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~ Traditional Tae Kwon Do, conditioning, and character development ~
Master Shawn Francis
Master Shawn Francis first discovered Tae Kwon Do as an after school activity that
was offered at his elementary school in October 1979. A member of Choi’s Institute
of Tae Kwon Do taught a two-
In 1988 Master Francis joined a Tae Kwon Do club at San Jose State University sponsored by Choi’s Institute of Tae Kwon Do where his best friends were members. He later started training at the Headquarters studio under Grand Master Choi. After five years of training, Master Francis obtained his 1st Dan.
Master Francis met his wife, Yong Nan Choi, at the studio. She was working as the studio’s secretary while waiting for graduate school to start. Master Francis also made many close, trusted friends at the studio. Master Francis credits Tae Kwon Do with shaping who he became as an adult. It helped shape his character and life beliefs. It helped cement a strong ethical foundation and the belief life is about treating others well and helping our fellow man.
Master Francis’ philosophy of instruction was developed by understanding a principle
taught by Grand Master Choi: Basics are the foundation of a good martial artist.
With them, a person can build their bodies into strong machines capable of mastering
all Tae Kwon Do techniques. Without them, a person will never achieve his/her true
potential in Tae Kwon Do. Master Francis currently teaches a children’s class on
Friday evenings where he works on building strong basics techniques in our studio’s
young adult senior belts. His two children now train at our studio. He can also
be found helping with testing at Choi’s Tae Kwon Do Scotts Valley, where his sister-
