The Colorado Taekwondo Institute - The Best Martial Arts School in Town!

 By Collin Kreutz, 4th Dan

Are you looking for the best martial arts school in the Denver area for you or your family? Look no further than the Colorado Taekwondo Institute. The Colorado Taekwondo Institute has been providing the community with the best martial arts classes in Colorado for nearly 40 years. Our experienced and well-trained instructors run classes for all ages, including toddlers, kids, teens, and adults. With five martial art locations in the Denver metro area, the Colorado Taekwondo Institute is sure to have a school near you!

Each of the five locations in the Denver area, plus our additional campus in Northwestern Colorado in Craig, provide a variety of taekwondo martial arts classes for all ages. The Lakewood/Green Mountain, Golden, Westminster, Littleton, and Conifer locations all boast spacious workout areas that are well maintained, thoroughly cleaned, and are constructed with carpeted suspension floors for the best workout experience. All of these campus locations are run by experienced black belts with years of teaching experience, so regardless of which location works best for you, you are sure to get the best martial arts program around.

At the Colorado Taekwondo Institute, the students always come first. All of our classes are organized according to age and ability, so the training is properly tailored to the needs of the students. Our instructors teach group classes with an individualized focus, so you and your family will get the workout, self defense instruction, and personal training that you need. Classes run year round, so you will be able to attend biweekly throughout the calendar year to make sure you stay in shape and are able to continue progressing through the program at a consistent rate.

The Colorado Taekwondo Institute prides itself in being an educational martial arts school, meaning that we encourage use of the mind and emotions in addition to the body to become more well-rounded martial artists and better leaders. The Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo martial arts teaching program that the Colorado Taekwondo Institute follows was brought to the United States in 1969 by Great Grandmaster Lee H. Park. In every class, Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo stresses using self control over self defense, ensuring that we make the world a better place while learning to defend ourselves. With over 50 years of curriculum development, our instructors teach a solid foundational training program based on a basic routine of taekwondo techniques that is successful at making students the best martial arts version of themselves.

In addition to regular martial artsclasses, the Colorado Taekwondo Institute conducts special events throughout the year. We host four tournaments every year, where each of our five primary campuses, plus students in Craig, get together to compete in different events that are practiced during regular classes. There are also a variety of non-competition events, including weekend long expos, week long summer sleep-away camps and day camps, and weekend seminar classes. These additional events at the Colorado Taekwondo Institute set us apart from other martial arts schools in the area, as they provide supplemental training on a consistent basis to keep students motivated and to spice up the routine with fun competitions and classes with new and different instructors.

So, if you are looking for the bestmartial arts for you or your family, I would highly recommend giving the Colorado Taekwondo Institute a try. Our introductory program will set you up with a uniform and two classes for only $30. Give your local Colorado Taekwondo Institute location a call for more information!

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.

Looking for the Right Martial Arts School

By Melodie Page, 1st dan

Have you ever considered taking a martial arts class for adults? Have your kids expressed interest in taking karate lessons? Are you looking for an individual activity for your teenager with positive role models? If any of these are true for you r your family, I recommend the Colorado Taekwondo Institute with convenient locations in Westminster, Golden, Lakewood, Littleton, Conifer and Craig.

I am a rather mature adult and I have been taking classes at CTI for over eight years. I have been totally impressed with the quality of instruction. I sincerely feel that if I can be successful at Taekwondo, then almost anyone can. We have martial arts classes for children and adults with a wide variety of people in them. Ages from 2 and up, beginners to black belts, and all kinds of abilities. 

Often adults get involved in our martial arts classes for adults after enrolling their kids and then seeing how everyone starts at their own ability and works their way up at their own pace. It looks hard, but our instructors are experts at teaching the basic moves, even breaking them down into small components, so that anyone can learn and master them.

At the Colorado Taekwondo Institute  everyone of our instructors have been trained to the highest standards.  Their training is overseen by our founder Grandmaster James Sautel who was trained by Great Grandmaster Lee H. Park who originally trained in Korea and came to the USA to teach the Korean traditional art of Taekwondo. Our training focuses on basic moves which are then incorporated into more complicated techniques. Our instructors genuinely care about each student and help them in an encouraging manner to become the best martial artist they can be. Our classes are a structured learning environment starting with stretching and warm ups and then moving on to learning basic kicking and punching techniques. The utmost attention is paid to preventing injuries, especially for adults. 

In addition to our regular classes, the CTI holds several tournaments throughout the year where students from all our campuses can compete with each other. In addition, we also have two weekend long conventions (one for specifically for black belts) where appropriate classes are held for children and adults at different belt levels.  Sometimes we will have an extra informative class on the weekend that students can attend if they wish. For kids, we have a week-long summer camp held at Snow Mountain Ranch, CO.  We also host some socials events such as our summer picnic and Christmas party.

Please checkout our website at coloradotaekwondo.com or call our main campus in Lakewood for more information if you're intereseted in martial arts training. The phone number is 303-989-7542 where you can sign up for an introductory class or just ask questions.  You can also contact us online and ask for a call back at your convenience.

Taekwondo Instruction & Learning Theory

By Eileen Lindner, 2nd dan

Learning theories are many and varied, as are the ways that individuals learn best. There are several paradigms which encompass most of the theories.  Behaviorism, constructivism, cognitivism, and humanism are the main paradigms of learning theory.  Using learning theories to facilitate the learning of a physical curriculum, like taekwondo, may best be done using aspects from different paradigms.  There is not one exclusive best paradigm to enhance martial arts training and instruction; rather it is best done incorporating many facets of differing paradigms and theories.

Taekwondo instruction is physical, and differs in many ways from the classroom model that learning theories most often refer to in evaluation.  The instruction in Colorado Taekwondo Institute martial arts school follows a basic pattern for every class.  Following this standardized curriculum allows aspects of differing theories to relate easily.

Since every learner could have a differing learning style, the instructor must be able to adapt a theory to fit an individual – many individuals at once – during instruction. The seven learning styles are: “visual, aural, verbal, physical, logical, social, and solitary.”  Learning styles can change within an individual, often dependent on the curriculum, or the student’s age.

Taekwondo instruction requires not only the physical knowledge; but the ability to adapt a teaching method to particular students.  Knowledge of these learning theories and their students will help the instructor improve both instruction and their students’ performance.

The behaviorism theory, used with knowledge of constructivism, only enhances learning for the student.  The specific stimulus-response based instruction used with accommodation, assimilation, and equilibrium in the student, is a perfect example:  The basic mid-section punch is taught the same way, every class, until the student seems to understand it and perform it the same way over a period of time.  At that point, the details of chamber hand, focus, two knuckles for impact, etc. are reinforced.  Then the instructor can draw the connection of that same punch used in motion, during poomse, to improve both the basic punch and the technique in poomse.  The stimulus-response has created a connection for the student, and then the accommodation and equilibrium are put into play for the student to evolve and improve.

Combining stimulus-response with the other theories of cognitivism and humanism sounds disconnected; but they can be put to work together to enhance learning and performance.  The experienced Colorado Taekwondo Institute instructor can do this intuitively; and all instructors can benefit from studying these theories. The instructor presents all necessary information to follow Component Display Theory; is aware of the basic needs of their student as in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs; and maintains consistent stimulus-response in the instruction situation, as in behaviorism.

The instructor, to use these theories properly, should also be capable of identifying the learning style that their student best responds to.  Many younger children need a visual, aural, and physical presentation of instruction.  Often, older students vary between logical and physical with visual aspects.  Teaching different students at once means the instructor has to incorporate this knowledge during class, adapting methods as students appear to follow, or be confused by a given instruction.  Most experienced instructors say what they are doing, then show what they are doing, then say it again, before asking the student to perform the technique – allowing at least three learning styles to be addressed at once.  The martial arts instructor also can face a certain student, or position themselves to best see the process and progress of their students.

Being familiar with different learning theories and learning styles allows the taekwondo instructor to best reach and instruct each student in an individual manner – even in a large class setting.  The more knowledge the martial arts school instructor has of their students, the better the instruction.
Using aspects of all the listed learning theories happens regularly in Colorado Taekwondo Institute classes, as the instructors put the students first and adapt to best teach each person.  Contact us at www.startmartialarts.com to see how our instruction can best help you and your child achieve your goals!


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References:

Learning Styles; http://www.learning-styles-online.com/overview/, retrieved June 3, 2015.

http://www.learning-theories.com/, retrieved May 27, 2015.

Pavlov’s Dogs: How Ivan Pavlov Discovered Classical Conditioning; http://psychology.about.com/od/classicalconditioning/a/pavlovs-dogs.htm, retrieved June 1, 2015.

Culture and Cognitive Development from a Piagetian Perspective; Dasen, Pierre R. http://www.unige.ch/fapse/SSE/teachers/dasen/home/pages/doc/lonnermalpass93.pdf, retrieved June 1, 2015.

Jean Piaget; http://www.simplypsychology.org/piaget.html#schema, retrieved June 1, 2015.
Component Display Theory; http://www.instructionaldesign.org/theories/component-display.html, retrieved June 2, 2015.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs; http://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html, retrieved June 2, 2015.

Meet the CTI: Lakewood School

Are you looking for taekwondo, karate, self-denfese or any martial arts classes for yourself or your child in the Denver/Foothills area?  The Colorado Taekwondo Institute has 5 campuses located in Littleton, Westminster, Golden, and Conifer.  The Colorado Taekwondo Institute Lakewood location, near Green Mountain, is located next to Starbucks on Alameda Parkway. This location, just off of Union, is conveniently located to serve nearby neighborhoods.

The Lakewood school opened in 1991. Students come from Lakewood, Golden, Littleton and Wheat Ridge to train with the most experienced and hardest working black belts in the foothill area. Our dynamic classes provide the best in martial arts lessons for toddlers, kids, teens and adults. The Lakewood location of the CTI has 7 fully accredited 1st degree black belts, who all began at this campus as white belts, and now assist or instruct, as well as continue their training, at the Lakewood school. The head instructor at Lakewood is Grandmaster James M. Sau
tel, 7th degree black belt in Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo, the highest ranking and most experienced black belt in the area.  With over 30 years’ experience as a martial arts instructor, his teaching in Lakewood has ensured that this campus has the best of everything.

Afternoon and evening martial arts classes are offered for all ages at this location. Our students range in age from 2 to 60.  We have students who train together as a family in our family classes.  Many of our young students have encouraged their parents and siblings to join classes suited for their ages.

The custom suspension floors in our workout room provide support and cushion for your joints.  Some of the large windows in the workout room look out into the lobby, with a spacious viewing area where supportive parents watch their children learning new and increasingly difficult moves.

The pro shop area carries the newest offerings in sparring gear, student manuals, event patches and belt racks.  We have t-shirts, key rings, and many other items to personalize your experience at Lakewood location of the Colorado Taekwondo Institute.  The large TV in the lobby, screening DVDs of past events offered by the CTI, allows friends to see our students in action, achieving awards, sparring and competing in those events.  Registration fees for tests and events are also accepted at this location, by cash, check or credit card.

The mission of the Colorado Taekwondo Institute is, "To encourage world-class leadership through educational excellence and Moo Sul Kwan martial arts traditions”.  Our passion has always been to develop black belts with leadership and teaching skills who make meaningful contributions at the family, school, and community levels.  More than ever, after thirty years of excellence, we believe that we can be the best at providing an education-based martial arts program that develops students into champions.

For more information about the Lakewood Campus of the CTI, go to www.ColoradoTaekwondo.com or give us a call at 303-989-7542.

Finding the Best Martial Arts School

Many people who are new martial arts, but are interested in finding the best martial arts school for their kids or as adults that want to get started learning a martial arts are often surprised to see how martial arts school vary so much from school to school. Cost, structure of classes and techniques learned vary tremendously, but also the culture, respect, quality of instruction and workout facilities vary greatly. When you're looking into a martial arts school, you want to find the right one for your family.

Probably the first thing most people inquire about when looking into a martial arts school is the cost, which will vary greatly. Some programs are just "club" activities at a local rec center, so they will likely cost less. But, since it's just a club activity, students likely won't get the most from their time training. Finding an established martial arts school is the best way to learn martial arts from a certified instructor. But on the other end of the spectrum, some schools will charge an astronomical amount for dues. In some cases this instructor's ego thinking their school is the best and therefore should cost the most, when often they aren't the best martial arts school around, pound for pound.

So when looking into the cost of a martial arts school, it's best to gauge the quality of instruction and the value of the program. Ask to try out a free class or two and see the program and let it speak for itself. It is an investment for you and your family, and you should see there will be results that you are looking for. Find the school that has the highest quality of instruction, no matter the cost.

Also, when trying out your introductory classes, you should look at the structure of the classes. Is the black belt instructor leading the students and setting a good example, or are assistants doing all of the teaching? Is the class structured to instill discipline and respect, or are students wild and out of control as if on recess? Martial arts are meant to teach discipline, focus and control and the structure of the class will show how much students are getting from the program.

One thing that people will often focus on is the martial art learned, when often that shouldn't be one of the more important factors when making a decision on a school. I personally love Taekwondo, but when talking to my sister about which school my nieces should join, I recommend finding the school with the best program. Every martial art teaches self-defense period. Students will be better able to defend themselves with training. But the other factors of the school (Are the instructors good role models? Are classes positive and fun? Are instructors mean and yelling at students? Are classes structured, yet dynamic?) are what will really influence how much you or your child gets out of the program. Don't put too much concern on the martial art taught, find the school with the best martial arts program.

When looking for local martial arts schools, another thing to consider is the facility. You will want to find a school that puts thought into the safety of its students training. Since martial arts involve lots of time on your feet and lots of action while barefoot, you want to find a school with good flooring. Some schools will place 1/2" foam mats on cement floors and call it good. This won't absorb much impact from jumping and doing kicks and forms. Other schools will build suspension, floating floors on foam blocks and use plush carpeting to reduce as much as possible the amount of impact and pressur on students knees, ankles and backs.

Large workout area with floating floors

Also, you want to make sure there is enough room for students to safely practice. There needs to be plenty of room within the workout areas so students won't accidentally collide with each other. Also, you should check the general state of the school. Is it clean, well-lit and everything up to date, or are things run down and in disrepair. You want to make sure to find a local martial arts school that will provide a safe environment for you or your children to learn.

With all of this been said, I want to personally invite you and your family to come and try a free week of classes here at the Colorado Taekwondo Institute. We have five Denver-metro campuses, including: Lakewood (Green Mountain area), Littleton (servicing Littleton, Columbine and Morrison areas), Westminster (servicing Westminster, North Arvada and Broomfield areas), Golden (servicing Golden and Applewood areas), and Conifer (servicing Conifer, Evergreen and Bailey). Whether you are looking for adult self-defense classes, karate for kids, teens taekwondo, or anything in between, we can help you out. We've been providing the best martial arts instruction in Colorado since 1983.

Martial Arts Classes for Adults!

By Sally Morgan, 2nd dan

When I enrolled my daughter in martial arts, I never thought I would be enrolling myself.  After watching her for a couple of weeks, I decided to give it a try.  I have now been with the Colorado Taekwondo Institute for almost 10 years.  What start
ed out as a means to get into better shape has now turned into a great passion passion for me, and it has helped me so much, and in many ways.

If you are an adult looking to become physically fit and don’t want the normal “go to the gym” type of work-out, martial arts might be for you.  When looking for adult martial arts, there are a few things to consider.

As we get older, we tend to lose agility and coordination.  You want a program that provides stretches and exercises that focuses on these areas.  CTI’s program includes stretching in every class and exercises that will provide an increase in balance.  Since I have started adult martial arts I am much more flexible and my balance has improved.

Another thing to consider is strength training.  CTI’s work-out includes maintaining a low stance for a period of time, push-ups, sit-up, kicks and other exercises that work out your major muscle groups.  Because there is a variety of movement strength is always being built up.

Cardio-vascular conditioning is a huge thing for adults to maintain.  Without it, the body loses efficient functioning in all areas of life.  With jumping jacks, training of basic movements and sparring, CTI has broken the barrier for adult martial arts training.  So if you are looking to increase your lung capacity and get a good sweat on, adult martial arts is the way to go!

Many adults have injuries of all levels.  This is a big consideration when choosing any adult fitness program, including an adult martial arts program.  CTI understands these injuries and will work with you to be the best you can be.  I have found when I do become injured or sick; I heal quicker because of my martial arts training.

Also, it it nice to have the peace of mind that I can protect myself and my family. Joining an adult self defense class is really important. We aren't training to go out and start trouble, but learning skills that will defend you if ever necessary give you a whole new level of confidence.

One last thing to consider and probably the most important is “fun.”  Why do something if you are not going to enjoy it?  We all want that place where we can go, leave everything that is going on in our lives at the door, and just have fun.  Though CTI’s workout is challenging, it relieves stress and is fun.  I am never bored.  If I have had a bad day at work, I find after working out at CTI,  my mood is positive and energetic.  My overall outlook is better and I enjoy working out with the other adult students.

If you want a positive change to your life regarding health and physical fitness, an adult martial art class might be the thing for you. Stop in and try a class.  It certainly can’t hurt.  You might find yourself 10 years down the road healthier, happier and physically fit!

Benefits of Teen Martial Arts

By Theo Lincke, 1st dan, 14 years old

The teen years have considerably been the most active (physically and mentally) years of a child’s experience. The change in education, maturity and understanding of the natural world greatly affect a child’s perception of others and life around them. There is no doubt that the effort that teens fabricate in their day-to-day lives is the ne plus ultra of emotional and physical capabilities. Often, stress and anxiety pursue a teen’s brain wi
th constant change. New social norms begin to mold to the child and the teen must be able to accept various social rules made by others. Because of this, a child is benefited in an activity that stimulates them in a way that purges deleterious emotional responses. An activity that makes them fit into a system or lifestyle, and one that speeds the maturity of youth years.

The human brain is a complicated product of the body. The trite emotions of any child through adult is in effect to the various chemicals found in the brain. Studies have shown the scientific and medical benefits of exercise, including the increase of the acid 5HIAA, which is in charge of tryptophan production. Tryptophan is a common soother of the brain by producing serotonin, the main “calming agent” for anxiety and anger. The studies show that the more mental stimuli, or intense brain activity (such as khiapping, and channeling of anger through physical exertion) the more effect on serotonin production. Taekwondo, however tough and physically challenging, is a proven meditation method. Every intense workout is another step towards the war against anxiety and anger. “Psychology Today” claims that the most influential emotion in teens is generally anxiety which leads to immense amounts of anger and drastic mood “attacks”. Thus, it is medically proven that martial arts for teenagers is beneficial to the child’s mind which mends social interaction.

As someone who as experienced teen martial arts, I often find myself imitating taekwondo attributes outside of classes. Quickly responding to teacher requests, Obeying specific demands without much explanation. I have come to realize the lifestyle that taekwondo gives children and students. Taekwondo may be defined as a sport, all physical movement, however, the sport shapes understanding of confidence, leadership and opportunity. One can safely say that Taekwondo is a lifestyle because of this manifestation of leadership and confidence. Seth Mullins states in his article Teenagers and Struggle for Identity, “One of the biggest challenges that they face during the transition between childhood and adulthood is this struggle with their own sense of identity”. Understanding who you are is an extreme problem facing teens and being apart of a lifestyle lets a teen understand how they interact personally and socially. As a personal lifestyle, they are often more autonomous and self directed because they are not limited to set rules of more abstract lifestyles. By being so, they are able to understand who they are better because a teen will know their own needs in education, athletics, and emotions.

Any young child will struggle with constant “downers” towards important characteristics in maturity. Many studies have proven TV to be the #1 affect towards irresponsible extroversion. The use of mature topics in television manipulates children’s needs. Many role models have come from sketchy television characters. Television is not the only factor however. Many more factors such as irresponsible companionships, unfit teachers and frankly an open mind all affect this ability to be drawn into lies. The reason children fall into this manipulation is the level of maturity they posses. Children are not experienced in the world so they do not know what goes on, only what they have seen which is absolutely incorrect. Being lead by an experienced teacher may seem like this manipulation, however, the child will have experience following a leader. The difference between a leader and a manipulator is the manipulator’s keen ability to play with emotions. A leader purely gives the follower facts and a good leader knows exactly what to honestly tell their followers. Being lead by an experienced leader is a beneficial part of a teens life because the leader will become a role model due to the teens ability to pick role models, sometimes bad and sometimes good. In taekwondo, the role models are the more important and life changing ones. As a child picks leaders out in taekwondo, they learn and become leaders themselves. Everything a teacher has in themselves is translated down to the student if it is sincerely honest. Martial arts for teenagers often learn these valuable skills such as leadership and confidence and further obtain opportunities in their social life.

There is so much a student can learn when engaging in teen martial arts. A teen is able to gain valuable attributes from valuable leaders. By joining taekwondo, every skill adults have is transmitted towards the teen and this is how a teen thrives with taekwondo.

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Sources: 

http://articles.familylobby.com/355-teenagers-and-the-struggle-for-identity.htm

Learning the Sport with Martial Arts Training

One thing to know about any of the martial arts is a person should not attempt to make the mistake of learning without a qualified instructor. Only by obtaining martial arts training can a person (adult or child) expect to learn enough to compete and become an expert in specific types of martial arts.

Choosing a Good School

Choosing the best martial arts school can be very difficult when you consider there are millions of schools just looking for an opportunity to have your business. Parents have a difficult time not only the martial art for their children but also the best school to meet the needs of the children. While no individual art is best for every child, martial arts in general provide many benefits that suit all children.

The biggest challenge is finding a good martial arts training instructor. Unfortunately not all schools have formal qualification guidelines for the teachers. This doesn't mean those schools do not employ good teachers, but the late of guidelines definitely make it difficult for parents who are trying to choose a good martial arts teacher for their children.

Familiarize Yourself with a Few Martial Arts Disciplines

Before you make a decision about the martial art form that is right for your child, take some time to learn about a few of the mainstream martial arts. You want to learn what they have to offer by sitting through a few classes. For instance, the technique players use in judo may cause someone to become pinned to the ground—this would not be a good sport for a claustrophobic child.

Conduct Some Research

The internet makes it very easy to take the time to research before making a decision about martial arts training for your child. The place to begin is to make a list of the schools in your local area and seek out websites for those facilities. The focus of your research should be to find a school that offers a formal program of education for its teachers. You want to search out schools that offer teaching ranks in addition to black belt ranking. These teaching ranks are a formal way of passing the marital art on to the student. This shows that teaching areas such as self discipline and self control are equally important in teaching sparring to a child.      

Be Happy with the Instructor Before You Choose the Facility

You don’t want to look at the facility until you are satisfied with the instructor. For instance, the training hall should be immaculate. You might be able to ascertain this if you see students cleaning before and after the training session. Do not see cleaning as menial forced labor but rather a task that shows the students care about their teacher and have a desire to preserve their art. This is something that may provide points to a small school that doesn't have the resources to provide formalized teaching ranks.

Be Aware of the Costs You Will Incur

Before you enroll your child in any martial arts training program including Colorado Taekwondo you need to be sure you know how much it will cost. You need to be aware that while there are great profit making businesses, there are also some non-profit schools that rely on the involvement of the students in order to remain open. Do not allow cost alone to define a great school, but this may be a tie-breaker for parents, especially those on a strict budget. There are even schools that arrange to pick your child up at his regular school, teach him martial arts on a daily basis and provide time for the completion of homework, but this cost will be extremely high. If you opt for the non-profit school (the least expensive), you need to keep in mind you or your child may need to volunteer time and effort for the facility to remain open.

Choose a School with a Local Standing

The school you choose should have a voice in your community. This shows it is interested in the community and the students who live and attend school in that community.

CTI Leadership Traits

By Bruce Dean, red belt

It is important for CTI students to be good leaders in our community.  As martial artists there remains a misconception in society about what we do in a dojang and the purpose of our studies.  There remains a belief among some that martial artists study so that they can “beat people up” and that we are inherently violent people.  It is therefore incumbent on us to do whatever we can to dispel such misconceptions, and by being good leaders in our community we can show that such thoughts about us and our sport are not true.

CTI students can be good leaders in our community in many ways.  The most direct is by being good citizens and good examples of civic responsibility.  From the seemingly obvious requirement of obeying the law, to more subtle actions like helping the elderly or impaired with their groceries in the parking lot of Safeway, a CTI student can show leadership by demonstrating that he or she is a good citizen.  One need not necessarily run for community office to be a good leader.  Rather, one of the best ways is to simply “go do the right thing”.  This may include volunteering, or simply acting on something.

Leaders have vision.  They are  able to develop relationships, able to resolve conflicts, good problem solver, good motivator.  Vision is a leader’s concept of what they intend to accomplish and how they plan to get there.  It is their destination, where they intend to go.  Without the destination there is nowhere for anyone to follow the leader to.

Another important aspect is the ability to resolve conflicts.  It's important because as a leader, you have a team. And conflict within a team can destroy it.

Being good at solving problems is important because even though a leader must have a vision of what they intend to accomplish and how to get there, the path is rarely without obstacles.  So, if a leader is not good at solving problems – the obstacles in the path – then the leader will not be able to accomplish his/her vision

Being a good motivator is important because as a true leader, you are leading by example – you are inspiring them to follow, rather than a commander who drives people from behind.  And since you must inspire people to follow a good leader must motivate them to do so.