Martial Arts Institute Socorro
ESTABLISHED 2023
We are a black belt couple dedicated to improving the lives of our students through the practice of martial arts.
MAIS’ roots were planted in 2022 when black belt partners Elric Padilla and Misty Millhorn began a martial arts club to provide a venue for their local community to learn and practice self defense.
Because the club was so well-received, they founded the Martial Arts Institute, Socorro in 2023, offering self defense classes and promoting wellness to a broader audience. Some students even travel to Socorro from hours away to study with Padilla Kyosahnim and Millhorn Kyosahnim.
Advancing through their martial arts journey of self discovery together has blessed them with a special and solid bond that seamlessly flows into partnering as instructors and co-creating a sacred practice space in their new dojang.
◘ Tae Kwon Do Moo Duk Kwan Kukkiwon*
◘ World Hapkido Chun Ki Do Association
*The Kukkiwon is recognized worldwide as the only official rank issuing body. The Kukkiwon certifies tae kwon do schools known as dojangs. This certification ensures that all instructors at the dojang have teaching credentials issued from the Kukkiwon. Only students taught by credentialed instructors can be issued rank in tae kwon do.
A black belt certificate from the Kukkiwon is comparable to a Harvard degree in academia. The legitimacy of our particular dojang is evidenced by our credentials and our honored ability to issue Kukkiwon certificates and rank.
KYOSAHNIM
[kee-YOH-sah-neem]
noun: first or second degree
black belt instructor
Socorro has been Elric’s stomping ground since birth. In 2013, he kicked off his black belt journey with his first tae kwon do class at the invitation of Grandmaster Maiga, a doctor of geology at New Mexico Tech, who, for over thirty years, taught many forms of martial arts in Socorro including tae kwon do, karate, aikido, bushido, and goshin juitsu. Elric was immediately, favorably impressed by his positive ways, the self defense movements, and discipline. He had never experienced anything like it!
Elric has cultivated his other passion, the guitar, since the young age of seven and plays an eclectic variety of music from classic, alternative, and hard rock to classical blues, country jazz, and Spanish guitar from a wide range of eras.
When he’s not jamming with Misty, his partner and co-instructor, you can find him in the kitchen whipping up world cuisine, especially around the holidays.
A few things he loves about his home of Socorro is the convenience of small town living where everything is right down the road and the enthusiastic response of the community to martial arts.
”What I love about teaching is the joy of being able to help others. It's an honor and a blessing!”
elric
padilla
“I'm so grateful to have the opportunity to train with Grandmaster Walker.
He is the most captivating and sincere Grandmaster that we could have hoped to find and learn from ...
a true example!”
— PADILLA kyosahnim —
MISTY MILLHORN
Misty is an Arizona native whose physical fitness journey ignited when she became a personal trainer and group fitness instructor in the Phoenix Metro and East Valley for 10 years.
Her study of martial arts began 7 years ago when she accompanied her partner - and now co-instructor - Elric Padilla, to the acclaimed Martial Arts Institute in Santa Fe so he could attend classes.
Though she didn’t intend to participate, Grandmaster Daniel Walker encouraged her to join in, explaining that women and children are more frequently targeted and have more need to protect themselves.
She recognized the truth of his words and gave it a shot. She’s been hooked ever since and earned black belts in both Hapkido and Tae Kwon Do.
Martial arts isn’t merely her passion – it has become her greatest weapon in combatting several chronic health conditions. Her studies continue to give her the strength needed each day to enjoy a higher quality of life. Her ability not only to overcome but thrive in spite of these obstacles inspires students experiencing similar challenges.
Misty’s other joy includes music. She plays bass and guitar and performs vocally, oftentimes with Elric, who also plays guitar.
“Grandmaster Walker is a true, living legend! He is a master in his craft, spending 60 years, studying multiple Martial Art Disciplines.
He has shown me true direction in life and is an excellent mentor and example.
His integrity and honesty make him one of a kind and I am truly blessed to have him as my Grandmaster!”
— MILLHORN KYOSAHNIM —
lineage
The intergenerational gift of widsom
the lineage of each MARTIAL ART transcends the physical techniques, acting as a cornerstone of tradition and cultural heritage
GRANDMASTER DANIEL WALKER
9th degree black belt, President of the World Chun Ki Do Association. and founder of the Martial Arts Institute of Santa Fe, Grandmaster Daniel Walker has dedicated himself to the study of Asian martial arts since 1971.
He has established longstanding schools from coast to coast and inspired thousands of students over the past four decades, including his son who took home gold at the age of 14 the in the Junior Olympics Tae Kwon Do sparring competition.
Grandmaster Walker diligently advances the legacy of his respected mentors: Grandmaster Ju Hun Kim, Dr. Kun Jang Kim, Dojunim Han Young Choi, Grandmaster Myung Kyu Kang, Xiarong Li, OMD, and Sifu Robin Johson.
In 1987, he attained certification as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist from the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
He also earned his Bachelor of Science degree and pursued graduate studies in physical education and strength and conditioning theory at New Mexico State University.
OUR REVERED TEACHER, A LIVING TREASURE
"If we get knocked down seven times,
we get up eight."
Grandmaster
Myung Kyu Kang
1933 - 2012
Grandmaster Kang was an accomplished and well-respected 10th degree black belt in tae kwon do and a highly decorated Korean War Veteran of the South Korean Army.
Also a master of judo, he won a bronze medal at the World Military Championships Seoul in 1984 in the U86 category.
He taught these and other martial arts disciplines at the United Martial Arts College in Sacramento, California (USA) which he founded in 1964. His school teaches a traditional style of Tae Kwon Do Moo Duk Kwan .
Grandmaster Chong, Grandmaster Kang, Grandmaster Hwang Ki
Grandmaster Kang, when 7th dan
Grandmaster Kang (bottom right) Grandmaster Hwang Ki (top row middle)
Grandmaster, Grandmaster Chong (top row third from right)
KWAN JANG NIM
[GWAWN-jahng-neem]
noun: GRANDMASTER, 9th & 10th DEGREe BLACK BELT
Grandmaster
Han Young Choi
1935 - 2013
Born December 11, 1935 in Kyongkido, Korea, Grandmaster Choi kicked off his martial arts journey at the tender age of four guided by his father, Chun-san Choi, and uncle, Man-san Choi, focusing on the family's martial arts system which emphasized stepping, spinning, and jumping techniques.
His early studies progressed to formal training at a Buddhist monastery in Kyongi Do where he also learned meditation and breathwork.
Grandmaster Choi studied and focused his training on tae kwon do moo duk kwan in Korea mentored by Grandmaster Hwang Ki. His training regimen included intricate stepping techniques, turning maneuvers, and acrobatic elements.
Grandmaster Han-Young Choi in his first gym
El Paso, Texas 1980
In his pursuit of martial knowledge, Choi encountered Grandmaster Jong In Mok, who imparted joint manipulation techniques, a precursor to modern hapkido. Unlike Grandmaster Jong, who veered towards oriental medicine and acupuncture, Choi delved into acupuncture and pressure points, enriching his martial repertoire.
In 1972, Choi relocated to the United States, settling in El Paso, Texas, where he founded hapkido chun ki do, “heavenly power”, and established the World Chun Ki Do Association. His aspiration to elevate chun ki do to a distinct martial style culminated in achieving a tenth-degree black belt status, earning worldwide recognition in the hapkido community. Choi's legacy, including his meticulously structured belt examination programs and unique teaching methods, characterized by 15 hand levers, extends far beyond his 50,000 students across Asia, Europe, and America.
Grandmaster Choi named our Grandmaster, Daniel Ray Walker, his definitive successor.
Grandmaster Han-Young Choi (center) and Grandmaster Daniel Ray Walker (second from right)
Grand patriarch
JoNG IN MOK
1912 - ?
The martial arts journey of Grand Patriarch Jong In Mok of Taegue City, a practitioner of oriental medicine, began in 1928 with Daito-ryu Jujitsu and Aikijitsu under the tutelage of Takeda Sokaku. He mastered the training and received his certification from Masuta Yutaka, a disciple of Takeda Sodaku, in 1935.
Despite having only a handful of students, notable among them being Han-Young Choi (chun ki do), Jong In Mok played a primary role in introducing the hapkido system to Korea in 1960.
In Seoul, Han-Young Choi became the first student of Jong In Mok's hapkido system which he imported to the United states a few years later.
Grand Patriarch Jong In Mok
Certification of completion of 108 techniques received by Grand Patriarch Jong In Mok from Matsuda Yutaka
Takeda Sokaku, circa 1888
Group picture with Matsuda Yutaka, seated center
Hokkaido, Japan 1938