How Karate is Great for Young Children

By Emily Artman, 1st dan

Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo is a rewarding experience for any age, and for our younger students, taekwondo teaches lessons and ideas that you simply can’t find anywhere else. Young kids are bouncing balls of energy and excitement, an energy that sometimes needs a positive outlet. The best martial arts for kids provide a great outlet, as it challenges the mind and the body. Though MSK Taekwondo children learn things like self-defense, as well as skills that will make them successful for the rest of their lives.

At such a young age thing as goal setting, self-confidence, and discipline are foreign concepts. Schools focus more on skills as they relate to things like math and science. Karate for young children, however, focuses on skills that relate to the body as well as how it relates to the mind.  Children are learning how to control themselves, as well as how to defend themselves. Both skills are useful as children continue to grow and mature, mostly because children who go through the Colorado Taekwondo Institute (CTI) have a greater understanding of self-control and respect, things that their fellow classmates may not fully understand.

Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo also transfers to the other parts of life, including home, school, and other sports. The skill learned through MSK Taekwondo don’t just stay in dojang, they can be used everywhere else in life for young people.  Take school for example.  Success in school requires things like sitting still and paying attention.  MSK Taekwondo also requires these things to be successful, and one of the first things you learn through taekwondo is that if you pay attention and give 100%, there is no way you will fail. Skills like teamwork and discipline also transfer to things like outside sports, where they are learning to dribble a basketball or kick a soccer ball. Karate for young children offers many benefits, and these benefits won't go away with age.  MSK Taekwondo is the best martial arts for kids. It is rewarding for everyone that walks through the doors, and it provides an especially unique experience for young children.

44th CTI Superbowl

The 44th Colorado Taekwondo Institute Superbowl is taking place at Alameda International Junior/Senior High School on February 23-24!  Friday evening is devoted to black belt competition, which continues early in the morning on Saturday.  Everyone competes on Saturday in the many exciting competitions.

Divisions for all ages and belt levels will be in poomse, sparring, breaking and more!  To celebrate the end of the CTI-year, everyone under black belt competes for the four Grand Champion awards.

During this special day, breaking rules are enhanced and there are also special, unique black belt events for the advanced competitors.

Ask you instructor for more information.  Get a Superbowl Tri-Fold at your CTI Campus today!

You can register online right here!

Traits Developed at through Martial Arts for Leadership

By Deb Denny, red belt, CTI Black Belt Club Member

Confidence is a necessary trait for a good leader to instill that same value in people who follow. It is more secure to follow someone acting confidently, as outcomes will be more secure. As a confident leader forges ahead into unknown territory, the leader instills a sense of “I can do this” in their followers, who then can solve any problems together.

Humility is a great trait for a leader, one who is willing to approach new situations humbly. A prideful, boastful person will actually repel followers.  A leader has to be able to inspire others to follow.

Accountability is the ability to say “the buck stops here.” A person who can take responsibility for all decisions made will be more popular than one who is always looking for someone else to blame. People will be more willing to take chances under such a leader because they inspire everyone to try to the best of their ability. When failure occurs, it is not a negative but another step on the road to success.

Passion is one of the best qualities a leader can have. If a person is not heartfelt about what they are doing, what is the attraction for your followers. Igniting your passion is contagious and will incite those around you to do their best with energy and excitement.

Integrity is really the watch word for anyone in life. If you lie, cheat, and steal, no victories are yours to savor. Developing an honest reputation takes a long-time, one small error will undo it quickly. People are then quick to disassociate themselves with a leader lacking in integrity.

CTI martial arts students must be leaders in their community. The benefits of martial arts program is designed to develop leaders who excel in everything they do.  The program depends on strong leaders who attract students, who emulate and become leaders themselves. Leadership programs qualities learned in MSK Taekwondo will naturally extend throughout your life, helping you to succeed and attain goals.  The tenets of MSK Taekwondo courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control and an indomitable spirit learned in class naturally helps you develop personal characteristics that translate into a strong leader.  These characteristics naturally extend throughout all aspects of your community life.

Society today tends to have an abundance of people who do not want to work for any goals, everything is deserved and to be handed over to them. CTI student leaders are necessary to help inspire people to ignite their passions and accomplish goals in the world.  Actions of leaders reverberate outward in the universe. One leader who can inspire one person to better themselves will then inspire another, and then another. Imagine a society where everyone is working passionately to discover their potential. The possibilities are endless. This is one reason I really enjoy the leadership program offered at the Colorado Taekwondo Institute.

Responsibility is a Show of Character

By Lynne Dean, red belt

Being responsible is a show of character evident in a civilized society.  Being impulsive and adhoc when dealing with people and your assignments will lead to erratic responses from both.It will also lead to inconsistent results and ultimately a lack of direction and purpose.

The burden of being responsible is worth the “foot-loose and fancy free” freedom that you give up by taking on that burden of being true to your word, actions, and deeds.  The results of being responsible is a sense of reliability and purpose.  You will be “taken seriously” which will lead to a plethora of rewards in the likes of being able to establish and maintain meaningful relationships and being able to learn and grow from the decisions you make and the tasks you have taken on.
Doors will open for you because, ultimately, people look for and really do need someone with a responsible mentality in order to help them along in their purpose.

In addition to stalling your own personal growth, not being responsible reflects badly on you and your associations. To put it more positively, acting responsible shows you care about your reputation and those you impact with your words and actions. At CTI, the responsible student will advance (increasing that C3 quotient J ). At work, the responsible employee will get more satisfying job assignments and hopefully recognition too. At home, your family will be closer and more harmonious if you (and all them too) take on acting responsibly. It is not always easy to be the responsible one…sometimes it comes at the expense of something that in the near term looks like fun or would be something you would much rather else be doing… But those short term distractions will ultimately be just that – distractions.  Responsibility grows you in the long run and always for the better.

All the Benefits of Martial Arts Training, No Matter the Age

By Erik Albrechtson, 6th dan

Are you looking for an activity for your kids to do this summer? Or are you looking for a fitness program to get into shape or lose a few pounds? In either case, you should consider trying out our martial arts classes at the Colorado Taekwondo Institute. With our martial arts school locations here in Colorado, you're sure to find a class that is for you, no matter what age you are.

The Colorado Taekwondo Institute was founded in 1983, by Grandmaster James M. Sautel. Since then it has grown to 6 locations in Colorado, along with various before and after school programs at local Elementary schools.

One thing that is great about martial arts classes at our school, is there is a perfect fit for you, no matter your age, experience or fitness level. Four of the biggest reasons that parents enroll their children or why adults get started are for discipline, respect, focus and exercise.

Kids (ages 2 to 12)

• Discipline - Our structured, dynamic classes are a great way for your child to develop discipline. Within a few months, you will see your child's control over their mind and body grow.
• Respect - This is a big part of our classes for children. They are learning to respect adults and teachers, but they are also learning to respect themselves. This will help them make better decisions and to develop confidence in themselves.
• Focus - Along with discipline, our structured classes help students learn to focus. When learning new moves, exercising hard or kicking a target, they are learning to focus their mind, which in turn will help them focus at home and school.
• Exercise - It's no secret that the United States is in the top 20 most obese countries in the world.1 It is important to teach children when they are young, the value of hard work and exercise. Our martial arts classes are filled with jumping jacks, push-ups, sit-ups and martial arts techniques and forms that involves both cardio and muscular strength.

Teens

• Discipline - The need to develop discipline doesn't wane as children grow into their teen years. As they get older, they get more independence, and so the need to improve and grow their discipline does too. Our classes are a great way for teens to be thinking about controlling their body and mind.
• Respect - In our martial arts classes, teens are learning to respect their teachers (both here and at school) and their parents, and it starts with learning to respect themselves. This will help them make better decisions and to develop confidence as they grow into adults.
• Focus - It seems like there are more and more things to distract kids these days, so focus and the ability to focus are becoming more and more important. This will result in better school grades, and better performance in other activities and sports. 
• Exercise - Similar to their younger peers, teens are at danger to become overweight or obese. Not all schools require physical education classes through middle and high school, so there is a bigger chance teens are getting less exercise. Our classes are 60 or 90 minutes of dynamic movement and teach them the importance of staying fit.

Adults

• Discipline - Sometimes as adults we forget that we need to be working on our discipline too! Getting off the couch, cleaning out the garage like you've been meaning to, not over-reacting when a bag situation happens. The self-control learned here in classes will carry into all of the other components of your life. 
• Respect - Similar to the younger students, adults are working on developing respect for teachers, bosses and their peers. We have so many "success stories" of adult students who take the lessons learned here to the work place and it changes their performance at work, and they enjoy work so much more!
• Focus - Ever walk into a room and forget why you did? Even as adults we need to constantly be sharpening our minds and learning to focus on the task at hand. When learning complex martial arts patterns, kicks and blocks, you are sharpening your mind and developing that focus.
• Exercise - One common misconception for adults is that they have to be in good physical shape to start martial arts classes, but this is far from the truth! The idea is to join classes and to slowly get into shape, shed unwanted pounds and gain muscle mass. Classes are tailored to go at your own pace, so you set your goals and strive to achieve them!

So as you can see, there are great benefits for everyone here at the Colorado Taekwondo Institute. But what makes us different than any other martial arts schools in the area? There are actually quite a few differences, and all martial arts schools aren't created equally!

First, we are a traditional Taekwondo school, teaching the same style of classes that were started by our founder, Great Grandmaster Lee H. Park, in 1969. The training and classes isn't watered-down by the latest fad that happens to be popular at the time. Our time-tested program and curriculum is sure to provide the best results, and be the safest for our students.

Second, the students' best interests are always in our core. Whether it comes to having spacious workout areas, custom built suspension floors to take the impact out of our training, or offering enough classes to have a balanced teacher to student ratio, we want what is best for our students!
Third, we have instructors that care. Each of our instructors start our program at white belts and are part of the program and grow to know each and every student. We take person interest in each and every student, and want to mentor them on their journey to black belt.

So stop by or give us a call at 303-428-5377 to learn more about classes. Or you can click here to request more information online. With five locations along the front range, there is sure to be a martial arts school locations near you. We look forward to hearing from you!

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SOURCES:
1- http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/maps-and-graphics/the-most-obese-fattest-countries-in-the-world/

Notes on Poomse Rules

By Mindy Sautel, 6th dan

From a class at Moo Sul Kwan Summer Expo XXVII.

POOMSE TRAINING RULE #1
Students are taught poomse a few moves at a time by a black belt.

• Do not learn poomse from watching other students, from a lower belt, from a family member or from a DVD.  Memorize the line of movement.  Memorize the sequence.  Memorize the direction of the techniques.
• If you learn the moves a few at a time and practice them consistently, you will easily memorize the moves and the poomse.

POOMSE TRAINING RULE #2
In assuming ready stance, be calm, cautious and courageous.

• Be confident that you know the moves.  Be focused on the poomse you are about to perform.  Don’t let outside distractions affect you.

POOMSE TRAINING RULE #3
In learning the poomse, make each movement slowly, accurately and precisely.  When you are taught a couple of moves, practice them over and over so that you are doing the moves correctly.

• The instructor knows if you have practiced and are ready for additional moves.
• Rule #3 is most important when you are practicing by yourself. 
• You will become proficient in your technique if you concentrate on Rule #3.

POOMSE TRAINING RULE #4
Each movement must be dynamic. 

• Practicing as you mean to perform is crucial.  If you practice weakly without any power, then you are not taking advantage of your training.  Kihap loudly.  Have power, focus and sharp technique.

POOMSE TRAINING RULE #5
Maintain an objective focus. 

• Do your own poomse.  Don’t look around or try to copy other’s moves.  No eye contact should be made with anyone.  Maintain your focus no matter the surroundings.

POOMSE TRAINING RULE #6
In turning, look first, then turn. 

• Always look before you turn.  Increases your awareness of your surroundings.  Increases your focus.  Prevents injury.

POOMSE TRAINING RULE #7
In walking, maintain poise, balance and a good stance. 

• It is important to not only have power and correct moves, but to have grace.  This grace or poise increases the overall appearance of your poomse.  
• Having balance and good stances complete the poomse.

POOMSE TRAINING RULE #8
Relax while assuming a stance and executing a technique until the instant the technique would impact the opponent. 

• This provides the focus for each individual move.  The strength and power are focused sharply at the moment of contact.  
• Each move should have a focus hand and a twist at the last second.

POOMSE TRAINING RULE #9
Be certain to practice the poomse in different directions. 

• This is important so that you can perform the poomse in any surroundings.  You should be able to do the poomse in a circle or on an angle.  
• This also helps you to be able to perform well in demos.

POOMSE TRAINING RULE #10
Return to ready stance calmly, gracefully and with satisfaction. 

• If you have practiced rules 1-9, this is easily accomplished.  
• Be proud of your poomse. 
• Always practice as champion.