Benefits of Martial Arts for Families

By Hope Morgan, 4th 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 martial arts offers for families. It’s quite rare to find 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. The Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo taught at the Colorado Taekwondo Institute offers classes tailored for all age groups, so whether you’re a younger sister or a grandfather, our taekwondo school will suit you, making it simple to participate in a family activity.

Currently, our family martial arts 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.

Furthermore, It’s the specialization of this taekwondo school that really makes it unique. As an adult or parent, it’s most likely that you’re not looking for the exact same benefits in a sport as your child is. 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 members 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 for all ages. 

One thing our family martial arts 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 helps encourage students 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 encouragement 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.

Family Martial Arts

By Alexis Chavez, teen red belt 

Are you looking for a great family martial arts school? Well, say no more because the Colorado Taekwondo Institute is the best place for you and your family. In CTI’s program, we work with all ages, sizes, families, and all levels of capability. Not only will you work out with all different people but there will be many different learning opportunities and chances to have a blast. 

CTI is the best choice for family martial arts because rather than just doing martial arts moves you get educated on safety and many more things that other family martial arts programs might not offer. At CTI our mission statement is “Teaching world-class leadership through educational excellence and martial arts traditions.''  Which at CTI is exactly what happens. You don't just learn self-defense without knowing when and where to use it. Our motto means "self-control before self-defense".  At the CTI, we learn all about self-control before self-defense and I think that this is very important in a family martial arts program. 

Finding martial arts in Colorado is not hard. However, finding an excellent family martial arts program that everyone in the family will enjoy can be difficult. That is why CTI is the perfect fit for everyone in the family because at CTI we offer classes that the whole family will love. Getting the family in is a perfect way to have a fun time while learning self-defense. 

The Colorado Taekwondo Institute has a “tiger” program for students age 2-5. This class is a developmental class which teaches following directions and paying attention all while having awesome Taekwondo fun for your youngest family members.

The Colorado Taekwondo Institute also offers classes for juniors and teenagers teaching students martial arts techniques in a safe environment.  Students quickly learn that they can be successful in anything they do if they do just two things: pay attention and try your best. The CTI is a great place for your children and teenagers to be physically fit while learning important life skills.

To complete your “family” workout, the Colorado Taekwondo institute also offers classes for adults. The adult class is a great place to learn martial arts techniques, gain flexibility, get in shape and learn self defense. 

As you become an advanced student, there are also advanced training classes and leadership classes.

If your family is motivated to get out of the house and to find a program that everyone can benefit from, look no further than the family martial arts program at the Colorado Taekwondo Institute.  You don’t just do classes each week but you can participate in a variety of events throughout the year from tournaments, weekend seminars, camps, upper belt training, day camps and more. These events help your family bond together in a unique way. 

The Colorado Taekwondo Institute has a great family martial arts program that all members of the family can enjoy. No matter your age, the CTI has classes for everyone and events that you can all enjoy together.  You will all learn self defense in a fun and exciting way along with lots of other techniques and you will reap the benefits of working out.

CTI Martial Arts - An Experience for the Whole Family!

By Darcy Stanton, 1st dan

When my children were younger, I knew I wanted to provide them with the self-defense skills and discipline that only a quality family martial arts program can provide. We were lucky to have friends training with the Colorado Taekwondo Institute that introduced us to this world class school. There are five campuses in the Denver area in Lakewood, Westminster, Littleton, Golden, and Conifer. Classes are available for ages 2 and up. Class schedules and information about all their offerings are available at www.coloradotaekwondo.com. Their reviews on their Facebook page and on Google give a great picture of the quality of the school.

Our kids took their first classes at 3 and 6 years old. Instructors in the family martial arts classes are trained to meet the needs of the kids of the ages in their classes, providing a fun and challenging environment for everyone. All students are welcome, regardless of physical, mental, and emotional challenges. Instructors are committed to the success of every student. With this support, our children have gained strength, self-defense skills, self-confidence, and a community of friends and family in their almost 8 years at Colorado Taekwondo Institute.

Now that our children are older, they are training in teen martial arts classes at the Golden campus. Teen martial arts classes cater to the specific needs of teenage students and teach them to embody the tenets of taekwondo which are Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control, and Indomitable Spirit in a fun and engaging environment. Our children have also learned valuable leadership skills during their teen martial arts classes.

Of course, martial arts for kids and teens is important, but did you know it can benefit everyone, including adults? Once our family saw the quality of the education at the CTI, my husband and I also began training at the Golden campus. The adult taekwondo classes include students of all ages and abilities. The instructors are knowledgeable and caring and are able to guide students of all fitness levels to success. As adults we have increased our flexibility, strength, cardiovascular fitness, and benefit from the mental challenge of learning something new.

Training together in family martial arts at the Colorado Taekwondo Institute has strengthened our family bonds in ways we never imagined. We are able to challenge and support each other as we progress in our training. We cheer each other on at tournaments, go on fun trips together, and give back with community service projects sponsored by CTI. We always like to say, “a family that kicks together, sticks together” and we really believe it’s true. We are so thankful to the Colorado Taekwondo Institute for a quality family martial arts program for everyone!

Working Out... As a family!

Places where the whole entire family can participate in classes that have the same structure and focus on the same material are hard to come by.  The Colorado Taekwondo Institute created a strong system of martial arts classes that universally focus on the same material that is excellent for all ages.  Having family members also in Taekwondo class helps push all members to do their best though the spirit of competition.  Since all the martial arts techniques are the same the whole family can practice together!  Everytime there is a Taekwondo tournament or other event designed by the Colorado Taekwondo Institute, one can go to them collectively as a family.  Martial arts are a great family activity!

The Colorado Taekwondo Institute is excellent for learning family martial arts!  Everything is very family friendly and there are Taekwondo classes for all ages!  The adult classes are typically in the evenings to help with the more typical time conflicts. Colorado Taekwondo Institute Instructors are friendly, good with the age group that they teach, and are always very accommodating for families!

Having the whole family involved in the same martial arts program is excellent at promoting growth as a student.  Kids are always fighting to improve and getting progressively better in attempt to outpace their siblings.  Some of the most dedicated students are only so because they had other family members also taking the martial arts classes.  Entire families participating in Taekwondo classes motivates everyone to do better and be better in effort not to fall behind. 

Competing with other family members is an excellent motivator, but perhaps the biggest advantage of having multiple family members participating in martial arts is that they can offer consistent help to each other at home.  Since there is so much to be learned in taking Taekwondo classes, many students forget a lot of what they learned if they didn’t practice right away.  Families can all pitch in at this time since all the techniques taught in the classes are universal no matter the age.  Families can also go through the moves together to work on staying together and to catch each other's mistakes.  It’s wonderful for the whole family to work together on something!

With that, there are many opportunities for the family to get together and go to the many events the Colorado Taekwondo Institute creates.  Families can go watch each other at the Colorado Taekwondo Institute multiple tournaments and cheer each other on!  Afterwards, families can come together and talk about their experiences. There are also multiple other events that the whole family can come to such as the MSK Summer Expo which is an entire weekend of Taekwondo up in the mountains which makes an awesome family trip!

Martial arts are a great family activity!  Everything is very family friendly at the Colorado Taekwondo Institute from the class times to the instructors.  Having the whole family taking martial arts classes is a great way to push each other and a fantastic way to help one another learn better!  Not to mention the connection that the family feels between them when they all know what’s going on at Taekwondo events!

Families Who Sweat Together, Stay Together!

Taekwondo is a sport that provides many mental and physical benefits to students of all ages. Unlike many other individual and team sports, taekwondo is a great activity to do with the whole family. Families can train together in martial arts to exercise, learn techniques, practice self control and discipline, and grow in self confidence while building family bonds at the same time.   Also, since families would be going through the same training process, they can help motivate each other to keep working harder and improve their taekwondo skills. Not to mention, you will always have a training partner at home to practice with!  Training in Moo Sul Kwan taekwondo is especially great for families. Moo Sul Kwan taekwondo places an emphasis on creating a safe and positive learning environment for all students. No matter the student’s skill level, age, or previous martial arts experience, they are accepted into a welcoming community.   

The Colorado Taekwondo Institute offers classes for people of all ages.  Students are able to take classes with people who are of a similar age and belt rank to create the safest and most productive learning environment.  Classes are offered to all age groups to ensure that all students are able to experience the benefits that taekwondo offers.  This is great for families because each member of the family will be able to be in a class that is more tailored to their needs and skill levels.  Although you may not be training side by side with your family member in the same class as you, you will still be experiencing the same fun activities, exercises, and benefits.  

Many families already train with the Colorado Taekwondo Institute, and they would all agree that it enhances their training journey and helps motivate them through their training journey.  Whether you are training with your siblings, parents, children, or your whole family, you will be able to experience the family fun in taekwondo.  Not only can families train in classes, but they can also experience the numerous events that the Colorado Taekwondo Institute offers.  From tournaments to expos to camps to demonstrations, our taekwondo school holds many exciting, fun, and family friendly events every year.  

Also, taekwondo is a wonderful sport for family martial arts to participate in because each student is able to receive a unique training experience.  It is likely that a young child would not have the same goals in taekwondo as their parent would, and each person would be looking for different benefits.  Taekwondo is a great sport for families because each individual student is able to receive a very personalized training experience.  Each instructor who teaches a class gets to know each of their students as individuals and teaches them in the ways that work best for the student.  The training experience at the Colorado Taekwondo Institute is great for families because family members can be part of the organization together, but each individual student can meet their needs at the same time.  Students of all ages and backgrounds are encouraged to set goals for themselves as they grow in their training, which promotes a community of growth both inside and out of taekwondo class.  

Overall, family martial arts is an amazing sport for families to participate in together.  Taekwondo allows the whole family to exercise together and allows each individual member of the family to set their own goals, grow in confidence, learn discipline, and have fun, while strengthening bonds between members of the family.  Also, taekwondo encourages long-term commitment because it is a year-round sport, not a seasonal sport.  Family members who do taekwondo together can help encourage and motivate one another, and can help each other with practicing outside of class. This mutual participation in taekwondo can help strengthen the bond of a family and create skilled martial arts students at the same time.

Family Martial Arts Education for Everyone!

By Darcy Stanton, 1st dan

When my children were younger, I knew I wanted to provide them with the self-defense skills and discipline that only martial arts for kids can provide. We were lucky to have friends training with the Colorado Taekwondo Institute that introduced us to this world class school. There are five campuses in the Denver area in Lakewood, Westminster, Littleton, Golden, and Conifer. Classes are available for ages 2 and up. Class schedules and information about all their offerings are available at www.coloradotaekwondo.com. Their reviews on their Facebook page and on Google give a great picture of the quality of the school.

Our kids took their first classes at 3 and 6 years old. Instructors in the martial arts for kids classes are trained to meet the needs of the kids of the ages in their classes, providing a fun and challenging environment for everyone. All students are welcome, regardless of physical, mental, and emotional challenges. Instructors are committed to the success of every student. With this support, our children have gained strength, self-defense skills, self-confidence, and a community of friends and family in their almost 8 years at Colorado Taekwondo Institute.

Now that our children are older, they are training in teen martial arts classes at the Golden campus. Teen martial arts classes cater to the specific needs of teenage students and teach them to embody the tenets of taekwondo which are Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control, and Indomitable Spirit in a fun and engaging environment. Our children have also learned valuable leadership skills during their teen martial arts classes.

Of course, martial arts for kids and teens is important, but did you know it can benefit everyone, including adults? Once our family saw the quality of the education at the CTI, my husband and I also began training at the Golden campus. The adult taekwondo classes include students of all ages and abilities. The instructors are knowledgeable and caring and are able to guide students of all fitness levels to success. As adults we have increased our flexibility, strength, cardiovascular fitness, and benefit from the mental challenge of learning something new.

Training together in family martial arts at the Colorado Taekwondo Institute has strengthened our family bonds in ways we never imagined. We are able to challenge and support each other as we progress in our training. We cheer each other on at tournaments, go on fun trips together, and give back with community service projects sponsored by CTI. We always like to say, “a family that kicks together, sticks together” and we really believe it’s true. We are so thankful to the Colorado Taekwondo Institute for a quality family martial arts program for everyone!

Benefits of Having Family in CTI Taekwondo

By Lars den Hartog, 1st dan

Since I started CTI Taekwondo nearly five years ago, my little brother, Knox, has done it with me.  Having a family member in Taekwondo has made the experience one I can share with someone else, and not just a solo journey.  The ability to converse, learn, teach, and grow with my brother is beneficial not only to our success in Taekwondo, but our relationship as well. Connecting over something that we both have in common brings us closer and keeps us motivated to do our best.

While our age difference has prevented us from competing together and training in the same classes, we are still able to find time at home to work on our technique with one another. Whenever Knox has questions on moves, techniques, strategies, or anything of the sort, I’m always able to help him and assist in him reaching the highest level of training.  Before promotion tests and tournaments I always help Knox make sure his poomse and breaks are looking good.  This not only helps him, but brings my training to a higher level.  Watching and critiquing his technique reveals things that I need to work on myself.  Through this, we are both able to grow and advance in our training far more than we would have if our journey at the Colorado Taekwondo Institute was a solo one. 

Along with assisting one another in our technique, there is an underlying level of competition between us that brings our training to a higher level.  Each of us wants to be better than the other.  This, in turn, brings our motivation to succeed at classes, competitions, and other events to greater heights.  A healthy level of competition would not be possible if I didn’t have my brother in Taekwondo with me.

There are, however, far more benefits to having family in Taekwondo than just reaching a higher level of training.  Having family in Taekwondo has greatly increased my motivation and dedication to Moo Sul Kwan Martial Arts (The style of Taekwondo that is practiced at the CTI).   Whenever I experienced times when I didn’t want to attend class or a tournament, seeing my brother do those things would always motivate me to go and have fun as well.   We constantly push one another to attend events and achieve the highest level of success.  Without having my brother in Taekwondo with me, I wouldn’t have nearly as much determination to succeed and prosper at the Colorado Taekwondo Institute. 

Due to my parents having two children in Taekwondo, they have become familiar with the level of dedication and hard work that it takes to reach black belt rank, and the continuation of martial arts education past that. They constantly prompt us to achieve the highest level of success, and stress the importance of it. With the continuous amount of encouragement from my family, I am determined to attain the highest level of training and education through the Colorado Taekwondo Institute.

Sharing the experience of training in Moo Sul Kwan Martial Arts with my brother has proven to be a constant stream of healthy competition and motivation that I wouldn’t have otherwise. Training with family has not only made my journey at the Colorado Taekwondo Institute a more fun and exciting one, but a far more comfortable and advantageous one as well.

Your Family in Taekwondo

By Irene Kim, 1st dan, and mother of two CTI students

The benefits from training in Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo are immeasurable and intensely meaningful when multiple family members train together at the Colorado Taekwondo Institute (CTI). A very unique bonding develops immediately and continually grows stronger, as each member of the family pushes themselves to achieve goals once thought to be unattainable. 

The study of Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo for families requires undivided attention to multiple things simultaneously to accurately complete required moves.  It is a very challenging but rewarding practice. To recall and implement the seemingly infinite number of techniques is a constant push but also so satisfying when you do become closer to mastering even one. 

The training also requires continual practice of techniques. While one learns the moves, not only is the physical performance involved but also the attainment of a deep understanding of the rationales behind the moves.  One achieves this by practicing and interacting with others at the CTI. 

For multiple family members training in family martial arts, it allows valuable opportunities for even further practice and understanding. I am an adult red belt who got my 10-year-old daughter involved when she was around 5. A photo of her in her first uniform with her white belt looks over me now, as I write this. Her smile is beaming with pride even back then and reminds me of the value of having my family involved. 

My 7-year-old son also joined a couple years ago and now he enjoys the competition of tournaments and our family training together. We often talk of “kicks nights,” our family’s way of referring to the nights we all go to classes. The schedule of the household does continually involve these nights and I look forward to seeing them strengthen their minds, bodies and spirits while improving their self-confidence, respect for others, focus and discipline. 

As we individually push to understand and perform the beautiful Martial Art of Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo for families at the CTI, we ask each other questions to further delve into the details of each move. We can point out things on which we are doing well, as well as those areas which might need improvement. We do these things in the living room, at the park, in the kitchen...as well as at the dojang, or workout area at the Institute. 

The benefits of family martial arts extend into all aspects of your life: at school, work and in the community. Sometimes on our way to school or a birthday party, we will talk about where your foot should be on a certain poomse or what the target of your punches is. This improves and strengthens our focus and allows success in other areas as we move through our days. It is also incredibly fun to figure out the details and push each member of the family to success together. 

Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo is not just for you, it is something very positive and rewarding to pass onto generations to come.

Family Matters

By Beth Wolfe, orange belt, daughter and mother of 4 green belts and one orange belt!

There are undeniable benefits to working out.  Benefits that span age groups and are recognizable to anyone; benefits that are even recommended for better health.  Within the spectrum of martial arts, there are additional benefits that we experience - character building, respect, coordination and balance...the list goes on.  These things engage us, encourage us, and enhance our lives, but something else very special is possible at Colorado Taekwondo Institute - family participation.

So often our schedules are filled with activities divided by age groups.  We run from one thing to the next, everyone doing their own activity, filling endless hours with our busyness.  These activities have merit - we all need to have our own things that shape us. We all know that celebrating individuality is an important part of being human, and finding out who we are as people.  But what happens when there’s an activity the whole family can participate in? What changes when everyone is doing something together?

I have seen tremendous benefit from working out with my family.  It’s more than just working out; it is building bonds over common ground when it feels like common ground doesn’t exist (i.e. when teenagers have taken over your life…).  Bridging gaps between generations (we have three generation in CTI!) with something that doesn’t require language, technology, or Common Core Math to understand is a priceless reward.  Working out together, experiencing the health benefits, cheering each other on, practicing together; these are all wonderful things we use to draw each other closer.  Building character together and finding the ways that martial arts eases our stress while spending quality time together doing something the whole family loves is an incredible bonus.  Helping each other improve, and learning that doing your best is the most important part has been beyond therapeutic for us. It’s amazing to see my children encouraging each other, especially when they didn’t win first place or do as well as they’d hoped. Seeing their integrity emerge, watching them begin to come forward as leaders, and feeling their respect for one another increase is an irreplaceable gift that CTI has given me as a mother.  And the look on my children’s faces when they see that their mom can break a board or win a gold medal at a tournament...now that’s priceless.

Martial Arts for Family

By Nethika Suraweera, blue belt

Growing up in Sri Lanka and having moved to United States 10 years ago, I’ve heard good things about martial arts: How it helps people to stay in control with body, spirit and mind; How it helps kids to grow up with discipline and so many invaluable qualities; How it teaches any human to face challenges in life.  3 years ago, as me and my family moved to Denver, I was looking for a martial arts class for my 5 years old son. I inquired about Karate institutes and Taekwondo institutes in Littleton, Lakewood area.

My son was about to start Kindergarten, and we met some black belts from Colorado Taekwondo Institute (CTI) at the information session before starting the school year. When looked up for more information, and asked from other parents, I figured out that CTI was a great martial arts school. They had 5 campuses around Denver including Littleton, that is very closer to where we live. They had before and after school programs at several elementary schools and middle schools.

We enrolled our son for the Taekwondo class done by CTI, conveniently at his school.  Three months after he started Taekwondo, we were at his very first tournament, and I saw that people of every age participating in Taekwondo events, and I was fascinated by the demo done by the black belts. That’s the day I decided that I myself will join the classes at CTI. As of today, I am a blue belt, my son is a about to be a Junior blue belt and my 4 years old daughter is a Tiger green belt. We enjoy practicing in martial arts at CTI as a family. My husband continuously helps for our Taekwondo events and activities.

Within these few years we’ve built a good relationship with CTI. We have a great community of nice people. We have picnics, Christmas parties, food drives and many more activities. CTI even do ‘Lock-In’s that they take care of kids on some Friday nights, and parents can go out for a date night! CTI does an awesome job organizing martial arts events. Each year there are several tournaments, a summer expo, summer camps for kids and adults, a black belt symposium, master seminars and a black belt world tour every few years.

CTI follows rules and techniques of an ancient Taekwondo style: ’Moo Sul Kwan’. They make sure to preserve traditional values of Moo Sul Kwan, while teaching it to today’s students in a way that they can master in both physical and psychological excellence. To ensure high standards, CTI works in association with Moo Sul Kwan Martial Arts Institute and American Martial Arts Sports and Education Association.

The martial arts instructors at CTI are excellent. They’ve being very well trained for teaching and it is a continues learning and training process and a life-long commitment for them. The belt promotion process is very organized and strict in a good way, that every student must work hard at their best to earn credits. The kids and adults complete an assignment every month, and in my opinion that is a great activity. The assignment is usually about 5 tenants of Taekwondo: Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control and Indomitable Spirit, or other valuable concepts to improve our lives. It is a good chance for adults to revise and refresh their values. For the kids, a great way of growing up incorporating good habits and skills. CTI lives up to its mission statement: "To encourage world-class leadership through educational excellence and Moo Sul Kwan martial arts traditions”.

Recommended by Parents!

By Lindsey Boswell, brown belt

If you are looking into Karate, Taekwondo, or any type of martial arts lessons, I would highly recommend the Colorado Taekwondo Institute.

My daughter began taking classes when she was about 6 years old, and participated for about a year before I decided to join her.  She was having so much fun that I wanted to be a part of it.  It was such a good decision for us!  Participating in an activity that teaches us how to have fun and work hard, while encouraging us to develop and grow into leaders, has been an invaluable part of our family routine.

The Colorado Taekwondo Institute is a great way for the family to be active together, learn healthy competition, and gain leadership skills.  My daughter and I both have the opportunity to learn together, practice with each other, and compete in the same events.  This is an art that the entire family can be a part of because it allows for each individual to learn at their own pace while being part of a team.

A proud moment, as a mother, is to see my daughter teach younger students.  While it is so special to watch her improve on her own technique and skill, it is magical to watch her step into the role of a teacher at such a young age.  She is learning patience and discipline, while enjoying the activity and challenge of martial arts.  The more comfortable she becomes with her skills in martial arts, the more confident she becomes in other areas in life.

If you are thinking of trying out martial arts lessons, come to the Colorado Taekwondo Institute. We have locations in Conifer/Bailey/Aspen Park, Lakewood/Green Mountain, Littleton/Morrison, Golden/Wheat Ridge, and Westminster/North Arvada. Come see what they have to offer. Bring the family and try out a class. It is a great workout and family friendly. We would love to have you!

Becoming CTI Family

By Amy Krupp, purple belt

My daughter and I joined the Colorado Taekwondo Institute a little over two years ago.  Our main motivation for joining was to learn self-defense skills.  In the two years that have followed, Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo has evolved into a major part of our lives.  Our family is in the four walls of our dojang 5 out of the 7 days of the week.  A large portion of my yearly vacation time from work is spent traveling with my school, and attending  Taekwondo events, and I love every moment of it.

One of my daughter’s favorite memories from this past summer is attending the Moo Sul Kwan Summer Expo in Keystone, Colorado with me.  MSK Taekwondo has evolved for us from a way to learn self-defense to a way of life.

My daughter was three when she first tied her white belt around her waist.  She learned how to count to ten in Korean not too long after she learned how to do it in English. To this day, she can’t do jumping jacks without counting in Korean while she does it.  The CTI has been instrumental in everything from improving her gross motor skills, to increasing her self-confidence, to instilling in her a love of exercise.  She does well under pressure, due in part to her participation in CTI tournaments.  It has been amazing to watch her grow and mature due to her martial arts training.

My son is two years old and will be joining the CTI family very soon. Although he’s not yet a student, MSK Taekwondo has always been a part of his life.  He was just 6 months old when he came to watch his first CTI tournament.  His big sister has been teaching him poomse in our living room since he could walk.  He learned how to say “Taekwondo” before he could speak in complete sentences.  I can’t wait to see him bow into class for the first time, and officially join the Moo Sul Kwan ranks.

Taekwondo training with my children is an incredibly rewarding experience that is difficult to put into words.  MSK Taekwondo has become one of my greatest passions in life, and having my children take part in it with me is incredible.  They will grow up understanding what it means to be a martial arts student.  They will know the pride that comes with tying a belt around your waist and wearing the Moo Sul Kwan emblem on your back.  They will understand what it feels like to walk into class and have all of your stress melt away.

As a parent, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed with shaping your children into good people, and to wonder if the decisions you made while raising your children were the right ones.  I can say without a shadow of a doubt that joining the Colorado Taekwondo Institute will always be one of those decisions that I know we did right.  Our family is, and always will be, a proud Moo Sul Kwan family. 

Your Family in MSK Taekwondo

By Irene Kim, red belt

The benefits from training in Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo are immeasurable and intensely meaningful when multiple family members train together at the Colorado Taekwondo Institute (CTI).   A very unique bonding develops immediately and continually grows stronger, as each member of the family pushes themselves to achieve goals once thought to be unattainable.

The study of Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo requires attention to multiple things simultaneously to accurately complete required moves. It is a very challenging but rewarding practice. To recall and implement the seemingly infinite number of techniques is a constant push but also so satisfying when you come closer to mastering even one.

The training also requires continual practice of techniques. While one learns the moves, not only is the physical performance involved but also the attainment of a deep understanding of the rationales behind the moves.  One achieves this by practicing and interacting with others at the CTI.

For multiple family members training in family martial arts, valuable opportunities for even further practice and understanding are appreciated. I am an adult red belt who got my 10-year-old daughter involved when she was around 5. A photo of her in her first uniform with her white belt looks over me as I write this. Her smile is beaming with pride even back then and reminds me of the value of having my family involved.

My 7-year-old son also joined a couple years ago and now he enjoys the competition of tournaments and our family martial arts training together.  We often talk of “kicks nights,” our family’s way of referring to the nights we all go to classes.  The schedule of the household does continually involve these nights and I look forward to seeing them strengthen their minds, bodies and spirits while improving their self-confidence, respect for others, focus and discipline.

As we individually push to understand and perform the beautiful Moo Sul Kwan Martial Art of Taekwondo at the CTI, we ask each other questions to further delve into the details of each move.  We can point out things on which we are doing well, as well as those areas which might need improvement.  We do these things in the living room, at the park, in the kitchen...as well as at the dojang, or workout area, at the Institute.

The benefits of Taekwondo at the CTI extend into all aspects of our lives: at school, work and in the community.  On our way to birthday parties or the store, we talk about where your foot should be on a certain poomse or what the target of a certain punches is.  We practice side kicks in the pool.  We do jumping jacks and stretches at the park.  This type of attention to the practice improves and strengthens our focus and allows success in other areas as we move through our days.  It is also incredibly fun to figure out the details and push each member of the family to success together.

Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo is not just for you, it is something very positive and rewarding to pass onto generations to come. I suggest you check-out the Colorado Taekwondo Institute when you are looking for martial arts schools for families.

Kicking Together - A Family Martial Arts Experience

By Amy Krupp, blue belt

A year and a half ago, I was researching martial arts for families in my area, and stumbled across the website and Facebook page for the Colorado Taekwondo Institute. I knew that I wanted to get myself and my then 3.5 year old daughter enrolled in martial arts in order to give us skills needed to defend ourselves, should the need ever arise. Beyond that, I didn’t really have any idea of what I was looking for. The CTI seemed organized based on the website, seemed involved with their students based on the Facebook page, and had many glowing reviews. When I gave them a call to try out some classes for both of us, I had no idea how important this organization would become to my family.

Watching my three year old participate in her first Taekwondo tournament is an experience I’ll never forget. She had been a student for two months prior to her first tournament. I was probably more nervous than she was, watching her run up to the judges to introduce herself before performing her very first poomse (series of patterned movements). I didn’t know how she would react to having five black belts she’d never met watching her, and having her perform all on her own, but she did a wonderful job! As a parent, I couldn’t be more proud of her. Or so I thought. Then it was my turn to do my first poomse at the same tournament. It had been years since I’d been that nervous. My daughter had made it look so easy! I was even more proud of her then.

Participating in the same sport as your child is incredibly rewarding. We share a bond that is hard to fully appreciate until you are a part of it. Watching my child participate in Taekwondo is an amazing experience, but being a student myself, I have a deeper understanding of what she is experiencing. I can help her at home with her Taekwondo studies at a much higher level than I could as a spectator. We count in Korean together over dinner. We compare trophies and medals after tournaments, and talk about what we learned in class that day. We celebrate our belt promotions together, do our homework together, practice poomse together, and study for our promotion tests together.

Taekwondo has come to mean a great deal to me, and I could not be happier to share that experience with my daughter. I am looking forward to the day that my son is also old enough to participate. I can’t help but look ahead, and think of the day when all three of us are black belts. I’m looking forward to reminiscing about our first tournaments together, and remembering all of the times that I tied their belts and wished them luck before they competed. Family karate lessons has been a truly wonderful experience for us. As my classmate, Ms. Melodie Page said, “The families that kick together stick together.”

If you're looking for martial arts for families, I highly recommend you picking up the phone and calling the Colorado Taekwondo Institute. 

Family at the Colorado Taekwondo Institute

By Courtney Moen, green belt

At the Colorado Taekwondo Institute, many families go there to learn self-defense, compete, and have fun.  When you train with your family, you have a best friend(s) there to help you learn and understand things, while also teaching the other.  This could be better because you get to have more practice at home with someone else, so you can figure out more things you need to fix from another's eyes.

As a student at CTI who goes with my sister I can say that I definitely feel like I remember more things when we get home and practice.  Training with family is also a bit more of a fun experience, because you can learn alongside your younger or older siblings or parents, and you are treated the same.  You are the same age.  You all learn the same thing eventually.

The best thing is definitely when you can see the progress that you have all made.  It really does show.  You not only learn self-defense, but you also get a better personality.  Respect, Integrity, and humility can be seen in your family when training at CTI.  You can see the progress that you have made, you are proud.  Not only of what you did, but how your family did, even if they did get a higher score on a test or tournament.

Colorado Taekwondo Institute also bonds your family.  The people you think you know the most about come out with new strengths and weaknesses, and being a family, you help fuel the strengths and fix the weaknesses, as they do you.  After a while that younger or older sibling you thought you hated becomes your best friend and you want nothing more than to watch them succeed and make them proud with your own accomplishments. CTI helps build a better relationship with everyone, because here, we are all family.end.

Family in Taekwondo

By Gwendolyn Gutierrez 1st Dan

I started Taekwondo in 2006 when I was 2 years old with my older brother. Throughout these 11 years I have wanted to give up multiple times but then my brother always reminded me to keep pushing and trying my best no matter how hard it was. He has given me opportunities that I wouldn't have if I joined without him. Having family in Taekwondo gives you a bigger advantage than anything else.

Every single time that I have gotten new moves in the past, my instructor would always tell me to practice them at home. Especially when you're younger, it's hard to stay accountable on practicing those moves. The beautiful thing about having family in Taekwondo is they can help you keep that accountability so you don't get distracted and forget to practice. Also, if your family knows to the same place or further on patterns or one-step sparring, they can help you with anything that you're struggling with. This helped me a lot because I would forget difficult moves easily so one day if I needed help I could just ask my brother and he would usually have an answer. My favorite part about having family at home that does Taekwondo is getting help on homework. Every month when the CTI homework comes out, it's hard to make sure you're on top of it and keep track of it. When you have family there to do it with you, it's a lot easier to finish it. But it's not only homework. This past year when my brother and I had to fill out training charts for the Sweden and Norway world tour, we would forget to fill it in a lot. Then we came up with a system to sit down at a table together right after dinner and fill them out together and we actually started to keep up with our charts.

One of the hardest things that I always struggled with in Taekwondo was motivation. There was like a 6 month period where I didn't really have anything pushing me towards that black belt. But then I reached that age where i realized having a sibling motivated me. Having family in Taekwondo pushes you to get better and work harder than them. Suddenly I had a goal to reach and even though it may sound a little stupid and childish, it helped me in extraordinary ways. It helped me see what I was finally going to get in the end even without having it. As I got out of wanting to work harder than my brother, the motivation was still there. Without that motivation to want to be better, I wouldn't be who I am today inside and outside of Taekwondo.

Family can be a powerful thing when it comes to any activity or sport. I got lucky to be being able to participate in martial arts for families. A lot of people don't have that luxury. Even though siblings can be very annoying at times, they are always still very helpful. I think that if you're going to join Taekwondo, do it with a sibling, your parents or any family member, because, trust me, it definitely pays off.  I wouldn't have my black belt if it were for having family in Taekwondo and I will always vouch for that.

Learning Martial Arts With Your Family

By Craig Cardella, Green Belt

Who has seen their child on the basketball court or soccer field make a great play and then immediately, like iron is drawn to a magnet, look directly to the stands for their parent’s pride and approval? One of the greatest pleasures in life is watching your kids play sports, build confidence and create new friendships. What if you had the opportunity to join your kid’s high school soccer team? It might be a little scary to take the field on that first day but then, rather than sitting in the stands, you could actively participate with your son or daughter in the learning, growth and enjoyment of the sport. A chance like this doesn’t present itself very often, especially in the fast lane of a child’s youth, so consider this adventure wisely. Take the first bow and join your child in the dojang. You won’t regret the lifetime of memories you’ll carry with you from that first day forward, not to mention your own personal growth as the cherry on top.

My son and I joined the Colorado Taekwondo Institute. We weren't initially looking for family martial arts. My son was interested in classes and after some research, we picked the CTI. We couldn't have been happier. After a year of my son doing classes, I decided it was time to stop sitting and watching and jump in with him. As I said before, how many opportunities like that will we get?

One of the first things you’ll hear, presuming your child started before you donned your white belt, is “Dad, you know you’re going to have to call me 'sir' since I’ll get my black belt before you?” With those joyous words you hope you both will stick with it through all those belts, tests, happy board breaks and sparring wins. Determination and perseverance, among other benefits, are two characteristics you’ll both be crowned with as you continue down your path. When I’m in class with my son we both see one another, checking for proper stance or chamber hands and to make sure our energy output is high, with a happiness level to match. Even better are the tournaments; preparing at home with additional patterned movement practice, holding pillows for practice breaking and then performing the final act on tournament day.

My son is now two and a half years into his journey and I’m a year behind him. The strength, confidence and discipline we both learn in the workout room translates to our home, school and personal lives in general. We’re having fun, growing stronger together and when he looks to the stands for his parent’s approval, he doesn’t have to look far.

Next time you find yourself thinking or Googling, "what are some family activities near me?" consider checking in with the Colorado Taekwondo Institute to see what they have to offer for your family.

A CTI Testimonial: Part 4

Katie D.

The Colorado Taekwondo Institute is the best thing I've ever participated in. It has benefited me not only physically, but mentally and emotionally. The CTI is more than just a martial arts school, it is a community, a family. They are welcoming to everyone, no matter your age, gender, culture or any other label. Every class is different, and I learn something new each time. The instructors are engaging, encouraging and approachable, never giving up on a student and are always supportive. My sister joined first and I watched as she came out of her shell and blossomed into a confident and happy young woman. Seeing that I needed to join. Physically I'm stronger and healthier. I've been challenged to think outside the box and to become a self-motivated learner. I've made wonderful lifelong friends that I know will support me if I ever need them, and whom I will support in return. It has also been a great way for my sister and I to bond, being 13 years apart in age. We have something to share and laugh about and push each other to go all the way to black belt and beyond. It's a great place for family martial arts!

Susan B.

I was looking for a new way to work out that would challenge my brain as well as my body. I found it at CTI Littleton school! I am not a joiner by nature and find group classes tough to stomach. But I have to admit the school is not at all what I had expected. And after two years, I am still very motivated to attend class every week. What are your goals? Lose weight? Gain strength? Activate your brain in a fun and interesting way? CTI is for you. This is one of the best workouts to be found. Do you have kids and are looking for an activity for them that is mentally and physically safe? Do you want to connect with them by taking class too? Are you looking to help them in school and life by learning self-discipline in a fun environment? CTI is for you. Call and set up a time to meet at the school. Worst case: you will take one class and find out it is not your "thing." Best case: you have a great workout and are excited to return.


Jason S.

Almost a year ago my 6 year old sons and I started Taekwondo at CTI Westminster school. CTI Westminster Campus has provided me with the opportunity to connect with my kids in an activity which is fun for all of us- martial arts classes for families. We enjoy learning the Moo Sul Kwan martial arts traditions which reinforce our family teachings on the values of leadership, responsibility, respect, and self-control. The program strengthens my children's ability to set and achieve goals. The tournaments give us a chance to demonstrate the skills we have learned, while providing an opportunity for the kids to practice being a gracious winner and, at times, a graceful loser. The black belts serve as excellent role models of future success for the boys. Master Erik Albrechtson and his black belt instructors at CTI Westminster Campus are tremendous. They are always willing to go the extra mile to help you learn. Additional benefits of this program are that the class times fit our family's busy schedule, there are extra summer and holiday camps when school is not in session and the program is competitively priced with other opportunities in the area. We are so thankful a friend recommended family martial arts at the CTI Westminster Campus to us.