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.”