I was born January 15, 1943 in Bartow County, Georgia. During the time I was born babies were delivered at home and the doctor would only come out as needed. In November 1965 I went to work at Lockheed Aircraft in Marietta and soon after joined the Georgia Lockheed Employee Recreation Club for Karate. It was held on Sunday evening in the gym under Haverty furniture company in Smyrna. I wanted more practice time each week and joined the Marietta YMCA. If I worked evenings, several of us students would meet and practice in this gym before work. If I worked days then I would take Karate at the Marietta YMCA on Tuesday night. I practiced doing my forms and techniques in my back yard in the trailer park.

In 1969 I developed a lung condition and went from 169 lbs. to 129 lbs. in six weeks. I got so thin I probably looked like a skeleton with skin on it. I ran a high fever and pus ran from my mouth. I was out for six and a half month, and all of my sickness benefits were gone. The lord fixed it so that I could return to Lockheed in a different area that I usually worked.

As the next few years went by I could do normal things as long as I do not push myself much. I ran a drag car for three years. The lord took drag racing out of my life and I started pastoring a church.

Arthritis started as I remembered in 1984, which developed into advanced Osteoarthritis by April 2003. I had my first heart attack in December 26, 1999. In May 2001, I had my third stint put in, the next year I made my third trip to Piedmont Hospital but the blocked or nearly blocked arteries weren�t big enough to put a stint in. The next year I went to Kennestone Medical Center and they ran thallium in me and found some blocked arteries on the back side of my heart. A few months before I came to joined Koo Self Defense�s studio (April 12, 2004) I had chest pains without doing any exercises except for some walking.

I was in downtown Cartersville with my two-year-old grand daughter and the Lord moved me to visit Master Koo�s studio. As I mentioned to Master Koo on my first visit I did not know why I was there. A couple of weeks or so later, the Lord once again sent me there and this time with my eight years old grand daughter. I inquired about the requirements for joining the studio and my plan to start my training at Koo Self Defense.

Before I joined the Koo Self Defense studio my hands were so sore that if I accidently bumped them on a chair or table the pain was so bad that I nearly got sick. I also recently finished physical therapy which was costing me $300.00 per month for my back and pain down my right leg into the heel. The physical therapy did not relieve my pains. My right leg was so weak that it was hard to get up when I got down to pray.

I was in pain in different parts of my body and did not think that I would get any better. The doctor told me that I wouldn�t get any better but gradually get worse. He recommended exercise in water to ease the impact.

The following are some of the other medical conditions that I have; artery blockage, advanced arthritis, diabetes, reflux disease, stomach hernia, seborrhea dermatitis, a thyroid gland which is in a semi solid tumor and does not work any more.

Evidently, the Lord decided to send me to train at Master Koo�s studio. I do not understand why he sent me to Koo Self Defense I fully believe that he is smarter than I. Since I work for him preaching at a local church in Cartersville, I went where he sent me.

On my first class being in my current physical condition, I had to stop several times to rest but with some perseverance, I managed to finish the class. As each class went by, my stamina grew and managed to finish every class and do more of the drills that the other students were doing. I would do four classes per week except for every Wednesday when I have to pastor for my local church.

Within a couple of weeks of training at Koo Self Defense, I have lost 10 lbs. and sleep better at night. On a recent visit to my doctor, three weeks after I began training at Koo Self Defense, my good cholesterol has gone up and my bad cholesterol has gone down. My stamina has greatly improved, doing more things in my daily life than before and I am getting a greater range in my joints with the yoga stretching at Koo Self Defense. I also do some of the physical exercises that I learned from the physical therapist before joining Koo Self Defense.

I visit my doctor every month for a full check up. May 24, 2004 was one of them, my good cholesterol continues to go up and my bad cholesterol continues to gone down. My resting pulse rate was in the mid 80's before I joined Koo Self Defense and after 5 weeks and 23 classes later, my resting pulse rate is now 60.

In comparison to the traditional karate that I have done many years ago, we used slow or medium speed punches in one, two and three step sparring. It was mostly to put into our minds what to do under certain circumstances. In free sparring on the mat in our club, when we delivered a kick or punch we were expected to show some snap to our blows but stop about an inch or so before reaching the target. We had to still have some bend in our leg or arm so if we wanted to hit we still had potential. During warm ups we did punches and kicks in the air. Our training were focus more on the precision of all techniques than power or its effectiveness.

We practiced boards breaking at home by laying two straw mats on a five hundred-gallon gas tank and hit them over and over. At first we hit them easily and slowly built up the power. Board breaking was practiced by going to the lumber yard and buying some boards and cutting them up to length. We broke the boards with our fist one board at a time. We stood two eight-inch cement blocks upon their end and laid the boards on them, usually breaking one at a time. As our faith in our board breaking increased we added another board or two. We had someone to hold the boards up in front of us to hit them with a fist.

Most of what we did was like ballet and not in a realistic manner. Our forms (katas) were with finesse and some snap but no real power. The theories behind what we did and how we did them made sense at that time of doing traditional martial arts.

Whereas in Koo Self Defense, the way we execute our punches which are similar to boxing against focus mitts are the way, we would use in street fights. It requires more strength and stamina to deliver these punches and kicks. I am beginning to understand why Koo Self Defense emphasizes extreme fitness in all of its workouts from its unique kick boxing aerobics which focus on different parts of the body to the very high intensity drills of punching and kicking focus mitts and shields which build up our power, stamina, reflexes over time and the many health benefits derived from this unique workout. It is more likely to cause us to dominate and walk away from a street confrontation in one piece without injuries. If you do not hit hard and have the fitness to go with it, it does not matter who you are and how many techniques you know to come out from a street confrontation. We may never come across that situation in real life but it is sure a good insurance.

The students at Koo Self Defense use plastic re-breakable boards in preparation for their black belt test unlike wooden boards which are easier to break. I arrive at Master Koo�s studio one hour earlier to practice the requirements of the 52 separate breaking techniques utilizing both hands and feet for a total of 86 boards on these new black rebreakable boards ranging from 1 board to 4 boards for my black belt test. I am required to break each technique on first attempt only. It will take me two years to polish these 52 separate breaking techniques. You can visit Master Koo�s web site http://ksdi.net which has many pages of information including KSD�s black belt test requirement which is definitely the toughest black belt test in the world and the laboratory test for the amount of pressure that it takes to break one, two and three black plastic rebreakable boards!
It has been ten months since I started training at Koo Self Defense and done 160 classes so far. I can survive Master Koo�s toughest class which is called �super stamina.� Normally we follow two schedules of classes to follow which are rotated week to week. These schedules are designed so that we have as many variety in our workouts. The �super stamina� class is unannounced and not on our daily schedule. A typical class would consist of one of five KSD aerobic which targets different part of the body and vary in length from 15 minutes to 26 minutes depending upon the intensity of each KSD aerobic. After the KSD aerobic, we have 12 minutes of Yoga/Flexibility stretching followed by 20 or 30 minutes of Power Drills which is hitting focus mitts and shields with full power. In the �super stamina� class, we do a very brief warm-up for about three minutes and then go straight to do Power Drills for 30 minutes each student. There are numerous super stamina classes with variations. For example one day we might focus on upper body punching focus mitts non stop on the spot in series of three hits (3, 6, 9, 12, 15,18, 21 etc.) for sides of the body, left foot forward and right foot forward. Each set gets progressively harder, and it is like climbing up a mountain. Moreover, after hitting these focus mitts for about 30 minutes, it is another workout to hold for your partner for another 30 minutes. Most beginners will manage 1200 hits non stop where as a season student can achieve 2,520 hits in 25 minutes. There are a few exceptional students that can reach 3,360 hits in 30 minutes. There are also super stamina classes for leg workout consisting of at least non stop 400 kicks. These super stamina classes are unique because they have a blend of aerobics, anaerobic, strength, endurance, mental focus, power, coordination and more.

Since starting at Koo Self Defense, I have a new outlook on life, my strength and stamina have greatly improved from all the different type of drills that Master Koo has developed since 1992 and moreover he still continues to develop and add more new twists to his workout regime. I can climb ladders, lift heavier objects and do a lot more chores both indoor and outdoor at home just like when I was younger. The energy that I acquired from Koo Self Defense�s workouts has enormously improved my life.

Koo Self Defense: A gift to Health, Fitness and Power by Anne Rapp

You deserve it, give yourself a gift! That is not what was in my mind the first time I entered Koo Self Defense (KSD). I was there because my son was interested in the class. I didn't think of myself as someone who could do this kind of workout. In the past, I had been unable to maintain a fitness routine due to scoliosis that limited my mobility and flexibility. Any attempt at aerobics classes, or other workout routines ended in back pain, so I had stopped trying. However, due to the reality of being overweight and out of shape, having siblings with diabetes, and a family history of osteoporosis; I had been wishing in the back of my mind that I could find a fitness program that would work for me. When my son suggested KSD, we were also looking for an activity that we could do together. We went in to observe the class. It seemed very strenuous and challenging. People in the class had impressive hitting power, fitness and stamina. I thought they must have been in the class for years to develop to that degree only to discover that some had trained for days and weeks and were just beginners. Master Koo pointed out that the class was made up of people of all ages and fitness levels. He explained that everyone started at different fitness ability and certain amount of natural hitting power, but by doing his unique exercise routines and workouts drills at their own level and paces, anyone could quickly develop greater power, fitness, stamina and speed. After talking with Master Koo about his unique fitness program, observing the class, and talking to some of the students, my son and I decided we would try this together. And so began what is now an almost five-year journey toward a lifetime of fitness, the gift I give myself.

This is not to say that this has been an easy gift. The class does involve commitment and motivation. What makes this easier than other classes I have taken is the structure of the class and the ability to work at your own pace on your own personal goals, rather than some generic blueprint everyone is expected to follow. Do you want to build upper body strength, kicking power, punching power, flexibility, endurance, mental focus, coordination, speed, or stamina and more? Do you want to learn self defense, improve your fitness level? All of these can be accomplished with the expert guidance of Master Koo. He will teach you and continually challenge you with his unique workouts. After a brief warm-up, each one hour class has three parts; first we do one of five different aerobic routines which are varied day by day and class by class, then stretching, and then an aerobic/anaerobic punching or kicking routine. The aerobic routines vary from 15 to 26 minutes, each targeting different areas of the body. For example Aerobic 1 involves 90% kicking, Aerobic 2 consists of 3000+ punches working the upper body, Aerobic 3 works everything as we do 26 minutes of pushups, squats, crunches and jump rope, Aerobic 4 is 15 minutes of intense and very varied sit-ups/stomach crunches and Aerobic 5 is 15 minutes of jump rope working on various types of footwork. After that is completed, we enjoy 12 minutes of yoga stretching. Then the real workout begins; 20 or 30 minutes of power drills using Focus Mitts and Shields and each student decides how much power they wish to generate depending upon their individual fitness level. Master Koo has developed 35+ different routines, frequently adding new ones that develop stamina, speed and power.

When I started the class, my goal was to make it through three classes the first week and to see how I felt after that. Well, I was sore throughout my entire body, but I was making it through the classes without my back hurting. I believe that doing the yoga stretching which included many of the stretches I had done previously in physical therapy, was the key to doing an intense workout with no damage or strain to my back. Also the individual attention that Master Koo gives to each student to assure they are doing the workouts correctly keeps us from pulling or straining muscles. After that first week, my goal was to average three classes per week for a month, six months, and then a year. As I worked toward those goals, I became stronger with much more stamina. I was able to increase my workouts to two classes each day I worked out. I would also set a goal for a class such as during the crunch aerobics I will do 500, then 700 crunches. The friendly competition with other students in class made these goals fun. As I worked on these goals and became more and more fit, it was easier to stretch the goals. I began to see this as a life change I wanted to make rather than exercise I should do whether I wanted to or not. It became the gift I give myself and my loved ones. As I approach my 5-year anniversary of being a KSD student, my goal is to complete 1000 classes. I have completed 870 to date and am committed to achieving this goal by the beginning of this summer.

When new students begin the class they often ask how I keep myself committed. That's a good question because I could never do that before. Again, I think the answer is contained in the unique program that Master Koo has developed. Though each of us brings our own reasons for joining the class; to learn self protection, to lose some weight, to get better muscle tone and definition, to be tougher and stronger, to have more energy, whatever, we have to find a program that works for us, and develop the skills to keep ourselves committed. As each student begins, Master Koo helps them identify what they want to get out of the class and then focus on the things they can do to meet their goal. He helps set new goals with each student with his knowledge and understanding of fitness and the human body. Another good motivator is keeping the workout interesting. The class is never boring as Master Koo creates new drills and routines to keep the class challenging. Just when you think you have the routines down and your body can do them by rote, he will introduce new routines to keep us improving and learning. He also encourages input from all students to better meet the needs of each student. This creates a comfortable respectful environment to work on your goals with the support of the class. There is no need to worry about your shape, size, or age because the students are from 4 years to 60, from 50 pounds to 300, at varying levels of fitness. Each works at their own level and pace, all improve with each class they take.

The classes have eliminated much of the structure of traditional martial arts and focus more on a total body workout to improve each individual's power and stamina to be more effective in a street confrontation. It is very interesting to listen to students who have taken numerous other martial arts styles and make comparison with KSD. I have seen many who have spoken to Master Koo about what they have learned in their previous martial arts and what they can do. When it came down to doing a KSD class, each one of them is blown away by the sheer fitness/power of KSD students and truly overwhelmed by all of our activities in each and every class.

All of KSD classes are a total body cardiovascular workout program that will also improve your mental and physical health, improve your daily energy levels and confidence in yourself in addition to building self-defense skills. As stated on the KSD website, www.ksdi.net, "You will not find a workout like Koo Self Defense anywhere in the world!" I am a believer. I can see it in my own progress, and in the progress of other students. This is a wonderful gift we can all give to ourselves and our families.

This article on Koo Self Defense appeared in "The Daily Tribune Newspaper" on Monday, June 9, 2003

The following article appeared in The Daily Tribune's special supplement on 'Health and Fitness', Friday February 28, 2003

A Black Belt reflects on five years of Koo Self Defense by Mr. Kurt Zettlemoyer

When I walked into Koo Self Defense studios back in 1998 I knew I was in shape. For the last 18 months I had been on a program of running and weight training that had trimmed fat and built muscle. I was feeling confident and prepared. After one week of Master Koo�s workouts, I discovered that what I had done before now was to prepare myself to run and lift weights. I had built all the muscles and conditioning necessary to do just exactly those two things, run and lift weights. I was, however, ill prepared for the whole body dynamic workout I got. I was shocked to discover how many areas I was weak in. My old vocabulary of 'max weight' and 'percent incline on the treadmill' was quickly being replaced with words like 'flexibility', 'aerobic / anaerobic endurance', and 'fast twitch muscle fiber building.' I was being introduced to a whole new world of fitness that encompassed so much more than bench presses and stair climbing machines. It was a world of full body, full spectrum conditioning. I was working muscles in new ways, building strength, endurance, tone, flexibility, agility, speed, aerobic capacity, anaerobic capacity, and here�s the best part�� It was fun, and it�s still fun almost five years later. Let me tell you why it is still fun.

First is the relaxed, approachable atmosphere of the place. There are no 'pajama' style martial arts uniforms, just a tee-shirt and shorts emblazoned tastefully with a small Koo Self Defense logo. You can wear a belt to signify your rank if you wish to, but it�s not mandatory. I noticed that most people do not, and I do not wear the black belt I currently hold. I noticed a belt does not make you any better or get you in shape any faster. There are no bare feet or special karate shoes, everyone just wears athletic shoes. The rigid structure of bowing and titles has been reduced greatly, so there is no 'culture shock' for those who are unfamiliar with the structure most martial arts have. KSD is a place to build your mind and body, not learn how to be polite in a whole new fashion.

The next thing is the music. Nearly every gym in America plays music for it�s customers enjoyment. How many martial arts studios have that? Not enough, in my opinion. Master Koo�s custom CDs play during each class. The music ranges from high energy dance music to keep you going during aerobics, to soothing easy listening to relax you during stretching. It helps keep you focused, and keep a smile on your face while you exercise.

But the most important thing, is the workout itself. It begins with a simple warm up that is easy to do, but so important to avoiding strain or injury. Then an aerobic workout, of which there are many varieties. There are workouts that focus on the legs, on the abs, arms, workouts that build timing, jump rope workouts, calisthenics style workouts, and the list goes on. They are all challenging, and they are always changing, staying fresh and interesting. After aerobics comes stretching, but not stretching like you often see. Koo Self Defense stretching is a unique blend of techniques incorporating yoga, hitting all the muscles and joints, and even improving breathing and balance. And finally we come to the meat of the workout, the self defense training. Koo Self Defense teaches full power strikes, punches, and kicks performed on focus mitts and shields. Like the aerobics, there is an ever changing stable of self defense work outs from speed punching drills to stamina kick drills to street self-style defense work outs. Yes, I do mean work outs. The exercise does not stop when the kicking starts. There is no punching in the air or stationary blocking drills. The self defense portion of the class is just as challenging, or even more challenging, than the aerobic portion. It focuses more on anaerobic conditioning, speed, power, agility, grace and footwork in perfect compliment to the aerobic workout. And not only is it a great workout, but you�re learning to defend yourself at the same time, instead of just learning how to push weights into the air, or program the stationary bicycle machine. This article is primarily about the fitness aspect of the program, but allow me to assure you, the self defense training is the best I have ever seen.

I have done martial arts for a long time now, about 18 years in fact. I have trained in Tae Kwon Do, Ishyn Ryu karate, Okinawan Te karate, and even Judo and boxing in college. The way I train is to find the best work out, best martial art, best whatever it is I am looking for, and do that until I find something better. When I find something better, I leave what I was doing and never look back. I have been at Koo Self Defense since 1998, and I am still there. Why? I have yet to find any work out that offers a better challenge, gives better results, is more practical, or is more enjoyable than Koo Self Defense.

Adam Greene, 5 years old appeared on the front page of 'The Bartow Neighbor' on Wednesday, September 4, 2002

The following article appeared in The Daily Tribune's special supplement on 'Health', Thursday February 28, 2002

My training experience at Koo Self Defense by Dr. Russell Pruitt (Surgeon)

Like many people, as the year 2002 approached, I thought about a New Years resolution. It was readily apparent that my physical condition was fading as the years passed. Though I don't have a physically demanding job, the long hours and fast pace had begun to leave me physically exhausted, particularly after a long weekend of call responsibilities. I knew the benefits of regular exercise, but like many, always had excuses not to exercise: "I don't have time", "I 'm too tired", "Exercise is boring".

I had observed Master Roger Koo's self defense classes in the past, but never made the committment to enroll. Then a friend of mine convinced me to give it a try. The first class was a real eye opener. Watch out Billy Blanks, Master Koo's class was turbo Tae-Bo.

The class began easy enough, a few minutes of stretching and light aerobics, then I heard what was to become an often repeated phrase. "This is just the warm-up." The next 15 minutes consisted of a variety of abdominal exercises which left me wondering if I would make it through the rest of the class. Great, still just the rest of the warm-up. The last half of the class consisted of a series of kicking drills. And I don't mean just kicking, I mean KICKING, like that guy that won the Superbowl with the last minute field goal. Kicking like Chuck Norris movies stuck on replay, kicking over and over for 15 minutes until we changed partners and then I became the one holding the pads. My partner in this exercise had been exercising with Master Koo for 3 years and I could feel the power. When he was done, I realized how out of shape I was, I was tired from just holding the shield.

Though exhausting, this first class with Master Koo was the stimulus I needed to get exercising again. Excuse number 3 was definitely out. Boring is one thing you can't say about Koo Self Defense. Every class is different, and every workout improves your strength, endurance and flexibility. The other great thing about Koo Self Defense is the diversity of people in the class. There's me, the soon to be middle aged surgeon, an already middle aged FBI agent (sorry Bob), a self admitted middle aged administrative assistant, construction workers, computer engineers, high school football players, elementary school teachers, and the list goes on and on. Everyone remembers the first day they started, and remarkably, everyone will tell you that they could feel a difference in just a few weeks. Clearly, some are stronger and more flexible than others, but everyone that sticks with it improves, and thats the key. For me, I am most interested in having a sustained aerobic workout, to improve my overall cardiovascular fitness. But at the same time, my upper body strength has improved dramatically and my flexibility has improved as well. For those interested in the self defense aspects, my guess is that this program works. Master Koo doesn't encourage fighting, but the training is designed to give you the ability to defend yourself if needed. The aerobic conditioning alone is of great benefit in self defense. In the words of my favorite movie, "Run Forest, Run!" Few people would be able to keep up with you after several months of conditioning with Master Koo. For the few who did confront you in such a way that you had to fight, the goal is to stop the confrontation in one punch. And from my observation in class over the past 6 weeks, a large percentage of the class could do just that.

So what are the real benefits of regular exercise and why should you consider martial arts or any other exercise program? First, and perhaps most importantly, exercise makes you feel good. From a psychological standpoint, regular exercise improves mental vigor, improves reaction time, and relieves the symptoms of depression and anxiety. An article published in the Archives of Internal Medicine in 1999, suggested that regular exercise may be as beneficial in improving mood as prescription medication. Clearly, exercise has a role in improving our sense of well-being.

Regular exercise also has cardiovascular benefits. If one looks at the leading causes of cardiovascular disease, inactivity ranks up there with smoking, hypercholesterolemia and hypertension. Regular, sustained aerobic activity has been shown to improve cardiac pump function, by increasing the strength of the cardiac muscle and as a consequence of improved pump function, decreasing heart rate. Exercise has also been shown to increase HDL levels, which are the "good" form of cholesterol, while also decreasing the "bad" LDL levels. People with sedentary lifestyles may be as much as 35% more likely to develop hypertension as athletes, while people with active lifestyles have a 45 % lower risk of developing coronary atherosclerotic heart disease. The effects of exercise on stroke prevention are also evident. In one study of 11,000 men, the risk of stoke was reduced by 50% by burning 2000-3000 calories per week by walking briskly 1 hour per day, 5 days per week. The effects of exercise on diabetes are also evident. Exercise increases the bodies sensitivity to insulin, as well as decreases levels of body fat.

All things considered, I would simply encourage you to start exercising and quit making excuses. We all waste 3 or 4 hours every week, and that's all it takes to begin improving the quality of our life. I have certainly seen the change in the past 6 weeks, both physically and mentally. It's certainly not boring, and though you'll be tired the first few classes, it won't be long before you'll have a new sense of vigor which carries over into your everyday life. Don't forget, "This is just the warm-up!"

Natalie Jones, 15 years old, appeared in 'The Bartow Neighbor' on Wednesday, June 20, 2001

The following article appeared in The Daily Tribune's special supplement on 'Health', Wednesday February 28, 2001

Self-defense training also builds fitness by Jay Platt

As I struggled to lift my leg for one more kick, I couldn't help but wonder,"How'd I get myself into this mess?" It was my first day of experiencing Master Roger Koo and his Koo Self Defense first hand, and boy did I learn a lot.

What I've learned over the weeks and months since that first day has literally changed my whole outlook on what it means to be physically fit and prepared to defend oneself. Over the next few minutes, I'd like to share with you some of those lessons. (I don't have the space in this article to do justice to the history of Master Koo and the origins of his fantastic fitness/fighting system. You can learn more about him by viewing his web site at www.ksdi.net, or by visiting him at his world headquarters here in Cartersville.

You're probably wondering by now what this Koo Self Defense is all about. What sort of person undertakes such a program? And what could you possibly learn there? Good questions, all of them. Let's take a look at each.

The students at Master Koo's studio are as diverse as any group you'd find anywhere. Every background is represented. There are men, women, boys and girls of all different races and ethnicities. Some are just getting started on their path of fitness, while others are already in outstanding shape. There are doctors, lawyers, sales people, teachers, etc. He even lets a professional loafer like me train there (actually, I'm a professional speaker and writer).

The great thing about Koo Self Defense is that everyone is challenged according to their own ability. If you're not in the best shape when you begin training, that's OK. You simply push yourself as hard as you feel that you can. You then build from there. Conversely, if you're in better shape, then you'll be challenged too. The training program is designed that way. It gets more difficult as you push yourself harder. And you'll find Master Koo there, leading you all the way.

Other than fitness, what else can you expect to gain from Master Koo? Well, although the great side benefit of the program is that you'll get in tip top physical shape, the primary purpose of his program is to teach you to defend yourself more so than you've ever likely been able to in the past. (It should be noted that first and foremost, Master Koo stresses that one should only fight as a last resort).

The method of defense that Master Koo teaches is based on his over thirty years of experience in the martial arts. He has taken only what works and gotten rid of what does not. For instance, you won't be forced to learn any ancient stances or forms that serve no purpose on the street. You will, however, learn to punch in much the same manner as a boxer. You won't be taught any high flying, ballet like kicks that look pretty but aren't useful. But, you will learn to kick in ways, and with such force, that your opponent will find it virtually impossible to defend against it. Make no mistake about it, this is fighting 101, pure and simple. Master Koo teaches you to defend yourself in the most direct and purposeful manner I've ever witnessed.

The power of his students is unbelievable. Think Mike Tyson. Although my own power doesn't begin to approach his black belts, it has tripled since I began eight months ago. This power is achieved through Master Koo's unique, unheralded system of hitting with full power in each session. There is no punching in the air here (what's that supposed to teach you?). We learn what it feels like to punch or kick an object (we use padded mitts and shields held by a partner) at full power, which in turn develops the muscle strength, endurance, and memory necessary for maximum power later.

All of this together produces what I believe to be the ultimate fitness/fighting system in the world. I feel truly fortunate to have Master Koo as my instructor/coach/mentor. I look forward to training under him for many years to come and invite you to join us. You'll be glad you did!

Jay Platt is a former U.S. Marine Corps gunnery sergeant. In 1998, his military career was prematurely ended due to the diagnosis and subsequent complications of cancer. Despite the partial removal of his left kidney, multiple brain and spinal cord tumors, and the loss of his left eye, he went on the become one of fewer than 300 people to have ever thru-hiked the entire distance of the more than 2,100 mile Appalachian Trail from Maine to Georgia. He is the author of "A Time to Walk: Life Lessons Learned on the Appalachian Trail" and is a popular speaking professional.

KSD article appeared in 'The Bartow Neighbor' on Wednesday, April 5, 2000. Article too wide and long to be scan!

The following article appeared in The Daily Tribune's (Cartersville, Georgia) special supplement on 'Health & Fitness', Sunday February 28, 1999.

Koo Self Defense - A unique training system dedicated to Health, Fitness and Street Self Defense. We live in a revolutionary era where CHANGES are occuring at an accelerating pace. Koo Self Defense (K.S.D) since its inception on February 1, 1992 has undergone numerous changes to its curriculum and continues to evolve. The power level of current members surpasses those of the past. The vast majority of people who join a martial art program do so for a) physical fitness, b) health and c) self defense. Koo Self Defense fulfills these requirements at every single class. Current members range from age four to over fifty-eight.

Training Program Offered:
Koo Self Defense offers two training programs: Regular Street Self Defense - with Belt advancement to Black Belt & beyond or KSD's unique Kick-boxing Aerobics - which has NO Belt system. In both programs, each class lasts for one hour consisting of 25 minutes of Kick-boxing Aerobics, 12 minutes of Yoga/Balance Stretching and 20 minutes of Anaerobic Workout (street self defense drills whereby movements are executed by hitting focus mitts and shields with full power with resistance training, the key factor for power). Occasionally, Master Koo will replace the kick-boxing aerobics with 'Jump Rope' for 15 mins, which can raise the heart rate up to the extreme within one minute depending upon practice. Every student works to their level of fitness. The fitter you are, the harder you can hit the focus mitt and shields. The longer you spend training at KSD, the more the intensity of your workout increases. Koo Self Defense's unique training system has been designed to challenge you for the rest of your life and allows you to go to your limit and beyond. Just like a sprinter, the faster you sprint, the more energy you burn and the muscles in your entire body develop strength and power. Flexibility is an important part of our program which is necessary to prevent injuries especially as our movements are executed very fast with explosive power on focus mitts/shields which allows the body a greater range of motion. The kick-boxing aerobics is packed with a variety of movements at each class with different levels of difficulty which challenge the body. One of our students, Rebecca Rhoden used to teach low/high impact aerobics for 6 years in another State prior to moving to Cartersville, and states in her KSD web page "This is a greater challenge and workout than any aerobic/weight training class has offered. Each time you attend class, it's a challenge. You always leave class knowing that you got the best workout possible. My strength, flexibility and endurance have all improved."

Health, Fitness & Mental Development:
The Benefits of Koo Self Defense Training are: KSD's unique Workout: Aerobic & Anaerobic, Awesome Knock-out Power (as in Boxing), Balance, Concentration, Co-ordination, Endurance, Flexibility (Yoga & Balance Stretching), Mental Focus, Mobility, Muscle Tone, Rhythm, Speed, Stamina Drills, Street Self Defense Drills, Stress Reduction, Strength, Weight Reduction. Character Traits Development: Courtesy, Indomitable Spirit, Integrity, Perseverence, Respect, Self Confidence, Self Control, Self Discipline and Self Esteem. The individual can concentrate on whichever aspect KSD has to offer or on all on them. Master Koo does not condone any type of dieting. He informs his students to eat everything in moderation due to the intensity of KSD workouts. One has to recognize when to stop eating when one is full as the appetite is greater than what the body needs (people are often spoilt by ‘buffet' type eating places.) More often when a student pushes their body to the limit in one of our workouts, a student feels less hungry due to the release of endorphins in the brain as a direct result of the workout.

Street Self Defense:
Martial arts were designed primarily for self defense, are shrouded with the mystique of supernatural power, the death touch and phenomenal feats by martial artists who ought to be in the Olympics breaking world records. Master Koo discovered over the years these events to be untrue and misleading while he was involved in traditional and non-traditional martial arts. Movements that are executed in the 'air' were for refining movements for the 'perfect technique' which would take a life time of perfection and cannot be used on the streets. Martial arts students would then try to apply these techniques in some form of 'sparring' designed for 'tournaments/ competitions' or analyze different street situations which they try to implement these same movements. All over the world regardless of cultures, people 'fist fight' the same way and yet we are told to believe martial arts techniques were employed for thousands of years? The reality of a real street confrontation is unlike what occurs in martial arts studios or in the movies. Have you ever heard of two street fighters getting together to 'spar', polish their techniques/skills and use thousands of techniques? The fact is they use techniques that can be counted on one hand which do not take a lifetime and yet very effective. A typical street confrontation is very simple, and you can see them depicted in programs such as 'Cops' or 'World Scariest/Wildest Videos.' Two ordinary people without any type of physical training get involve in a fight. From the onset, they punch at each other very fast, vigorously and wildly like a machine gun shooting out bullets with no time for blocking and with all the power that they naturally posses. Within 30 seconds, they are both tired and exhausted. They then grab each other and fall to the ground and wrestle for ages as they are both exhausted. However, if one of them is in top physical shape and has been practicing power hitting, the fight is over within seconds as each blow that lands either weakens the other opponent or results in a knockout. In the worst possible scenario, you meet an attacker who is pumped up with drugs such as crack, PCP etc...and feels no pain whatsoever. You can dislocate/break his joints, ribs, legs and choke him and he will still fight because according to his brain he is still intact. You exhaust yourself (as you have not been trained to deliver 'knockout power' which is the only way to stop such an opponent) within the first 30 seconds. Now it's his turn and he has all the time in the world . That's why Master Koo has designed his unique training program, to push oneself to the extreme limit for hitting power, stamina and endurance for such a situation. KSD students work hard for cardiovascular fitness, endurance, power and stamina which can be useful for getting away quickly from a potential dangerous situation without even fighting. Survival is the key and one has to do whatever it takes, from poking eyes, or even biting which means playing dirty. How often have you seen a ‘clean' fight. In all other martial arts too much emphasis is placed upon 'belts' especially the "Black Belt" whereas in KSD there is no emphasis on belts. A belt does not matter on the streets as no one is going to be impressed with the color of the belt. That's why there is no color belt testing in KSD, just belt advancement and there is a rigorous testing requirement for Black Belt and above for those who select the regular KSD program and for those who want to set a certain goal in their training.

Testimonials
Visit our students' web page, links are available from Master Koo's web site www.ksdi.net and see what benefits our students have achieved from our unique training program. Dr. Larry Kjeldgaard, a local orthopedic surgeon who specializes in spinal surgery and has spent most of his adult life devoted to the study of how the body works says, "I can say without reservation that Koo Self Defense works! Master Koo has had the courage to develop his own style of training and fighting based on sound principles of Human Anatomy, Physiology, and Kinesiology. His system is based on what works in the real world (the streets) and not the artificial world of the martial arts studio. His training methods have refined over the years to include the best of Aerobics, Stretching or Flexibility, and Strengthening programs tailored to a martial arts environment. The workout that Master Koo has devised in the one hour training sessions has been well documented by other students. I would like to add that it is the most complete exercise program that I have ever experienced, from both a personal and professional prospective." Dr. Gary A. Haag, Director, Southeast Anesthesia, Cartersville Medical Center states I have done Shotokan and Tae Kwan Do in the past but find I am more effective after a year with Master Koo. In addition, my cardivascular fitness has improved to the point where my resting heart rate is in the high 50's. There are many other students who have benefitted, such as Phil Merulli who has had Hodgkins Disease (Cancer of the Lymphatic System) and who states " KSD gave him a new beginning to a healthier life." Paul Barrett, 57 years old, had high blood pressure and overweight. Within 2 months of training at KSD, he lost over 10 lbs. and his blood pressure has been reduced drastically. He is fitter that he used to be and feels more energetic in his daily life. The key is to work within your own limitations and improve upon them as one challenges oneself.

Martial Arts Background:
Master Roger Koo, the Founder of Koo Self Defense International has been in the martial arts for over 30 years and accumulated a wealth of experience in both traditional and non-traditional martial arts. He has attained numerous awards and high ranking positions in various martial arts organizations. From his wealth of experience, he has produced a unique street self defense martial arts training system that is unequaled in terms of total body workout, physical fitness, knockout punches, devastating kicking power and street self defense.

Information:
Further information on Koo Self Defense and its achievements, visit our award winning web site www.ksdi.net and links to other KSD web sites around the world. Visit our studio at 41 Public Square, Downtown Cartersville, or call Master Koo on 770-386-5878. More articles coming...

This article appeared in "The Daily Tribune Newspaper" on Tuesday, March 1, 1994

This article appeared in "The Daily Tribune Newspaper" on Friday, June 24, 1994

KSD article appeared in 'The Bartow Neighbor' on Wednesday, April 5, 2000. Article too wide and lon to be scan!

This article on Koo Self Defense appeared in "The Daily Tribune Newspaper" on Monday, June 9, 2003

This article "The Art of War" appeared in "The Bartow Neighbor" on Wednesday, September 22, 2004

Photo of Kimberly Castillo and Brandon Rice appeared in The Bartow Neighbor Newspaper, Wednesday, January 4, 2006

Photo of Chris Kattner 17 yrs old kicking Matthew Baxter 15 yrs old which appeared in The Bartow Neighbor Newspaper, Wednesday, September 6, 2006