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Master James Rath began his martial arts training in Northlake, IL in 1980. There he studied Gojoryu under Senseis Frank Sasso and Phil Selemi.
In 1981 he started training in the Master John C. Kim style of Chung Moo Quan, where he achieved the rank of 1st Degree Black Belt while studying to be an instructor. James assisted classes at the Villa Park and Bensenville locations.
In 1988-89 James managed the Glendale Heights martial arts school while earning his 2nd Degree Black Belt and an Instructor's position. James then moved to Philadelphia, PA where he helped run two schools while earning his 3rd Degree Black Belt.
In 1995, he moved to the New England area where he opened a Chung Moo Doe school in Needham, MA. After reaching the rank of 4th Degree Black Belt and Assistant Regional Head Instructor he started to manage the Wakefield school of Chung Moo Doe.
In 1997, James purchased the Wakefield MA, Oom Yung Doe school where he developed the Academy of Health & Martial Arts concept of integrating different styles of traditional martial and healing arts. Mr. Rath opened a second Academy with his wife, Stephanie “Tess”, in the fall of 2001. In the fall of 2004, the Academy opened another facility in Manchester NH.
Master James Rath is currently furthering his knowledge of the martial arts by learning from many great teachers such as Grand Master Pan Qing Fu, Grand Master Sung Baek, Master Jerry Cook, Professor Robert Nohelty, Master Li Jehung, Master Ping Cheng and others. After 28 years of studying and 24 years of teaching the martial arts, Master Rath has enjoyed many physical and mental benefits. It is his hope to share this knowledge with others who demonstrate a desire to learn and improve themselves.
In 2006, James was promoted to Master Instructor by the United Martial Arts Association. Master Rath also has ranked as a 2nd Dan Black Belt in Shao Lin Kenpo Karate and is currently training towards 3rd Degree. James is also studying to become a lineage holder of the Cheng style Bagua Zhang under Master Ping Cheng.