Get Ready for the 2020 CTI Online Championships

 ONLINE MOO SUL KWAN COMPETITIONS FOR ALL AGES AND BELT LEVELS!

Our 2020 CTI Online Championships is coming!

This special two weekend event will take place online for the very first time in Moo Sul Kwan / AMASEA History! 

Black, Red, Brown and Purple belts of all ages will compete in our Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo competitions on September 26th. 

On October 10th, Blue, Green, Orange, Yellow and White belts will compete in four different exciting divisions of their own.

Moo Sul Kwan / AMASEA Grandmaster and Master instructor judges will be on hand with other CTI black belts to perform the judging in several exciting categories like; Poomse, One-Step Sparring, Taking it to the Target and more! 

Competitors will receive their time to report online for their division from their instructor.   

Before the competition begins, the competitor warms up with a CTI Remote Exercise and Basics Class from our website.  Then the action begins!

There is no late registration at this event.

For more information, click here.

Taekwondo Classes

If you have been looking to pick up a martial art, you have come to the right place. The Colorado Taekwondo Institute is an outstanding school for taekwondo classes. Coming from Korea, Taekwondo is one of the original oriental martial arts along with karate, hapkido, and judo. Taekwondo is indigenous to Korea, which means this type of self-defense comes from and evolved solely in Korea. It has been around for thousands of years under a few different names such as So Bak. The word taekwondo also means “the art of smashing with the feet and hands” in Korean. While all martial arts share some similarities, taekwondo is far superior to other martial arts. The style taught at Colorado Taekwondo Institute called Moo Sul Kwan teaches great values to students, is a great physical fitness program, and has a friendly and welcoming environment.

The best part about Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo is the strong character it teaches its students. In the student manual, there is a list of the tenets of taekwondo. These values include courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, and indomitable spirit. These tenets of taekwondo can be seen in everything we do. From the regular classes to the tournaments to the social events, we are constantly reminded of and taught these traits. Along with that, there are monthly homeworks that teach about other traits of a black belt such as honesty, healthy eating, and the importance of exercise. The most important value taekwondo teaches is how to work hard and the accomplishments that come with it. So, one great benefit of Taekwondo is the important principles it teaches.

Another important aspect of taekwondo classes is the physical workouts. Not only does Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo make you a better person mentally, but it also makes you physically fit. With all jumping jacks, stretches, and exercise, you are sure to workup a good sweat. There is focus on endurance training and muscular fitness in taekwondo. At the beginning of a typical class, we do jumping jacks, which elevate your heart rate and get you breathing. Then we do stretches, which prevent injuries and energize you. In this section, we do pushups and sit-ups, and these help with all of the techniques and help your muscular fitness. Later on, we do the basic kicking and punching routine, which again helps with endurance. This physical fitness is a great help to other sports as well as living a healthy lifestyle.

Lastly, the environment created by the Colorado Taekwondo Institute is a family friendly and inviting atmosphere. At the CTI, even with the competitions, we are all one big family. Even after your first class, you are guaranteed to meet a few new people. The CTI welcomes almost all ages from your five year old child to your seventy year old grandma. There are many different classes that cater to the varying ages and abilities of students. The biggest sign of the friendly environment though is the act of shaking hands, which students do all the time. At the end of every class, the students shake hands and tell each other good job. Even after a fierce sparring match at one of our tournaments, the competitors have a genuine handshake after and show mutual respect. As you can see, the CTI provides a positive environment to learn the great martial art that is taekwondo.

Perseverance and Commitment

By Caleb Feagans, 2nd dan, CTI Instructor

Perseverance is one of the tenets of Taekwondo that we study and learn about during our training. Many of us understand the importance of perseverance but at times we may forget when it is needed the most. The definition of perseverance is persistence in performing a task or attaining a goal despite difficulty or resistance. Perseverance is probably the most applicable tenet of Taekwondo as many of us have needed to use perseverance at school or work but, none can compare to our training here at the Colorado Taekwondo Institute (CTI). The road to black belt, and beyond, is long and tedious and requires much dedication, work, and commitment. At times we may want to give up and stop trying, but at that moment is the time when a student in the CTI needs to understand the importance of perseverance and apply it.

Perseverance is used every day in small doses and you may not even know that you are showing perseverance. Most of us had a paper in school or a project at work that we thought could wait and we wanted to procrastinate. However, Taekwondo training at the CTI helps us understand that instead of procrastinating, we should take advantage of the time we have now and at least start those projects. Starting or completing a task instead of waiting and putting off that project is an example of us using perseverance. An example of this in MSK Taekwondo would be studying for a written test or doing your monthly excellence sheet. These things maybe aren’t the biggest priorities in our everyday lives but in order to further enhance our Moo Sul Kwan training, these activities are essential. And if we as students let ourselves procrastinate and put off these items then we are not bettering ourselves, but taking steps backwards. Every class we do basics and are reminded that if we aren’t pushing 100% every class and strive to take steps forward, then we are actually taking steps backwards. That concept still applies to homework, written tests, and articles. These tasks require perseverance and we may not think of needing it with these tasks but in order to attain a black belt, students must learn to have perseverance, in any task, either physical or mental.

Not only do we need to work hard and have perseverance in our classes and training, but we also need to set a black belt example outside of the school. One of the hardest parts of training at CTI is understanding that the behavior that we are required to follow in the school is the same type of behavior that we need to exhibit in life. Perseverance is essential to do this. There are many times in life that will test this training and we may be tempted to break that training. A true Moo Sul Kwan martial arts black belt has to understand that the behavior exhibited in classes and around other students, instructors and assistant instructors is the same behavior that needs to be shown to co-workers, classmates, and any stranger. Although this may be tough, it will help your training and the road to become a black belt will be a little easier. Applying this skill to life will also help you become a better person. Although many students know the definition of perseverance, we may not know how to apply it to our training and our lives but the quicker you learn how to do that, the better off you will be in your MSK Taekwondo training and school or work. 

Adult Martial Arts Classes at the CTI

By Shekina DeTienne, 3rd dan

So many adults have always wanted to learn a martial art but just haven't gotten around to doing it. With this upcoming New Year, why not start now? If you want to learn a martial art, the Colorado Taekwondo Institute is a place to start! They have multiple locations and offer classes for all ages, 5 days a week. With their excellent availability and program, adults can easily fit the goal of learning adult martial arts into their busy lives. And when looking for adult karate classes, here are a few reasons why classes at the Colorado Taekwondo Institute are the best around.

At the Colorado Taekwondo Institute an age appropriate program helps adults to build and develop physically and mentally. From the beginning of class to the end, the basic routine allows adults of all ages and abilities to learn correctly and safely. Using a time-tested routine of over fifty years, every class gives the student a solid foundation to start with and then builds on. Getting in shape, losing a little extra weight and increasing endurance and flexibility are target goals of the warm ups at the Colorado Taekwondo Institute.

Engaging mentally and supporting strength of mind as well as body is another major aim of the Colorado Taekwondo Institute. Having physical routines that require repeating helps students develop themselves on an intellectual level. Self-defense techniques, kicks, blocks, strikes, and a variety of preset drills challenge adults physically while engaging them mentally. Providing consistent, measurable goals for adults to learn and grow in adult karate classes is a key to the student's success.

If you are looking for an adult program that provides both physical and mental growth, the Colorado Taekwondo Institute is a great program to start with for adult martial arts. They strive for excellence in everything they do from a flexible schedule to attainable goals, from multiple locations to a time tested, successful program. Don’t delay your goal of learning a martial art, start today!

 

Campus Spotlight: Westminster Campus

If you’re looking for a Westminster martial arts school with a family friendly, disciplined, and exciting environment, look no further than the Westminster location of the Colorado Taekwondo Institute (CTI). Located conveniently on W. Alameda Parkway, this Westminster martial arts school hosts classes that teach valuable self-defense skills to students of all ages, from toddlers to teens to adults. Like karate and kung fu, taekwondo is a martial art that trains the body and mind to improve ourselves and achieve goals. 

Martial arts, unlike many other sports, is an individual sport. Practicing karate and taekwondo is self-directed and self-motivated training. Traditional taekwondo, which is taught at the CTI, is a martial art similar to karate and kung fu. As a student, we better ourselves with the self-defense and education provided by this Westminster taekwondo school. This allows us to set our own goals to accomplish with this martial arts training. For instance, a teen might be interested in the focus martial arts training provides and applying that to school. An adult may be interested in losing weight and setting a goal for getting in shape using martial arts. Even a toddler will see the benefit of setting a goal like getting their next belt and the satisfaction achieving that goal brings. 

There are choices out there for martial arts, but the CTI Westminster martial arts school is a step above the rest. At the CTI students are encouraged to do more than just exercise in their regular classes, such as monthly homework and written tests for each belt. This keeps the martial arts frame of mind present in all part of our lives, so we can achieve any goals we have. The self-confidence and self-defense taught by our outstanding group of black belt instructors will allow anyone, to become a better version of themselves. 

Both of the Westminster main classrooms have custom-built, carpeted suspension floors, so as to reduce stress on the body when working out. Each workout area is incredibly spacious, to provide each student ample room to workout. There are also spacious and comfortable viewing areas for friends and family to watch class. 

Nestled in on the border of North Arvada and Westminster, the Westminster taekwondo campus serves the Arvada, Broomfield, and Westminster communities. Nearby amenities include I Heart Sushi, Sano's Italian Kitchen and Sideways Sports Lounge.

Come join us today at the Westminster campus of the Colorado Taekwondo Institute. We’re here to help you be a better you and reach your goals.

Your Local Martial Arts School

By Khristin Paisley, purple belt

Most often when people not associated with martial arts think about martial arts or martial artists they automatically think of pop culture icons from the Karate Kid movies, Kung Fu Panda, Bruce Lee, and Chuck Norris to name a few. Their perception of martial artists is based on these things and there is an almost automatic connection with board breaking, and yelling like a banshee while we go about kicking and punching. It is hard to see beyond the Hollywood construct to the benefits that are inherent to our art, and the unique benefits that adults experience as a martial arts student at your local martial arts schools. 

Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo is amazing at helping to improve adult fitness, however, the benefits aren’t just physical and to say that it is the primary benefit of our art would be painting it with a broad paintbrush with too little paint. The physical benefits are impossible to deny because we ask our bodies to perform feats that many would balk at and without proper training aren’t possible or safe for the average person to perform. We learn poomse, patterned movements against imaginary attackers.  We learn kicks, punches, and blocks; all while improving our physical fitness. Martial arts lessons take a person from average to something more and like any art, the more of ourselves we give over to it, the better we and it become. The physical benefits are not the whole picture. We learn to do things we couldn’t do before, we benefit from the practice inside and outside the dojang.

In Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo nothing ever is just one sided. When we kick with the left leg, our right leg is also involved as well as our hands. Through this we learn balance and gain an understanding that this also includes and requires balanced movements; not just the physical balance required to perform these tasks. We gain a real life understanding of for every action there is an opposite and equal reaction, this is apparent through a balance of movement.  A good block doesn’t just begin and end with your arm; it requires whole body and whole brain involvement. This is why physical fitness is a secondary benefit and comes naturally with everything else we do.

Much of what we do involves cross body movements which has been linked to things such as improved cognition. In learning poomse we make our brains work in incredible ways that they likely have never had to before. Keeping one part of your body still, while moving another independently and with intention, requires a great deal of heightened cognition, focus, and determination; as well as mastery of the aspects of moving and breathing.  That is just the surface of it because once you have the basics of the what, you learn the nuances that make it better. Martial arts lessons are a mental workout.

Eventually we realize that when we apply these lessons to whole body and whole brain involvement, we see that we gain a better understanding of ourselves and achieve a greater mastery of our whole self. We learn that no matter how good we are, we have the ability to achieve more, to learn and improve more, and to become more. We never lose the sense of awe either, it goes from "I could never do that," to "I just did that."  It is cyclical.  

The secret is our goal is to keep setting bigger goals. Intermediate goals, belts, are always close enough to keep us going, to keep us pushing and determined; yet just far enough ahead that we are hungry and strive to reach for them. The benefits are vast, varied and nearly limitless. This is perhaps the greatest benefit of all, because we learn to keep pushing which can never be secluded to Taekwondo. We learn to give respect and live respectfully and balanced. Through Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo you become part of a team and part of a family and that is a benefit unto itself. I highly recommend the Colorado Taekwondo Institute when you are looking into local martial arts schools. 

Martial Arts for Kids

By Karen Carreon, red belt, CTI LeAD Team Member

How do you know which martial arts is right for your kids?  When I began the search for a marital arts program for my kids, I really had no idea where to start.  At first, I looked for a school that was close to home.  There are so many schools and styles of martial arts to choose from.  Proximity may be important, but it is not the only consideration.  Of course, you want to make sure your child is safe.  How well are the instructors trained?  How much experience do they have working with kids?  What age is appropriate to start?  How fast will my child advance?  Will the classes fit our schedule and budget?  Are there other lessons to learn such as discipline and motivation?  Will my child fit in?  There are many questions to consider.  

A very important aspect to consider when choosing a school of martial arts for your child is to make sure that the environment at the school is safe.  At the Colorado Taekwondo Institute (CTI), students start at the beginner level regardless of past experience in martial arts or in other sports.  CTI black belt instructors will ensure that each child receives instructions in basic training including proper warm ups, stretching, and beginner level self defense moves.  Progression in levels of difficulty and belt rank depends on each individual student based on their abilities, attendance, and attitude.  Rules of etiquette are strictly enforced during class to keep it fun and safe for everyone.  Everybody adheres to these rules of etiquette from the beginner student to the master instructors.  CTI promotes respectable behavior and good sportsmanship.  At the end of every class it is boldly and proudly said, “self control before self defense.”  Students are sometimes encouraged to give examples of this in their everyday life such as, “I help with the dishes after a meal without having to be told to do so or, study extra hard for an upcoming school exam.”  These examples tie into the five tenets of taekwondo which are: courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, and indomitable spirit.  CTI has each student based on their age and rank complete monthly homework to help the student to understand these concepts and how they apply to their martial arts training and to their personal lives.  The issue of safety is not only limited to class time at CTI but in all areas of the students experiences.

Another consideration in determining the right marital arts school for your child is how are the marital arts instructors trained to work with students of various ages and abilities?  Instructors at CTI have mastered skills and have passed rigorous testing protocol in order to advance at the instructor level.  Specialized classes for teaching methods have been developed and utilized and are in constant review and scrutiny by the master instructors.  The mission statement of CTI is, “to encourage world class leadership through educational excellence and Moo Sul Kwan Martial Arts traditions.”  Top students through many years of hard work and dedication begin to learn the methods of teaching, assistant teaching, judging at tournaments.  Some have the ultimate goal of teaching their own classes within the CTI’s many campuses.  CTI has campuses in Golden, Westminster, Green Mountain, Littleton, and Conifer.  CTI has some after school programs at area public and private schools.  Families are encouraged to join together if possible to make it fun and exciting for the whole family.  With regular and consistent participation, kids learn in a safe and productive environment with a qualified black belt instructor dedicated to the high standards of CTI.  

You may wonder, at what age can my kid start classes?  Kids at CTI have started as young as 2 years old.  This all depends on the individual child.  A private session may be set up with the campus coordinator to get an idea if the child is mature and ready to begin classes.  The very youngest (Tigers) generally start with a half hour class and the older kids start in a one hour class. 

CTI offers an opportunity for a potential student to attend 2 classes with a school issued uniform as an introduction to the CTI Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo.  Parents may view their child in class from the lobby viewing area.  Students are encouraged to participate in class twice a week to stay on top of their training since consistency promotes success in their martial arts training.  Each campus has a schedule with classes offered for different age groups with young kids (tigers), juniors, and adults.  

Joining The Colorado Taekwondo Institute has brought me and my family many years of fulfillment.  Each belt level brings new challenges both mentally and physically.  I get a great workout while concentrating on my moves and techniques.  I don’t have time to think about anything else.  This gives me a mental break as well as a mental challenge.  The time passes very quickly as there are many various aspects of the training.  In other words, it’s never boring.  Warm-ups, basic training, “poomse” which is a choreographed patterned movement, point sparring, board breaking for age appropriate students, and more.  Students at CTI  train for promotion rank tests to advance to the next belt.  Students train for tournaments which are held 4 times a year.  There are summer expo’s, day camps and week long camps, symposiums, clinics and workshops.  There are many opportunities to learn and to make friends.  For the more advanced students there are opportunities to travel.  I’ve noticed my very shy daughter breaking out of her shell and becoming stronger in spirit and she is doing very well in her studies.  CTI instructors encourages kids to be the best student in their martial arts school and strongly encourages scholarly endeavors elsewhere.  I’m so glad my family participates in Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo at the Colorado Taekwondo Institute.  You and your family will enjoy it too! 

Why Taekwondo is Good for Kids!

By Jonah Elstad, 1st dan

Taekwondo, or karate for kids, is not just good for kids- it is great for kids! I started attending Colorado Taekwondo Institute when I was 8 years old. Over the last five years I have noticed many positive changes in my life because of Taekwondo. I have also noticed the positive effects of Taekwondo in my fellow classmates. While there are several great aspects of Taekwondo, the three major ones are physical health, emotional health, and improved behavior. 

First, the best martial arts for kids improves the student’s physical health. Taekwondo has improved my heath tremendously. Before taekwondo I got sick a lot. Because of the exercise the I get in class my body is stronger and I get sick less. I have more energy now and my endurance has improved. In taekwondo class we learn how to eat healthy. We learn the importance of eating fruits and vegetables instead of junk food. When we eat healthy we get sick less and feel better.  Kids of all ages can get healthier by going to Taekwondo!

Second, Taekwondo improves the student`s emotional heath. During class and through our monthly homework, students develop a strong self-confidence.  The instructors also point out our positive characteristics and help us feel good about ourselves.  This is very important to a person’s emotional health.  Since we go to class twice a week and do other actives regularly, we spend a lot of time with each other. We become like a family. My Taekwondo family has helped me through difficult times in my life and I am very thankful for them.  All kids benefit from the emotional health benefits karate for kids provides. Sometimes just being able to punch, kick, and yell helps to release one`s emotions and feel better.

Third, Taekwondo helps improves the student’s behavior. I have seen kid’s behavior change for the better in my years at taekwondo.  Students become more respectful, focused and develop self-control while attending Colorado Taekwondo Institute.   When kids feel better physically and emotionally they are happier and act-out less.  I have watched kids attitude improve as their self-confidence grew.  It is truly amazing how Taekwondo changes the student’s behavior in appositive way.  

It is obvious that best martial arts for kids is great for kids!  These past five years of being a student at CTI have been the best years of my life.  I feel better physically, my emotional health is stronger, and I have more self-control.  I have also loved watching the transformation in all these areas of my fellow classmates.