KEITH D. YATES is recognized as one of the nation's leading authorities on the martial arts. He has written over two hundred magazine articles for every major martial arts publication as well as other sports magazines. He is a regular columnist for Inside Karate and Martial Arts Illustrated magazines. His articles on the history of Tae Kwon Do in America have become the most-widely referenced historical accounts of this Korean martial art in the USA. His articles on the history of Tae Kwon Do in America have become the most-widely referenced historical accounts of this Korean martial art in the USA.  He contributed the chapter on karate for Prentice Hall's sixth edition of "The Physical Education Handbook," a widely used text in colleges and universities. His first book, "The Complete Book of Tae Kwon Do Forms," is considered a classic reference text and is now in its thirteenth printing and is sold all over the world. His second book, "Warrior Secrets: A Handbook of the Martial Arts," has been honored by becoming assigned reading in several college martial arts courses. He has also written "Just For Kicks: The Art of Fighting With Your Feet.," and "Your Body: The Ultimate Lethal Weapon." He co-authored both "Tae Kwon Do Basics" and "Tae Kwon Do for Kids" with Bryan Robbins, a former United States Olympic coach and one of Mr. Yates black belt students. He also wrote "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Tae Kwon Do" with Karen Eden. That book is in the wildly popular Idiot's Guide series.  He has been featured in several martial arts magazines as well as in several newspapers, most notably in both the Sunday Maazine supplement of the Dallas Morning News and again in the Dallas "High Profile" section because of his work in the Dallas community. He has been profiled on WFAA TV, the Dallas ABC affiliate, featuring his work with children. Mr. Yates has served as a guest on both cable TV and radio talk shows.  He produced the video documentary, "A History of Korean Karate in America." This two-part video featuring Jhoon Rhee, Allen Steen and Pat Burleson has received rave reviews in martial arts publications and is distributed world-wide by Century martial arts.

Starting his training in 1965 at the age of 14 , Mr. Yates became one of the youngest black belts in the country when he earned his rank at 17 from former world champion, Allen R. Steen, "The Father of Texas Karate." He soon established a reputation as one of the top kata (forms) practitioners in the Southwest. Mr. Yates also trained with a number of other famous karate masters, most notably Skipper Mullins, a perennial top ten fighter. After his own successful tournament career (winning the state championship in 1971) he embarked on a study of other martial arts. He has trained in several styles earning a 1st degree black belt in Japanese Ju-Jitsu and a 2nd degree black belt in Okinawan Kobudo (the art of ancient oriental weapons).

Mr. Yates began the first college "karate for credit" program in the Southwest in 1972 at Southern Methodist Univ. He served as an adjunct professor at SMU for seven years in both the Physical Education and Communications Departments. Recognized as an outstanding instructor and innovator he is in frequent demand nationally as a seminar leader and teacher. He was voted into the 1992 edition of "Who's Who in the South and Southwest", a honor that goes with his place in the Third Edition of "Who's Who in American Martial Arts." In 1997 he was a part of the inaugural class of inductees into the Texas Martial Arts Hall of Fame in Waco. Mr. Yates is currently one of the highest ranking American-born masters in the art of Tae Kwon Do holding the ninth degree black.

Mr. Yates is the Jang Kwan Nim (founder and headmaster) of the Nam Seo Kwan (School of the Southwest) style of Tae Kwon Do which has been recognized as one of the few legitimate and recognized systems of American martial arts. See the Martial Arts Companion by John Corcoran.

He is also the founder and president of the American Karate and Tae Kwon Do Organization (established in 1976), an association overseeing karate schools and clubs in six states.
He is also the founder and president of the American Karate and Tae Kwon Do Organization (established in 1976), an association overseeing karate schools and clubs in six states. He was also the founder and first chairman of the Texas Black Belt Commission. Mr. Yates serves on the boards of the Fellowship of Christian Martial Artists and the Gospel Martial Arts Union.

Besides running martial arts organizations, writing books and articles, and giving instructor's seminars, Mr. Yates still teaches regularly. His special interest is young people and he personally instructs both the children and adult classes at the YMCAs in Richardson and Garland, Texas.