In Business Since 1971 | 61 Years of Experience
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Home to a Renowned Martial Artist in the Indianapolis Metro Area
At OMAC, martial arts is our legacy. Under the esteemed guidance of Senior Grandmaster Young Pyo Choi, a renowned martial artist in the Indianapolis metro area, we cultivate a community offering an unparalleled martial arts journey rooted in decades of tradition and expertise.
The Saga of Master Choi
Tapping into Ancient Traditions
Senior Grandmaster Young Pyo Choi, an 8th Dan Master, has honed his craft with over 60 years in the martial arts arena. His expertise encompasses a rich variety of disciplines, including Song Moo Kwan and Moogong Ryu styles of Tae Kwon Do, Sip Pal Gi style of Kung Fu, HapKido, Tae Guk Kwan style of Tai Chi, and mastery over 20 different weapons.
Master Choi is also a Kimoodo healing arts practitioner. His emphasis as a martial arts master is developing people as human beings. He also teaches meditation to his students.
Resilient Beginnings for a Martial Arts Legend
Master Choi was born in 1948 in the mountains of North Korea near Heung Nam. During the Korean War, his family migrated to South Korea. Over two million civilians were killed in the war, and after the war, there was a lot of civil unrest and conflict. At this point, Master Choi learned that it took hard work and dedication to overcome obstacles and establish himself.
His journey from survival to martial arts mastery began when his black belt uncle instilled in him the martial arts essentials for self-defense. Master Choi's resilience was forged through the flames of adversity, cultivating the iron will he instills in every student.
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A Lifetime of Learning and Teaching
Martial Mastery Through Traditional Roots
Master Choi's prowess was significantly deepened with his tutelage under Supreme Grandmaster Byung Jik Ro, the founder of the Song Moo Kwan (Pine Tree) tradition of Tae Kwon Do. From grueling sessions in subzero climates to dedicated instruction with the ROK Marines, his journey epitomizes the tireless pursuit of martial arts mastery.
Along the way, he encountered an expert in the Sip Pal Gi style of Kung Fu, and the two agreed to teach each other everything they knew about their own martial arts skills. They practiced consistently, sometimes outside in subzero temperatures. Eventually, Young Pyo Choi also gained the status of Master in this style of Kung Fu.
Along the way, he encountered an expert in the Sip Pal Gi style of Kung Fu, and the two agreed to teach each other everything they knew about their own martial arts skills. They practiced consistently, sometimes outside in subzero temperatures. Eventually, Young Pyo Choi also gained the status of Master in this style of Kung Fu.
A Path Set in Motion: The Beginnings
In 1971, Grandmaster Joon Pyo Choi, Master Choi's older brother, moved to the US to teach Tae Kwon Do. This significant event catalyzed Master Choi's preparation for a life dedicated to martial arts, undergoing physically intensive sessions for up to five or six hours a day. His unyielding dedication and sparse resources led him to adopt simple attire: a black uniform, sneakers, and a towel around his neck.
A Mastery Woven from Various Styles
Master Choi extended his martial skills beyond Tae Kwon Do, delving into HapKido and Tae Guk Kwan style of Tai Chi. He found a profound connection with the principles of Kimoodo (the Way of Martial Arts Energy), emphasizing holistic well-being in all areas of life.
Over the years, Master Choi forged his Moojung style of Chongbong (long staff) and Kumbop (sword) techniques, earning recognition as Moojung–the Honesty Style, for his emphasis on rightness and correctness in the development of human character.
Over the years, Master Choi forged his Moojung style of Chongbong (long staff) and Kumbop (sword) techniques, earning recognition as Moojung–the Honesty Style, for his emphasis on rightness and correctness in the development of human character.
An Unconventional Martial Artist in the Indianapolis Metro Area
Those acquainted with Master Choi have also marveled at his artistic prowess. From unique art graphics adorning his schools and training materials to his masterful handling of the flute, his martial arts training facilitated concentration and coordination, enabling him to become a National Champion tennis player and cultivate a successful career as a teaching golf professional.
The Founding of OMAC
In 1974, Master Choi arrived in the US to join his brother, who had established a martial arts school in Columbus, OH. Together with Grandmaster Ho Kim and others, the brothers founded OMAC.
The school, steeped in the Moogong Ryu (Guardian of the Peace) style of the Song Moo Kwan tradition, was built on nurturing balanced and well-rounded individuals intent on contributing to a better society. This endeavor blossomed over the years, producing national, Pan American, and Olympic champions under the Choi brothers' guidance.
The school, steeped in the Moogong Ryu (Guardian of the Peace) style of the Song Moo Kwan tradition, was built on nurturing balanced and well-rounded individuals intent on contributing to a better society. This endeavor blossomed over the years, producing national, Pan American, and Olympic champions under the Choi brothers' guidance.
A Record of Exemplary Demonstrations and Recognition
Grandmaster Choi has been renowned for his captivating martial arts demonstrations, often involving slicing a watermelon on the stomach of a volunteer student. He has been named "Best Master's Demonstration" at many martial arts events, including exhibitions at Madison Square Garden in New York City and the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. He has received many awards for his performances, including the “Best Master's Demonstration” by the Governor of Ohio at the Arnold Schwarzenegger Battle of Columbus, and has appeared on a number of TV shows. Grandmaster Choi is one of the few grandmasters still doing martial arts demonstrations.
Expanding the OMAC Legacy to Indianapolis
In 1983, Master Choi moved to Indianapolis to extend the influence of the OMAC system. Starting from humble beginnings, Master Choi labored tirelessly to refine the Moogong Ryu style. He supervises three schools with over 300 active students, yielding many state champions. In 1985, he introduced the Battle of Indianapolis Open Martial Arts Tournament, which has since become Indiana's largest martial arts competition.
Advocate of Martial Arts for Children
Master Choi firmly believes in the transformational power of martial arts for children. He has consistently expressed interest in the benefits of martial arts for children, often saying that there are no masters or instructors without the new students to inherit our traditions.
At OMAC, we give back to society by producing positive, contributing community members. We do that by teaching children patience, persistence, self-control, and respect.
At OMAC, we give back to society by producing positive, contributing community members. We do that by teaching children patience, persistence, self-control, and respect.
A Joint Venture in Martial Arts and Gymnastics
In 1992, Master Choi married Nam Mi Park, a widely respected gymnast from Korea. Nam Mi Park won over 10 national gold medals in gymnastics with grace and agility. She has gone on to become a gymnastics instructor and head of the Physical Education program at Kongju National University in Korea. Nam Mi Park is also the Director of the Korean Women’s Gymnastics Association.
Recognized for her agility, grace, and gold-medal performances, she now holds key roles in Korean gymnastics and serves as an international gymnastics referee, including at the Olympic Games in Atlanta, GA.
Recognized for her agility, grace, and gold-medal performances, she now holds key roles in Korean gymnastics and serves as an international gymnastics referee, including at the Olympic Games in Atlanta, GA.
Master Choi's Unique Training Style
Master Choi has crafted a distinct teaching style that embodies the Martial Arts Spirit. He nurtures his students mentally and physically, guiding them toward understanding martial arts as a lifestyle and becoming more positive. He advocates martial arts as a tool for self-improvement and personal development.
His teaching style effectively develops his students' martial arts mental and physical skills. He demonstrates the correct standards, guides his students step by step, and emphasizes discovering for themselves.
Master Choi is a keen observer of character, and his philosophy is often expressed in analogies rather than instant answers. He uses the example of someone tasting salt for the first time and teaching someone how to climb a tree before picking an apple at the top so they will truly appreciate doing it for themselves.
His message to his students focuses on the goal and how to get there rather than answering all the questions directly. Through persistent practice and personal experience, students learn the centeredness and balance of martial arts as a way of life as they become more positive.
His teaching style effectively develops his students' martial arts mental and physical skills. He demonstrates the correct standards, guides his students step by step, and emphasizes discovering for themselves.
Master Choi is a keen observer of character, and his philosophy is often expressed in analogies rather than instant answers. He uses the example of someone tasting salt for the first time and teaching someone how to climb a tree before picking an apple at the top so they will truly appreciate doing it for themselves.
His message to his students focuses on the goal and how to get there rather than answering all the questions directly. Through persistent practice and personal experience, students learn the centeredness and balance of martial arts as a way of life as they become more positive.
Grandmaster Choi as a Community Gem
Grandmaster Young Pyo Choi is the paradigm of a well-rounded martial artist, both mentally and physically, a fact reflected in his life and his students' achievements. Indianapolis is fortunate to have Grandmaster Choi as a valuable community resource, and his influence is deeply felt in the martial arts community in the United States.
Grandmaster Choi emphasizes martial arts as a means to develop ourselves as human beings and continually strives to improve his skills and abilities as a martial artist and person. He models the characteristics of patience, persistence, concentration, and respect that he would have his students develop.
This focus on developing his students as leaders in martial arts sets the tone for OMAC. Grandmaster Choi makes it clear that Moo Do is the way of not having to fight, nurturing positive internal and external energy, and allowing individuals to live in harmony and peace. His students are fortunate to have him as their Master to guide their mental and physical development in the Martial Arts Spirit.
If you have questions about our martial arts expert, don’t hesitate to contact us today.
Grandmaster Choi emphasizes martial arts as a means to develop ourselves as human beings and continually strives to improve his skills and abilities as a martial artist and person. He models the characteristics of patience, persistence, concentration, and respect that he would have his students develop.
This focus on developing his students as leaders in martial arts sets the tone for OMAC. Grandmaster Choi makes it clear that Moo Do is the way of not having to fight, nurturing positive internal and external energy, and allowing individuals to live in harmony and peace. His students are fortunate to have him as their Master to guide their mental and physical development in the Martial Arts Spirit.
If you have questions about our martial arts expert, don’t hesitate to contact us today.