The Dragon Gym Tae Kwon Do Training Program
For many years Grand Master Chae T Goh has been developing the Dragon Gym Martial Arts System, a system he created based on over 50 years of Tae Kwon Do, Karate, and Hapkido experience. In 2005 he handed over and entrusted this system with his students: Somnath Sikdar, Lonnie Beck, and Chris Taylor. Grand Master Goh personally trained the three of them since childhood and they hold over 70 years of combined experience.
The Dragon Gym Martial Arts System is not limited to one style or discipline. Our children's program is based on the curriculum of traditional Tae Kwon Do, Tang Soo Do (Korean Karate), and Hapkido but also incorporates the important aspects of Kick Boxing and Gracie Jiu Jitsu. Children may also choose to specialize in Olympic style taekwondo and/or brazilian jiu jitsu. Most of our tae kwon do students are from the Downingtown Area School District, but we have many from the west chester area school district as well.
Our adult students choose to study Traditional Martial Arts (a unique blend of tae kwon do, hapkido and boxing) with Master Sikdar, Muay Thai with Master Beck or Brazilian Jiu Jitsu / Gracie Jiu Jitsu with Instructor Chris Taylor. Many of the adult students cross-train.
Students Learn:
- Self-Defense
- Self- Confidence
- Concentration Techniques
- Meditation Techniques
- Tradition
- Philosophy of the martial artist
- Benefits of the Dragon Gym Martial Arts System
The Dragon Gym system provides mental and physical training to enhance one's personal life, family life and standing in the community. At the Dragon Gym we train the mind and body together in the Martial Arts.
Goals for our Students:
- Knowing the right way
- Leading by example at home, school, and in the community
- Displaying respect, humility, compassion and generosity
- Having a strong, healthy body
- Developing cardiovascular endurance, muscular stamina and ideal body weight
- Defending Self, Family and Country
Martial Arts trains the physical body by exercising the muscles, bones and joints. As you learn and perform the martial arts techniques you will condition the body, increase stamina and develop endurance. Through consistent training and eating healthy, you will control your weight.
Martial Arts trains the mental aspect by exercising the mind to choose the right way. The correct way for the Dragon Gym student is to choose to provide leadership, exhibit humbleness, to show respect and possess good manners.
Dragon Gym Facilities
The Dragon Gym is truly one of the largest and best equipped Martial Arts / Fitness Centers and Tae Kwon Do studios in the entire country. The gym consists of 10,000 square feet of training area which is covered by top of the line dollamur tatami mats. This mat serves two purposes: protection during training and proper balance training.
There is also a 1500 square foot strength training area. The area provides a full set of Olympic Weights, barbells dumbbells, power lifting rack and russian kettlebells.
In addition, we offer separate men's and women's dressing rooms, each with their own shower and restroom facilities.
The school's second story has an observation deck from which parents can see the entire training area and watch their children in the Tae Kwon Do Classes.
We also have a 1000 square feet yoga studio.
Head Instructors
Our team of over 20 instructors is the finest anywhere in the world. Each instructor is highly qualified and experienced. It is each instructors primary goal to provide you with a sage, fun and educational martial arts training program.
The instructional staff is lead by Master Somnath Sikdar (5th Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do) and Master Lonnie Beck (4th Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do).
Class Schedule
Classes at the Dragon Gym are scheduled to fit everyone's needs. Evening classes as well as morning, lunchtime and saturday classes, are available for you and your family to attend. Group and private lessons are also available.
Who is Master Somnath Sikdar
Master Somnath Sikdar is the Head Instructor at the Dragon Gym and has been training in Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido for over 25 years under Grandmaster Chae Teok Goh. He is currently a Fifth degree black belt and is certified by the World Taekwondo Headquarters (Kukkiwon). His training has covered a broad spectrum of martial arts to include a variety of weapons, self-defense, traditional and sport Tae Kwon Do. He has also studied Hapkido under Grandmaster Han Jae Ji.
In conjunction with martial arts, he instructs training with the Russian Kettlebell, and holds the Level 1 RKC and Level 1 SFG Certifications. While the focus of kettlebell and barbell training is strength, the other side of the same coin is function and quality of movement. For this reason, Master Sikdar uses the functional movement screen with his students and is a Level 1 and Level 2 certified FMS expert.
Master Sikdar has competed successfully in local, state, and collegiate tournaments. In addition, he continues to study western boxing, Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He has attained a BSE in Electrical Engineering, along with minors in Systems Science and Economics, from the University of Pennsylvania. While completing this degree he was the President, Head Instructor, and Coach of the University of Pennsylvania WTF Tae Kwon Do Team.
Master Sikdar still coaches competitive Taekwondo athletes and is an active advisor to the UPENN WTFTKD Team and the West Chester University Taekwondo Team.
Who is Master Lonnie Beck
Master Lonnie Beck began his training at Dragon Gym in 1990 at the age of ten. Since then he has trained directly under Grandmaster Chae T. Goh and Master Somnath Sikdar in Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido and has earned the rank of 4th Degree Black Belt. In addition to his traditional training, Master Lonnie has also trained extensively in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu where he has earned the rank of Purple Belt in addition to his years of experience in Muay Thai kickboxing under the auspice of Angel Cartegena and others. He has also traveled to Thailand to train as a student at the exclusive Rawai Muay Thai Camp in Phuket.
Master Lonnie is the head instructor of Dragon Gym’s Pee Wee Program, Junior Black Belt’s, Junior Elite/Instructor Program and the Dragon Gym Muay Thai Program. His passion for teaching is evident each and every class and students can always expect to be welcomed into the group like family no matter the program they are interested in.
Who is Head Instructor Chris Taylor
Head Instructor Chris Taylor has been a part of the Dragon Gym family since and has been involved in teaching for two decades. He has had the opportunity to train and learn directly from Grandmaster Goh and in turn has adopted his effective teaching style. In 2008 he received a commendation from Kukkiwon (World Taekwondo Headquarters) for his efforts on teaching and spreading Tae Kwon Do in the United States. Instructor Chris is the head instructor for the Dragon Gym Junior Program. He also works with students in the Junior-Elite program specializing in Jiu-Jitsu. With the Martial Arts Curriculum, Chris emphasizes Self-Control and Responsibility and the value of these virtues to build a better life and a better society.
In addition to 2nd Degree Black Belts in Taekwondo & Hapkido, Chris holds a Purple Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He continues to study various martial arts including Gracie Jiu-Jitsu with the world-renowned Miglarese Brothers and Filipino Martial Arts with Guro Phil Matedne. He also consults on defensive tactics to various law enforcement and private security outfits.
Contact Us
Dragon Gym Martial Arts & Fitness
610-363-7575
