Benefits of Martial Arts for Families

By Hope Morgan, 2nd Dan

Sharing physical activities with your kids, parents, and siblings isn’t just a fun way to get your heart pumping. It’s also a great way to build family bonds, and a great taekwondo program provides the perfect opportunity to share the many benefits taekwondo offers for families. It’s quite rare to find a sport that involves the entire family, and more often than not, someone is left just sitting on the sidelines observing. Taekwondo, however, allows the entire family to join in. Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo offers classes tailored for all age groups, so whether you’re a younger sister or a grandfather, our taekwondo school will suit you and guarantee you reap all of the benefits, making it simple to participate in a family activity.

Currently, our taekwondo program is home to several families, and all of them agree that working out together makes things not only more interesting, but overall more engaging. Even when you’re not working out in the same class as your loved one, you are still experiencing all of the same fun, and that doesn’t even include all of the exciting events held every year ranging from tournaments to expos and camps. Our taekwondo school prides itself on being very family oriented and is therefore a safe, positive environment for your family to experience fun activity.

It’s the specialization of this taekwondo school that really makes it unique. As an adult or parent, it’s most likely that you are not looking for the exact same benefits in a sport that your child. That’s what is so amazing about this martial arts school – your whole family can participate while still meeting all of your individual needs. In their class, your younger family member will learn the importance of education, good decision-making, and teamwork while developing their confidence, focus, responsibility, and respect. While practicing all of the same material, adults are able to expand their physical fitness abilities, learn positive and healthy actions, and broaden their concentration capabilities. Taekwondo is also a great stress-reliever. What better way to unwind than to work out at a constructive and encouraging taekwondo school.

One thing our taekwondo program really tends to focus on is the significance of setting goals, something we believe is important for both younger and older students. Not only does martial arts permit the whole family to work-out together, but it’s a long-term commitment rather than just a seasonal activity. Family can really help encourage their relatives to set goals for themselves, and when your family is also involved, it makes it easier to push each other towards success. You constantly have someone to help you by practicing at home, providing you an extra layer of support and a feeling that you are engaged in their learning experience. A new level of understanding comes with mutual participation in a sport and makes sharing each other’s successes that much more special.

A CTI Testimonial: Part 1

By Cathy H., parent of a student at our Littleton location

"My daughter has autism and intellectual disabilities. A year ago her pediatrician recommended Taekwondo training to help with her low muscle tone. I began my search for a place that would embrace her differences and allow her to have fun. I found Colorado Taekwondo Institute through a review that spoke highly of them with regard to working with special education children so I gave it a try. 

CTI has been her home away from home. She feels welcome and empowered. She has been going two days a week for an entire year. The black belt instructors are patient, kind, and encouraging. She has also been mentored by a red belt who has been a godsend. The mentoring sessions are weekly and free. My daughter looks forward to her mentoring sessions. She comes home after class very happy.  

They also have an annual family review to discuss the positive aspects of having your child in class as well as discussing goals. This had such a profound and lasting effect on my daughter. She still has the butcher paper they wrote these items on hanging in her room.  

CTI treats my daughter with the same respect they offer to all the participants. They expect the same behavior and activities from her that they expect from all the participants. They understand her disabilities, but instead of focusing on her limitations, they let her tell them when she feels she can’t do something. Surprisingly, she has never suggested that she couldn’t do something. She trusts her instructors because they have shown themselves to be trustworthy. She sometimes needs a little convincing, but she has risen to the occasion and is now testing for her yellow belt. 

I have to say that the most impressive and surprising part of our CTI experience has been the impact it has had on me. I am acutely aware of my daughter’s disabilities and have sworn never to limit her because of them or to use them as an excuse. CTI has shown me that I was in fact using her disabilities as a crutch. They have shown me that my daughter is capable of more than I had ever imagined. Will she ever be a rocket scientist? Before her karate training at the CTI, I would have said no. Now I say, if she works hard enough, she can do anything. Thanks CTI!"

Thank you Cathy for your kind words and for your support!!

The Benefits of Martial Arts and Self-Defense

By: Ethan Trapp, 1st dan

Martial arts is a great activity for anyone of any age who is looking to learn self-defense. However, martial arts training also teaches important life skills. These are things like character building and setting goals so that you can have a sense of accomplishment. There are a few different kinds of martial arts. Some of them include Taekwondo, Karate, Judo, Jujitsu and Hapkido. Each of these varies to a certain degree. For example, Taekwondo is more about hands and feet used to kick and punch, whereas Judo is more about throwing and falling. Martial arts physically helps people by teaching them multiple concepts.

First of all, you learn how to defend yourself against different types of attacks. This is an important life skill just to have. Also, martial arts keep you in shape! You can lose weight and even build muscles from this. Obesity has become a major problem in our society, and this needs to be fixed. Unlike some exercise programs, martial arts are actually fun and enjoyable to be a part of. This is great for little kids too! It releases energy so you can have better control over your children. Taking part in martial arts in summertime is especially helpful because your kids are home all day. Anyway, martial arts and self-defense help to keep you in shape as well. If you train hard, you will gain endurance and you will be able to work out for longer.

Along with that, martial arts offer competitions that you can compete in. The Colorado Taekwondo Institute (CTI) offers tournaments where their students can compete in poomse, sparring, and board breaking. In addition, the CTI offers expos, promotion tests, and even a summer camp. Not only does this further the learning process, but it also creates a type of community feeling. You get to workout with your classmates, then have a great time with them and make new friends. These events also allow you to meet new people from other campuses.

Also, martial arts teach you great ideals and instill life skills in you. One of these is the idea of working hard. In our society, it has become a social normality to be lazy and cut corners on your work. However martial arts, in particular the CTI, teach you that hard work pays off. Next, we are taught to respect everyone, no matter what. This is important because you can’t be respected if you don't respect others. In addition, the CTI teaches the students to never give up. This is called perseverance, which is a great skill to have.

Lastly, we are taught to have and use integrity. This is to honor your word and never make empty promises. Having integrity is important for children, as well as adults.

Overall, martial arts and/or a self-defense program are a great activity to pick up if you are looking for something to do and have some extra free time. Martial arts help you physically stay in shape and release some energy from your kids. It also gives you a chance for competition and to make new friends. Lastly, it teaches you many useful life skills that carry on past martial arts. So if you are looking for something to do, consider a martial arts program, especially Taekwondo at the CTI.

26th Denver Martial Arts Champs

By Emily Brophy, 1st dan

An exciting event is coming in September!

The 26th DMAC tournament is on September 11th and 12th at Alameda International High School.

 Our judges include blacks belts from all the campuses, and the tournament is organized by Grandmaster James Sautel, Master Merinda Sautel, Master John Sautel and Master Erik Albrechtson. Head Judges include Mr. Freddy Sautel, Ms. Alice Meyung, Mr. Clayton Garner, Mr. Brian Steward and Mr. Michael Sandusky.

This fun event starts on Friday night with the black belt competitions.  Black belts will compete in staff, poomse, sparring, and breaking. Saturday is the competition for all of our other students from tigers to adults and from white belt thru red belt! These competitions will include poomse, sparring and breaking.

During the 26th DMAC,  there will also be a DMAC Halftime were everyone lines-up, group pictures, the singing our national anthem and more!

This tournaments also includes two black belt grand champions, one an adult and the other one a junior.  The Grand Champions are chosen by the total number of points received in each of the competitions.

This is fun and action packed day that gives students and instructors the chance to show off what they know, meet new people, learn many things and see the benefits of good sportsmanship!

Register today!

Why Should My Kid Start Martial Arts?

By Theo Lincke, 1st dan

Traditionally, Taekwondo, Karate and other forms of martial arts have been used to pass down generation to generation. Although the main use for martial arts, such as Taekwondo and Karate, were used as self defense, meditation, and physical conditioning. Modern Taekwondo and martial arts programs are used for similar purposes.

Self Defense
Martial Arts Programs have obvious benefits towards self defense. Traditionally, the word Martial is appropriate to combat. Thus, Martial arts programs put together organized combat with street skills and self defense. A large percent of Taekwondo or Karate training involves self defense. Self defense in the Colorado Taekwondo Institute and martial arts as a whole does not limit someone’s ability by giving a set of moves for your child to learn without any knowledge behind the move; similar to the “robotic approach”. Instead, CTI and martial arts schools encourages students to think for themselves and learn the moves and the ideas and concepts behind them. This develops children's and adult’s ability to think independently with autonomous intentions. Of course, in a street situation, 90% of what is important comes from this self reliance. One can know the moves, but without knowing where to use them, they are useless. The teachings of CTI involve training of when and where to use their moves (Which complements our motto “Self Control before Self Defense”).

Meditation
A walk through the hallways of a martial arts school may be intimidating at times. Children yell with the power of their punches and kicks, as sweat flicks across the room; yet, there is something very meditative about taekwondo and Martial Arts Programs. The Generic idea behind meditation involves one humming the the sound of nothing with the light of a candle flame. Yet, Psychology Today defines meditation as “the practice of turning your attention to a single point of reference. It can involve focusing on the breath, on bodily sensations”. Martial Arts themselves are aimed towards mastering the movement of one’s body; knowing where every part of your body at once is required to have an objective focus. This intense focus calms and soothes the mind after every martial arts class. Not to mention the release of anger and anxiety after a Martial Arts class. Martial arts programs are legendary for calming the mind, and creating a rational and soothing atmosphere.

Physical Conditioning
Traditionally being a form of combat, taekwondo and karate both have thousands of years
worth of exercise and conditioning. The very reason Martial Arts are so good for the physical body is the fact that they are developed and lie on thousands of years worth of studying and working out. Not to mention, CTI instructors prove to push their students so mind limits are often eroded down to a strong form of perseverance. Children learn what limits they can ignore and what they must pay attention to to avoid injury or trauma.

Leadership and Initiative
Martial arts schools train children to have the character of a leader and initiative of an adult. Often times, children who participate in a martial arts program learn to think independently in various practices such as sparring and self defense which both require full attention from one’s mind and intuition. Learning independent thinking helps the child develop initiative where they think for themselves. CTI’s teachers put a lot of trust in their students so that the students are able to carry on their requests.

With this being said, CTI involves 5 tenets that each student lives by:

• Courtesy
• Integrity
• Perseverance
• Self Control
• Indomitable Spirit

These tenets fully wrap up every benefit of martial arts schools that teach Taekwondo or Karate.

"Not the Cry, but the Flight"

By Kyle Feagans, 1st dan

NOT THE CRY, BUT THE FLIGHT OF A WILD DUCK, LEADS THE FLOCK TO FLY AND FOLLOW (Chinese Proverb)

While great leaders have many great traits there are a few that are instrumental to not only their success but to the success of those that follow them.  Here are just a few of the traits those great leaders’ posses.

HONESTY – Great leaders always do the honest thing.  A great leader understands that honesty makes those that follow them know where they stand at all times.

INTEGRITY – Great leaders have integrity.  Leaders with integrity are respected and listened to by others.  As a rule, most people prefer or seek out leaders or organizations with integrity and meet their commitments.

RESPECT – Great leaders know how to exercise respect.  They know that they cannot play favoritism with people, that they must treat people, no matter the station in life, what the class or what the rank within the organization, the same.

PASSION – Great leaders are passionate.  Great leaders understand how important it is for them to be passionate about what they are doing.  They understand that if they are not living, eating, breathing or sleeping their mission how can they expect their followers to have the same enthusiasm?

EMPOWERING – Great leaders know how to embolden, to make their associates powerful not powerless or diminished.

There are many other words like Confidence, Clarity, Caring, Focused, Compassion, Celebration and Humility that great leaders’ posses. Great leaders know when and where to utilize each of these traits at the time.  They know which ones to use with the strengths and personalities of each and every one of their followers.

Being a leader at work can be achieved by being persistent, determined, and listening to the thoughts and ideas of those around you. It means that you know that it is okay to say “I do not know” when you don’t... it means having the desire and the confidence to rise above the un-expected situations that come up at the most inopportune times. It means having the passion, desire and attitude to finish, to achieve and to accomplish.

Being a Colorado Taekwondo Institute student is about developing and enhancing your physical aspects of your martial arts training. However, as a CTI student, you will also be challenged mentally. You will be encouraged to lead students of various ages and belt levels.  The opportunities to lead can come in many forms.  It may come by being asked to work with a student on certain moves in a poomse. You could be asked to lead basics, poomse, one steps or self-defense. You may be asked to help with judging poomse or be a corner judge in sparring in a tournament. CTI student’s training prepares them to be ready not only physically but mentally.

It is also important for a CTI student to be a leader in the community because we are out in the community.  As CTI students we are exposed to the community through tournaments, demonstrations expos, symposiums and camps. It is important as an organization in our community to know and understand that everyone in our community is as well off as we are.  With this understanding we reach out to and disperse ourselves into the community through a food and clothing drive.  As a CTI student we may even be seen in the world community if provided the opportunity to attend a CTI Black Belt World Tour.  It is because of these exposures that we must demonstrate leadership skills and abilities…

IF YOUR ACTIONS INSPIRE OTHERS TO DREAM MORE, LEARN MORE, DO MORE AND BECOME MORE, YOU ARE A LEADER – JOHN QUINCY ADAMS