Future members can look forward to an exciting, challenging, and goal fulfilling experience at the school.  Even if you are a seasoned artist with prior experience or a brand new student, this will be a program unique to what you may have experienced in your past.

Tae Kwon Do - This is the foundation Art that I teach. Tae Kwon Do is an art from South Korea and means literally: foot, fist and way. Tae Kwon Do is the oldest known martial art and originally was called Hwarang Do. Tae Kwon Do is also the most popular Martial Arts in the United States and an Olympic sport. The style that I teach is based on Tang So Doo, which emphasizes breathing in each movement.

Hapkido - Hapkido is a form of self-defense that has many practical applications. Those of you interested in self-defense will find the Hapkido lessons valuable and helpful.

Sparring - You are required to learn sparring at some point in your career as a martial artist. Sparring is a fun and safe way to discover just how well you react with opponents in a controlled “fight”. There are many rules and regulations to sparring which allow both opponents to safely express their technique.

I highly recommend that all students inquire about purchasing sparring gear after a minimum of 6 months in training.

All sparring will be regulated strictly according to World TaeKwonDo federation rules, regulations and requirements.

Meditation and Tai Chi - Meditation is the process of “no-thought” and it is essential for all students to clear their minds before and after practice. Tai Chi is the Chinese art of “soft-movement” that will be integrated in cool-downs after rigorous exercising and prior to deep meditation.

Physical fitness - The proper balancing of diet, exercise and fitness create a superior martial artist.

I recommend everyone follows the strict dieting guidelines for beginners in Martial Arts. I also have registered dieticians to consult upon request. Anyone under close doctor supervision should let me know the details and we will work together to create a program that fits everyone’s individual needs.

School Pledge and Tenets - All students are required to know and memorize your Pledge and Tenets. The repetition of positive, ethical statements ultimately helps men and women in building  higher standards for themselves.

The 7 Tenets of Tae Kwon Do

COURTESY - Common courtesy in every walk of life is a definite plus. Kindness, politeness, generosity, good will, respect for elders and those in authority are the components of courtesy and every student should strive for these qualities inside the school and everywhere else they go.

INTEGRITY - To know the difference between what is right and what is wrong and to act upon any situation with both virtue and wisdom defines an individual of high integrity. Integrity is a form of ethics that requires discipline, intelligence and sometimes self-sacrifice. Since not every individual exhibits high integrity and have a tendency to follow bad examples, the good examples we chose to set for others are expected and any examples of poor integrity, will be deemed unacceptable.

PERSEVERANCE - Even in the most difficult of instances can one persevere and ascend to a higher state of consciousness or awareness. Perseverance is the power to maintain and overcome challenges and problems through focus of will, concentration of intelligence and sheer physical stamina. To be patient is to persevere and know that , “all good things come to those who wait.”

INDOMITABLE SPIRIT - The spirit that cannot and will not be broken! Standing strong in the face of overwhelming adversity and persevering are signs of an indomitable spirit. Many children already have the gift of this wonderful quality, however as adults grow weary of opposition in the world we sometimes forget how to implement such an amazing part of ourselves. Stay true to yourself and do not lose sight of the very highest good you can create in this world of limitless possibilities.

COMMUNITY SERVICE - We live in a great and free American country. Many individuals take this for granted or even worse take advantage by breaking the law. What has your country and community given to you? What will you give back to it? The question of community service should be an integral part of everyone who is part of one. Implementing one’s talents and services for the good of all humankind, society and nature shows a wealth of community service.

LOVE - The highest form of support, Love is the strongest of the seven tenets. One must strive towards the cultivation of compassion for all life in order to become a better person. In a world where hatred, evil, violence, cruelty and fear run rampant Love is a superior quality. Love towards other human beings, animals, nature and your own self are the key components to this tenet. Regardless of your religious or spiritual beliefs, Love is the foundation of all positive aspects throughout time, culture and history. When you act with Love, you will never lose.

Some schools of Tae Kwon Do, omit the tenets of Love and Community Service. However, I feel that these are both extremely integral to the high character moral foundations of all men and women and have elected to include them in the program.

Oriental weapons - In your first year you will receive two free introductory classes for the weapon of your choice (*either bow staff or nunchuckas). I recommend a minimum of 6 months practice, prior to any weapons handling. If upon taking the classes you would like to learn more, than you may purchase the lessons in groups of 6 classes , during the allotted times and dates set forth.

(* You must purchase the “safety” foam nunchuckas or foam bow staff before your first class.)

Board-breaking class - In your first year you will receive one complimentary board -breaking class. If you elect to take more board breaking classes, you may purchase them one at a time or a full-year of 12 for a discounted rate. Board-breaking will be taught as a normal part of your first year classes, however, due to overhead cost concerns it is impossible to practice breaking real boards during class time, that is reserved for testing only. Due to the high content of students who desire to practice their breaking just prior to testing, this supplemental class, known as the BBC has been formed to meet once a month on the Friday evening prior to the Saturday morning test on the final weekend of each month.

Testing - In your first year, depending on your progress you will be required to Test, usually every two months for the next belt in rank. Testing fees are due a week prior to belt testing which will take place on the last Saturday morning of each month. Children 13 and under will be tested at 10 am sharp, adults 13 and older shall tested at 11 am sharp. If one does not pass the test, there will be no re-testing fee, but the student is required to come to class twice as usual the following week and re-test on the very next Saturday morning at 10 am sharp. No re-tester will be considered a failure.

“If you do not breathe properly, you cannot move properly.”

- Master Chuin to Remo, in the movie REMO WILLIAMS, (1985).

If there is one huge lesson that I have learned in life it is that breathing is probably the most important physical function we will ever master. Most of the time we do it automatically with no real focus or deliberation, but whenever we exceed our energy level suddenly breathing becomes the most essential ingredient for normal survival! This lesson I can teach you, but you will have to live with it and maintain it for the rest of your lives. It is basically how to become aware of and maximize the dynamic of breathing within any given circumstance. You may ask yourself, “What does breathing have to do with anything besides its proper regulation during exercise?” See for yourself. The next time you find yourself under some sort of crisis, either physical, mental or emotional - pay attention to your breathing, see what happens there. The ability to control and optimize one’s breathing potential goes far beyond the physical realm of possibilities. Remember, without breathing, there is no life. So perhaps with better breathing, we just may get a better life.

“Remember your focus determines your reality.”

- Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn to Anakin Skywalker, from the movie, STAR WARS, EPISODE I:

THE PHANTOM MENACE (1999)

Without focus our lives become a rambling mess of reaction and happenstance. With proper focus our lives can become whatever we envision and hold true to. The maintenance and balance of desired focus, both external (what we see with our eyes) and internal (what we see within our mind’s eye) is a lesson equally important and synonymous with proper breathing. When you first begin your Martial Arts training you will realize the importance of directing your eyes upon your target, before striking, lest you miss it completely.
Anyone skilled in art or any technical process has learned to focus and create through methodical concentration and direction. Only through the mastering of internal focus, can external focus and results become a reality. Remember that this is your life and you are the director, the question becomes what do you wish to receive from life? With proper focus you can create what you envision in your mind and reach your highest goals as an artist and human being.

“All things carry yin and embrace yang. By blending these two breaths they achieve balance.”

- Tao Te Ching, #42, Achieving Balance