It is our mission to preserve and promote the original and traditional techniques, practices, philosophy, and principles of the martial art known as Tang Soo Do, and to create a training environment that not only focuses on intense physical training, discipline, and respect (Moo Do), but which also fosters creativity and character development (Ryu Pa) by recognizing the human need to achieve "freedom" through the development of the human spirit (Moo Do Shim Gung).

Master Gene Garbowsky and all Black Belts at South Hills Karate Academy are members of the Tang Soo Do Martial Way Association headed by Grandmaster Ah Po. We strive to offer our students “The Absolute Best in Martial Arts Instruction” in a fun and safe family environment!

Every class is closely supervised by Master Gene Garbowsky

Safety of our students is our #1 priority

We strive to preserve Tang Soo Do as a traditional martial art

The Moo Duk Kwan founded by late Grandmaster Hwang Kee was one of five original Martial Arts schools founded in Korea.  South Hills Karate Academy can trace it’s lineage back to the original Moo Duk Kwan through it’s Instructor Master Gene Garbowsky (#26272) and back through his instructor, Grandmaster Andy Ah Po (#10187).

In the year 2000, Grand Master Ah Po was promoted to the 8th Degree Black Belt ranking by Grand Master Hwang Kee of the Korean Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan Association, thus making him only one of 5 individuals who were actually promoted to that Dan rank by the late Grandmaster Hwang Kee. In 2002 Grandmaster Ah Po was awarded 9th Dan by members of the Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan Association making him one of only a handful of Tang Soo Do Grandmaster awarded this prestigious rank in Tang Soo Do.