Instructors

Tony began his training in Kuk Sool Won while serving in the U.S. Air Force. In 1982 he tested for 1st degree black belt in Kunsan, Korea. He has had the unique opportunity to have been taught by over twenty different Kuk Sool instructors and masters. He currently trains under the founder's eldest son, Master Sung Jin Suh. Tony enjoys all aspects of the comprehensive system of Kuk Sool Won, but specializes in edged weapons and powerful hand striking techniques.

Gold Country Kuk Sool Won is truly a family martial arts school. Students range in age from 2 to 83. Tony firmly believes that the etiquette, patience, self-discipline, and perseverance that are developed through martial arts training will help all Kuk Sool students in their daily lives. The positive environment of Gold Country Kuk Sool Won affects every student that trains there.

Tony founded Personal Safety Training (P.S.T.) and has been contracted by Yuba, Sutter, Placer, and Sacramento counties to teach county health care workers self-defense and techniques to diffuse hostile situations.

Tony has owned and operated Kuk Sool schools in Wheatland, Beale Air Force Base, Yuba City, Placerville, and Eldorado Hills before turning them over to personally trained black belts. One of his life goals is to help grow Kuk Sool Won in Northern California and provide communities with the finest martial arts training.

2010 marks the 16th anniversary of Gold Country Kuk Sool Won, where he focuses his energy and teaching. Tony was promoted to 5th degree black belt (master level instructor) in Pusan, Korea in October 2005 and is currently testing for 6th degree black belt.

Lila Reyna has been training in Kuk Sool Won for 13 years and in February 2007 was promoted to 2nd degree black belt. She is currently in the testing process for 3rd degree black belt. Lila enjoys all comprehensive aspects of Kuk Sool Won, with special interest focusing on forms, ki energy healing, and women's self-defense. As a mother of three, the family atmosphere of Kuk Sool Won enables her to incorporate this training into her family's daily life.

Lila founded Action Awareness Training (AAT), a multi-level self-defense program with emphasis on women's empowerment, personal safety prevention, self-awareness, and healing for survivors of criminal assault. Recent clients of Action Awareness Training include WestAmerica Bank, Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalition, Girl Scouts, Sierra College, International Nanny Association and Nevada County School District.

Lila is the award-winning author of Quiet Mind, Warrior Spirit: Conscious Self-Defense for Everyday Life. For upcoming self-defense books and training classes, visit www.LilaReyna.com.

Virgil Ines has been training 19 years in Kuk Sool Won and was promoted to 4th degree black belt in 2009. Virgil is known for his etiquette, his precision, and his interest in intense physical training. He enjoys all aspects of Kuk Sool Won, but is particularly interested in the development of internal energy, and in channeling that energy to add power to techniques and forms.

Virgil and his wife, Laura, met in Kuk Sool 16 years ago and they continue to enjoy training together. He was awarded Black Belt of the Year in 2000.

Virgil is a tile contractor of 25 years and owns Artistic Tile.

Richard originally wanted his son to learn a martial art and after observing him in Kuk Sool class Richard decided to start training. Fifteen years later he is a 3rd degree black belt, while his daughter is a second degree and his wife and son are both first degree black belts. Richard enjoys teaching class because of the positive changes seen within the students of Kuk Sool Won. There is something for everyone to specialize in. His preference is the sword and sparring. In 2002, Richard was awarded Black Belt of the Year.

Richard is a practicing doctor of chiropractic for the past 31 years with an office in San Francisco. His current project is designing and manufacturing a new type of ergokinetic chair. The web site for this new chair is www.spinalglide.com.

Randall has been training in Kuk Sool Won since 1995 and was promoted to 3rd degree black belt in May 2010. He feels like training in Kuk Sool Won helps keep his body and mind sharp. Randall feels that teaching improves his Kuk Sool and seeing the students grow and excel is very rewarding. He enjoys helping the students prepare for tournaments and has made many great friends. Randall was 2nd Degree Black Belt Grand Champion at the 2009 Pacific Coast Tournament and he was awarded Black Belt of the Year in 2003.

Randall is the owner/operator of Yun Environmental Design. They do soil testing and design work for residential and commercial sewage disposal systems.

Joe started practicing Kuk Sool Won in 1997 with his wife and four children. Instructors used to joke that when the six Figueiras showed up, their family by itself was a whole class.

Joe and his oldest son, Nick, were promoted to 1st degree black belt in 2002. Joe went on to receive his 2nd degree black belt in 2007 and is currently testing for 3rd degree black belt. Joe comes from a family of teachers and finds teaching very rewarding. It forces him to break things down into very simple terms, and in doing so, he ends up learning new things all the time. Joe's favorite aspect of teaching is to help shy students feel good about themselves and develop self confidence. Joe was awarded Black Belt of the Year in 2005.

Joe is a Painting Contractor who started his company, Paint Magic Painting Service, in 1995

Kamryn has been training in Kuk Sool Won for eight years and is currently testing for 2nd degree black belt. Kamryn enjoys all aspects of Kuk Sool Won; she is especially interested in weapons training and techniques involving joint locks and pressure points. She also believes that learning Nak Bups (how to fall properly to avoid injury) is an essential part of training because it can be applied to many situations in life. Kamyrn was awarded 2008 Black Belt of the Year. Kamryn was also the Women's 1st Degree Black Belt Grand Champion at the 2009 Pacific Coast Tournament.

Kamryn is a full time student at Sierra College and provides childcare for families with children ages newborn to ten years old.