Master Jay Lee, front left, and teacher Ben Garretson, front right, celebrate with Rosalinas after she earned a white stripe belt at the end of last school year. Courtesy photo

SHEPHERDSTOWN — Jay Lee anticipates seeing a rise in enrollment over the next month for his business, Jong Hap Mu Sool (JHMS) Martial Arts, as tends to happen around this time every year.

Lee believes this increase in enrollment is largely related to school being back in session, as families are finished with their summer vacations and are ready to get back into the swing of a regular routine.

“The time that we see the largest increase in enrollment is usually the month of September every year,” Lee said. “Our main program, which involves many different kinds of martial arts, is the one that attracts the most students.”

JHMS has four different programs, which are open to those of all experience levels: Taekwondo, Little Tiger Mixed Martial Arts for ages 3-5, Junior Mixed Martial Arts for ages 6-11 and Adult Mixed Martial Arts for those 12-and-up. Each program is carefully crafted to meet the needs of the particular age groups and individuals that are enrolled in them.

“Our adult martial arts classes are designed to improve flexibility, balance, endurance and strength, while teaching self-defense techniques,” Lee said. “Our [children’s] classes are fun, but are also very structured. Students are taught self-discipline, respect and self-control, in an engaging and welcoming environment.”

The business has two locations in the Eastern Panhandle. Lee founded JHMS Martial Arts in 2004 out of its Jefferson County location, 7670 Martinsburg Pike in Shepherdstown. Its second location, in Berkeley County, was opened in 2016 at 1317 Edwin Miller Boulevard in Martinsburg.

“JHMS first opened in Shepherdstown in the summer of 2004,” Lee said. “We have been teaching children, teenagers and adults for 20 years.

“We are a traditional martial arts school, so we focus on the martial artist’s character as a person. Students attending JHMS are encouraged to strive to the best of their abilities in three main areas: in the studio, at school and at home,” Lee said. “The foundation of JHMS is rooted in core traditional values of respect, humility, honesty, trust and loyalty. Each of these has a distinct definition, but their application will be unique to everyone.”

Making it to the school’s 20th anniversary was only possible through hard work and determination, on the parts of Lee and his staff member, Ben Garretson, who teaches some of JHMS’s classes. Lee attributes the longevity of his business to having a consistent presence in the community and ensuring students receive an excellent educational experience, which often leads to word-of-mouth marketing from the families of students.

“Our customer base is local,” Lee said. “The main ways we reach more people is through those who drive by our location or by customer recommendations.”

To learn more about JHMS, visit https://www.jonghapmusool.com/, email jonghapmusool@gmail.com or call 304-876-0288.