Why Martial Arts Classes Are Great!

By Emily Green, 1st dan

Looking for high-energy training with traditional discipline, skilled instruction, and a welcoming community? Check out the Colorado Taekwondo Institute (CTI). The CTI is a fantastic facility designed to help students of all ages build strength, confidence, and focus. With two spacious training rooms, a seating area for parents to view classes, and cubbies for storing personal items, everything about the school is designed to make the learning experience comfortable and convenient. People new to martial arts, as well as those with experience, are all welcome. Families often comment on the friendly atmosphere, which makes starting a new activity less intimidating for beginners.

The Colorado Taekwondo Institute has been a leader in martial arts education for decades. At the CTI, students study Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo, a traditional Korean martial art known for its powerful kicks, precise hand techniques, and respect. Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo blends the best aspects of exercise, self-defense training, and character development, making it an ideal choice for families seeking a complete martial arts experience. Students train under qualified and experienced black-belt instructors who are passionate about teaching. Each member of the team is trained in both Taekwondo techniques and the art of instruction, ensuring that classes are safe, organized, and tailored to each student’s needs.

The curriculum emphasizes more than physical skills. Students learn traditional martial arts etiquette, self-discipline, and respect for others. These lessons carry over into school, work, and daily life, helping students become more confident and focused individuals. For families seeking a wholesome, character-building activity or adults wanting to continue their fitness journey, the CTI's martial arts classes are a natural choice.

Classes work on flexibility, strength, and endurance, but they also challenge the mind. Learning traditional Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo forms and techniques develops memory, coordination, and focus skills. Self-defense is another key element of the program. Students at the CTI learn age-appropriate self-defense skills that give them confidence and help them stay safe. Children learn to understand when and how to respond responsibly, while teens and adults develop practical strategies that can be applied in real-world situations. Leadership skills are woven into every class. Students work with partners and gradually take on responsibilities such as leading warm-ups or demonstrating techniques. These experiences build self-confidence and teach students how to guide and motivate others—skills that benefit them in school, at work, and in life. Students starting as young as preschool age, as well as teens and adults, are all welcome. Many say that training at the CTI martial arts classes becomes the highlight of their week.

The Colorado Taekwondo Institute operates multiple campuses throughout the region. This means you’re not just joining a single class- you’re becoming part of a larger community of martial artists. The school hosts regional events, seminars, belt promotions, and tournaments, where students from all campuses come together to learn, test their skills, and support one another. This broader network provides students with more opportunities to grow, connect, and experience the full spirit of Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo. 

Parents and adult students alike report that training at the CTI brings benefits beyond physical fitness:

• Improved confidence and self-esteem as they master new skills
• Better focus and discipline, which is helpful for kids in school and adults at work
• Leadership and perseverance learned through belt testing and regular practice
• Practical self-defense skills that build awareness and personal safety
• Respect and courtesy reinforced in every class
• Stress relief and mental clarity through active, mindful movement

When you train at the Colorado Taekwondo Institute, you’re joining a community dedicated to excellence in martial arts. Its combination of professional instruction, a welcoming environment, and regional events makes it the top choice for martial arts classes.

If you’re searching for martial arts classes for yourself or your child, visit the Colorado Taekwondo Institute. The programs are about much more than kicks and punches—they’re about developing the whole person. Whether your goal is self-defense, improved fitness, or personal growth, the CTI provides the structure and support needed to succeed.

Martial Arts Lessons for You: Conifer Edition

Mountains have become synonymous with health and fitness. From mountain biking, climbing, and hiking in the summer to skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing in the winter, the mountain are filled with calorie burning activities.  But, maybe you're looking for something new. Taekwondo is one calorie burning activity that you might not think of in the mountains.

Taekwondo classes in Conifer is rapidly growing activity at the campus of the Colorado Taekwondo Institute. The classes are led by highly qualified instructors and provide high intensity, calorie burning fun. The classes contain students of all different experience levels. The levels are distinguished by belts from white all the way up to degrees of black belts. The classes are tailored to be challenging for the beginners and advanced at the same time.  Almost all of the exercises are done just by stretching and moving your own body without any extra equipment or weights. Imagine getting a tremendous workout that builds muscle, cardiovascular endurance, flexibility and agility using nothing but your own body.  The workout can be experienced and shared by all the members of your family.

The workouts in the Conifer Taekwondo location are performed in a clean and spacious workout room. The carpeted custom suspension floors provide a support and cushion for joints while working out. It's hard to explain how much fun jumping and exercising can be with that little extra bounce in your step. That little extra cushion gives the younger students more confidence and gives the older adult student a little bit of a fountain of youth.

Even if you aren't in the class, there are many large windows that allow parents or children to view from the lobby. The lobby area provides a comfortable area to watch all the fun happening behind the glass. The school is also located next the Liks Ice Cream shop so you can enjoy some ice cream before or after class. The Conifer school is also below 3 Margaritas Mexican restaurant for some good food after a great workout.

The Conifer campus of the Colorado Taekwondo Institute is lead by Grandmaster James M. Sautel, a 7th degree black belt in Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo. Grandmaster Sautel has help from several other “home grown” assistant instructors. All instructors of the Colorado Taekwondo Institute started out as white belt students in the school. Each instructor has been developed and educated in the best methods of instruction in martial arts classes in Conifer. Quality instruction provides the basis for getting the most out each class.

The experiences at Conifer school aren't limited to classes. The Colorado Taekwondo Institute provides events year round to meet with the other 5 campuses around Colorado and the Denver metro area.  The events include tournaments where we compete with other equally aged and experienced students.  Other events include weekend getaways in the mountains where students can focus on having fun and learning while enjoying the beautiful mountain scenery.

So, when your looking to try something out of the normal mountain routine, the martial arts classes in Conifer can provide a great way to cross-train for any of the other normal activities.  The increase in core strength, flexibility, and endurance can be a benefit for mountain biking, rock climbing and skiing. Try it out!

The Conifer school of the Colorado Taekwondo Institute is located in the 285 corridor in the Conifer Marketplace shopping center, easily accessible for everyone in Conifer, Bailey and Evergreen.