good chance to make new friends and mangle with those that train in the same system. If you are looking for a fight, then this competition is not for you. Everyone brings a smile. The head instructor of this location, Dong, is a pretty well known international champion in the Kuk Sool community. He gives a good workout, very experienced in handling students of all backgrounds. Some people go to him to lose weight, some for conditioning training, some for self-defense. You really need a well rounded instructor to lead a good class. Dong is my choice for the job. Try it out~ read more

See all

I've trained with SBN Dong for more than a year and have known him for almost a decade. I love his enthusiasm for life and his ability to lift everyone around him. I've found that his philosophy in teaching is what makes Kuk Sool Won of Millbrae great! He has the ability to relate Kuk Sool Won with life learning skills, such as balance, patience, and consistency which is the reason he has so many dedicated students. I've seen him transform many kids (who can be a bit energetic at times), to attentive, disciplined, and focused Kuk Sool Won students with simple teaching skills which he has the natural ability to do. I've heard from parents that their kids are better listeners and thoughtful after being enrolled in his classes. The facility is great with not just floor mats, but climbing ropes, padded boxes and bars to practice many acrobatic moves as well as challenge your mind to things you believed you could not do! I would recommend anyone looking into any kind of Martial Arts discipline to check out KSW of Millbrae and take a free class! read more

Family. Honor. More Practice! SBN Dong has been an amazing teacher for my daughter. My daughter, unfortunately haha, is much taller and older looking than the 13 years she actually is. I used to worry that some day soon I would have to visit some young man's house to "lay down the law". As all good father's dream of / are terrified of having to do. Now... now I am worried that I will have to apologize to some young man's family for his broken body. But then, if he had been respectful his arm wouldn't be broken now would it? Please forgive my self indulgence. I do not condone violence and of course that is not what martial arts is about. But I am sure every parent understands the musings of a loving dad. My family was going through some serious and surprise medical issues with momma soon after my daughter started her training. A very tough time for anyone, let alone a girl becoming a young woman. The support for my daughter on a physical AND emotional level has been overwhelming. The Kuk Sool Won family, SBN Dong's family and the students have all become our family. I couldn't possibly hope for a safer or better environment for my daughter. If Family and Personal Honor are your thing. I suggest you come to Millbrae and visit SBN Dong's house. read more

Got a chance to see the grand opening and it was a real treat. For a guy who takes an interest in various disciplines of Martial Arts Kuk Sool Won was interesting to see and learn about. What I really liked was that they had ropes that you could climb to the ceiling and elevated platforms you can mount. The incline monkey bars hanging off the top of the ceiling was definitely something that caught my eye and you never see them in an everyday traditional martial arts gym. The lead instructor, Dong, is a pretty cool guy, if you talk to him you get to see his philosophy about life and how Kuk Sool Won comes to apply to it. What I got from the presentation is that Kuk Sool Won is a martial arts system that stresses physical and mental strength and discipline which establishes a foundation to apply towards moving forward in life. That and it looks pretty and has some pretty bad ass kicks incorporated into it. From the pamphlet I read it incorporates joint locks, pressure points, and grappling defense too, too bad I didn't get to see that come into play. Kuk Sool Won is supposed to be a wide spectrum practice of all forms of traditional korean martial arts, so there is definitely a lot to be learned from it. There are a lot Americans nowadays are either overweight and/or unhealthy/unfit. This place is the perfect prescription for that, I definitely recommend checking it out. read more

Both my children have been going for the past 4 month I would like to thank you for all your hard work. My child have much better discipline and they are getting a great work out. Plus a skill that can help them as they become teenagers. Thank you again for all your hard work. read more

This is the first time we are trying a martial arts school for my 4 year old son. I can't say enough, he loves it. His teacher knows the right mix of discipline and fun. We considered this class because our son has a hard time concentrating and listening to directions. If you watch him in class you would not even know he has those issues. I would recommend this class to anyone. read more

I've been a student of Kuk Sool Won Millbrae since day 1. What started as nothing more than me trying to find a new workout that was different from my daily gym time became much more then I could have ever imagine. It became something I am passionate about. The martial arts studio is called a Dojang. It has ample floor space, a climbing rope, inclined monkey bars, a heavy punching bag, and boxes to climb and do parkour activities. They have padded mats to practice acrobatics. I myself have learned to do a front handspring! There is a whole lot of room to practice, to become stronger and more agile. It's definitely not your average Martial Arts Studio. SBN Dong, instructor and owner, has definitely been a great inspiration and motivation in my life. His uplifting spirit, enthusiasm and electrifying personality has a way of making the whole room light up. The kids love him! Some of the little ones (ages 3-6) sometimes have a more difficult time leaving their parents side and taking their first steps into the Dojang. Even sometimes their own parents can't get them to budge. With just a few words from SBN Dong they're off running onto the floor and ready to join the other kids! He's like the kid whisperer! Don't be surprise if you find your child not wanting to leave! SBN Dong diversifies his lessons so that they apply both to Kuk Sool and to our everyday lives. He wants to see his students grow both inside and out of the Dojang. I've seen him on many occasion talking to his students about what their aspirations in life are, including myself. He was the reason why I wrote a personal statement and it was more emotional for me then I thought it would be. He always encourages us to reach down deeper and find a better understanding of ourselves. One of the most important things SBN teaches his students is to never say, "Can't." "Can't" shouldn't exist in our vocabulary. Instead of can't, he wants us to ask ourselves "How do I get there?" "What steps are necessary to achieve the goal at hand?" If you don't know where to begin, he's always there to help guide us in the right direction. The initial push some of us need. Never does a day go by that he doesn't challenge his students to be better. That no matter how good they think they are at something there is always room for improvement! Being a student since the school has open, I have had the pleasure of seeing how much the school and its students have grown. The amount of students has greatly increased. The adults pushing themselves to the limit everyday to reach the goals they have set for themselves. The younger kids are more eager to learn and take on leadership roles. Parents on many occasions have talked about how disciplined, attentive, respectful and confident their child has become since starting. Our first tournament was definitely a great highlight for our school. Bringing about 25 students, we placed top 4 in California when we were just hoping for top 10. 3rd to 1st place brought 80-100 students. Showing us that the quality of our teaching was greater then we know. Another great thing about KSWMillbrae is that everyone tied to the school is Family. The constant support and encouragement that I have received has kept me motivated and gives me the drive to work hard, whether it be in my training or my daily life outside. It has definitely become my home away from home. So if you're looking to improve yourself mentally and physically or just self, look no further! You might get more than what you were expecting! read more

See all

My sons official first day of class! We had a trial class last week and my son has been talking about going ever since then. He's only 3.5 years old, a real "wild card".. The staff here are all very welcoming and accommodating. My son seems to be the youngest in the class and needs a lot of instruction, they are very patient with him which is awesome!! I'm confident that my son will learn to follow instructions clearly and learning a little bit of discipline all while having fun!!! read more

Burlingame Martial Arts - Little mans class!! - Martial Arts Near Me - Burlingame, California

Our's daughter words: " SBN is my best and favorite teacher, I love him very-very much, 100%!!!". I could not argue with her :) We've been looking and trying so many classes for kids in Bay Area with our daughter who is 4.5 now (gymnastics, swimming, music, dance, Gold Medal Martial Arts) and I can say that Kuk Sool Won Millbrae and SBN Dong is the best class and the best instructor that our daughter Daryna's ever had! SBN Dong is really great with the kids, he is so passionate about what he does, he cares about every kid in a class, all the children are getting a lot of attention. Our daughter's already learned so much, and became a much easier child, she listens better at home and can't wait to go to the next class. Daryna also loves Lisa - one of the assisting Instructors at KSW of Millbrae, she is very nice with the kids too! SBN Dong and his wife Angie make feel everyone very welcome there, like they are a part of big family. Many of our friends have joined KSW of Millbrae too. Even my husband if he had more free time and money would love to start practicing KSW too ) We highly recommend KSW of Millbrae to anyone! read more

From going to the gym on a regular basis, I started to get tired of the same routine, even with new workouts here and there. I decided to try something new to throw into the mix. Kuk Sool Won is a Traditional Korean Martial Art. It covers an extensive variety of techniques including hand techniques, leg techniques, throwing/grappling, joint lock/pressure points, falling/acrobatics, weapons, meditation/breathing, and more. The school was built around the idea of all of this. You won't be able to find a school that provides such a fun and exciting playground-like environment. You can find incline monkey bars, climbing rope, punching bag, padded walls and boxes to climb and do acrobatics, ample floor space to practice and more. In addition to all the physical attributes of the school, the students and assisting instructors to Head Instructor, SBN Dong, are all a testimonial of how much impact he has been for everyone. I have been a student here for just over a year now and I have seen how much even the young children have changed. They've become much more disciplined, attentive, respectful, and confident. Like martial arts should be, everyone has their own personal style, and SBN Dong understands this. He has so much interest and patience with people, that he just naturally understands how to teach and talk to everyone. So there is no need to be worried for your child or yourself in picking up something new. From knowing SBN Dong in the past to the present, I've come to learn about his personal aspirations in life. Even with his extensive resume, just knowing what drives him in life has allowed me to feel confident that he will provide a great school and facility for young and old alike, to grow physically and mentally. So whatever goals your children or you may have, be it physical, mental, building confidence, leadership, change in routine, or something you've always wanted to try (mine is to land a front flip and backflip). This is truly a place to train hard and improve yourself while everyone here also makes you feel like family. They even host children birthday parties! There are always deals going on so drop by for a trial! read more

My husband and I checked this place out for my son. We wanted him to learn discipline and learn a skill that will keep him physically active. When we first passed by they where actually closed but were doing a photo shoot. Still they were very welcoming and SBN Dong even took the time to talk to us. We gave it a trial and they were very good to my son who was initially shy. I would say they are definitely kid friendly and family oriented. SBN Dong is super good with the kids as well as Ms. Angie who is very sweet to them. DBN Lisa & DBN Derek are also super awesome & patient instructors to my son. I ended up joining the adult class as well. And everyone is supportive and welcoming & patient. And it is a great work out while learning a skill. Props to KSW of Millbrae. read more

We originally decided to get our kids into martial art as a way to learn good self defense skills while building perseverance and discipline. Other clubs in Millbrae that we tried felt a bit too much like summer camp where kids would have fun but not learn much. We saw the great review for KSW Millbrae and decided to give it a try although we were not sure at first, as we had never heard about this martial art before... We loved it right away... so much that a week after my 2 kids started, both my wife and I decided to join! KJN Dong (the master and owner of the school) runs the classes in a more traditional (aka disciplined) way which we love but is also a fantastic human being with a great sense of humor. He will push you... pretty hard... and will force you to push yourself more and more... it's exhausting but stress will literally evaporate and you will sleep like a baby. The school has a fantastic community: the staff is amazing and we have never met anyone with the kind of big ego/show off that you see sometimes in gyms or martial art... If you want to get back in shape or manage stress while learning some fun and practical skills... go do the free trial... Kuk Sool ! read more

I've been taking classes here with SBN Dong since January. I'm not especially athletic and was apprehensive at first but from day one SBN as well as the other students made me feel welcomed. I'm not going to lie and say going to class is all fun and games because it IS challenging but it's also physically and mentally rewarding. I never thought I'd be "into martial arts" but what started as "some exercise" has turned into something I see myself dedicating time and effort into for years to come. If you're feeling intimidated, don't be! First trial class is free and there are always promotions you can sign up for. read more

I was looking for a place To start my 5 year old in martial arts and luckily I found this place.We love Kuk Sool! My son attends Kuk sool and he looks forward to class every week. It's definitely been a positive influence on him, so thank you Kuk Sool! read more

When I started training with SBN Dong last August, I was quite overweight and in incredibly bad shape. He was very understanding of this, was always positive, and got me to push myself further then I thought I could go...but not further then my body was actually capable of. His classes are always enjoyable, and despite having never really enjoyed any other form of physical exercise in the past, I found myself enjoying the classes so much that I switched from going twice a week to 3 times and am still loving it. I would fully recommend SBN Dong's classes to anyone, no matter their current physical fitness level or whether they've done martial arts before. read more

I wanted to add that SBN Dong is an awsome instructor who always is a positive influence on me and my life goals. He always says that we don't say if...we say when. We don't say "can't" we say we "have not done it yet!" Always elevated! I am loosing weight and getting fit at Kuk Sool Won. Most importantly I'm improving my outlook on life and am enjoying supporting my classmates in all of their Kuk Sool Won successes. I am progressing at my own pace but look forward to pushing myself this summer to loose 60 lbs by November 2015. Kuk Sool Won can help anyone achieve personal goals of fitness and beyond. read more

I love this place. My 4yr old son has been going here for over a year and he has learned discipline, focus, the value of hard work and respect. His transformation has been amazing. It's a family owned business not a factory. The classes are intimate and hands on. We absolutely love it and can't recommend it highly enough. read more

My son started here almost 2.5 years ago and we cannot say enough about the positive impact SBN Dong and all the instructors have had on him. It's not just a class he attends, but it is an extended family. Any time we need extra support for my son SBN Dong is there to support and encourage. We look forward to many more years at KSW Millbrae. read more

It's a great place for adults too! We have a Saturday morning class that is mostly parents who are getting in shape and having fun. The instructors are great at having just the right level of challenge for everyone. read more

I've known and trained with SBN Dong(Sa Bum Nim = 4th degree Kuk Sool Won Black Belt) for 18 years now. I've been training at this location for 3 years now and here's my review. Instruction: 5/5 SBN Dong has been practicing Kuk Sool Won for more then 20 years and has won several championships to go long with his experience. He is professional and very passionate about this role as the chief instructor. The other instructors are just as professional and bring their enthusiasm when they teach their class. Training: 5/5 The classes themselves are challenging for kids and adults. The adult classes will give you a good workout without the bumps and bruises from other martial arts training. Safety is a big thing and no one will force you to do an unsafe technique or move. The general curriculum is very traditional with forms or katas for any karate practitioners reading this. Mixed in with forms are self defense techniques as well kicking techniques seen from hapkido. As you advance, you are taught weapon forms, and more advanced techniques. They do point sparring on select days, and since my arrival I haven't seen an injury come from it. Location: 5/5 Conveniently located off the 101 and across the street from In and Out, not sure if that's a good thing. The location has a private parking lot which is a godsend for any gym goer as parking can be a pain. Cleanliness: 5/5 The facilities are clean and maintained very well for a martial arts dojang. I've been to several gyms where the place stinks or the AC is broken or equipment is everywhere. TLDR; good place for kids to learn discipline, burn off extra energy, for the adults, its a safe and fun way to get in shape or stay in shape as the training is like leg day mixed with cardio and yoga. read more

I trained with SBN Dong in Mountain View for years before he opened his own school in Millbrae. He's an inspiring instructor because his form is so impressive that we see what a martial artist can be through skill and dedication, and he's never short on advice to help us improve. We all miss him and hope he'll continue to visit MV now and then. read more

After hearing good things about Kuk Sool Won of Millbrae from a coworker, I decided to give it a try. The instructor, SBN Dong shows great patience and enthusiasm. Whether you're looking for weight loss, stress relief, or self-defense techniques, I highly recommend checking out Kuk Sool Won of Millbrae. read more

Just wrote this on Google... might as well write it here too! I've trained with SBN Dong previously in the South Bay and I'm ecstatic that he has a location of his own now! Beyond the physical progression, strength, and agility I developed, I was impressed how he motivated me to have better self discipline, control, and overall just mentally improving and optimizing my best "self." Highly recommend and can't thank him enough. I still find it crazy that he can still do backflips! read more

I've had three kids (2 boys 1 girl) attend KSW Millbrae for the past couple of years. I've seen them get stronger and more confident with each class. Regular classes keep them healthy, fit and disciplined. Most importantly the instructors are great with kids; very inspiring and teaches great values. The studio is large and class selection is very convenient too. read more

I usually don't write reviews, but when I do its gotta be for KSW millbrae. SBN Dong is the best at what he does. You can see his dedication and love for teaching when you are in his class. He's not only great with adult but kids as well. If you're looking for a family friendly environment then look no further KSW Millbrae can be your new home. I've come to find that the people here are almost like my second family and I always look forward to going to class to get a great work out and hang out with amazing people. read more

I used to learn Hap Ki Do (a highly eclectic Korean martial art) when I was young. The first time I visited here, I found that this Kuk Sool was very similar to Hap Ki Do and became strongly nostalgic. So, I decided to join, and this was one of the greatest choices I've ever made this year. People are really nice and friendly here. Especially Sa Bum Nim (this is how we call our instructor) is a great teacher. He is not only the best at this martial art but also nice and kind to us. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone. read more

We enrolled our daughter when she was barely 4yrs old. She's such a shy child, but she felt very comfortable and welcomed by the Instructors and students. It's been two years now, and we're so impressed with what she's accomplished under the guidance of SDN Dong and JKNs Lisa and Derek. Who knew our six year old can safely handle a staff and sang joel bahngs (nunchuks)!? It's such a great community at Millbrae KSW; we can't recommend them enough! read more

We enrolled our 3.5 year old son here and the experience has been nothing less than stellar. First and foremost, SB Dong is a WONDERFUL person. He gave our son a lot of extra attention through some tough transition periods in the beginning. He understands children since he has three of his own. He understands their fears, motivations and general behavior. As an anxious mom, this helped me relax and really trust the school and its process. This program is wonderful for children (and adults!) to help build discipline, confidence and a unique skill set. We are grateful for the professionalism shown here and would not hesitate to give Kuk Sool Won our highest endorsement- send your kids here!! read more

Yes, this is a great place as posted by others. I ditto all the positive remarks. My grandson, Devin, loves this place. I give it 5 stars!! Hi Dong :) read more

Instructors are very welcoming and are great with kids. My son loved his first class and can't wait to come back! Facility is spacious and clean. read more

I've started taking classes since this January in hopes of getting some exercise, and this decision proved to be the best I have made in years. Not only has this made me to exercise and learn very useful techniques, SBN Dong has been helping me with improving my approach to learning. He has been exemplary figure who inspires and uplifts those around him to become better at anything through discipline and practice. Definitely recommend to anyone who wants to either get more exercise, learn martial arts, learn some discipline and orderliness, or really anything. read more