Modesty

By Ahas Weerapura, teen 1st dan

Modesty is a quality that is extremely important in nearly every aspect of life. Modesty is important to our mental and emotional health, healthy interactions with other people, and to our self-improvement as a taekwondo student. Modesty can be defined as the quality of not having arrogance regarding your own abilities, accomplishments, and qualities. Modesty is also closely intertwined with humility, which is the internal part of modesty, or being modest with yourself. Modesty also falls into the affective domain of Lee H. Park’s model concept, and affects both of the other domains as well.

Modesty is incredibly important to the individual’s mental and emotional (or cognitive and affective) health as well. It fosters a sense of self respect and satisfaction that doesn’t require any external validation and can't be broken down by other people. This trait is extremely valuable and increasingly so. Modesty can result in benefits like increased self-esteem and reduced self-hatred, and can even assist in better decision-making skills due to having a more grounded and realistic self-image.

Another aspect that modesty is important to is interactions with other people. Modesty is an important social mechanism that makes an individual more likable to other people. Additionally, people who are arrogant and lack modesty are often irritating to the people that they interact with. Modesty can often also assist in the efficiency of social interactions as well. Arrogant people can often say contradicting things to make themselves look good, and when they feel the need to make themselves look good, they can often obstruct interactions that are trying to accomplish understanding. When people are modest and have the aforementioned self-respect and satisfaction, they are better able to convey and delineate ideas, which is especially useful in the professional setting.

Additionally, modesty is important to becoming a better student and improving. Having modesty is an important part of being able to accept mistakes and things you did wrong, letting you fix them and improve. A lack of modesty can cause your level of performance to stay static because you won’t take feedback on the things you did wrong. This also extends to work, school, and even hobbies due to how essential modesty is to improvement.

Modesty is an incredibly useful and pleasant trait to have. It has become exceptionally absent in society, and remarkably valuable as a result. Modesty helps in mental health, interactions with other people, and getting better at the things that you do. I highly encourage you to at least attempt to practice modesty in your daily life, as the benefits will be immeasurable.

Responsibility

By Evan McEwan, teen 1st dan

Responsibility is a cornerstone fundamental in most everything you will encounter. Responsibility teaches you so many lessons through hardship, mistakes, and other processes. Responsibility grows in importance as you go up the belt ranks in our program being a quintessential part of every individual's Moo Sul Kwan career. Responsibility also shows integrity and builds strong bonds and connections.

The lessons responsibility teaches are so important to growth in any aspect. You start to understand what those who are responsible for you need to sacrifice, having to make the same sacrifices yourself. You give up time, money, and energy when you are responsible which gives you great respect for your caretakers. Responsibility has many facets and applications, there is responsibility for others just as much as there is for yourself. Self-responsibility teaches necessary fundamentals like how to work by yourself, time management skills, and the ability to have balance in between different tasks. These three skills are some of many that come with being self-responsible and are essential to success. 

Beyond its educational properties, responsibility has incontestable vitality within the Moo Sul Kwan institution. It walks in tandem with every student along their career, growing in presence as they climb the ranks. A Moo Sul Kwan student’s first class holds minimal responsibility, however it is still present, having the responsibility of learning and remembering protocol and custom of the class. As one progresses however, they must become responsible for their behavior, practicing their moves and forms at home, do the monthly excellence homeworks, balance taekwondo with other aspects of life, and so much more. When moving up the ranks you gradually gain all of this knowledge and eventually you may get the opportunity to teach a class. 

Responsibility fosters meaningful and valuable relationships through trust. If one gives someone responsibility for their belonging and they perform well then trust is built, this principle is applicable everywhere and helps one climb ranks and earn positions. In Taekwondo it’s important to build bonds with others to develop as a student, having the skill of responsibility will ensure that you can effectively advance. Moreover in any developmental aspect in life connections are so important to growth so having that responsibility will be so valuable to anyone climbing the ranks.

All things are encompassed by responsibility, being a key to success, among many other things. It teaches you how to adapt, develop, persevere, and push through hardship. It is also a necessary part to development i n Taekwondo, growing in importance as you go through the belt ranks in Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo.  Responsibility also helps you build relationships through integrity and trust. All in all, responsibility is one of the most key things to any development at all.

Martial Arts Classes

By Zach Cotner, junior 1st dan 

All kids need a healthy place to express themselves, exercise their energy, and feel like they have a place to belong. Families seeking a healthy activity for their children will appreciate what martial arts training will provide them. Martial arts classes benefit kids (and adults) by teaching discipline and self-control, by providing exercise that’s both healthy and fun, and by creating opportunities for positive social interactions. 

An important benefit that taekwondo provides to kids is discipline. One main benefit is learning how to act around adults/teachers/mentors/elders. This is important because it will serve you throughout life. It is a great skill to learn respect and communication. In Moo Sul Kwan, we demonstrate our discipline by addressing instructors by ‘ma’am’ and ‘sir’ when we see them. In CTI we follow the rules of etiquette which include things like taking off your shoes before entering the workout area, bowing before entering, and paying attention in every class. These rules support kids ability to follow directions well and teach them to listen to everyone in their lives. Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo helps children become role models for their peers at the taekwondo campus and school. Students are taught to treat others with kindness, sympathy, and courtesy. When we are working in class we acknowledge other students’ progress and congratulate one another’s successes. These actions encourage others to follow in the same path and start behaving similarly. Leading by example is an easy way for students to learn self control and discipline. From a young age, kids are taught how to be good role models for their peers both in and outside of the workout room.

Likewise, martial arts classes allow students to move their bodies and it is a great way to exercise and be active at a young age. Getting energy out, as a kid, is important because it helps them to think and act better in school and at home. Taekwondo is very active and we get our energy out by doing warm ups, poomses (martial arts patterned movements), sparring, and basics (punching and kicking). Students are able to use their energy in a positive way and in a controlled environment while also learning and processing their actions. In CTI students do weekly classes, which builds a good habit of exercising and is crucial for their bodies’ health. Taekwondo builds strength because the workout/class has a routine focused on learning how to use your body. This is great for kids because they learn control while being active. Kids also have a lot of energy, taekwondo is a good way to use spare energy because it has a healthy impact on the body. Taekwondo also helps kids to get in the habit of exercising healthily because as they get older the importance of exercising also grows. Also, it’s fun! Taekwondo is a great way for kids to have fun and meet new people through sport.  

Moreover, taekwondo is very good for kids because it can help build new friendships. By learning to communicate through similarities and time spent in taekwondo kids also build relationships with others. 

I have made lots of friends throughout my time in Moo Sul Kwan taekwondo and they go back many years. I started taekwondo when I was 5, and I still see many of the same people to this day. CTI specifically has many events where students get to spend time with their peers like the Expo, Summer Camp, and Friday Fun Nights. It is very easy to make friends when everyone is in a workout and working together in games, self defense and more.

In conclusion, martial arts classes provides an amazing and beneficial sport for kids because of its helpful teaching tools that teach kids discipline and self-control Through fun workouts and games. Well simultaneously giving social skills that they will be able to use outside of taekwondo.

Kids Martial Arts Classes at the CTI

By Kayla Albrechtson, 1st dan

Martial arts classes offer numerous advantages for kids. The Colorado Taekwondo Institute offers taekwondo and martial arts classes for kids to give them the greatest advantage in self-defense, physical fitness, leadership, and other advantages they can use throughout their lives. Classes are dynamic, structured, and positive, giving kids the ideal environment to learn martial arts effectively. Kids’ martial arts classes at the Colorado Taekwondo Institute are available for everyone, from preschoolers to adults. 

Kids at the preschool age will have great success in martial arts and taekwondo classes at the CTI. The Tigers classes are structured to provide a comprehensive martial arts education focusing on young children and toddlers’ unique needs. The Tigers martial arts students will work on energy release, listening skills, motor skills, and confidence. Not only are Tigers encouraged to attend regular classes to build these important skills, but they will also attend tests, tournaments, and other events. Tournaments are a fun and safe environment for young students to develop confidence because they perform their taekwondo skills in front of a panel of CTI Black Belts. At the end of every Tigers class, students talk with their instructor about ‘self-control before self-defense,’ which helps them understand when to use the kicks and punches they have learned. 

Juniors classes are kids martial arts classes catering to children aged five to twelve years. Kids will focus on self-confidence, improved study skills, respect, leadership, and physical fitness in these classes. The Taekwondo classes at CTI are great for improving physical and mental skills. Students are expected to prepare for a physical and written test when they test for their next belt. Preparation for these tests begins in the classroom and continues on their own time at home. For the youngest Juniors, the CTI written test is their first real test, and the study skills they develop preparing for it can help them throughout their entire academic career. 

For teens, martial arts classes at CTI offer the same advantages as juniors, with the additional benefits of muscle gain, anger management, structure, and discipline. The teen years are a time of great change, and teenagers must learn essential life skills to prepare for adulthood. In the CTI taekwondo classes, teens are exposed to and expected to understand many important concepts, the most important being the tenets of taekwondo: courtesy, self-control, integrity, indomitable spirit, and perseverance. These tenets are constant throughout martial arts classrooms’ physical and mental teachings. Developing these characteristics within themselves can set teens up for great success in academics, careers, and even their social lives. 

Kids’ martial arts classes offer great benefits for children of all ages. The Colorado Taekwondo Institute’s kids’ taekwondo classes are fun, safe, and structured environments for kids to learn and grow. In addition to classroom instruction, kids can experience and benefit from tournaments and special events that provide extra fun and skills. Families can learn taekwondo together and give their kids a great start to lifelong learning and success. 

How Taekwondo Teaches Courtesy

By Kayla Albrechtson, 1st dan

Taekwondo classes can teach students many life lessons beyond self-defense and physical fitness. Each student is expected to learn and demonstrate the tenets of Taekwondo within their training. These tenets are courtesy, integrity, indomitable spirit, perseverance, and self-control. Each of these tenets plays a critical role in a taekwondo student’s training, but the tenet of courtesy may be overlooked the most, especially when considering competitions. However, it is during taekwondo competitions that courtesy is needed the most.

Courtesy is about more than good manners; it is actually an act of respect, which is expected of every taekwondo student at all times. In the Moo Sul Kwan taekwondo class, students must follow class rules and respect their fellow students and instructors. An example of the courtesy students learn in the taekwondo classroom would be using ‘ma’am’ or ‘sir’ to address a black belt. However, acts of courtesy towards your fellow classmates and the lower belts are just as crucial because they foster a classroom environment that is calm, polite, and more conducive to learning. An excellent example of one student showing courtesy to another would be raising your hand before you talk to avoid talking over another student. By raising your hand to speak, all students can participate in class, even if they have a softer voice or may be shy.

Since taekwondo is a competitive sport, courtesy during tournaments is critical to foster an appropriate and fun competitive environment that helps students learn and grow in taekwondo. A great example of this would be during a free sparring match. Before the match, competitors will bow to each other as a sign of respect and are expected to adhere to the rules of the free sparring match. This is an act of courtesy because not only are the competitors respecting the opponent, but they are also respecting the sport of taekwondo itself. By doing so, students create a fun competition that becomes a great learning opportunity.

The courtesy students learn in the Moo Sul Kwan taekwondo classroom can be used in their everyday lives at school, work, or social situations. Since courtesy is essentially an act of respect towards another person, using courtesy in the school or workplace can lead to better opportunities. People are more likely to want to work with someone who displays courtesy at all times and in all situations. Because someone becomes more pleasant to work or study with, their teachers, fellow students, or coworkers begin to look to them in more challenging situations when a calmer head is needed. This is especially true for people who work in customer service jobs or any other job requiring someone to deal with the public, clients, or others. People who demonstrate courtesy even in tricky social interactions are more likely to calm charged situations and receive more positive outcomes from that situation. 

Displaying courtesy in the taekwondo class is a great way to practice this tenet for use in the real world. As with any skill, consistent practice is vital to being courteous in a student’s everyday life.

We All Have Potential

By Carina DuLong, Red Belt

Potential is defined as qualities or abilities that may be developed over time to lead to success in the future. These abilities can be physical or mental, and everyone has a different set of strengths that helps them succeed. Some qualities that allow people to have strong potential are the traits we foster in our taekwondo students such as respect, honesty, courtesy, integrity, perseverance, and self control. By developing these important characteristics, anyone can make progress towards their goals and make connections with people who can help them reach their full potential.

Use others as examples

Watching and listening to others who are experts in their fields provides an example to show us what is possible. Whether it’s taekwondo or a different skill, observing and learning from others sets us on the path to greatness. There is so much to learn from those around us and when we have people to look up to, it can provide the necessary motivation and unlock our potential to reach our goals. In taekwondo, we are surrounded by people we can use as role models. Our black belts who have dedicated many years of their lives to mastering Moo Sul Kwan taekwondo are a perfect example. Every one of our new white belts has the potential to become a black belt as long as they pay attention and try their best, but they may need the motivation of seeing what they can become to push them through the difficult parts of the progression through belts. Personally, one of my favorite hobbies is crocheting. I’m good at following directions and am patient enough to follow through with the projects I’m working on, yet observing others lets me realize how much more I can improve. Many people crochet for a living and they have so much practice they can create their pieces without looking and crochet so fast I can’t even tell what’s happening. A key part of maximizing our own potential is realizing what we don’t know, so we can continue to improve.

Be aware of current limitations

No two people have the same set of skills and we all have different strengths that allow us to excel in different areas of life. Therefore, being aware of our own current limitations can help avoid being discouraged and losing motivation. We all have the potential to achieve our goals, but we may have to go about it in a different way or practice certain skills more than someone else. In taekwondo, some people are super flexible and can do the full splits the day they start, while other people may be stiff and can’t even touch their toes. Likewise, the super flexible person may lack power while the stiff person is stronger and quicker. These people may be disheartened that they can’t touch their toes or are told to have more power, but that means they have a goal to work towards. Our instructors point out techniques that need work because they know we have the potential to change and do better. We have an opportunity to confront a challenge and improve rather than a reason to lose hope.

Help others realize their own potential

Helping others realize their own potential is a rewarding part of life. In our taekwondo classes, upper belts and older students strive to be good examples and do the best they can to help the lower belts and younger students. Our black belts use their years of experience to make helpful corrections, allowing us to improve. By upholding strict taekwondo standards, Colorado Taekwondo Institute ensures that these ancient martial arts skills continue to have a positive influence on new generations of students for both self defense and personal development.

How potential pertains to taekwondo

In taekwondo, many people have the goal of reaching black belt and beyond. We focus on practicing skills such as speed, flexibility, and strength along with mental attributes like focus, perseverance, and discipline. Our potential can be nurtured through consistent training, practicing outside of class, pushing past our limits, and setting goals that challenge us. Unlocking our full potential requires dedication and willingness to push through the challenges of the journey while learning from mistakes and building confidence from successes. Practicing taekwondo allows us to improve ourselves mentally and physically and, with the help of others, develop skills we may have never thought possible.

How potential affects life outside of taekwondo

We also increase our potential for success by incorporating the physical, mental, and ethical philosophy of taekwondo into our daily lives. Our teachers encourage us to be the best versions of ourselves, and we know that unenthusiastic performance will not lead to improvement. In our lives outside of taekwondo, we are open to learning new things and sharing our knowledge with others. We are confident that diligence and perseverance will achieve the best results possible. We are trained to maintain a positive mindset and are comfortable being uncomfortable, which increases our potential for greatness, whether it be in our jobs, school, or hobbies.

The Value of Integrity: A Pillar of Everyday Life

By Eric Evans, 3rd Dan

Integrity, often considered the cornerstone of moral character, is a timeless virtue that holds immense significance in our everyday lives. It is the alignment of our actions, thoughts, and words with our deeply held principles and values. While integrity may seem intangible, its impact is far-reaching and touches every aspect of our personal and professional lives. In this article, we explore why integrity is vital and how it influences our interactions, relationships, and overall well-being.

Integrity breeds trust, forming the bedrock of meaningful connections. When individuals consistently demonstrate honesty and reliability, others develop confidence in their character. By living with integrity, Moo Sul Kwan students convey authenticity and create an environment of openness, where people feel safe to express themselves. Whether it's in personal relationships, workplaces, or even casual encounters, trust is fundamental for effective communication and fostering healthy connections.

Integrity is closely tied to personal growth and resilience. When we commit to living in alignment with our values, we cultivate self-awareness and a sense of purpose. Upholding our principles requires courage and self-discipline, leading to personal development and the ability to make informed decisions. Colorado Taekwondo classes help students develop these principles and self-discipline. Moreover, the integrity developed in class enables us to weather challenges with resilience, as it provides a moral compass to guide us through difficult times, instilling a sense of conviction and strength.

In today's interconnected world, reputation holds significant importance. Integrity plays a crucial role in shaping how others perceive us and ultimately impacts our professional and social success. Consistently acting with integrity establishes a positive reputation built on reliability, credibility, and ethical conduct. This reputation, in turn, opens doors to opportunities, fosters cooperation, and attracts like-minded individuals who value integrity. Moreover, integrity cultivates loyalty, as people are more inclined to support those who consistently display honesty and transparency.

Living a life of integrity is essential for nurturing inner harmony and well-being. When our actions align with our values, we experience a sense of congruence and inner peace. Integrity helps us avoid the internal conflict that arises from compromise and deceit, fostering emotional well-being and mental clarity. By practicing integrity, we nurture a positive self-image, boosting our self-esteem and overall satisfaction with life.

Integrity serves as an essential compass in our journey through life. Its significance extends beyond individual actions, influencing our relationships, reputation, personal growth, and overall well-being. By cultivating integrity in our daily lives, we build trust, authenticity, and resilience while enhancing our chances of success and fostering inner harmony. As we strive for a more ethical and just world, let us recognize the enduring value of integrity and embrace its transformative power in shaping a brighter future for all.

Preschooler Martial Arts Classes

By Elsie McDonald

Putting your child into a preschool martial arts program has many benefits. More importantly, putting your child in Colorado Taekwondo Institute’s (CTI), Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo Martial Arts program, has even more. CTI has programs for children as young as 2 years old (sometimes even younger!), with highly trained instructors, making it available for very young children to learn self control and discipline. 

At CTI, the children under the age of  5 years old are called tiger belts. Tiger classes are a great way for a child to burn off some energy. The classes offered to preschoolers are half an hour long and can be any of the days from Monday to Thursday, excluding holidays. In these classes, they will start with some jumping jacks, other warm ups, and stretches. They will then be guided through the basic kicks, blocks, and strikes that taekwondo is based around and allow the student to progress forward. They will learn poomse, which are patterns of movements, that can help build your preschoolers memorization and coordination skills. Other skills that can be enhanced by putting your child in taekwondo, include focus and impulse control. Besides being good for the focus of your preschooler, they are also fun classes that a child would enjoy. They usually have a game or some kind of fun activity at the end of class, if kids are well behaved throughout.

Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo is centered around our Korean founder, Lee H. Park, and his creation of the model concept. This concept shows that as the student gets older and increases in belt level, the techniques and moves they learn will become more complex and difficult. So once your child is no longer a preschooler, they can become a junior belt. Junior classes are 30 minutes longer, and they go more into depth with form and self-discipline. 

There are lots of benefits to preschooler martial arts, rather than starting later in life. The first junior belt that a child will earn after being a tiger, is a junior yellow belt. For example, a yellow belt that was a tiger beforehand, has more experience than a yellow belt who started when they were 6 years old or so. This means the yellow belt with tiger experience will most likely reach the next belt level quicker, already knowing self control and the basics of CTI. 

There are also events that your children and family can attend, such as tournaments, Friday fun nights, day camps, and our summer expo. All of the activities at these events are age appropriate for preschoolers and elementary schoolers, and vary from competition to fun classes and games. Some activities, the parents can come along also (tournaments and expos) while some others are well supervised by trained adult black belts (Friday fun nights and day camps). CTI offers age appropriate involvement for children and adults of any age. Check them out if you are looking into preschooler martial arts!

Why Patience is a Must

 By Elsie Mcdonald, Teen Red Belt

Everyone works and learns at their own rate, and for different people, that rate varies. If you are trying to pursue a goal you will also do that at your own pace, and that pace can change depending on how committed you are to your goal. 

At times you may want to give up, but the key to sticking with it and achieving what you want is patience. An example in taekwondo could be a situation where you start your training at the same time as someone else or are on the same level as them at one point, but they progress through belts faster and get to black belt before you. This may feel frustrating, but if you learn to have patience and you keep trying, you will get there one day as well. You will feel so much pride in your accomplishment knowing that you used your patience and did not let yourself give up, knowing how hard you worked to get there. If you learn to be patient you can acquire many more skills by learning to try your best, commit to something and stick with it. Things may not always work out in the way that you want them to, but if you can find the patience to believe in yourself and keep pushing then the outcome could be much brighter than expected. 

Patience pays off in a much similar way that hard work and practice do. In a sense, all three things are related, working towards a goal and practicing in a routine manner exercises patience, because you have to stay with it for the long run. If you do not have patience it may be very difficult for things to go your way, because if you expect to reach a demanding goal in a short unreasonable amount of time this can put serious stress on you. You need to have the patience to accept that it can take a while to accomplish tough things, but if you can teach yourself that the wait and the work is worth it and give yourself the time you need to achieve what you want, you will not find yourself under the stress that not having patience can cause you. 

It is also necessary to build discipline so that you can endure challenging obstacles that may be in your way without giving up and straying away from the goal you are working towards. You also may need patience in much smaller situations, such as activities that you have anticipation for, like waiting in line for a waterslide or reading a book. You need to have patience to finish these simple activities as well. If you practice being patient in normal activities then it will be much easier for you when working towards something difficult.

Martial Arts Lessons at the CTI

By Meredith Botnick, 1st dan

Are you looking for quality martial arts lessons for yourself or your family? Perhaps you’ve been looking for a karate school and have been inundated with results. Often the various martial arts are referred to as 'karate', but there are differences as well as similarities between and even within the different styles. 

Karate is an art that originated in Japan before being carried to other parts of the world, whereas Taekwondo, the art that is taught at the Colorado Taekwondo Institute, originated in ancient Korea. Martial arts programs vary quite a bit and also have many things in common As a result, both Karate and Taekwondo have a basis in using the hands and feet for self defense and use a series of patterns to develop the skills necessary for proper execution of these techniques. The main differences, however, is the school behind the art. The quality of a martial arts school should be the number one factor when you're looking into joining a school for martial arts lessons. 

Colorado Taekwondo Institute specifically has a rich history of bringing quality martial arts and leadership instruction to the Denver metro area and beyond, having been established in 1983 by Grandmaster Sautel. CTI teaches the Moo Sul Kwan style of Taekwondo, which was developed hundreds of years ago in Korea and introduced to the United States by Grandmaster Lee H. Park in 1969. At CTI, the emphasis is placed not only learning the physical side of self defense, but also the mental and philosophical sides through leadership training and education. So if you’ve considered exploring martial arts lessons, including karate or taekwondo, and are looking for a high quality school, schedule a visit the closest CTI campus today!

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.

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. 

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!

The Philosophy and Practice of Modesty

 By Khristen Paisley, purple belt, CTI Black Belt Club Member

“THE MASTER HAS FAILED MORE TIMES THAN THE BEGINNER HAS EVEN TRIED” -STEPHEN MCCRANIE

Modesty is largely recognized as one of the greatest virtues.  Modesty is the ability to be content with the wholistic self.  One’s skills, abilities, as well as personal qualities both positive and negative, the whole self.  True modesty is a balance between self-confidence, as well as not deprecating oneself for it is in self deprecation that false modesty is found and is a disguise for arrogance.  Arrogance is the embodiment of excessive pride, advertising oneself perceived and often self-proclaimed excellence and often is a disguise for insecurity.

Growing up many of us often were told by our elders that no matter how great, how smart, strong, fast “we think we are,” there will always be someone better than us.  It is in that phrase that they were attempting to teach us modesty and humility.  Because that’s the truth.  There will always be someone that has achieved a higher level than we have.  That is what ought to keep us honest, humble and modest.  Because it is in that that we truly can appreciate that in order to be in the highest level that we need to work for it. 

In Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo, the first lesson that we learn after “try hard, pay attention and do your best” is that nothing is given and everything in earned.  It is in this lesson that we can begin to appreciate that there is no such thing as entitlement.  Grandmaster James Sautel often brings up in class that it might take one person 250 reps of something to become proficient, while it might take another person 572.  The real point of that is that you must work, you must practice, no matter what your natural abilities are.  That is where modesty and humility come in.  For if you are the one that may only “need” 250 reps to become proficient, it makes no difference if you aren’t willing to do the 250 reps, the person that needs to do 572 reps will beat you each time because they know they must work harder, and instead of doing 572 they will do 700.  It is more than doing the bare minimum.  It is a desire to do the work to be the best and know that you must keep working.  The higher level a student attains the more work and maintenance is needed to hone and even keep the most basic skills learned at the beginning of their martial arts education and journey.  In so doing we also learn humility. 

The student that feels they can get away with only doing the bare minimum to get by and rely on their natural talent are falling into the trap of arrogance.  Unfortunately for that student, the instructors at CTI are well trained and can spot these situations.  They know if a student is just doing the bare minimum because it shows.  It shows when a person asks the same question all the time, when they just “aren’t getting it”.   Now, this isn’t to say that if a person is asking the question multiple times that they are arrogant, they simply may not have been given the information in such a way that they are able to assimilate the information and they are working hard to understand it until they gain that illusive “lightbulb” moment.  The instructors can spot the difference.  It takes a level of humility to say “I’m just not getting it yet,” and modesty to recognize it.

At our Colorado Taekwondo Institute, the culture is well established.  It promotes modesty, humility, self-confidence, and positive self-esteem.  It is in our tenets, our aims and our objectives even if not explicitly stated.  It is one of our core values, as is hard work, paying attention and doing our best.  There is no entitlement, everything is earned, and it begins when we earn our first belt, when we begin as white belts.  That is our first step in our journey to a greater understanding of modesty.

Perseverance and Commitment

By Caleb Feagans, 2nd dan, CTI Instructor

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

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

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

The Importance of Adaptability in Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo

By Sean Huntley, red belt, CTI LeAD Team Member

Adaptability, one’s ability to adapt or change in a situation, is important everywhere, however, it is especially important in Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo. In MSK Taekwondo things are constantly changing, reshuffled. You have to be able to keep up with all of it, and so you must be adaptable. If you can't change with everyone else then you will have a hard time in MSK Taekwondo and other aspects of your life, I know, I have personal experience. I hate change, I always want to have a plan, but I’m in MSK Taekwondo, and so I need to be able to be flexible. I will point out some examples of when I needed to be adaptable in MSK Taekwondo, as well as ones that you could find yourself in. I will also explore how to be more adaptable, so next time something changes for you it won't be that hard.

I am a testing red belt, and as such I need a black belt journal. The CTI Black Belt Symposium is a big event, like expo, for upper belts.  Now, I was looking forward to going to the 2019 CTI Symposium because it would allow me to fill out a large portion of pages in my journal. I got to the first presentation of a black belt and I realized I had forgotten by journal at home. At first I was panicked, what would I do without my journal? Then I calmed down and realized that I had to take notes somehow, so I grabbed a hand out I had gotten from another class and took notes on that. Throughout Symposium I took notes on whatever I had, papers, folders, even boards. When I got home I filled my journal in with those notes I had gathered and i got a good amount of pages. I could have given up on taking notes and just stopped trying, but I adapted and got through that unfortunate situation.

Another experience I have had where I had to adapt in MSK Taekwondo was every team tournament and demo. Now, with the team tournament happening soon, as of this writing, I have realized just how much my team demo has changed. We have gone through about 10 different ideas of how to make it look, always adjusting, rearranging moves, or switching formations. If anyone has been on a team or a demo they know how much it changes each time you practice it. This is why you need to be flexible when you do things like this, you are in a team and your teammates might have different ideas than you have. If you are rigid and unchanged in how you want the demo to go then your teammates will have problems with it, they may not try their best, they may feel upset because you are not listening to them, they might be confused on the demo and wanting to simplify it so they can look good while doing it. If you keep the demo the same you might be missing out on a really creative idea that could help your team. If you are participating in a larger demo you have to be able to be open to change and, however hard it is, go with the flow. Although it is less of a problem for me now I have always have problems working with others, I always wanted things to look my way. It was hard working with others on a team basics demo my first time at it. Over time I learned that you had to be flexible when you work with other people and today I work much better with teams. When creating or participating in a demo you have to be adaptable so the demo can grow and change to become even better and you can work well in a team.

The last example I will talk about is sparring. Sparring is one of the most important places to be adaptable in Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo. When you spar you have to make split second decisions, there is no time for a large plan. Sure, you can plan out a fake or a kick, but you can't know what your opponent is going to do. You could know their sparring strategy, but if you make a plan it could be shattered in an instant as your opponent makes one unexpected move. Now when I spar I keep my opponents sparring strategy in mind, but stay loose and focus on what my opponent is doing, no plan. This works quite well, as now I can change my attack, block, or where I am putting my hand or foot based on what my opponent just did. When sparring, you should focus on the moment, not getting caught up in a plan that was foiled. You have to be adaptable in sparring because if you are not you will not be able to defend yourself from and attack an unpredictable opponent.

MSK Taekwondo is ever changing, and so as a student you have to be adaptable. While you need to be adaptable in all aspects of taekwondo events, like tournaments and expos, team poomse and demos, and sparring are some of the most important. Try to be flexible when you go to class and do anything MSK Taekwondo related, make a plan B, go with the flow. If you allow yourself to be adaptable it will raise you to a new level of understanding.

Achieving Goals and Better Self-Esteem through Moo Sul Kwan Martial Arts

By Amy Krupp, red belt, CTI LeAD Team Member

The first time I read the Aims of Moo Sul Kwan Martial Arts, written by Great Grandmaster Lee H. Park, I was a new white belt student studying the CTI Student Manual in preparation for my yellow belt written test. The second aim reads: “Help students in identifying and accomplishing appropriate goals, developing a sense of self-esteem and confidence, in encouraging their desire for self-directed learning, and in expressing themselves as thoughtful individuals.” As a white belt, my goals were pretty simple: lose weight, get through all of the jumping jacks at the beginning of class without needing to rest, be able to touch my toes during stretches, and get the foot movement correct on Taegeuk Il Chang. I didn’t really understand how martial arts could bring me better self-esteem and confidence, but I was hoping that was true, because I needed it. Going to class was intimidating. Being the only white belt, and the newcomer who didn’t know anyone, was a little bit scary. Looking back on it, I can see that most of these feelings were due to my own self-esteem and confidence issues outside of the dojang.

Reading that second aim struck a chord, and I hoped that some of it would prove to be true for me.  It wasn’t long after I was promoted to yellow belt that I started to settle in to my place in class. My instructor had always been wonderful and supportive, but I was starting to develop a camaraderie with other students in my class too. A couple of the black and red belts had taken me under their wing so to speak, and were encouraging and friendly, helping to guide me in my training. It felt like I was starting to get some people in my corner. I didn’t have to motivate myself to go to class anymore- I wanted to be there. I was happier when I was there, and I was definitely less stressed when I left. I was starting to notice small strides toward my first goals of physical fitness, which motivated me even more to keep at it. I even broke my first wooden board, which was something I didn’t think I’d ever be capable of doing. That feeling when my foot went through that board for the first time was amazing.

Around the orange and green belt level, I had become 100% committed. Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo had become my passion. Suddenly my goals had developed from small strides in physical fitness to big “pie-in-the-sky” goals. Sure, I still had short term goals. Like fixing my front kick foot position, getting the pivot correct in my side kick, reaching my next belt. But I had bigger dreams too. Like getting to the purple belt level so I could start going to upper belt training on Saturdays, join LeAD team, be on the demo team, make it to black belt, be able to travel with the Black Belt Team during a World Tour, become an instructor and have my own students. I knew in order to reach these goals, I needed to keep at it. I needed to push myself harder than I ever had, and not waste any opportunities for training. So that’s what I did. I never missed an event, and it was very rare that I missed a class. I was more driven toward these goals than I had ever been before. And somewhere along the way, I needed to go down a size in my dobok pants.

I realized recently, a little more than three years since I first bowed in to class, that many of these “pie-in-the-sky” goals have either become reality, or are now within my reach. My self-esteem, confidence, and physical fitness are like night and day from where I was in 2016. I’m in the best physical health of my adult life, and am happier than I have been in a very long time. I used to be the new white belt who didn’t know anyone. Now I’ve been fortunate enough to have met some of the very best friends I have ever had through the CTI. The first time I read that second aim of MSK martial arts, I admit I had some doubts on whether or not any of that would ever hold true for me. Not only has it held true, but it’s gone above and beyond anything that I thought would be possible. My instructor, Grandmaster James Sautel, will ask us on occasion to think of where we could be in a year if we keep pushing as hard as we can every class. It only occurred to me recently that he is referring to Aim #2. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us.

Taekwondo For Teens

By Lindsey Boswell, red belt, CTI LeAD Team Member

With today’s social media, teenagers are spending more time online than they are with other people. They spend hours on their phones or computers, sitting down with their heads bent forward. This puts them at risk for physical, mental and social issues.

Physically, teenagers are more sedentary today. An article in Time Magazine discusses how the activity level of children changes in the teenage years and teens are becoming just as sedentary as adults over 60. This decline in physical activity has increased the obesity rates in schools.  Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo is a good option for teenage martial arts to help combat obesity and increase fitness because it provides both cardiovascular and muscular endurance.

Mental and social effects on teenagers today are greatly influenced by the media and social sites. This allows for constant images and messages to consume their time, often causing low self-esteem and depression. Prior to the rise of social media, kids who were bullied at school had a chance to get away from it during after-school hours and weekends. With smartphones today, bullying can happen at all hours, with little relief.

One way to combat these negative effects of new technology is to have teenagers be involved in sports, physically removing their phones from them during practice. Taekwondo places just as much importance in mental and social education as it does on physical fitness. Each class provides a great workout, with continuous learning, keeping the classes stimulating and fun. MSK Taekwondo supports respect and discipline in class and out, training students to be kind, upstanding citizens in their community

The Colorado Taekwondo Institute is much like an extended family. Social gatherings, events outside of class, and camps offer the students more time with other people and away from their electronics. Taekwondo is a great option for martial arts teens because it allows a support system for social and mental growth, and builds confidence and leadership skills with physical achievements.

Modesty

By Lara Buff, yellow belt

Modesty is a very useful life skill that requires practice for most people to successfully develop. Unfortunately in today’s society, with the ubiquity of social media and even among traditional news outlets, it’s very easy to find examples of arrogance and hubris. More air time tends to be granted to those who brag loudly than those who speak modestly, making it difficult to find examples of positive behavior to emulate.

It’s human nature to want to pay more attention to winners rather than losers: for example, in professional sports. After a big game, reporters are granted access to the locker room to interview key players, and press conferences are held.When one’s team has won the game, it’s enjoyable to listen (or read about) the players describing what they did right and how they played well, and examine highlights of the game. When one’s team has lost, it’s tempting to just turn the TV off and not ever even find out whether the players take responsibility for the loss, lay the blame elsewhere, or praise the other team for having played a good game. In this way, we tend to limit our exposure to these potential, important examples of humility.

Role models of modesty and decency don’t tend to garner the same amount of interest as those of arrogance and pride. Athletes in particular often create a sensation when they brag about how great they are, and how much better they are than their opponents past and future. It makes us want to stay tuned and find out whether they are worth the hype they have created for themselves; whether we root for them or want to watch them fail, our attention is fixed on the loudest braggarts rather than other, more modest competitors. Why is it important to find role models? We need to know what modesty looks and sounds like so we can learn how to emulate those features.

By behaving with modesty, we can avoid putting ourselves into embarrassing and even potentially risky situations. We are imperfect beings, and even the best of us can have bad days. I might be a very good skier; if I were to go around bragging about my skills, I would draw more attention to myself and make it more likely that someone would decide to make me prove my abilities by challenging me to a race. Pride would compel most people to accept the challenge, even if slope conditions were less than optimal. Now I’ve put myself in a position where I feel I must push myself harder than usual for the sake of my own pride. If I should fall, or lose the race in some other way, it would be considerably more humiliating the more time I had spent going on about how awesome I was; not only that, but a high-speed fall on skis can be very dangerous. If I had simply been modest from the beginning, a loss wouldn’t sting nearly so badly as if I hadn’t put myself on such a high pedestal, and a win would still feel just as good. Or, perhaps I would have felt comfortable enough in my skiing abilities that I would not have allowed my pride to goad me into racing at all!

Behaving with modesty rather than arrogance may require a conscious choice or series of choices, at least at first. Paying attention to positive role models and choosing to imitate them, rather than models of hubris, can be helpful as we practice humble behavior. As with most things, the more we practice, the easier it becomes to make the correct choice. Modesty can help us avoid embarrassing situations, and keep us from putting ourselves at unnecessary risk.

Taekwondo for Adults

By Tyler Murphy, 3rd dan

There are not very many activities that are good for exercise, fun, and encourage self directed learning.  Especially as an adult it is difficult to find a good way to exercise other than going to the gym and exercising aimlessly.  In Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo it is always easy to stay motivated and to have a direction in the way that we exercise.  Our adult martial arts classes consist of aerobic and anaerobic exercises, which contributes to our students being more rounded physically and mentally.   Every class is exciting, and we are always working toward the same goal as a class, while working toward our own individual goals.  The instructor is able to motivate and maintain a direction for the entire class, while giving each individual something to work and improve on.  Everybody is different, and in order to improve this individual attention to detail is essential for each student in the class.

Our classes are well organized and are centered around the Moo Sul Kwan basic routine. This means that every class will be a good work out, and that all campuses are on the same page regarding their training.  Since we are united as an organization, our events are more organized, and all students are able to learn effectively together since they are at similar points in their training. 

Another benefit of our basic routine is that, even though we are working as a class, each student is able to focus only on themselves for that period of time.  This is especially beneficial for adults.  After working all day and dealing with other concerns in life, students can focus on only themselves and what we are working on in class while letting everything else fade away for the class.  Our instructors are able to direct class in such a way that no other student we have to be concerned with anybody or anything else, which will lead to better improvement as a martial arts school, and as an individual as part of Taekwondo for Adults.  Every student is different so it is excellent that the instructors can focus on individual students and give them what they need.

Another great thing about classes at the Colorado Taekwondo Institute is the continuous learning that occurs every class. We learn poomse, which stands for patterned movement. Every student is able to learn poomse at a pace that is right for them.  This constant learning is part of what helps our students to stay motivated, since there is always something more to learn, and work on.

Adult martial arts classes at the Colorado Taekwondo Institute take exercising to the next level with the many benefits that come from our curriculum and basic routine.