FAQ

Adults are commonly interested in learning self-defense (which develops self confidence), exercise, weight loss, and self-discipline all of which make up a meaningful ongoing martial arts experience when taught by a experienced instructor in a structured learning environment. If you are trying to choose a school for your child these same items of interest will help your child learn the self-discipline and responsibility, that is lacking in many families and schools today.

It is suggested that you visit several martial art schools. At each school actively observe a typical class that you or your child might attend. Is the class and school professionally managed? Does the instructor exhibit the discipline and compassion it takes to lead the class? Pay particular to the higher ranking students as they represent the end product of the school. Are they the type of students you wish to become? Is the class schedule one that will work with your own? Ask about the monthly class fees. Ask the instructor how often students test and how much are the test fees. Take notes and compare. The wrong choice of a school or instructor will discourage you from participating in martial arts when, in fact, it has been a dream of yours for some time.

Martial arts school come in many varieties. Some are clearly preoccupied with class size and success (bigger is not better). Simply as a business, their objective is to get you contractually obligated and move you from white belt to black belt in a year or two. In the door and out the door. Show up at testing time, pay the fee and get a belt. These instructors may be like dictators, what they say is law. After all, they have all of ten years of experience and they are a "master". The development of character, honor, courage, and commitment are sometimes not even discussed much less sought after. Other instructors use the customs and courtesies methods of training that have been a part of the martial way for over a thousand years. Some promote students every month or six weeks regardless of skill or even training time. Others have clearly defined requirements for each rank. There are many other comparisons to be made but, you get the idea. Contracts have consequences lasting long after the sales pitch has worn off. Be careful.

During my seven year experience with Tae Kwon Do, the term "black belt" has taken on many different meanings. Like most people with little exposure to the martial arts, my initial belief was that a black belt was some type of macho superman, capable of defeating multiple opponents and breaking all types of material with a single blow. This impression was quickly dispelled as I observed the patience, gentleness and discipline that my sons' instructor exhibited during every class. He taught sparring without intent to injure, self defense without retaliation and self discipline without self aggrandizement

Later, as my husband and sons prepared for their 1st Dan test, the word black belt took on new dimensions. The dedication required to attend every class, boot camp session, and graduation practice was intense. Yet, they didn't just attend, they worked incessantly on every detail to make their techniques as effective as possible. As I watched their graduation ceremony, I could tell that my sons' had learned valuable lessons about goals, the commitment and hard work required to achieve them and the resulting pride in accomplishment.

Shortly before the rest of my family became black belts, I began to actively participate in Taekwondo myself. Since I have never been athletic, or even very coordinated, the intricate body movements and physical conditioning were quite difficult. Each new belt demanded that I master another seemingly impossible kick or stance. With the encouragement of my family, I stuck with it. However, as I entered the higher ranks, I became convinced that I simply did not have the physical ability to become a black belt. After delaying as a brown belt for over a year, I finally believe that I can overcome this obstacle, as many other black belts have overcome their own obstacles.

So, as I near the end of the student ranks of Taekwondo, the term black belt has come to mean an embodiment of many characteristics - patience, gentleness, self discipline, commitment, dedication to quality and ability to overcome obstacles. My ambition as a black belt is to portray these characteristics to the same high extent that I have seen them in the black belts around me.

Traditional Taekwondo (TKD) includes self defense, sparring, forms (called poomse), stretching, blocks, kicks, and philosophy. Sport Taekwondo limits itself to self defense, sparring and stretching. The school listed on this page teaches traditional TKD.

With traditional TKD the philosophy emphasizes respect, patience, responsibility, honor and perseverance. Studies have shown that, in the long run, the traditional TKD philosophy leads to reduced aggressiveness, higher self esteem and positive personality traits in its participants. With Sport TKD, there was an increase in aggressiveness.

Especially for kids and teenagers, the philosophy of traditional TKD helps provide the positive leadership that is needed to produce productive members of society.

At one time our school decided to terminate its relationship with its certifying organization. For a brief period the school operated independently from all outside Taekwondo influences. The instructor began to consider the needs of those students who would soon become Black Belts. Those students needed exposure to Black Belt boot camps, Black Belt review boards, seminars, tournaments and Black Belts from outside of their own school.

Just like any corporation or public body with the need for an outside independent reviewer to audit your work, our school wanted to be sure about the quality of its Black Belts.

After an exhaustive study the United States Chung Do Kwan Association (USCDKA) was asked to allow our school to join its organization. Our school is now a charter member of the US Chung Do Kwan association. USCDKA had the value system and the leadership capabilities that our school felt it needed.

The first Black Belts graduated from our school were certified by USCDKA. In addition, these students, with permission of the USCDKA, can apply for Kukkiwon certification.

Even though our schools is locally operated it has grown and blossomed with help from USCDKA.

In summary, the benefits of a certification through an internationally recognized association, the USCDKA, is clearly in the best interests of the students and instructors of our school.