Hello Master Ehnle,

I ran across your website via an article written on ethics in martial arts schools. I just wanted to say it was a great article. I am an aspiring school owner who is trying to stand behind everything you pointed out. It's really inspiring to see you have been open so long and have achieved success running a school like a school rather than a business. 
I come from a kind of mixed background as far as industry standards go. From training in a small kung fu school in a basement in Brooklyn to a more commercial oriented school in Kansas City. I ran a school here in KC for many years before I was finally kicked out for refusing to sue a student for a contract amount after his father was deported. It was the last straw if you will. I had a reputation for canceling contracts and attending seminars to further my understanding of what I was trying to teach, then getting chewed out for it by the "master". Many of my students got together and essentially demanded I open a school and I did. I also ran across a true instructor in the art I practice who has really expanded my knowledge in my style. Been going for about a year now and while things are definitely tight I seem to be slipping by with a slow rate of growth that keeps the doors open and the lights on. 

Anyway thanks for the article I hope more people take the time to read it if they are looking for a martial arts school. 

Chris Hutchings
Chuan Fa Martial Arts Academy
chuanfaacademy.com

( great email, thank you!).....  Proof that magazine ads are just that..............magazine ads....  they do not make a Grandmaster or any other martial artist for that matter. Substance, skill, ethics and integrity are what makes a martial artist and most of us can see right through the smoke and mirrors.........
 

Hello Master Ehnle,

You may not remember me but I was in ICHF and left organization about 2
years ago after some differences with GM Pellegrini. I wanted to discuss
with him some ideas on a seminar where I live in NC, and the only thing he
wanted to talk about was how much it costs and what his requirements were to
put on the seminar. Most of our conversations although starting on martial
arts ended in money talk. I was not impressed. Sorry, if you still have ties
to him you may not like what I am saying but to each is own. I thought you
were a fine respectable martial artist though and could not help to take a
second look when I saw your name on the World Hapkido site as a new
 member in which I also joined after leaving Pellegrini. I think Master Choe's
techniques are awesome and the way he teaches reminds me of when I was in
Aikido. He takes a few categories of techniques Boo Chae, Hei Jun , Pal Kum
Chi , etc... and shows several ways to defend using those in which I think
is a much better way to teach and learn Hapkido. Aikido uses this same
principle. Anyway I just thought I would send you a note and hope that
everything is going well. Maybe I will see you again in the future at a
World Hapkido seminar.

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Hello,

   I am interested in joining your organization. I am a 4th Dan Hapkido, 4th Dan Taekwondo, Guro in Kali~Silat, and a Blue Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. I have become disgusted with the politics of many of the bigger name Hapkido organizations. I am sure you have as well. Currently, I am stationed in Korea and it's not much better here. As a career Soldier, I have been assigned as a Combatives Instructor both at the basic training level and at the unit level. I have certified over 150 Drill Sergeants and 2500 Soldiers in Hand to Hand Combat. I have used Combatives recently in Iraq, and know that they work.

The Korean Hapkido Federation is fragmented with several big name GM's fighting for position since there have been some changes in leadership here as well in the states. The GM I have been training with here has shared that information with me. They are not sure that it will get better either.

I feel that I would be able to offer something to your organization as well as you offering me a home to rally my students around. Please send information on school charter, gup and dan rank test requirements, etc.

Thank you in advance,

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Hello Master Ehnle, 

  It has been a long while since I last emailed you.  It may have been a few years ago.  How are you doing?

  I have been out of training for a few years due to work scheduling and health problems.  I plan on resuming my training the first of the new year.

   I just recently checked out the ICHF web page and noticed some changes.  Two of which concerned me.  I noticed that you and Pedro Rodriquez were no longer listed.  Have you broken away from the ICHF?  I lost contact with people in the association and was not aware of these changes.  It disappoints me to know I may never get the opportunity to train with you. I have admired you for a long while, and have always had a strong interest in pressure points.  I have trained with Pedro several times and was very impressed with his knowledge and skill.

   In any case, I just wanted to say hello and maybe we will someday meet and train together.

(Name Withheld for Privacy)
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