The Benefits of Taekwondo for Teenagers

By Bridget Sautel, 5th dan black belt

Being a teenager comes with many different types of stress, ranging from educational and mental type stress, to social and home-life stresses. There are different outlets that can be used to cope with these stressors, some of which might not lead down good paths, and could result in bad outcomes. Luckily there are outlets that can lead to productive outcomes, that will guide the teen in a positive direction. One of these outlets can be to participate in the teen martial arts. The Colorado Taekwondo Institute is one of the longest established martial arts schools in the area. Some of the benefits Colorado Taekwondo Institute can give a teenager include: surrounding oneself with good influences, becoming and staying physically fit, establishing good habits, and learning how to commit to something and stick with it, even when it gets tough. 

It is crucial for teenagers to have healthy ways to release stress that comes with school, homework, and maintaining the social aspects of life. When participating in a taekwondo class, the student is so focused on what they are doing, it is equivalent to a form of meditation. When the student walks into the classroom, they leave everything at the door, and all the focus is put towards exercise, memorization, physical strength, and having fun. When all the focus is put towards these activities, the mind is pulled away from the stressors of everyday life, and the brain gets a much needed break. While the body is getting a workout, the mind is still actively learning at the same time. When you join a Colorado Taekwondo Institute class, and probably in other Littleton karate classes, you will be expected to attend class at least a couple times a week. Consistency is a valuable skill to acquire, especially as a teenager. Consistency will allow the individual to have something constant in their busy lives, which will be key to continued stress relief. 

One of the most important elements of teenage life is surrounding oneself with friends and acquaintances that are good influences, that will provide steady positivity and motivation. This will allow success in school, sports, social life, and home life, just to name a few. The life-long friends you will find at the Colorado Taekwondo Institute are especially unique, in that they will be the best influences in a multitude of ways. The main reason for this, is the bond that transpires with one another during taekwondo classes and events. This bond forms because of all the working out and sweating together, commitment to the same martial art, and most of all, the passion you share for the art of taekwondo. This positive influence will supply the individual with treasured qualities, including dedication, self-directed learning, and a bright and focused mind. These will all help a taekwondo student grow and stay engaged to a positive mindset. This will then flow out into other areas of life and allow success in school and at home. Prospering in these areas will open up so many opportunities in the near future and later on in life. At the Colorado Taekwondo Institute, and possibly in other Littleton karate classes, there will be a strong support circle that will help you progress through the belts and keep improving as a martial artist. These will be life-long friends that will provide support not only at teen martial arts classes, but also in daily life outside of taekwondo. 

Another characteristic that is imperative to develop during teenage years is how to maintain physical fitness and keep the body in good shape. As the years go on this can become more difficult, and it will become critical to establish healthy long-term habits. The continued attendance that is expected at the Colorado Taekwondo Institute and at some Littleton karate schools, will help to develop a healthy habit of consistency for the student. Physically conditioning the body, and learning exercises to stay in shape and develop flexibility, are also valuable habits to learn at a young age. Good health should never be taken for granted, and taekwondo will help keep the body young and fit. In addition to physical health, focusing on mental health is just as important. Excelling in school, and discovering new hobbies and friends, are key factors for favorable mental health. There is a huge educational piece that is incorporated into classes at the Colorado Taekwondo Institute, and students are expected to complete monthly homework’s and written tests along with the progression of belts. This educational component will carry over to schoolwork and will allow the student to stand out from the others, which will lead to a wider range of opportunities in the future. Developing and maintaining physical fitness early on will enable an individual to continue to do taekwondo at older ages and stay active for as long as possible.

The most invaluable quality a teenager can acquire is to be able to start something and then stick with it. This can mean different things depending on the area of life. In school this could mean sticking with a hard math problem until it is solved or finishing a difficult essay. For a teen martial arts student it could mean getting to class even when feeling unmotivated or lazy. When life or school may get tough, the instructor or teacher will help the student regain motivation to push through the hard times and continue to progress. If something gets hard or doesn’t come easy, it’s natural to lose focus, but being able to regain this focus after a short period of time is what matters. The big picture always needs to be in mind, and the student should always have short-term goals AND long-term goals to constantly be reaching for. This assortment of goals will ensure motivation to get through the small bumps in the road and keep pushing through. When things get hard or life gets busy, time management comes to the rescue and makes it possible to juggle all of these parts of life, in order to become successful. When a student becomes unmotivated, it can be beneficial to notice all of the qualities the Colorado Taekwondo Institute can provide – self-directed learning, self-discipline, stability, and lifelong physical fitness and learning. Remembering these valuable qualities can help regain motivation. This will lead to an all-around prosperous and positive continuous lifestyle.

Teenage years can be a difficult time, but with healthy outlets such as teen martial arts, along with good influences and habits, these years can become some of the most important and valuable for what’s to come. Success will be inevitable, instead of out of reach. There’s always going to be highs and lows, but how these are handled and overcome, is what will define an individual’s success. 

24th Lee H. Park Champs Was Incredible!

We had an all-time Moo Sul Kwan and CTI record 413 participants attend our annual Hanmadang-style team tournament in honor of MSK founder, Great Grandmaster Lee H. Park.

The action began at Alameda International on Saturday morning at 6:30 AM.  Black belt team competitions started the day.  Students of all ages and belts levels competed in Team Poomse/One-Step Sparring, Team Basics/Self Defense, Team Breaking, Team Staff, Most Kicks in a CTI Minute and the Basics Challenge.

Photos from the wonderful day will be coming soon to our Photos page on the CTI website.

A very special thanks to everyone who came and made this a most special day!

Taekwondo in Your Everyday Life

 By Ahas Weerapura, Teen Red Belt

Things you learn in Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo can be used in your everyday life. This does not mean kicking and punching, but other things too. This includes the physical exercises, behaviors, and skills we learn in class.

For example, you can do some physical exercises we do in class at home, like stretching, pushups, jumping jacks, and situps. This can help you to become more flexible and strong, and give you something to do in your free time, instead of doing something unproductive. Also, you can use some of the techniques we use in Taekwondo, like falling drills and stances. These can be helpful to know and may help you in a dangerous situation where you may need it, as well as being good for your back and having stability, giving you healthy habits.

You can also use some of the respectful things we learn in Taekwondo, like saying “yes ma’am” or “yes sir” to people. This is an excellent thing to do as it shows respect and also shows that you heard what the other person said. That can be important in your everyday life because it will be a part of how people look at you and think of you. Taekwondo can also help to build other good qualities like confidence and good sportsmanship through activities like tournaments, where you have to perform in front of judges and be a good sport about the score and place you get. You also can improve more from these qualities, as they will allow you to see that you need to improve, and having this sportsmanship in other activities, like work or school, will do the same.

Taekwondo can also help you to learn skills for things like tests in school and studying for tests, by making you do those things, and progressively making them harder. This is similar to a teaching process called scaffolding, which is where guidance is progressively removed as students become more proficient in that skill. An example of this is our written tests, and as a white belt testing for yellow belt, the test is simple, and you are given the aid of the manual to do it. Then, as you progress through the belts, the written test gets more and more difficult, and when you test from purple belt to brown belt, the test is closed book, requiring you to study. This can help you learn how to prepare for school tests by making you study and memorize information.

Taekwondo can give you many benefits outside of self-defense and can improve your life. It can make you a more respectful, likable person, and give you virtues like self-control and respect for others, which can help you in things involving interactions with other people. I would be a very different person if I didn’t have Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo in my life, and I am very thankful for the benefits it has given me.

Why Martial Arts Are Good For You

By Alex Tan, 2nd dan

Breaking bricks and boards, fighting off bad guys, and flying kicks sailing through the air- these may be some of the things you see actors do in martial arts movies which make them appear really cool. In reality for the most part, the picture could be a little different. For those who want to do martial arts, they usually do it for reasons more than just to look cool such as in the movies. Martial arts can help provide many benefits to those that are willing to learn the art. At the martial arts school here in Littleton, we help educate students in both physical and mental aspects of Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo. Although most are expecting just the physical aspects of martial arts when starting initially, there’s a whole list of benefits that the training provides you passively as you progress in your training.

One of the main reasons, and perhaps the most obvious reason why martial arts classes are good for you is to improve your self defense. You may be put in situations where you have to defend yourself or someone else. Knowing self defense may save you in a situation and give you enough time to run away or call for help. Another benefit of martial arts is it’s a good workout. It can increase your muscle strength, build your endurance, and help build your overall mobility. Following the benefit of a good workout, it helps you stay healthy by lowering your blood pressure and heart rate. This may eventually lead to lower cholesterol levels and keep you staying healthy over your life. Another benefit would be increasing your coordination. Your sense of awareness will heighten and you will be more coordinated with the environment and the people that are around you. 

Besides the physical aspects, martial arts can benefit you mentally as well. Doing aerobic exercises like martial arts have been proven through research that it can help your brain develop and enhance activities such as improving your memory. Another thing that martial arts teaches you is self discipline. It teaches and reminds you how to focus on a task at hand. It teaches you that you have to be able to take certain initiatives with your actions. This not only ties within martial arts, but also other aspects of your life as well. And lastly, it’s great for relieving stress. After a long day at work and school, it directs your focus to just martial arts. If you are sitting in a chair all day working or studying, now you are able to move and yell which is a great stress reliever.

These are just some of the many reasons as to why martial arts classes are good for you. Some may just think that it’s only the physical aspects that may benefit you, but in reality there is so much more than can be gained through participation. Also, when you learn martial arts, it not only benefits you when you're at the martial arts school, but also in other aspects of your life as well such as at work and home.. Everything ties together, but it all starts with you taking the initiative and managing your time wisely in your learning. 

If you or a loved one is looking into martial arts class, then you should check out the programs offered at the Colorado Taekwondo Institute. You might just find what you are looking for and they will help get closer to your goals!

Coming this December - 25th Lee H. Park Team Champs!

Everyone please mark your calendars for our 25th Lee H. Park Team Champs tournament. This will be our 15th CTI Hanmadang! It will be held on December 2, 2023 at Alameda International High School. This is our annual team tournament, and it is held in honor of our founder, Great Grandmaster Lee H. Park. 

The Hanmadang (hanmadang is Korean for "festival") is a festival held in Korea each year that is sponsored by the Kukkiwon. There is no sparring at the Hanmadang, and likewise the Moo Sul Kwan Hanmadang we don't do any sparring. Instead, we focus on team competitions, to help develop team work, sportsmanship, and cooperation skills.

This year, events will include: Team Poomse & One-Steps, Team Basics & Self Defense, Team Breaking, CTI Basics Challenge, and Most Kicks in a CTI Minute.

More information can be found on our website here. You can also talk to your instructor for more information. This is a pre-registration event only, so click here to get registered. 

Power of the Kihap

By Kyle Feagans, 3rd Dan

What is the name of, and purpose of the dynamic “shout” or “yell” used in the martial art of Taekwondo?  It is a Korean word called “Kihap” and is a technique used to push or expel air from the body.  The use of the kihap is a discipline that provides several benefits and is a valuable tool when training in martial arts.  As a participant in Taekwondo the specifics of the following reasons will be geared towards this martial arts discipline.

KIHAP helps with Breathing:

Remember being completely out of breath after your first few taekwondo classes, gasping for air and asking yourself “what did I get myself into?” And, at some point, you recall your instructor telling you to yell, to shout, to Kihap at a specific time or while performing certain techniques.  As a white belt, it is extremely important to begin developing a powerful and dynamic kihap.  The desire to have a great kihap will increase your cardiorespiratory and muscular endurance allowing you to feel less fatigue at the end of class.

KIHAP helps to tighten your stomach muscles:

A properly performed kihap helps tighten the stomach muscles.  Yes, having a consistent warm up, doing sit-ups and crunches will increase the muscular strength and endurance of your abdominal muscles but the kihap is the catalyst that helps bring it all together.  Now, you might be thinking that this is counter intuitive to the point above and how the kihap helps us breath.  Sparring is where one begins to realize and understand that the kihap is a multifaceted technique.  It helps us to breathe, allowing for increased stamina during the match and it helps to tighten our stomach on the receiving end of a kick, a punch or strike.

KIHAP helps us pinpoint or focus on the instant needed:

This point allows us to discuss some of the differences in kihap utilized in taekwondo.  In the first two points above, breathing and tightening of the abdomen, the kihap is here is a short dynamic shout.  This type of kihap is typically used in poomse, self-defense, and self-defense.  The initial kihap in breaking will be different because your agenda has changed.  Now, you are preparing to put a part of your body, a hand or foot, through a solid object.  Breaking objects requires a high level of concentration, focus, and accuracy to achieve consistent success.  This kihap, not only needs to be loud and dynamic, but it also needs to be long and drawn out.  It needs to have an intensity about it to help you pinpoint, to focus on the spot that needs to be struck.

KIHAP shows supreme confidence:

Our reasons to have a dynamic kihap discussed so far have been focused on physical aspects.  The power of the kihap is also mental.  In training and developing your kihap physically you are also training your mind to know when to kihap, where to kihap and what type of kihap to perform.  You are developing muscle memory in your brain.  The training of one’s kihap is just as important as the time and effort expended to develop natural proficiency in your kicking, punching, striking, and blocking techniques.  A strong developed kihap provides one with a confidence that will enable them to persevere in their taekwondo journey.

There are numerous other reasons to kihap in taekwondo. It helps to produce more power; it can be used as a fake in sparring or is a great way to call for help to name a few.  Be sure to make it an integral part of your training.  Do not take the Power of the Kihap for granted!

Modesty In Your Everyday Life

By Jordan Rutz, Teen Red Belt

Being modest is a huge part of being a Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo student. We do lots of different events including tournaments, Summer Expos, Symposiums, and Camps. Especially at tournaments, we win some and we don't win some. When we get first place we have been taught, as a part of Moo Sul Kwan, to not brag about it. We should definitely be proud that we won first place, but we don't want others feeling bad because they didn't. Just know that now you have a huge target on your back now, theoretically. That means that everyone is going to try and beat you next time because you won. 

The definition of modest is basically the same thing as being humble. Being humble means not being too proud or not thinking of yourself as being better than someone else. You can still definitely be proud and you can boast about it all you want at home. But when you're at a tournament in front of all your competitors, after you've won, you want to shake hands and say good job so that they feel good about themselves. 

So how can being modest help you in your daily life? Well, let's talk about it. Let's just say your best subject in school is math. There are not many kids that are as good at math as you are. if you took a math test, and you got a hundred percent on that test, you don't want to brag about it. If I'm being completely honest with you, I wouldn't share my score with anyone even if I did very well. We, as Moo Sul Kwan students, want others to feel good about themselves. Just like the two big rules in class. Those rules are: pay attention and try your best. It doesn't matter whether you got a very low score or a very high score, as long as you paid attention and tried your best you're a winner.

Research findings have revealed that humble people are happy, and have more positive emotions lying deep inside of them. Being humble or modest also allows you to feel happy about the achievements of not only yourself but others. You will become less self-involved and take more of a happy interest in satisfying the needs of others, making you a better friend and a better person in general.

Overall being modest can help you wherever you are. They can help you because it will make you a better friend, it will make you a better person, and it will make you feel better inside. When we are modest We and the people around us are going to feel better making the world a better place. So tell me, how can you be more modest in your daily life?

CTI Turns 40!

This October 1st marks the 40th anniversary of the fonding of the Colorado Taekwondo Institute by Grandmaster James M. Sautel! Today there are CTI Campus locations teaching Moo Sul Kwan martial arts in Green Mountain, Littleton, Westminster, Golden, Conifer, and Craig, Colorado. In addition there are after school programs at six different Jeffco Public schools. 

Over the past four years, Grandmaster Sautel has certified 360 highly educated students to the 1st dan Moo Sul Kwan Black Belt level and beyond. 

To quote our founder, Great Grandmaster Lee H Park, "Keep Pushing" and we'll start our push for the next 40 years!

Pivot

By Eric Evans, 3rd dan

Agile development has been used in the workforce for the past 22 years. It replaces the traditional waterfall approach for developing software, new features or long running processes. The goal of this type of development is to quickly produce an application or project in iterative steps. This allows customers to review, and provide feedback to the development team. Through this review identification of small development goals, developers are able to produce an outcome that more closely matches what the customer needs. It can also allow the developers to pivot and focus on features that are an immediate need. This methodology is similar to the development of Moo Sul Kwan black belts as we progress in our life long journey.

Much like pivoting in agile development, a student first learns to pivot in basics. This move is essential for proper body position while performing a round house, sidekick and more advanced spinning kicks. Focusing on pivoting in poomse allows the student to elegantly move from one technique to the next. Proper balance and full power can not be achieved without it. 

Pivoting is not only used in basic movements. The CTI motto of ‘Go with the flow’ is the heartbeat that keeps our Demos and trips moving in a positive direction. It allows us to experience new opportunities and experiences that would not have been available if the status quo was our norm. When we step out of our comfort zone and pivot, we can achieve a greater level of success. This is one reason why it is so important to switch up your personal training. 

The basics in our weekly class are our foundation. They are a tried and true tradition of our Colorado Taekwondo Institute classes. By sticking to our basic routine in every class, students have a solid foundation that they can build on in their life long learning journey. The self directed learning that is built on this foundation is where a student must learn to pivot. Doing the same routine at home is important, but a student must have a different focus each week. This may mean they are focusing on a new poomse, or pivoting back to focus on a middle level poomse they need to sharpen up. For example, this method of building and pivoting on the basics led to the wonderful success of the Missouri Taekwondo Institute. As soon as Mr. Slinkard pivoted with the basic routine for each class, the school exploded from 30 students to over 100 in two years. Great Job and congratulations!

Learn to pivot when a change is needed. This may be a change at work or school. It is one of the reasons why I believe Moo Sul Kwan students are so successful outside of class. We are able to learn from multiple Black belt instructors at our CTI Expos, Camps and seminars. Each instructor teaches the same basic routine, and each instructor provides a unique opportunity for the students to learn and grow. This teaches our students how to quickly adapt and learn in a dynamic environment that will directly translate to their success in school or the workforce. When you find yourself in a lull at work, school or training, pivot for success!

The 33rd Denver Martial Arts Champs is a Success!

The last weekend the Colorado Taekwondo Institute hosted the the 33rd Denver Martial Arts Champs at Alameda High School and it was a huge success! With over 293 students coming together to learn, compete, and share knowledge, it was an amazing day!

Congratulations to our Grand Champions: Mark Scott and Collin Kreutz!

POOMSE

1st Place
Collin Kreutz, Kathleen Sautel, Mark Scott, Cody Jacobson, William Schwartz, Meryn Probasco, Katie Minden, Marley Powers, Diego Quezada, Jordan Rutz, Meredith Botnick, Ahas Weerapura, Emma Burden, Tristyn Cvanciger, Lillian Eichelberger, Lily Strickland, Kaylyn Mcewan, Keira Sherman, Aspen Henderson, Conner Cook, Ryan Marine, Aarush Venkat, Alex Kirt, Kensington Clark, Jackson Foster, Zach Trujillo, Franco Ramirez, Daniel Gray, Landon Adams, Ada Lekan, Bill Graves, Dalila Lopez, Giovanni Stone, Lyra Bratz, Amallia Chapman, Omar Platero Mancia, Emerson Holmes, Truc Nguyen, Dylan Kiser, Aylani Lopez, River Manuelito, Jack Wicken, Maddie Cureton, Henry Chiabotti, Isabel Cole, Veronika Lesyk, Mila Olivares Castro, Sebastian Schuster, Olivia Ivie, Ailani Lopez, Emery Hetzel, Max Botello, Luca Dimarco, Dominic Ditallo, Peter Montano, Zane Farrier, Tallen Garramone, Lamija Imsirovic

2nd Place
Peyton Brauch, Hope Morgan, Eileen Lindner, Ed Stanton, Abbey Salamera, Quynn Cotner, Alex Tan, Lance Schwartz, Allan Stanton, Gavin Vahle, Ivy Strickland, Zachary Cotner, Kayla Albrechtson, Josie Landis, Paul Paisley, Hannah Holmes, Dale Sanders, Logan Martin, Joel Hall, Rebekkah Copel, Kaleb Guffey, Ellie Pechon, Connor Burgin, Zachary Kahan, Ella Laird, Laura Martinson, Rose Basnet, Weston Evarts, Amelia Martinson, Landon Woodland, Issay Mendoza Cruz, Elijah Mack, Cristian Campos Cruz, Dan Copel, Everett Ungar, Duncan Zook, Jase Hessler, Hayden Jeffries, Finn Deiotte, Violet Wondel, Ellie Combs, Millie Hessler, Garrett Thomson, William Lopeman, Sheen Pandita, Presley Hobler, Shreeyan Khatri, Elijah Yushka, Kay Sarpu, Timofii Lesyk, Austin Gross, Cyrus Khatri, Lily Rosetta-Mcbryde, Caroline Fogg, Marisha Lamont-Manfre, Naomi Kaup, Beti Hanzel, Jay Karkula

3rd Place
Nick Slinkard, Katie Dahle, Kyle Feagans, Konner Evans, Deb Denny, Lauren Dahlberg, Colston Yoder, Sarah Dahle, Thomas Burden, Andra Vieru, Lily Laird, Zoe Economou, Ivy Jensen, Mason Zerbib, Brody Mitchell, Evan Zdechlik, Rue Weerapura, Ace Garcia, Sam Powers, Selah Hall, Dennis Mack, Katie Harding, Olivia Towe, Avery King, Elliott Myers, Dean Barrieau, Max Margulies, Connor Thomson, Anna Copel, Ezra Wine, Binuj Ghimire, Keegan Christenson, Ender Wine, Theron Bearce, Christina Sanders, Alexander Aguilar-Glaub, Kira Rhyden, Calvin Bossard, Torin Dimascio, Henry Lewis, Desmond Bearce, Dawson Portera, Seth Raymond, Gwen Spilling, Mykah Garrett-Duquette, Haley Holley, Saheli Sinha, Bryce Yushka, Isaiah Sanchez, Anastasia Contreras, Elias Amann, Brady Tozier, Nirajit Dhakal, Mary Turpin, Kolbe Pries, Anika Hanzel, Thomas Mcnair, Asher Whalen

4th Place
Don Johnson, Tyler Murphy, Shekina Detienne, Ethan Price, Lydia Willis, Darcy Stanton, Aidan Sturm, Caiden Murphy, Alexis Chavez, Joshua Ranjit, Elsie Mcdonald, Evan Mcewan, Logan Keckler, Ace Ashworth, Carrie Chauhan, Lucy Paisley, Thomas Sleight, Keatyn Adams, Jaxson Hipsher, Stella Reyniers, Oliver Garner, David Cruz Barajas, Landon Sidley-Mercado, Cole Robertson, Ronan Haydon, Kendrick Toney, Nora Kivett, Alice Burgin, Ezekiel Oliveira, Carol Wilsey, Standish Kingsbeck, Sam Czaikowski, Kennedi Foreman, Savine Sinha, Lorenzo Gomez, Ari Maggard, Kara Koster, Dylan Huckaby Rap, Keira Teska, Jack Arland, Asher Gearhart, Gabriel Kahan, Asher Yushka, Jj Defelice, David Enriquez, Evan Clough, Leia Johnsen, David Moyer

TIGER POOMSE

1st Place
Andrew Kahan, Charlie Lopeman, Oliver Yurka, Paolo Stone, Will Wiedmeyer, Aleina Evarts, Natalie Teska, Margaret Rodriguez, Clesse Hilton, Graysen Stanko, Mila Smirnov, Dustin Hill, Zaida Whorton, Neev Pandita, Hudson Wiegand, Abram Gearhart, Ben Newhouse, Luke Hilton, Braydon Lineback

SPARRING

1st Place
Collin Kreutz, Hope Morgan, Cody Jacobson, Ed Stanton, Konner Evans, Katie Minden, Quynn Cotner, Darcy Stanton, Caiden Murphy, Diego Quezada, Meredith Botnick, Ahas Weerapura, Allan Stanton, Thomas Burden, Alexis Chavez, Joshua Ranjit, Ivy Jensen, Aspen Henderson, Ryan Marine, Rue Weerapura, Thomas Sleight, Keatyn Adams, Kensington Clark, Jackson Foster, Elliott Myers, Max Margulies, Hope Wilcox, Dalila Lopez, Lyra Bratz, Omar Platero Mancia, Emerson Holmes, Cristian Campos Cruz, Everett Ungar, Theron Bearce, Ezekiel Oliveira, Aliyah Huckaby, Eli Anceravicius, Jack Wicken, Violet Wondel, Ellie Combs, Millie Hessler, Garrett Thomson, William Lopeman, Calvin Bossard, Torin Dimascio, Gwen Spilling, Mykah Garrett-Duquette, Haley Holley, Savine Sinha, Lorenzo Gomez, Luna Bratz, Sophia Palfreyman, Dominic Ditallo, Brady Tozier, Nirajit Dhakal, Kolbe Pries, David Enriquez, Evan Clough

2nd Place
Kathleen Sautel, Nick Slinkard, Don Johnson, Abbey Salamera, Lauren Dahlberg, Colston Yoder, Aidan Sturm, Averie Chavez, Mateo Piza, Gavin Vahle, Elsie Mcdonald, Evan Mcewan, Brandon Kirt, Kaylyn Mcewan, Zachary Cotner, Kayla Albrechtson, Zoe Economou, Selah Hall, Dennis Mack, Jaxson Hipsher, Ellie Pechon, Zachary Kahan, Stella Reyniers, Rose Basnet, Connor Thomson, Anna Copel, Binuj Ghimire, Kendrick Toney, Eddie Garner, Bill Graves, Giovanni Stone, Amallia Chapman, Truc Nguyen, Elijah Mack, Jase Hessler, Hayden Jeffries, Standish Kingsbeck, Nikoli Kingsbeck, Maddie Cureton, Henry Chiabotti, Isabel Cole, Presley Hobler, Shreeyan Khatri, Henry Lewis, Seth Raymond, Bryce Yushka, Ari Maggard, Kara Koster, Dylan Huckaby Rap, Keira Teska, Max Botello, Luca Dimarco, Naomi Kaup, Beti Hanzel, Mary Turpin, Thomas Mcnair, Asher Whalen, David Moyer

3rd Place
Zach Greaves, Mark Scott, Katie Dahle, Deb Denny, Lydia Willis, Marley Powers, Alex Tan, Lance Schwartz, Nathaniel Keckler, Jordan Rutz, Emma Burden, Lily Strickland, Mason Zerbib, Logan Keckler, Conner Cook, Logan Martin, Ace Garcia, Sam Powers, Jennifer Kautz, Franco Ramirez, Connor Burgin, Ella Laird, Olivia Towe, David Cruz Barajas, Daniel Gray, Landon Adams, Dean Barrieau, Ezra Wine, Keegan Christenson, Cole Robertson, Nora Kivett, Armando Gomez, Ariana Lamb, Dylan Kiser, Aylani Lopez, Issay Mendoza Cruz, Dan Copel, Christina Sanders, Kira Rhyden, Carol Wilsey, Alec Rhyden, Veronika Lesyk, Mila Olivares Castro, Desmond Bearce, Dawson Portera, Saheli Sinha, Isaiah Sanchez, Anastasia Contreras, Jack Arland, Asher Gearhart, Stryder Martin, Geovannie Andrade, Peter Montano, Lily Rosetta-Mcbryde, Caroline Fogg, Marisha Lamont-Manfre, Sebastian Pickett, Hassid Mendoza Cruz

4th Place
Peyton Brauch, Shekina Detienne, William Schwartz, Jasmine Salamera, Alex Schwartz, Tristyn Cvanciger, Andra Vieru, Lily Laird, Josie Landis, Paul Paisley, Aarush Venkat, Alex Kirt, Rebekkah Copel, Zach Trujillo, Avery King, Cooper Curry, Laura Martinson, Weston Evarts, Amelia Martinson, Landon Woodland, Ender Wine, Alice Burgin, Hayden Green, Duncan Zook, Finn Deiotte, Sam Czaikowski, Akshay Chauhan, Sebastian Schuster, Olivia Ivie, Sheen Pandita, Elijah Yushka, Kay Sarpu, Timofii Lesyk, Austin Gross, Gabriel Kahan, Asher Yushka, Zane Farrier, Jay Karkula, Anika Hanzel, Leia Johnsen

1ST POINT WINS!

1st Place
Collin Kreutz, Mark Scott, Shekina Detienne, Konner Evans, Katie Minden, Darcy Stanton, Aidan Sturm, Marley Powers, Nathaniel Keckler, Meredith Botnick, Allan Stanton, Jordan Rutz, Ivy Jensen, Logan Keckler, Aspen Henderson, Ryan Marine, Rue Weerapura, Ace Garcia, Aarush Venkat, Ellie Pechon, Olivia Towe, Avery King, Landon Adams, Dean Barrieau, Cole Robertson, Ronan Haydon, Dalila Lopez, Lyra Bratz, Ezekiel Oliveira, Aliyah Huckaby, Eli Anceravicius, Bill Graves, Giovanni Stone, Elijah Mack, Dan Copel, Carol Wilsey, Alec Rhyden, Jack Wicken, Violet Wondel, Ellie Combs, Millie Hessler, Garrett Thomson, Calvin Bossard, Savine Sinha, Luna Bratz, Maddie Cureton, Henry Lewis, Desmond Bearce, Dawson Portera, Stryder Martin, Brady Tozier, Nirajit Dhakal, David Enriquez, Evan Clough, Max Botello, Mary Turpin, Lily Rosetta-Mcbryde, David Moyer

2nd Place
Nick Slinkard, Katie Dahle, Abbey Salamera, William Schwartz, Ethan Price, Caiden Murphy, Averie Chavez, Lance Schwartz, Sarah Dahle, Diego Quezada, Ahas Weerapura, Emma Burden, Andra Vieru, Lillian Eichelberger, Zachary Cotner, Zoe Economou, Selah Hall, Conner Cook, Jennifer Kautz, Alex Kirt, Joel Hall, Kensington Clark, Jackson Foster, Stella Reyniers, Connor Burgin, Zach Trujillo, Cooper Curry, Elliott Myers, Connor Thomson, Anna Copel, Ezra Wine, Laura Martinson, Cristian Campos Cruz, Theron Bearce, Amallia Chapman, Truc Nguyen, Issay Mendoza Cruz, Duncan Zook, Alexander Aguilar-Glaub, Mia Martinez, William Lopeman, Torin Dimascio, Lorenzo Gomez, Seth Raymond, Ari Maggard, Kara Koster, Dylan Huckaby Rap, Keira Teska, Saheli Sinha, Geovannie Andrade, Sheen Pandita, Emerson Havens, Luca Dimarco, Peter Montano, Caroline Fogg, Marisha Lamont-Manfre, Sebastian Pickett, Anika Hanzel 

BREAKING/TARGET KICKING

1st Place
Collin Kreutz, Mark Scott, Katie Dahle, Ethan Price, Darcy Stanton, Aidan Sturm, Marley Powers, Quynn Cotner, Alex Tan, Meredith Botnick, Allan Stanton, Jordan Rutz, Diego Quezada, Emma Burden, Gavin Vahle, Brandon Kirt, Tristyn Cvanciger, Zoe Economou, Kaylyn Mcewan, Aspen Henderson, Conner Cook, Logan Martin, Sam Powers, Kensington Clark, Oliver Garner, Daniel Gray, Bill Graves, Issay Mendoza Cruz, Christina Sanders, Violet Wondel

FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS

1st Place
Charlie Lopeman, Zaida Whorton, Neev Pandita 

2nd Place
Will Wiedmeyer, Mila Smirnov, Luke Hilton

STAFF POOMSE

1st Place
Collin Kreutz, Kathleen Sautel, Mark Scott, Shekina Detienne, Lydia Willis, Alex Tan, Caiden Murphy 

2nd Place
Nick Slinkard, Peyton Brauch, Ethan Price, Ed Stanton, Quynn Cotner, Katie Minden, Lauren Dahlberg

3rd Place
Don Johnson, Zach Greaves, William Schwartz, Cody Jacobson, Meryn Probasco, Averie Chavez, Mateo Piza

Kids Martial Arts Classes

By Bridget Sautel, 5th Dan

Enrolling your child into kids martial arts for could be a life changing event. Out of the many benefits of this art of Taekwondo, a few of the most essential benefits include building confidence, learning self-control, and self-directed learning. In addition, kids karate or kids martial arts encompasses the development of the body, mind, and spirit through physical and mental educational lessons. Not only can martial arts be positive for kids, but it’s also a physical sport that a parent can do and learn along with their child. There’s not many other places, if any, where a parent and child are able to have this kind of special interaction and bond. And when looking for the best kids martial arts school, look no further than the Colorado Taekwondo Institute! 

One of the greatest benefits that kids martial arts classes at the CTI teaches a child, is how to build up self-confidence and carry this skill over into other parts of life such as school and home life. Whether it’s giving a speech one day in school in front of the class, being confident in chores at home and being responsible, testing for your next belt, or performing at a tournament. Another benefit of kids karate is learning how to gain self-control in all different settings. Self-control can be a difficult skill to manage and master especially when kids are put into different environments, like school or the playground. Taekwondo teaches this skill through practice in every single class, and then teaching how to carry it over to school and personal interactions. Another prime benefit of kids martial arts is self-directed learning. Children are able to learn early on how to work hard for something that will make them better. They learn that working hard is a choice and with this hard work they will be able to achieve whatever they want to.

The wonderful fact that kids martial arts encompasses body, mind, and spirit is what ties it all together. Each and every class the student will get a thorough physical work-out, and at the same time be able to exercise the mind and have spirit too. The Taekwondo curriculum includes memorization that builds over time to make a stronger mind, and along with this comes coordination skills. Children can learn how to work hard at an early age and learn how to have a passion for something they love. The students earn each belt and put lots of effort and commitment into the art, all while having fun!

Possibly the finest part about all of this, is martial arts is a place where a kid and the parent can do something together. The bond is one that you can’t find anywhere else, and being able to learn the curriculum together will boost the learning as a whole. It is very different when a parent just watches from the other side of the glass, compared to being immersed in the class and learning close-up what martial arts has to offer. If a child sees their parent learning what they are, it motivates the child more than anything else could and really gives them a chance to be successful. 

Kids martial arts classes have endless benefits for a child that all lead to improving the body, mind, and spirit while having a blast doing it. This physical and mental sport will bring positive and essential lessons into a child’s life. The parent can have a considerable, if not the greatest, impact on this learning if they themselves participate in this martial art. 

An Upper Belt Weekend Workout: the 27th MSK Black Belt Symposium

All brown belts and above mark your calendars for the 27th MSK Black Belt Symposium, to be held October 13-15, 2023 at Beaver Run Resort in Breckenridge, Colorado. The theme of this exciting weekend is going to be “Shaping the Future!” as we are celebrating our 40th year of teaching in Colorado. 

The Moo Sul Kwan Black Belt Symposium began in 1995 and was designed to be an Expo-like weekend  devoted solely to the training of our upper belts and instructors. Over the years, the MSK Black Belt    Symposium has taken place at different places, and this year we will train in beautiful Breckenridge, Colorado at Beave Run Resort! 

Symposium participants will strengthen their Moo Sul Kwan techniques and strategies with hard work and top focus throughout the weekend. Development of CTI teaching and leadership concepts also takes place.  

All registration can be done online and found here: coloradotaekwondo.com/register-for-an-event

All Black, Red and Brown belts are encouraged to attend the Symposium! If you have any questions, please talk to your instructor!

Start the School Year Off Strong - The 33rd DMAC!

Mark your calendars for the 33rd Denver Martial Arts Championships to take place on September 8-9, 2023 at Alameda International. Our Denver Martial Arts Championships began in the early 1990s and has been our kick-off to one fantastic CTI-year after another! Practice well and always compete in the true spirit of the AMASEA, MSK, and CTI.

Moo Sul Kwan was brought to the United States in 1969 by Lee H. Park when he settled in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, home of Southeast Missouri State University.  Lee H. Park, 9th Dan, was an educational pioneer in the martial arts of the United States.  Great Grandmaster Park founded the American Marital Arts Sports and Education Association in 1981, and had many Moo Sul Kwan schools in the area.                                                                           

The Colorado Taekwondo Institute was founded in 1983. Today there are CTI Campus locations teaching Moo Sul Kwan martial arts in  Green Mountain, Littleton, Westminster, Golden, Conifer, and Craig, Colorado. The CTI also provides educational excellence at  many of our community’s elementary, middle and high schools, like the program here at Alameda International!

Black belts will compete Friday evening and all other belts will compete on Saturday.  Brochures with more information are available from your instructor. Events include:

• Poomse
• Tiger Poomse & Following Directions
• Sparring
• First Point Wins! 
• Black Belt Staff Competition
• Breaking 

Registration for the 33rd Denver Martial Arts Championship tournament on September 8th and 9th is officially open and online only.  Please register by clicking here and then click the red box that reads '33rd DMAC.'  Please note that even if you have informed your instructor that you will be attending the tournament, you still must register and remit payment via the above link.  

Karate Lessons - Martial Arts Classes at the CTI

By Peyton Brauch, 4th dan

Many people here in Colorado are looking to get themselves or a family member involved with some type of martial arts classes, but often don't know what is the best to choose. Often times people look into Karate lessons because it seems to be a popular sport for families, both kids and adults. But what really is the best martial arts to practice?

Karate and Taekwondo are fairly similar martial arts. Karate originates from Japan and tends to have more hand techniques in the martial art; while Taekwondo is a Korean martial art which tends to focuses more on kicks. They are pretty similar, and in fact, some people call Taekwondo Korean Karate. 

While both martial arts can be good for your body and mind, the Colorado Taekwondo Institute is right in the Denver area. Established in 1983, the Colorado Taekwondo Institute is one of the highest rated martial arts schools in the area. When looking into a martial art for yourself or a family member, it's more important to look at the quality of the program versus the martial art being taught. 

Taekwondo has many beneficial classes available for students of any age. If you are looking to try Korean karate classes, give the Colorado Taekwondo Institute a try. There are classes focusing on every age group and instructors that are dedicated to helping you reach black belt and achieve your personal goals in self-control, discipline, perseverance, physical fitness, and confidence. 

This organization has been around Colorado for over 40 years and has been helping students of all ages and abilities achieve their goals inside and outside of their martial arts classes. With locations in Arvada/Westminster, Golden, Lakewood, Littleton/Morrison, and conifer/Evergreen, there is sure to be a convenient location near you. The CTI has many opportunities for learning outside of normal classes which include the Summer Expos, Summer Camps, Day Camps, Tournaments, and more. 

If you are searching to try Karate lessons and you try classes at the Colorado Taekwondo Institute, instructors and fellow students will make sure that you are welcomed and that you are learning at your pace. Instructors take the time to break down new moves and concepts you learn in class to provide you with a clear understanding of anything and everything learned through our program. Classes are circulated on getting students to, and even beyond, personal goals while also focusing on the mental and spirit related aspects of martial arts. Try out martial arts classes at any Colorado Taekwondo Institute anytime and reach out to learn more about what the CTI has for you.

Odyssey of the Sul was a Blast!

By Meredith Botnick, red belt

It’s not very often that adults get to go to summer camp, so when The Odyssey of the Sul was announced it offered a truly unique and special opportunity for adults to take a break from the real world for a few days. Spending a long weekend in the mountains doing a mix of camp activities and taekwondo was amazing and was an experience I hope to repeat in the future. 

Camp started on Thursday afternoon, and while it was a stormy afternoon in Denver it was absolutely gorgeous at Snow Mountain Ranch. Despite the forecast saying otherwise, the weather really couldn’t have been better all weekend. Once everyone was checked in, we gathered in the Centennial building for dinner which presented an excellent opportunity to meet students from other schools before everything kicked off. After the first of several amazing meals, we regrouped in Leggett and met our teams for the weekend. Each team was named after an Ancient Greek hero, and we began work on a demo that symbolized our heroes and incorporated different aspects of Moo Sul Kwan training before calling it a night. 

With the theme of camp being about a journey, on Friday many of us journeyed back to childhood with the camp activities. It was so much fun to try out archery, tackle my first climbing wall in nearly 20 years, and go zip lining surrounded by spectacular scenery. We capped off the day with a round of mini golf and then laughter and fun with the tubing hill and the “Minute to Win It” games after dinner. 

Saturday started with a bit of training before breakfast and then dove back into our Odyssey of the Sul with a hike to the waterfall with one step sparring and self defense training along the way. The hike was meant to be a journey and not a race, and our group leaders facilitated wonderful discussions along the way. It was really neat to get to know the other members of my group and learn about their individual journeys in Moo Sul Kwan. We came back having forged new and better relationships with our groups and gaining a better understanding not only of Moo Sul Kwan but each other. We spent the rest of the afternoon making our videos and prepping our demos before another fun filled evening of games, live music, and our own CTI version of line dancing. 

Sunday began with a bit of a bittersweet feeling of reflecting over the awesomeness of the last few days but knowing that like all good things camp must end and we all needed to get back to reality. We all performed our demos to the families that had gathered for the end of camp, and it was truly awesome to see the creativity each group used in their demos along with learning more about the Ancient Greek heroes. We were able to spend a last few minutes reflecting on our journeys, both as individuals and as a group, as we watched the video compiled of each group’s activities over the weekend. 

I drove back to Denver at the conclusion of camp feeling renewed in my journey within Moo Sul Kwan and ready to tackle my day to day life with new perspectives and energy. The Odyssey of the Sul was a truly unique and amazing experience, and I would highly recommend that the other adult students in CTI participate the next time we do a “big kids” camp. 

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!

Day Camp starts this week!

Day Camp starts tomorrow, Monday, July 24th at the Green Mountain Campus.  alk-ins are welcome, and we would love to see everyone there. Please see below for more information on the event as well as a registration link. You are welcome to pay when you arrive too!

We will be hosting one week of Summer Day Camp at the Green Mountain Campus starting tomorrow, the week of July 24th!  Day Camp is a super fun event and a great way to keep your student motivated.  It's a great way to add excitement and to make strides towards your or your student's next belt. There is no cap or limit to participants for this event.  

All students ages 5 and up are invited to attend Summer Day Camp at the Green Mountain Campus the week of July 24th. This fun and exciting event is packed full of all types of Taekwondo activities.

WHO – All Students Ages 5 and Up
WHAT – CTI Spring Break Day Camp
WHEN – July 24th - 28th
WHERE – Green Mountain Campus
TIMES – MORNING SESSION: 8:30am  - 11:00am
                AFTERNOON SESSION: 12noon - 2:30pm
                (Students planning to stay all day need to bring a lunch.)
WHAT TO BRING:  Uniform, belt, sparring gear, tennis shoes, snack, water bottle, board(s), notebook & pen/pencil, lunch (if staying all day)

Payment information: The easiest way to register and pay for this event is to head over to our online event registration and to click the gray box that reads "Summer Day Camp."  If you are finding that you cannot piece together the correct amount of sessions there, please email us, and I can help you by either charging the card/account you have on file with us or sending you a link to pay.

Please note: There is no cap or limit to participants for this event.  It is not like day camps from other organizations where you have to book months in advance.  We take walk-ins the day of as well.  Thank you.

Please reach out to your instructor with any further questions.

Thank you and see you all there!  

Importance of Practicing Taekwondo at Home

 By Bridget Sautel, 5th dan

One of the most crucial things a martial arts student can do to really solidify their Taekwondo training, is to take what is taught in class, and apply it to practicing by themselves at home. Especially when learning new techniques or poomse’s, if the student doesn’t go home and replay the moves in their head and practice them, the moves may be forgotten by the next class. This can stall a student’s learning and progression through the belts, and might even result in a negative learning experience. At Colorado Taekwondo Institute we want our students to always have a positive learning experience, and when the student is engaged with the learning. this can be made possible. Practicing Taekwondo at home is so important for a variety of reasons, but here are some of the top essential reasons:

1) A chance to break down the techniques

In class the instructor can teach the student the basic techniques and the moves that make up each poomse, but once the moves are taught, it’s up to the student to take them home to practice. The student needs to break down each move in a way that makes sense to them, and really think about the moves, without someone standing over them telling them how to execute each step of the technique. When the student comes back to class, it is obvious to the instructor which students went home and practiced the moves, especially if the student comes back with questions. This shows the student really thought about the moves and did repetitions. 

2) Returning to class knowing the moves

When a student is taught new moves on a poomse or a more advanced kick or hand technique, it is expected they go home and practice what they learned, and come back to class showing this proficiency. If the student does not do this, it shows the instructor that the student was either too busy to make time to practice, or just doesn’t care about mastering the moves.

3) Training will be accelerated

If the student does do what they are supposed to and they go home and practice the new moves, then this will be clear to the instructor, and they may make the decision to add on even more new moves. This is a continuous cycle and should be done for each new technique learned. The student can really boost their training to the next level if practice is consistent, and it will shine in the performance of the student in each and every class.

4) A chance to become a better teacher

When the student starts to reach higher belt levels, they will begin to learn how to teach others. If the student has spent the time practicing at home to put thought into breaking down the moves, then they will be successful in teaching newer students. It is a lot different when teaching a move, compared to just going through the movements on your own.

5) Learn to perform in front of an audience

When practicing at home, the student can incorporate their family, friends, and pets into the practice session. It is beneficial for the student to perform poomse’s and techniques in front of an audience, so that when the time comes to perform at a tournament in front of black belts and others (or a demonstration someday), the student will have already experience practicing in this way. 

These are just a few of the reasons, out of many more, why a student should practice their Taekwondo at home. There is no doubt the student’s training will be taken to a higher level each time techniques are broken down and repetitions are done. Practicing at home should also be transferred into other areas of life, such as school. For example, if something new is taught in math class, the student should go home and practice it until it is mastered. It is not practice that make perfect, it’s “perfect practice makes perfect.” 

Brand New Event: CTI Odyssey of the Sul

odyssey (noun) - an eventful or adventurous journey or experience.

sul [Korean: art]  (noun) - skill, expression of beauty or creativity.

Please mark your calendars for our very first bi-annual CTI Odyssey of the Sul on Aug 3-6, 2023 at Snow Mountain Ranch. It includes dynamic training in: Poomse, Sparring, Breaking, Self Defense, One-Steps Sparring, Staff, judging, and featuring the Race of the Falls!

This camp-like experience for ages 12 and up is going to be an exciting adventure for our adult and older students.

Check-in will be on Thursday, Aug 3rd from 5-6pm and dinner will be served.  The Odyssey will end at 11am on Sunday, Aug 6th.

Register online at www.coloradotaekwondo.com. 

You don't want to miss out on this newest CTI event.  Talk to your instructor for more information!

Quite Possibly the Best One Yet: Recap of Camp MSK '23

By Katie Minden, 1st dan

Another successful Camp Moo Sul Kwan has passed with more to report than ever before! At Snow Mountain Ranch, students embarked on a six-day-long stretch of fun, food, and lots of Taekwondo!

Camp started off quickly Saturday afternoon! After a warm farewell to parents, campers were off to their first hearty meal, setting the precedent for the entire week! The evening ended with dividing up into teams, starting work on the line-up demos for the end of the week, and hopefully a good night’s rest. 

Sunday morning began bright and early, especially for our black belt testers and pre-testers! After a wonderful breakfast, our activity day was off! Many campers took the opportunity to explore zip lining, archery, and the climbing wall. In between activities, students may have participated in group-wide fun games or even a few Taekwondo classes. In the afternoon, campers visited the infamous tubing hill for a few exhilarating runs. Our first full day ended with an exciting night of Minute To Win It, a fast-paced game full of short challenges!

Another early morning for all campers on Monday. Team captains found time to continue working on their demos with their teams before heading up to the falls for our hike filled with climbing the daunting testing hill, singing, photos by the falls, and some video-taping for later! Due to a bit of weather, our travel lunch was enjoyed at the Legett this year where teams worked on their banners or dances for the Wednesday night party. After lots of hard work, campers headed to the Kiva for some time to play a variety of fun activities such as ping pong, basketball, and roller skating. Monday peacefully ended with a relaxing movie night to prepare campers for Tuesday!

Tuesday turned out to be a magnificent tie-dye day for all campers! After breakfast and the morning workouts, campers and their teams took rotations between making their own tie-dye shirts, exploring the gift shop, and working on their team line-up demos and dances. Once all teams were able to tie-dye, campers were in for an unexpected treat as they got to observe our Advanced Belts’ Camp Run ‘23! Our top instructors ran a high-stakes race in teams through 12 stations, including made-up one-steps, top poomse, breaking, and more while being cheered on by their supportive students! Finally, our thrilling Tuesday finished with some jammin’ Kamp Karaoke!

For our final full day at Camp MSK ‘23, many campers finally embarked on the long-anticipated bike rides. Wednesday was the teams’ final day to work on their line-up demos and dances for that night, so all were hard at work smoothing the final rough edges! After a morning of hard work, campers chose between activity time at the Kiva or spending some time at the pool. We took our group photos for the Facebook, and then it was time to get ready for the big party and Musical Breaking Night! This eventful last night was filled with all of the team dances prepared throughout the week to songs performed by our very own black belt band! Once all of the teams had performed their dances, campers broke boards and danced the night away!

Thursday, our final morning of camp, started with a short breakfast to prepare the campers for their stellar performances later on. Once all the parents had arrived, the demos began, starting with the impressive bike demo led by Grandmaster John Sautel and Mr. Eric Evans. Following that was the sharp black belt demo put together by Master Erik Albrechtson. Finally, onlookers observed the final product of every team’s line-up demos made and performed by their very own kids! A bittersweet morning ended with a final tie-dye-filled group photo and some memorable awards before everyone said farewell until the next camp!

Every camp provides a fantastic opportunity for students of all belt ranks to find new friends, learn new things, and create lasting memories that will be treasured forever. Each camp solidifies the bond with our sport and the community behind it. Camp MSK ‘23 was no different and it turned out to be quite possibly our best camp yet!

Martial Arts for Adults

By Deb Denny, 2nd dan

Studying martial arts, specifically Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo at the Colorado Taekwondo Institute, is great for adults because it is an enjoyable form of exercise. You are able to meet other adults and this is a chance to participate in a sport with your kids.

Taekwondo is a scientific Korean traditional martial art that teaches ways of enhancing our spirit and life through training our body and mind. Doing taekwondo is a mindfulness  experience, distracting thoughts are tamed as you focus intently on your movements. The martial arts training of mind and body through physical movement in class extends to create harmony in your life.

Adults have mature brains which allow them to have better patience for memorization and learning. The benefits of this type of exercise are numerous. Taekwondo movements take place in all dimensional planes, allowing for a total body workout. The aerobic and anaerobic components of a workout increase metabolism and allow for calorie burning far past the actual workout to aid in weight management. The concentration, focus, and aerobic output aid in stress reduction. Practicing self-defense choreography leads to enhanced situational awareness and self-confidence. Working out in martial arts strengthens your immunity, reduces blood pressure, and prevents heart disease, diabetes and cognitive decline. Classes are designed to increase flexibility and muscle strength, coordination and most importantly balance.

Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo pursues harmonious growth and improvements of life through its unique activities and will become a way of life for you. To ultimately enable ourselves to lead more valuable lives, start martial arts training at the Colorado Taekwondo Institute and discover the beneficial principles embedded in taekwondo.

Registration Open: Summer Day Camp - July 24 - 28!

The Colorado Taekwondo Institute will be hosting one week of Summer Day Camp at the Green Mountain Campus the week of July 24th!  Day Camp is a super fun event and a great way to keep your student motivated. It's a great way to add excitement and to make strides towards your or your student's next belt. There is no cap or limit to participants for this event.  

All students ages 5 and up are invited to attend Summer Day Camp at the Green Mountain Campus the week of July 24th. This fun and exciting event is packed full of all types of Taekwondo activities.

• WHO – All Students Ages 5 and Up
• WHAT – CTI Spring Break Day Camp
• WHEN – July 24th - 28th 
• WHERE – Green Mountain Campus
• COST:    
• $275 all sessions, 1 week
• $160 for 5 sessions 
• $70 for 2 sessions 
• $40 per single session (half day)
• TIMES:
• Morning Session: 8:30am  - 11:00am
• Afternoon Session: 12noon - 2:30pm
• (Students planning to stay all day need to bring a lunch.)
• WHAT TO BRING:  Uniform, belt, sparring gear, tennis shoes, snack, water bottle, board(s), notebook & pen/pencil, lunch (if staying all day)

Payment information:

The easiest way to register and pay for this event is to head over to our online event registration page and to click the gray box that reads "Summer Day Camp."  If you are finding that you cannot piece together the correct amount of sessions there, please email us, and I can help you by either charging the card/account you have on file with us or sending you a link to pay.

Please note: 

There is no cap or limit to participants for this event.  It is not like day camps from other organizations where you have to book months in advance.  We take walk-ins the day of as well.  Thank you.

Please reach out to your instructor with any further questions. Thank you and see you all there!  

“Be The Edge”

By Peyton Brauch, 3rd Dan, Golden Campus

The Moo Sul Kwan Summer Expo XXXVII in Keystone, Colorado has left students with a better knowledge of the motto of the weekend, “Be the Edge.” Students that attended the Summer Expo had many classes focused around the motto and learned what it means to be the edge in all aspects of life. This weekend of Taekwondo fun was a learning experience for everyone and included eight different classes, the Moo Sul Race, and the Saturday night banquet including food, live music, dancing, and videos put together by every campus. This experience was definitely one that won’t be forgotten.

So what does it mean to “be the edge?” Like the edge of a blade, we learned that being the edge meant to be sharp in our moves, refined in our art, and good leaders for our peers inside and outside of Taekwondo. By being the edge, one should demonstrate the tenets of Taekwondo (self-control, perseverance, courtesy, indomitable spirit, and integrity) at all times. By doing so we are refining ourselves as leaders in our daily lives. The most important thing about this motto is that anyone, of any age, is capable of doing this. If you are working on applying the tenets of Taekwondo in your life you will become a role-model for those around you, which will better your friends, family, and peers. 

The other part of being the edge is honing your skills. This means practicing not only what you are already good at, but by being diligent and practicing things that we struggle with. Being the edge also includes asking questions to ensure a better understanding of each move and finding out the best ways to practice things we struggle with. By asking questions and showing a desire to learn, you will sharpen your edge further and you will improve your abilities to do Taekwondo and you will even improve your ability to help others with their questions in class. 

When everyone strives to be the edge, everyone will improve. If you are honing your skills in class and defining each move through diligent practice, you will grow stronger and you will help give your peers inspiration. Other ways to be the edge in your campus would be to help welcome new students, show up early to your classes to assist in other classes, and even to help out around the campus. If you were not able to make the Summer Expo, still strive to be the edge and learn as much as you can from those that did attend that fun-filled weekend. We hope to see everyone at the next upcoming events and especially at the next Expo where there will be a new motto and new ways to be the edge!