About
Kuk Sool Won of The Woodlands offers traditional Korean martial arts training that includes striking, grappling, self-defense, traditional forms, mastering traditional weapons, sparring, acrobatic movements, and pressure point applications. The program includes Kids Martial Arts classes for ages 4–6, Youth Martial Arts classes for ages 7–12, Teens & Adult Martial Arts classes for ages 13 and up, a Beginner Family Class, self-defense classes and workshops for women, and private instruction for police personnel.
• Ages: 4–19 years old
Kuk Sool Won of The Woodlands states that its mission is to help parents raise confident, focused leaders through the experience of martial arts. The program describes itself as offering world class martial arts in The Woodlands and a comprehensive, holistic approach to Kuk Sool Won, which is presented as a complete martial arts system that blends striking, grappling, self-defense, and traditional forms into a unified art. It offers martial arts classes for children as young as 4, teens, and adults, with a structured, supportive environment and a training experience that is described as rich in tradition and modern in practice. The program states that it is designed to grow with students physically, mentally, and emotionally, emphasizes a supportive martial arts family where every student is valued and connected through shared growth and respect, and highlights certified instructors who bring passion, precision, and experience to every class. The school notes a focus on perseverance, grit, and the power of never giving up, and states that students learn how to set, pursue, and achieve goals, sharpen attention, build self-discipline, and learn to respect themselves, others, and the traditions of Kuk Sool Won.
Master Joe Foster is the Chief Instructor of the Kuk Sool Won school in The Woodlands, Texas. He has been involved in martial arts since 1979 and has been teaching martial arts since 1985, and he teaches a soft/hard Korean martial art called Kuk Sool Won. His background includes beginning Tae Kwon Do training in 1979 in San Mateo, California under Instructor Marty Smith, beginning Kuk Sool Won training in 1984 under Masters Barry and Choon Ok Harmon, earning his 1st degree black belt in Kuk Sool Won in 1986 and 2nd degree black belt in 1989 under those masters, and being chosen in 1988 as a member of the U.S. Kuk Sool Won demonstration team that performed in Korea during the 1988 Olympics. In 1989 he was appointed Head Instructor at the San Mateo Kuk Sool Won school, in 1991 he was contacted by Mark Chestnut’s management for a position as personal trainer and bodyguard and was awarded his 3rd degree black belt in Kuk Sool Won under Grandmaster Suh, and in 1992 he accompanied Grandmaster Suh on a yearly seminar tour teaching and demonstrating throughout the United States and Canada. In 1993 he was appointed Head Instructor at the World Kuk Sool Won Headquarters in Houston, Texas, in 1995 he received permission from Grandmaster Suh to open a Kuk Sool Won school in Baytown, Texas, and in 2002 he was appointed Chief Instructor of the Kuk Sool Won school in The Woodlands, Texas.
Parents and students describe their experiences in several testimonials. One parent, Christina Tull, says that “Master Foster is an amazing instructor,” that he cares about everyone in his program, that her teen boys are enjoying it, and that everyone is nice and welcoming. Longtime student Shane Baumann reports training at Kuk Sool Won Woodlands Martial Arts Center for almost 14 years, describes Master Joe Foster as a phenomenal martial artist, instructor, and mentor, and mentions getting into shape and learning self-discipline and etiquette as some of the benefits he has experienced. Another parent, Jena BayFol, says that with the number of hours her son trains, Kuk Sool Won of The Woodlands feels like a second home, and that Master Joe Foster and his team of instructors have always made their family feel welcome and part of the family, noting his dedication to the foundation and tradition of Kuk Sool Won. Mark Common states that Master Foster creates an environment where those who are a bit challenged feel comfortable giving their best and that improvement at each person’s own pace is what matters to him.
Last updated December 13, 2025.
• Ages: 4–19 years old
Kuk Sool Won of The Woodlands states that its mission is to help parents raise confident, focused leaders through the experience of martial arts. The program describes itself as offering world class martial arts in The Woodlands and a comprehensive, holistic approach to Kuk Sool Won, which is presented as a complete martial arts system that blends striking, grappling, self-defense, and traditional forms into a unified art. It offers martial arts classes for children as young as 4, teens, and adults, with a structured, supportive environment and a training experience that is described as rich in tradition and modern in practice. The program states that it is designed to grow with students physically, mentally, and emotionally, emphasizes a supportive martial arts family where every student is valued and connected through shared growth and respect, and highlights certified instructors who bring passion, precision, and experience to every class. The school notes a focus on perseverance, grit, and the power of never giving up, and states that students learn how to set, pursue, and achieve goals, sharpen attention, build self-discipline, and learn to respect themselves, others, and the traditions of Kuk Sool Won.
Master Joe Foster is the Chief Instructor of the Kuk Sool Won school in The Woodlands, Texas. He has been involved in martial arts since 1979 and has been teaching martial arts since 1985, and he teaches a soft/hard Korean martial art called Kuk Sool Won. His background includes beginning Tae Kwon Do training in 1979 in San Mateo, California under Instructor Marty Smith, beginning Kuk Sool Won training in 1984 under Masters Barry and Choon Ok Harmon, earning his 1st degree black belt in Kuk Sool Won in 1986 and 2nd degree black belt in 1989 under those masters, and being chosen in 1988 as a member of the U.S. Kuk Sool Won demonstration team that performed in Korea during the 1988 Olympics. In 1989 he was appointed Head Instructor at the San Mateo Kuk Sool Won school, in 1991 he was contacted by Mark Chestnut’s management for a position as personal trainer and bodyguard and was awarded his 3rd degree black belt in Kuk Sool Won under Grandmaster Suh, and in 1992 he accompanied Grandmaster Suh on a yearly seminar tour teaching and demonstrating throughout the United States and Canada. In 1993 he was appointed Head Instructor at the World Kuk Sool Won Headquarters in Houston, Texas, in 1995 he received permission from Grandmaster Suh to open a Kuk Sool Won school in Baytown, Texas, and in 2002 he was appointed Chief Instructor of the Kuk Sool Won school in The Woodlands, Texas.
Parents and students describe their experiences in several testimonials. One parent, Christina Tull, says that “Master Foster is an amazing instructor,” that he cares about everyone in his program, that her teen boys are enjoying it, and that everyone is nice and welcoming. Longtime student Shane Baumann reports training at Kuk Sool Won Woodlands Martial Arts Center for almost 14 years, describes Master Joe Foster as a phenomenal martial artist, instructor, and mentor, and mentions getting into shape and learning self-discipline and etiquette as some of the benefits he has experienced. Another parent, Jena BayFol, says that with the number of hours her son trains, Kuk Sool Won of The Woodlands feels like a second home, and that Master Joe Foster and his team of instructors have always made their family feel welcome and part of the family, noting his dedication to the foundation and tradition of Kuk Sool Won. Mark Common states that Master Foster creates an environment where those who are a bit challenged feel comfortable giving their best and that improvement at each person’s own pace is what matters to him.
Last updated December 13, 2025.
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