Master Jakki Van Hemert of Heart & Soul Tae Kwon Do is heading into a busy summer.
On top of leading a team of students who recently delivered standout performances at a Tae Kwon Do tournament in Nelson, she’s also guiding the Fruitvale-based martial arts school through a major transition: becoming a not-for-profit organization.
The goal?
To ensure martial arts and fitness classes remain affordable and accessible to everyone in the community.
“Despite some programs like Jump Start, we find that costs still remain a prohibitive reason many people cannot participate in classes or attend tournaments, so we are committed to providing an affordable martial arts and fitness experience for all,” said Master Jakki.
To that end, the school has kept its fees virtually unchanged since opening 13 years ago, with the Van Hemerts often covering wage shortfalls themselves.
Their commitment is rooted in passion, not profit.
“Turning into a not-for-profit is a way to better serve the community’s needs,” she said. “Under this model, we hope to be able to offer more programs while keeping prices affordable.”
The transition to a not-for-profit is still underway, with the aim to complete the process by early fall.
Heart & Soul Tae Kwon Do offers training in several traditional martial arts, including Tae Kwon Do, Hapkido, and Kajukenbo/Wun Hop Kuen Do, alongside a variety of fitness classes for students aged five and up.
“Our focus is on practical techniques and self-defence while building whole-body conditioning,” said Master Jakki.
“We believe that martial arts training is not just about physical strength, but also about mental discipline and personal growth.”
Adding to an already impressive list of achievements, Master Jakki was recently promoted to 6th Dan — a high-level black belt rank that reflects decades of dedication, advanced technical skill, and leadership within the martial arts community.
She is certified through the Kukkiwon, the official Tae Kwon Do governing body in South Korea, as well as the World Chang Moo Kwon.
She recently travelled to Chicago to complete Master-level certification training and became a certified Poom/Dan examiner, meaning she can now grant internationally recognized rank promotions to her students.
In addition to Tae Kwon Do, Master Jakki also holds certifications in Hapkido, KajuKenpo, and fitness instruction.
To learn more about the school and its programs, visit: heartandsoulmartialarts.ca.
