Biography of Master Gary Keller
Master Gary Keller has studied and practiced martial arts for more than three decades.
Starting at the age of 16, Keller entered a very small, secretive and demanding training
academy of Gung Fu called The Green Dragon Society. There he learned the soft style of
animal fighting systems in sessions lasting three hours per class, five days a week.
While he enjoyed his time at Green Dragon, He herd of an elite combat style of martial arts called Hapkido.
He began studying Hapkido at K.S Hyuns Hapkido in 1975.
The system there was very "old school." Not unlike the martial arts movie "Blood Sport" and "Kung Fu," training was often violent and sometimes dangerous. Master Keller studied at Huyn's for more than a decade before he was made the head instructor in 1985 and remained head instructor until 1989.Then, in 1989, Master Keller opened Keller's Martial Arts. His current style or philosophy of Martial arts is based primarily on Hapkido but he also brings those skills from other Art's that he feels are the most effective. He takes elements from Jiu-Jitsu, arnis, boxing, kickboxing, law enforcement tatics, sambo, and other arts he feels are combat ready.
His school's mission statement is STREET SURVIVAL, to do what ever is necessary but to avoid confrontations (thru eye contact, body language, tone of voice, ect.) whenever possible.
Mr. Keller has also trained many fighters in grappling and mixed martial arts.
Some of his specific accomplishments include:
1. Green Dragon Society (age 16) 1973-1975. Chi Tao Chuan Gung Fu, soft style
based on the on the fighting style and spirit of the "animal system" including the Tiger,
Eagle, Praying Mantis, Leopard, Cobra, Crane and Panther. The school was involved in the
infamous Ken Fu Wars of the 1960's. Very brutal "old school - no-rules fighting". No
protective equipment. Invaluable training as a beginning martial artist.
2. K.S. Hyuns Hapkido (head instructor for last four years) 1975-1989.
The following are seminars or other classes Mr. Keller was involved in
3. Cook County Department of Corrections 1978 -1988. - Instructor at the training Academy
4. Naval Intelligence Investigative Unit - Instructor5. Law Enforcements Concepts - 5 years 1993 - 1998. Law Enforcements Concepts was Mr. Keller's own company where he taught certified courses to law
enforcement agencies and private security companies.
Rickson Gracie-Brazilian Jiu Jitsui
Bill "Superfoot" Wallace - Kick Boxing -
Kwang Myung - World Hapkido Federation
Remy Presas - Modern Amis
Dan (The Beast) Severen - Extreme-Mixed- Martial Arts--
Cung Le - Sanshou - Kl Champ.
Mr. Keller has also been featured on:
1. Warner Saunders Show. "Hapkido - The art of coordinated power"
2. Telemundo. "Children's self defense - abduction and prevention"
3. NBC News. "Training tactics for correctional officer candidates/cook county jail"
4. Rock on Chicago. "Music video show, with Hapkido segments between videos"
5. CBS Good Morning. "Women's self defense"
And has been written about in:
1. Chicago Reader - general article on Hapkido and how it has saved people's lives.
2. Chicago Sun Times - article on the training academy and Mr. Keller for the Cook County Department of Corrections.
3. Chicago Magazine- Chicago Treasures feature.
4. Tae Kwon do Times - how to use the common belt as a tool in self-defense.
5. Street Zebra - two articles - the first was about kickboxing with Keller and the second was coverage of the Lion Heart Crown (mixed martial arts) and two of the fighters from Keller's who competed that night.
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