Black Belt Academy

The Black Belt Academy is celebrating its 25th year of cultivating personal character and spirit through traditional martial arts while also being a solid contributor and member of the Chester County community in which we live and train.

BBA was founded by Grandmaster Thomas Wilson, who left a legacy embodying the ideals and principles of those who preceded him. The changes that take place in a person are incredible and profound including the way one thinks, talks, walks, how others are treated and how you can now look at yourself. Those who train in our martial arts programs are seeking something unique; challenges that will help them grow and discover just what they are capable of at any age.

At the Black Belt Academy, we offer effective and functional martial arts training, offering certified instruction in a variety of styles. We provide a family atmosphere with programs in Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido, as well as Kali and Cardio Kickboxing. Japanese Kendo is also offered.

Invest in the rest of your life! Call 610.431.0866 or visit our school headquartered in West Chester, PA to get started on a new and exciting part of your life!

With black belt excellence comes:
- An attitude of being able to accomplish any goal that you may set for yourself.
- Leadership skills that set you apart for others to model.
- One who has set high standards for himself, has compassion for others, and leads by example!

Our mission and vision is to provide our members with the finest martial arts training available. Our students are supplied with the highest quality physical and mental training to enrich and change their lives! Martial arts can change people in such a positive way that once their belief of who they are and what they are capable of changes too. Make no mistake about it, changes will take place in the dedicated student!

Self confidence and self esteem will begin to grow, beginning with the first class. We develop a positive outlook on life and an attitude that others will notice and admire. Improvements in discipline, focus, confidence and self control will take hold as you learn an incredible system of personal self defense.

As you evolve as a martial artist, the values and wonderful life skills of your training will help to benefit your community. Courtesy, respect and integrity are the cornerstone of our martial arts programs. As the character development grows in each individual, our communities will benefit, one black belt after another!

Earning the Black Belt will be one of, if not the, most challenging and rewarding goals you can ever achieve! Become part of a select group of individuals where Loyalty, Honor, Pride, Humility and Courage are not words that are used lightly, but have special meaning. It means you live up to a higher standard.

Our training is dedicated to the memory of Grandmaster Thomas J. Wilson – a master instructor and student, husband, father, friend, class act and the ultimate package! Master Wilson embodied the ideals of a true martial artist and passed along to his students the sense of humilty and respect, strong work ethic, dedication, discipline and a great sense of humor. Grandmaster Wilson was a competitive fighter and a lover of people. He held deep loyalty to his country and the men and women who fight everyday for our freedom. He often drew parallels between the martial ways of war and our training, and aimed to develop a mindset in his students of self-awareness, vigilance and courtesy. He will never be replaced; he was one of a kind. He leaves a legacy of fond memories for those who knew him, and carry on his spirit.

Tom Wilson began training in Judo, Shotokan Karate and Tae Kwon Do in the early 70s, earning his first black belt in 1978. He also met his future wife, Carol, and together they opened the Black Belt Academy in 1985. The school's name was Body Weapon/Black Belt Academy. "Body Weapon" signified the creative and dynamic tools and potential possessed by our human bodies, and the Black Belt Academy represented the disciplined approach and traditional teachings of a martial arts system.

Master Wilson earned the rank of 4th degree, or Master rank, under Dr. Dong Ja Yang in 1988. He felt fortunate to be surrounded by many black belts who were eager to learn and this provided great motivation to Master Wilson himself. He was an incredible martial artist; a skilled kicker - anyone can see some of the pictures of his impressive high kicks and breaks and know that Master Wilson led by example. As an instructor, he set the tone and demonstrated impeccable teaching skills and practitioner capabilities.

Grandmaster Wilson taught with passion and compassion. He acknowledged and respected the lineage from where we came, respecting our seniors and helping our juniors. As technique and expectation evolve, we carry on the tradition of developing our students to eventually become better than their teachers.

In September 2007, Grandmaster Thomas Wilson, founder of the Black Belt Academy, was diagnosed with AML (Acute Myologenous Leukemia). A warrior himself, he quickly faced his new opponent and underwent treatment at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Since he was actively undergoing treatment, the need to keep him free from infection was a top priority. Therefore, visitors were kept to a minimum. Those with small children and children themselves were discouraged from going to the hospital but never discouraged from providing support.

In addition to the many cards and tokens of their affections the children sent to Master Wilson in the hospital, Mrs. Wilson created a Caring Bridge website for constant communication between Master Wilson, his family and many friends. For many of us, it was a great way to send our love, well wishes and a few jokes while keeping apprised of his course of treatment.

Master Wilson battled his course of treatment like a true champion. In and out of the Dojang as often as he could, it was often he who was the most supportive and encouraging to his students, and of course the most humorous!! Considered to be in remission, it was devastating to learn that his cancer had returned in the Spring of 2008. After a bone marrow transplant on 3/12/09, Master Wilson acquired an infection that was his greatest opponent yet. He passed away on March 14, 2009. He has left behind a legacy - a black belt in martial arts and a champion of humanity.

Wilson's Warriors was created as a way for the children of the Black Belt Academy to actively show their love and support for their Grandmaster Instructor. The children, parents and students of BBA, as well as friends and family of the Wilson's joined together in just 3 weeks time to raise over $3300 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) by participating in the Light the Night Walk in October 2007. All the money raised has gone to LLS to help find a cure for blood cancers. Since that first year, our team has raised over $13,800 to help find a cure!

As we do every year, Wilson's Warriors will proudly walk again in the 2010 Light the Night Walk to benefit LLS on Saturday, October 2nd. The walk is a 1.5 mile stroll around Wilson Farm Park, 600 Lee Road, Berwyn, Pa (off Route 202 in Chesterbrook). The rain or shine events starts at 4:30pm with kids festivities, music, food and fun followed by the 6:30pm walk. Participants carry lighted balloons (red for supporters, white for survivors and gold in memory of their loved one). It is a beautiful and fun way to help find a cure for cancer.

To find out more about the Light the Night Walk, please visit www.lightthenight.org. To join our team, please click here. You can also donate to our team at the same link listed above.

For 2010, we are having a candle fundraiser event to help "light" our way to a cure. The candles are from Celebrating Home and 50% of your cost goes directly to our team! Brochures and order forms are available at the dojang.

For more information on our fundraising or any questions at all, please email team captain Laurie Hopton or contact her at 610-304-1983.

Black Belt Creed
- I will always keep myself mentally alert, physically strong and morally straight
- I will uphold the spirit and tenants of Tae Kwon Do
- I choose to live my life with honor, courage and integrity and will always strive to do the right thing
- I have developed high levels of discipline and self control to bring out the best in myself and others
- I understand that as long as I live my life as a black belt - I am a black belt
- I understand that as a well trained black belt, I am expectied to live my life by a warrior code of conduct and behavior that allows me to lead by example

Adult Student Creed
- I am striving for personal excellence in all aspects of my life
- I will treat others with respect and honor my friendships
- I will strive to uphold the spirit and tenants of Tae Kwon Do
- I intend to keep myself mentally alert, physically strong, and morally straight
- I seek to develop discipline and self control to bring out the best in myself and others
- I intend to use what I learn in class constructively and defensively to help myself and others and never to be abusive or offensive

Taekwondo Tenants
- Courtesy
- Integrity
- Perseverance
- Self Control
- Indomitable Spirit

Taekwondo Spirit
- Be loyal to your country
- Be obedient to your parents
- Be honorable to your friends
- Love your family (be loving to your spouse)
- Make a just kill (be justified when using your art)

Children's Student Creed
- I am striving to be the best that I can be wherever I am
- I love my family and will obey my parents
- I honor my friends and will treat others with respect and courtesy
- I will always strive to do the right thing
- I intend to develop discipline and self control to bring out the best in myself and others
- I intend to use what I learn in class constructively and defensively to help myslef and others and never to be abusive or offensive

Taekwondo is the most popular and practiced martial art in the world today.

It is an extremely effective system of personal self-defense, a traditional Korean Martial Art, and also a full medal Olympic Sport.

At our academy, we emphasize the traditional aspects of Taekwondo. Our instructors personally help our students realize their full potential and personal excellence through classes designed to inspire at the highest level. Respect and courtesy are part of a code of behavior that is fostered everyday in disciplined classes that result in tremendous gains of self-confidence and self-esteem. Our students develop an attitude and belief system that they can accomplish any goal that they set their mind to…without question.

Our Taekwondo program will help you achieve all of your personal goals regarding your physical fitness, your strength and flexibilty, as well as reducing stress and becoming confident in learning how to effectively defend yourself! It is a wonderfully complete training program that cultivates Mind- Body- Spirit! Stop in to watch an exciting class or
try a two class trial.

Hapkido is a Korean martial art of self-defense.

It is based upon three principles: Harmony (Hwa), Circle (Won), and Dynamic (Lyu).

Hapkido incorporates various hand strikes, kicks, joint/wrist locks, pressure points, body throws, break falls, rolls, ground defense, weapon defense, and much more. Hapkido means the way of coordinated power. Hapkido is based upon the water principle. When water flows towards a rock, it flows around the rock. Likewise, the Hapkido practitioner goes around an attacker. In addition, the Hapkido practitioner takes the attacker's energy (hard), absorbs it (soft), and then uses it, as well as his own energy to defend an attack (hard). The true Hapkido practitioner exposes or creates a weakness in the attack via off-balancing. Hapkido techniques do not rely on physical strength. This makes it possible for someone smaller to defend himself/herself against a larger opponent.

To learn more about Jung Ki Kwon Hapkido and the direct lineage please click here:
Jung Ki Kwon Hapkido

Try a two class trial.

A complete defense program that introduces students to 12 main areas, including, but not limited to single stick, double stick, stick & dagger, and unarmed techniques.

Drills are taught in a fluid, non-restrictive manner allowing students to enhance their sense of timing, speed, awareness, balance, agility, and confidence. Everyday objects, such as umbrellas, books, bandannas, etc., become effective means of self-defense.

Students begin by learning the basic strokes and strikes of Kali with the single stick, the knife and stick and knife together. By developing smooth and fluid movement through muscle memory, and by utilizing an efficient method of angular movement based on the triangle system, the Kali student develops a very effective system of self defense and attack, both armed and unarmed. Double stick and double dagger are also part of the 12 areas of the art of Kali.

The LaCoste System under Magulang Na Guro, Dan Inosanto and The Pikiti Tirsia System under Inheritor Grand Tuhon Leo T. Gaje Jr., are the systems of Kali practiced at our Academy. Guro Norris Domangue, of the East Wind Martial Arts Academy, in Newport News, VA. has conducted seminars at the Academy.

To learn more about Kali - check our our Partner School - please click here:
East Wind Academy

Sensei Vincent Lan, Kendo 5th Dan/Level of Black Belt, is from a traditional Kendo family in Taiwan. Taught from an early age, Kendo has been and remains a part of his family tradition. Taught by his father (Kendo 7th Dan), uncle (Kendo 8th Dan), and grandfather (Kendo 6th Dan, 1901~1980) - all Kendo advocators who are also called "Samurai" - Sensei Lan has studied Kendo for more than twenty years.

Sensei Lan earned his first Kendo Black Belt Championship in 1988. Continuing his art, in 1992 he lead his team to a Top 3 rank in the All Taiwan NCAA Kendo Tournament. The following year, he placed 2nd in the All Mid-Taiwan NCAA Tournament. Since 1990, he has taught Kendo at different levels and ages both in Taiwan and in the United States (University of Central Oklahoma, Tulane University, and New Orleans Kendo Club.)

There are many ways to study Japanese sword. Kendo is the most traditional way to approach it. Sensei Lan is doing his best to continue his family's proud tradition of Kendo, and he is helping people to discover the beauty of Kendo, the spirit of Kendo, and the true meaning of Kendo.

Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy governs the manner in which Black Belt Academy collects, uses, maintains and discloses information collected from users (each, a "User") of the www.black-belt-academy.com website ("Site"). This privacy policy applies to the Site and all products and services offered by Black Belt Academy.

Personal identification information

We may collect personal identification information from Users in a variety of ways, including, but not limited to, when Users visit our site, subscribe to the newsletter, and in connection with other activities, services, features or resources we make available on our Site.. Users may visit our Site anonymously. We will collect personal identification information from Users only if they voluntarily submit such information to us. Users can always refuse to supply personally identification information, except that it may prevent them from engaging in certain Site related activities.

Non-personal identification information

We may collect non-personal identification information about Users whenever they interact with our Site. Non-personal identification information may include the browser name, the type of computer and technical information about Users means of connection to our Site, such as the operating system and the Internet service providers utilized and other similar information.

Web browser cookies

Our Site may use "cookies" to enhance User experience. User's web browser places cookies on their hard drive for record-keeping purposes and sometimes to track information about them. User may choose to set their web browser to refuse cookies, or to alert you when cookies are being sent. If they do so, note that some parts of the Site may not function properly.

How we use collected information

Black Belt Academy may collect and use Users personal information for the following purposes:

- To improve our Site
We may use feedback you provide to improve our products and services.
- To send periodic emails
If User decides to opt-in to our mailing list, they will receive emails that may include company news, updates, related product or service information, etc. If at any time the User would like to unsubscribe from receiving future emails, we include detailed unsubscribe instructions at the bottom of each email.

How we protect your information

We adopt appropriate data collection, storage and processing practices and security measures to protect against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure or destruction of your personal information, username, password, transaction information and data stored on our Site.

Sharing your personal information

We do not sell, trade, or rent Users personal identification information to others. We may share generic aggregated demographic information not linked to any personal identification information regarding visitors and users with our business partners, trusted affiliates and advertisers for the purposes outlined above.We may use third party service providers to help us operate our business and the Site or administer activities on our behalf, such as sending out newsletters or surveys. We may share your information with these third parties for those limited purposes provided that you have given us your permission.

Third party websites

Users may find advertising or other content on our Site that link to the sites and services of our partners, suppliers, advertisers, sponsors, licensors and other third parties. We do not control the content or links that appear on these sites and are not responsible for the practices employed by websites linked to or from our Site. In addition, these sites or services, including their content and links, may be constantly changing. These sites and services may have their own privacy policies and customer service policies. Browsing and interaction on any other website, including websites which have a link to our Site, is subject to that website's own terms and policies.

Changes to this privacy policy

Black Belt Academy has the discretion to update this privacy policy at any time. When we do, we will revise the updated date at the bottom of this page. We encourage Users to frequently check this page for any changes to stay informed about how we are helping to protect the personal information we collect. You acknowledge and agree that it is your responsibility to review this privacy policy periodically and become aware of modifications.

Your acceptance of these terms

By using this Site, you signify your acceptance of this policy. If you do not agree to this policy, please do not use our Site. Your continued use of the Site following the posting of changes to this policy will be deemed your acceptance of those changes.

Contacting us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, the practices of this site, or your dealings with this site, please contact us at:
Black Belt Academy
www.black-belt-academy.com
325 WESTTOWN ROAD
WEST CHESTER, PA 19382

610 431 0866
BODY.WEAPON@VERIZON.NET

This document was last updated on November 16, 2012

Boom Boom Pow! From shoulders to calves, you will become lean and strong!

Tighten and tone your body as you reduce stress and feel great about yourself in just 60 minutes. You will become empowered with our martial arts and boxing skills coordinated with high energy music. Get the results that you've always wanted.

Our highly qualified staff of instructors will motivate and inspire you to reach your personal goals. Our classes are tailored to challenge the fittest person in class while allowing each member to train at his or her own pace. After a few classes, hold on and have fun in the quickest hour of your day! Our members have achieved incredible results and now it's your turn to give us a try!

You can train in bare feet on our matted floor or bring sneakers along. Also bring a towel and water bottle with you.

Click here for the Cardio Kickboxing Schedule     

We Build Confidence!

We begin training children as young as five years old. Our kids are involved in all aspects of our high energy and exciting classes. Positive encouragement and feedback start to build self-confidence and self-esteem with the first class. Focus, concentration, respect and courtesy - the important cornerstones on which we build our classes - are taught by instructors who are positive role models, encouraging the children to give their best effort at all times. Pride, courage, honor and integrity are learned by so many of our kids who went onto earn their junior black belt, an outstanding accomplishment at a young age that will serve them in ways they will remember for the rest of their lives.

Our kids program presents special classes on "stranger danger," and allows the kids to let loose during the annual Holiday party full of fun and games. One of the highlights of the year is the Tournament of Champions each June, hosted by the Black Belt Academy, to challenge our kids in a competitive and friendly environment. Everyone wins the moment they step onto the floor!

Click here for our TaeKwonDo Schedule