The Benefits of Training at a Martial Arts School

By Mark Scott, 4th dan 

What is different about martial arts compared with other sports and exercises? All sporting activities have the benefit of providing exercise. Martial arts have more benefits that other sports don’t provide. The benefits extend and change across the different ages engaged in a martial arts school. Benefits for children might not be as important to an adult in martial arts. Similarly, the benefits that an adult receives might not be necessary in a developing child.

For the young child, the benefits are less about the fitness and self-defense, but focuses more on discipline and control. As described in this article from Colorado Taekwondo Institute (The Best in Preschool Martial Arts 2024), the children will learn most of the same techniques as teens and adults. Many of the same details will be enforced, but the focus for the younger children will be on body control, mental fortitude and self-discipline. The younger student will gain self-confidence and benefits in their grades at school and behavior at home.

One article from the Colorado Taekwondo Institute website (Morgan, H 2016) details the eight benefits children can get from martial arts classes. As martial arts require practice to get better, martial arts encourage physical activity to get better and progress. Martial arts also increase self-esteem and encourage social interaction and teamwork which are important to the development of a child as they grow up. Martial arts also helps children learn respect and the ability to focus and concentrate as needed. Another important benefit is non-violent conflict resolution. Learning to control anger and find ways to solve problems outside of fighting. And especially at Colorado Taekwondo Institute, the benefit of the educational development through the stages of progressing with the training and reaching goals.

Martial arts also benefit kids with ADHD. In the article by Michael Lara, M.D. (Lara M, n.d.), found that kids with ADHD involved with a martial arts school finished more of their homework. The kids were better prepared for classes in school. The kids showed improvement in their grades. Other improvements were seen as they tended to break fewer rules overall and jumped out of their seats less often than before the martial arts classes.

Adults are looking to get into shape, to learn self-defense skills or joining a martial arts class to try something new. Some might use exercise as a means to relieve stress, but those in martial arts classes have a proven method for stress release.  In one study (Johnstone, A 2018) adults who participated in martial arts for three to six months were shown to have reduced depression symptoms, reduced levels of stress and higher self-esteem.  The adults were also able to manage stress better after prolonged martial arts classes.

Another important benefit found in practicing at a martial arts school was found in the same study. Practicing martial arts increases the ability to retain and restore memories. The martial arts students were found to be able to memorize and recall complex sequences better than the control groups. As martial artists have to memorize many moves and sequences as part of training, it would make sense that a martial artist would excel in this area.

Many studies (Naves-Bittencourt 2015) detail the effectiveness of classes at a martial arts school as engaging the brain in ways that enhance the physical and mental abilities. The effectiveness of martial arts as an exercise has an increased health benefit over other forms of exercise. The studies indicate a better level of stress management and overall better quality of life.

 

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The Best in Preschool Martial Arts 2024, Colorado Taekwondo Institute website, accessed 20 May 2024, <https://coloradotaekwondo.blogspot.com/2024/01/the-best-in-preschool-martial-arts.html>.

Morgan, H 2016, 8 Reason Your Child Should Join a Martial Arts Program, accessed 10 May 2024, <https://coloradotaekwondo.blogspot.com/2016/02/8-reason-your-child-should-join-martial.html>

Lara, M n.d, The Exercise Prescription, accessed 10 May 2024, <https://chadd.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/ATTN_06_12_Exercise.pdf>

Johnstone, A 2018, Martial arts offers brain-boosting benefits for all ages, research finds, accessed 20 May, 2024, <https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/healthy-living/martial-arts-physical-mental-benefits-health-exercise-tai-chi-karate-a8342756.html>

Naves-Bittencourt, W et al 2015, Martial arts: mindful exercise to combat stress, accessed 20 May, 2024, <https://www.eurjhm.com/index.php/eurjhm/article/view/355>

CTI Martial Arts: Conifer Campus

Are you interested in starting martial arts in the Conifer, Colorado area? Martial arts spans a variety of origins focusing on self-defense and attack. Whether it's judo, jiu jitsu, karate, or kung fu, martial arts have the ability to physically, mentally, and spiritually impact students of all ages. As it ties in several countries’ cultures into its practice, martial arts can be enjoyed by everyone through this transformative, learning experience. Amongst the many martial arts schools in the Conifer area, the Colorado Taekwondo Institute (CTI) strives to provide its students with this transformative experience beyond simply learning how to defend oneself. For anyone interested in martial arts in the Conifer area, the CTI is a great option due to its commitment to developing its students into life-long leaders through educational excellence and martial arts traditions through its instruction of Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo. 

Located off of Highway 285, the Conifer CTI Campus serves members living in the foothills of West Denver such as the Conifer, Aspen Park, Bailey, and Evergreen communities. This campus teaches Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo to students of all ages from tigers (ages 2-5) to adults (18+), with instructors providing their students with the best experience that combines physical and mental fitness. All age levels can exercise their physical and mental health by working out at the Conifer Colorado Taekwondo Institute 2-3 times per week through the instruction of self-defense techniques and Korean culture, respectively. 

This Conifer martial arts school has diligently crafted its classes to work with students of all ages, ensuring an impact on students living various lifestyles and at different tracks of life. Students aged 2-5 are able to learn the concept of motor skills early on through Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo, channeling their pent-up energy into punching, kicking, and yelling. Classes at the Conifer campus also teach discipline to these tiger students as they learn how to respect others at a young age and apply their knowledge to the many areas of life they need to navigate. With youth classes for students aged 5-12, Taekwondo further expands on these elements of self-defense and discipline by helping students utilize the lessons outside the classroom and into the real world. Discipline can be applied in areas of life such as school and home, leading students towards a path of success in their education and future.  Teenage and adult students, through Taekwondo, recognize the value of educational excellence as they traverse paths to mature, grow, and build up their self-esteem. Taekwondo classes are a perfect way to relieve stress at the end of the day, along with learning how to manage anger and establish self-confidence in all situations of life. No matter what stage you are in life, it’s never too late to start classes at the Colorado Taekwondo Institute as there will be physical, mental and spiritual benefits from the martial art. 

The values of the Conifer martial arts school shine through against competitors in the surrounding area. Serving Colorado since 1983, the CTI has been dedicated to providing educational excellence to students of all ages and has proven to take care of its students through every class in the last 40 years. No matter what day it may be, everyone is welcome to walk through the doors of the Conifer CTI to be welcomed by a CTI instructor to promote a good atmosphere for all. Whether you’re a student or a visitor, each workout area is maximized for your educational needs with custom-built, carpeted suspension floors, equipment to practice and improve skills, and viewing areas for families during class. Located in the surrounding area is a 3 Margaritas, Subway, and Dutch Bros Coffee to easily grab a bite to eat before, during, or after class at your convenience. 

The Conifer martial arts school is dedicated to teaching Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo to anyone interested in the program. For the price of $30, you can contact the Conifer CTI for an exclusive introductory program that includes 2 classes and a uniform.  This Conifer martial arts school is committed to providing you with the best martial arts experience consisting of self-defense, social skills, and training tailored to your personal life. We hope you check out our school sometime!

CTI Martial Arts: Littleton Campus

For anyone interested in martial arts in the Littleton and Morrison area in Colorado, the Colorado Taekwondo Institute is a great option due to its commitment to developing its students into life-long leaders through educational excellence and martial arts traditions. 

Martial arts is an activity with different origins, revolving around self-defense and self-protection. From taekwondo to karate to judo, the physical, mental, and spiritual development of martial arts can benefit people of all ages. With the combination of culture, discipline and self-defense, martial arts is useful for everyone and can be enjoyed with all circumstances and lifestyles. Amongst the several martial arts schools in the Littleton, Colorado area, there is one specific school that provides so much more to its students than just increasing belt rankings or learning how to defend oneself; this is the Colorado Taekwondo Institute. 

The Littleton Colorado Taekwondo Institute is located on South Simms Street and is encircled by several neighboring school areas, making it an easily-accessible campus for children and adults. The CTI has something to benefit people of all ages from the tiger age (2-4 years old) to adults (18+). For all ages, taking classes at the CTI is an amazing form of physical activity and exercise, ensuring
physical fitness created by Taekwondo’s utilization of all five components of fitness. Working out at least 2-3 days a week improves everyone’s lifestyles and keeps them in shape for a bright future. Additionally, the CTI teaches several forms of self-defense that can be used at any time when facing a dangerous situation. The realism in the techniques make self-defense easily applicable to reality. 

This Littleton martial arts school stands out because it has so much more to offer than physical activity and self-defense; classes also stimulate the brain, develop the mind and teach social skills.  The instructors at this Littleton martial arts campus are very diligent and caring when working with children starting at a young age, ensuring that their pent-up energy is released through the development of motor skills when punching, kicking and yelling. Along with this, toddlers are encouraged to show respect at a young age by learning how to listen and exercise self-defense to overall build up their confidence and self-esteem. Moving along to youth classes, the CTI applies its values to outside the classroom through the assignment of homework and teaching of the applicability of discipline in every aspect of life like school and home. This starts children at a young age on a path towards leadership and success in education and the future. The teen level has similar benefits to those of a tiger or youth, but are enhanced to fit with the constant change accompanied by maturity, growth and education. Teen classes are a perfect way to exercise anger management and focus, but also build up self-confidence and respect towards everyone. Finally, at the adult level, taekwondo at the CTI is the perfect way to keep up flexibility, relieve stress and focus on reaching goals while managing life outside one’s martial arts training. It’s never too early or too late to start Taekwondo at the Colorado Taekwondo Institute because there will always be benefits to the martial art. If you’re in the Littleton or Morrison area, this martial arts school could be the right choice for you with its dedication to physical, mental and spiritual development. 

The values of this martial arts school in Littleton serve people of all ages and thus makes it stand out amongst its competitors within the area. By providing educational excellence since 1983, the Colorado Taekwondo Institute’s professionalism in martial arts training makes it a prime candidate when looking for martial arts schools in the Littleton area. Through its many years of experience, the Colorado Taekwondo Institute has proven to take care of its students within the classroom. The CTI promotes a safe and encouraging environment where everyone is welcome. The instructors, especially at the Littleton CTI, care about every person who walks in and out of the school from students to parents to grandparents and guarantee a good atmosphere during martial arts training. At the Littleton CTI, each workout area maximizes the space with their matted or carpeted floors, plenty of space for classes with several students, equipment to practice and improve specific skills, and viewing areas for families to stay in during class. Especially during this time, this martial arts school in Littleton has proved to stay clean and professional by keeping the school sanitary at all times. All interactions within the school demonstrate a great environment that fits with all personalities, welcoming people of all ages for a good time learning martial arts. 

The Littleton martial arts school is dedicated to teaching Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo to anyone willing to try out the program. This Littleton martial arts school has created the best environment to create the most valuable experiences in life, whether it focuses on martial arts training, social skills or discipline. We hope you check out our school sometime!

CTI Martial Arts: Lakewood/Green Mountain Campus

The Colorado Taekwondo Institute (CTI), Lakewood Campus, is one of the six CTI campuses in Colorado. Serving as the headquarters of the CTI, the Lakewood Campus is located on 12354 W. Alameda Parkway, Lakewood, Colorado. This campus was founded in 1991, by Grandmaster James M. Sautel, and has since been the top martial arts schools in the Lakewood, Colorado area. The Lakewood location is an ideal place for anyone looking to take part in Martial Arts.

With over 6,000 square feet of training space, two very spacious work out areas, and suspension flooring, the Lakewood Campus provides students with the quintessential environment necessary for Taekwondo instruction. The Lakewood Campus offers classes for 4 different age groups: Toddlers (ages 2-4), Kids (ages 5-12), Teens, and Adults. With classes taking place on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, students will have no shortage of mentoring from the top CTI Instructors. The Lakewood Campus is also equipped with ample viewing areas, allowing friends and family to gain insight on what their loved one is being taught. These unique features allow the Lakewood Campus to exceed in supplying students with the best instruction available.

Also allowing students to receive the highest tier of instruction are the CTI Master Instructors that run the Lakewood martial arts school. Grandmaster James M. Sautel, 8th-degree black belt, teaches the Adult class on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:00 pm-7:30 pm. Grandmaster Merinda J. Sautel, 7th-degree black belt, teaches an advanced class on Tuesdays and Thursdays for Teen and Adult students from 5:00 pm-6:15 pm. Master Alice Meyung, 5th-degree black belt, teaches a variety of classes ranging from a Kids class on Tuesdays and Thursdays to Black Belt Club on Tuesdays. All of these instructors not only coordinate the Lakewood Campus, but also provide students with the highest level of instruction. There are many classes that students can take advantage of to receive additional, and more advanced training. These classes include Black Belt Club, LeAD Team, and Master’s Club. Black Belt Club is a class from 6:30 pm-7:30 pm on Tuesdays. With permission from their instructor, students can attend this class to receive training on various techniques that are not taught in their regular classes. Some of these techniques include Palgwae poomse, advanced self-defense, and escapes. Purple belts and above are invited to attend LeAD Team, which is hosted at the Lakewood location from 9:00 am-10:00 am, and teaches students valuable skills that are not a part of their standard curriculum. Students learn how to lead a class, answer the phone, teach fellow students new moves, and other similar skills. Master’s Club, also hosted at the Lakewood Campus, provides additional training and classes for black belts and above. This is on Saturday morning before LeAD Team. 

Not only are additional classes offered by CTI, but events as well. Tournaments, expos, symposiums, camps, and countless other events are provided. All students are welcome to attend these fun events and further progress their training. Events are a great way for students to put into effect the techniques they have been practicing, and build new relationships with one another.

The Lakewood martial arts school is an exceptional martial arts school that will readily welcome anyone and treat them like family.

CTI Martial Arts: Westminster Campus

Martial arts is a universal activity with different origins all revolving around self-defense and self-protection. From taekwondo, to karate, to judo, the physical, mental and spiritual development of martial arts can benefit people of all ages. With the combination of culture, discipline and self-defense, martial arts is useful for everyone and can be enjoyed with all circumstances and lifestyles. Amongst the several martial arts schools in the Westminster, Colorado area, there is one specific school that provides so much more to its students than just increasing belt rankings or learning how to defend oneself; this is the Colorado Taekwondo Institute. For anyone interested in martial arts in Westminster, the Colorado Taekwondo Institute is a great option due to its commitment to developing its students into life-long leaders through educational excellence and martial arts traditions. 

The Westminster Colorado Taekwondo Institute is located on West 88th Avenue and is encircled by several neighboring school areas, making it an easily-accessible campus for children and adults. The CTI has something to benefit people of all ages from the tiger age (2-4 years old) to adults (18+). For all ages, taking classes at the CTI is an amazing form of physical activity and exercise, ensuring physical fitness created by Taekwondo’s utilization of all five components of fitness. Working out at least 2-3 days a week improves everyone’s lifestyles and keeps them in shape for a bright future. Additionally, the CTI teaches several forms of self-defense that can be used at any time when facing a dangerous situation. The realism in the techniques make self-defense easily applicable to reality. 

This Westminster martial arts school stands out because it has so much more to offer than physical activity and self-defense; classes also stimulate the brain, develop the mind and teach social skills.  The instructors at this Westminster martial arts campus are very diligent and caring when working with children starting at a young age, ensuring that their pent-up energy is released through the development of motor skills when punching, kicking and yelling. Along with this, toddlers are encouraged to show respect at a young age by learning how to listen and exercise self-defense to overall build up their confidence and self-esteem. Moving along to youth classes, the CTI applies its values to outside the classroom through the assignment of homework and teaching of the applicability of discipline in every aspect of life like school and home. This starts children at a young age on a path towards leadership and success in education and the future. The teen level has similar benefits to those of a tiger or youth, but are enhanced to fit with the constant change accompanied by maturity, growth and education. Teen classes are a perfect way to exercise anger management and focus, but also build up self-confidence and respect towards everyone. Finally, at the adult level, taekwondo at the CTI is the perfect way to keep up flexibility, relieve stress and focus on reaching goals while managing life outside one’s martial arts training. It’s never too early or too late to start Taekwondo at the Colorado Taekwondo Institute because there will always be benefits to the martial art. If you’re in the Westminster area, this martial arts school could be the right choice for you with its dedication to physical, mental and spiritual development. 

The values of this martial arts school in Westminster serve people of all ages and thus makes it stand out amongst its competitors within the area. By providing educational excellence since 1983, the Colorado Taekwondo Institute’s professionalism in martial arts training makes it a prime candidate when looking for martial arts schools in the Westminster area. Through its many years of experience, the Colorado Taekwondo Institute has proven to take care of its students within the classroom. The CTI promotes a safe and encouraging environment where everyone is welcome. The instructors, especially at the Westminster CTI, care about every person who walks in and out of the school from students to parents to grandparents and guarantee a good atmosphere during martial arts training. At the Westminster CTI, each workout area maximizes the space with their matted or carpeted floors, plenty of space for classes with several students, equipment to practice and improve specific skills, and viewing areas for families to stay in during class. Especially during this time, this martial arts school in Westminster has proved to stay clean and professional by keeping the school sanitary at all times. All interactions within the school demonstrate a great environment that fits with all personalities, welcoming people of all ages for a good time learning martial arts. 

The Westminster martial arts school is dedicated to teaching Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo to anyone willing to partake in the program. This Westminster martial arts school has created the best environment to create the most valuable experiences in life, whether it focuses on martial arts training, social skills or discipline. We hope you check out our school sometime!

Your Family in Taekwondo

By Irene Kim, 1st dan, and mother of two CTI students

The benefits from training in Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo are immeasurable and intensely meaningful when multiple family members train together at the Colorado Taekwondo Institute (CTI). A very unique bonding develops immediately and continually grows stronger, as each member of the family pushes themselves to achieve goals once thought to be unattainable. 

The study of Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo for families requires undivided attention to multiple things simultaneously to accurately complete required moves.  It is a very challenging but rewarding practice. To recall and implement the seemingly infinite number of techniques is a constant push but also so satisfying when you do become closer to mastering even one. 

The training also requires continual practice of techniques. While one learns the moves, not only is the physical performance involved but also the attainment of a deep understanding of the rationales behind the moves.  One achieves this by practicing and interacting with others at the CTI. 

For multiple family members training in family martial arts, it allows valuable opportunities for even further practice and understanding. I am an adult red belt who got my 10-year-old daughter involved when she was around 5. A photo of her in her first uniform with her white belt looks over me now, as I write this. Her smile is beaming with pride even back then and reminds me of the value of having my family involved. 

My 7-year-old son also joined a couple years ago and now he enjoys the competition of tournaments and our family training together. We often talk of “kicks nights,” our family’s way of referring to the nights we all go to classes. The schedule of the household does continually involve these nights and I look forward to seeing them strengthen their minds, bodies and spirits while improving their self-confidence, respect for others, focus and discipline. 

As we individually push to understand and perform the beautiful Martial Art of Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo for families at the CTI, we ask each other questions to further delve into the details of each move. We can point out things on which we are doing well, as well as those areas which might need improvement. We do these things in the living room, at the park, in the kitchen...as well as at the dojang, or workout area at the Institute. 

The benefits of family martial arts extend into all aspects of your life: at school, work and in the community. Sometimes on our way to school or a birthday party, we will talk about where your foot should be on a certain poomse or what the target of your punches is. This improves and strengthens our focus and allows success in other areas as we move through our days. It is also incredibly fun to figure out the details and push each member of the family to success together. 

Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo is not just for you, it is something very positive and rewarding to pass onto generations to come.

The Importance of Being a Self-Directed Learner

By Caleb Feagans, 2nd dan, Conifer Instructor

As a result of recent events, the Colorado Taekwondo Institute has moved to online learning and has been conducting modified in person classes for the months of self-quarantine and during this time students of the CTI are starting to truly understand what it means to be a self-directed learner.   

One of the aims and goals of Moo Sul Kwan is to “Help students in identifying and accomplishing appropriate goals, developing a sense of self-esteem and confidence, in encouraging their desire for self-directed learning”.   CTI martial arts instructors help their students set goals and assist them in achieving those goals however, during this time we cannot get together and work out consistently twice a week. At this time we as students must now continue to work out and grow by ourselves and force ourselves to set goals and strive to accomplish those goals. 

The definition of self-directed learning is the process in which one takes initiative to set goals and takes the steps necessary to accomplish those goals.   In Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo, we set goals like earning our next belt, increase our maximum number of push-ups, finally nailing that perfect side kick, or breaking a board with a kick you’ve been working on.   Our instructors push us every class and help us progress towards our goals, but now we cannot go see our instructors twice a week in classes so we can get that support and help.   That is why now is the time to truly become a self-directed learner by setting and working towards those goals on our own. 

 I have found that my motivation to do work-outs consistently and after a few weeks has been minimal.  I tried to do my basics and warm-ups as much as I could using the remote learning page but it was not until I created a training chart and set goals for myself that I finally started to get excited about working out since self-quarantine began.  Creating a training chart, having an accountability partner or make new small goals to achieve during this time will help bring back that sense of accomplishment.  Not only will you become stronger when we eventually return to regular classes, but you will be a better self-directed learner.  Being a better self-directed learner will not only help you with your MSK Taekwondo goals, but it will make you a better co-worker, a better student in school, and simply a better person in general.  During these uncertain times it can be difficult to motivate yourself but in the CTI one key aspect of becoming a great student is the ability to be a self-directed learner and now is the best time to show off that skill to your instructor and yourself.

More Than Just a Martial Arts School

When you're driving down the street, you'll probably notice quite a few martial arts schools in various shopping centers near your home. Taekwondo, Karate, Krav Maga, and Kung Fu schools will appear here and there. There are currently around 16,600 different martial arts schools in the United States.1

Why are they so popular? Well first are the number of benefits that come from a good martial arts school. For children martial arts teaches focus, self-control, respect and confidence while providing exercise and energy release. And for adults martial arts provide stress relief, increased self-esteem while helping them get back into shape and lose weight. There are numerous benefits for people of all ages. You can see why over 18 million people practiced some type of martial arts last year.2

The next question, then, is how do I choose a martial arts school for myself or family member. And this is where you find that martial arts schools vary quite a bit. And by vary, I mean they can really vary. Sure the style of martial arts taught will vary, but so will the structure, cost, curriculum, age & experience of the instructors, length of the classes, size of the classes, diversity of the classes (ages and experience), the size and upkeep of the facility, and on and on. It's not like going into any McDonalds anywhere in the US and expecting to have the same lunch.

So where am I going with this? Well, if you are interested in pursuing martial arts in any capactiy, I have to recommend classes at the Colorado Taekwondo Institute. The quality of the instruction is world-class, and the experience and lessons taught will last a lifetime.

But in addition to the great instruction, the whole experience of the program. Students attend two to three classes per week at their campus. Upper belt students attend our leadership program classes designed to empower our students with leadership qualities. Black belts attend extra workouts that mirror the workouts that Korean Olympic Taekwondo athletes practice in South Korea. We host four tournaments each year for students to compete against themselves and with each other, in a positive, educational environment. We host 3 day camps for students to practice and have a good environment to spend during breaks throughout the school year. We host two annual martial arts conventions for students across the country to attend and workout with world-renounced Grandmaster instructors. We host a summer camp at Snow Mountain Ranch for children to experience the wonderful outdoors of Colorado while sharpening their Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo. We have a summer picnic where students and their families can come have an enjoyable Sunday afternoon with positive people. And we host a Christmas party for students and their families to enjoy the holiday season and dance with friends. There's so much more to the program than just learning martial arts.

There is a real sense of community at the Colorado Taekwondo Institute. New students are welcomed into classes and are encouraged along the way. Experienced students help mentor new students, as they were new at one point too and they can help answer questions that may come up for new students.

It really is a great experience learning martial arts at the Colorado Taekwondo Institute. I highly recommend you picking up the phone and calling your local campus, or you can request more information on our website here. We look forward to meeting you soon!

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1- http://martialinfo.com/martial-art-statistics/
2- http://mainemartialarts.com/martial-arts/martial-arts-statistics-demographics-people-practice/

Anger Management

By Khristin Paisley

In order to manage anger it is important to understand the emotion “anger” before it can be “managed”. Managing anger does not mean to live a life devoid of this emotion, however, a certain amount of serenity comes from understanding it. Anger is often explained away as a “toxic”, “unhealthy” and a “bad” emotion. There truly isn’t a “bad” emotion, what makes something “bad”, “toxic” and “unhealthy” is what we do with it and that is what takes anger out of the realm of emotion and moves it into an action. It can be used as an impetus for self-reflection, acceptance, love and understanding of ourselves, and others; or it can be channeled in a negative way that causes harm. To ask ourselves “why am I angry?” and “where does this come from?” is a necessary first step in being able to manage this emotion that brings about feelings of shame.

Anger can be described as a “byproduct emotion”. This means that it is the result of a primary emotion. These primary emotions can be: sadness, jealousy, fear, insecurity, and frustration to name a few. Anger is a response emotion, ergo “The dog pooped on the floor again!” or “That person cut me off on the highway!” or even “My teacher gave me an F on the test!” These are just a few examples of how anger can creep into our daily lives and be an insidious entity. In the situation of the dog, it’s frustration, the dog couldn’t get out in time and whether it was our personal responsibility or that of someone else’s we are the ones dealing with the consequence, we are the ones dealing with the consequence and have to spend our time dealing with it. In each of the above examples what we are really feeling is that we are being discounted, disrespected, devalued, that something (physical, emotional) is being taken away from us, and the result is feelings of anger. If we take a moment to assess the “why” of our feelings, this allows us to love ourselves better, and to contribute positivity instead of negativity to the world and to those around us.

Whether someone believes in Karma or not does not change the simple fact that we receive what we put into the world, even if what we receive comes directly from within ourselves. It is analogous to: the dad comes home and beats the child, the child then beats the dog and then the dog turns and bites the child. We are eventually revisited by what we put into the world. Anger can be a blinding emotion or it can be a source of enlightenment. Maybe the person that cut us off on the highway was speeding to the hospital and concerned about a loved one and was understandably distracted. It’s possible that they just received some news of great importance and their life is going to be changing for good or bad and were distracted. Maybe they were just didn’t see us, how many times during the course of a day, week, month or year do we get distracted? If they did it on purpose as an act of road rage, what do we gain by sharing their emotional space? Should we allow ourselves to be infected with their toxicity and then share that same toxicity to others? The answer is no. We always have a choice in the “how” we respond to a situation. The old adage of “Think twice before you act” isn’t as basic as it appears when taken at face value. What it is really saying is to take a breath, take a moment and think of how the action will affect yourself and those around you because there will always be a reaction.

This isn’t to say that anger doesn’t have its place in our emotional tool box. Once we understand the “why” and “how” of our anger, we always have the choice in the way we respond. We can choose to be led to an understanding of ourselves and a path of personal betterment or not. We can choose to use it as a motivator to try harder next time or we can blame our faults and shortcoming on others instead of taking personal responsibility. We can choose to be led to a better understanding and acceptance of others when their actions negatively affect us. We can choose to let the negativity stop with us or we can become infected by it and visit it upon others. If we choose the latter it is our loved ones that are first infected like any true sickness. Our spouse, our children, our friends and family will first receive the brunt of it and gradually it will erode love and affection, trust and compassion until there is nothing left. Then if our loved ones follow our unfortunate example, it will revisited upon us as well as the other people they interact with and so on and so on again and again. We can choose to understand our anger and through understanding it, manage and control it; or we can be controlled by it and in the end lose all that we hold dear. There isn’t one clear cut answer to managing this emotion for everyone, however, the end result never changes. And the constant is that we always have the choice, just remember to always take a breath, take a moment and reflect on the situation. Surprisingly, it only takes a second, to either build happiness or discord and that is a result that no one will be immune to.

Martial Arts Lessons for You: Golden Edition

Colorado has become synonymous with health, fitness and wellness.  Mountain biking, climbing, hiking, skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing, 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. And when it comes to martial arts classes in Golden, there's no place better than the Colorado Taekwondo Institute.

The Golden location services the West part of the Denver metro area, including Golden, Wheat Ridge, Lakewood and Arvada. Students come to train with many highly educated, experienced, and energetic black belts. The campus provides classes for children as young as 2 years old, along with kids, teens, and adults of all ages. The Golden school has a staff of accredited black belts that have all been participating at the Colorado Taekwondo Institute for years, and all began as white belts at this campus. These black belts instruct and assist, and also continue their personal training at the Golden campus.

The workouts in the Golden 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 to Tafolino's Mexican Restaurant for some good food after a great workout.

The experiences at Golden 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.

The Colorado Taekwondo Institute has a mission to: “Encourage world-class leadership through educational excellence and Moo Sul Kwan martial arts traditions.” The devotion of the CTI black belts and instructors ensures that students will be educated in a positive learning environment to be developed into leaders with many skills that can be carried over to family, school, and the community. With over 30 years of excellence, the Colorado Taekwondo Institute can promise the finest teaching of any educated-based martial arts program.

For more information on the Golden school, visit www.coloradotaekwondo.com or call at 303-233-0039.

Why you should consider the Colorado Taekwondo Institute

By Devon Bilyeu, Red Belt

The Colorado Taekwondo Institute, or CTI, is an amazing martial arts school. Our mission is to encourage world-class leadership through educational excellence and Moo Sul Kwan martial arts traditions. Moo Sul Kwan is the style of taekwondo training we practice here at this school. The CTI has been teaching Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo for over thirty years. Our schools are certified by the AMASEA, or American Martial Arts Sports and Education Association, making sure that we provide our students with only the finest martial arts training.

Taekwondo is a martial art, very similar to another martial art form, karate. In taekwondo, we learn many things that are similar to other martial art forms. In CTI Taekwondo schools, we teach basic punches, kicks, self-defense routines and many other things.

Here at these CTI schools, we offer many class options for all different ages, starting at two years old. Two through five-year-olds are considered “tiger” belts, five through ten year olds are considered “juniors”, and ten and up are considered “solid” belts. There is a different belt format for each age group. The belt levels start at white belt and then move up from there, from yellow, to orange, green, blue, purple, brown, red, and finally, black. We teach classes six days a week at most campuses. There are five campuses in the Denver area; Green Mountain, Littleton, Golden, Westminster, Conifer and Craig. Days of certain classes may differ depending on your campus. Some classes include the daily classes, and other advanced classes like Black Belt Club, which teaches you many things different from regular class, including advanced self-defense and whole other sets of poomse (patterned movements/forms). There is also LeAD team, which stands for Leadership through Academic Development. This special class teaches students many things, from tournament judging to how to answer the phone. This class is held on Saturday mornings, and to attend you must be a Black Belt Club member. There are also many other class options for black belts, including Master’s Club and Power Taekwondo.

We have many events, here at the CTI. These events include tournaments, camps, expos, demonstrations, and many others. In a normal class, we start with jumping jacks, then move on to stretches. Then we do basics, which includes the basic strikes, blocks and kicks. Then comes poomse, which are a series of patterned movements. There are many other things taught in class, but classes generally follow this basic format. In tournaments, there are normally three main events, which will vary depending on belt level. These three events are poomse, where students compete with their highest or most practiced poomse. There is also sparring, where students strike and kick legal areas (with pads on of course!). Students don’t start sparring until they are “junior” belts or higher. The final event is board breaking. This event will depend on your age and belt level. Usually you have to be a “solid” belt (at least ten years old) and at the orange belt level and up. Many of the other events are a lot of fun and they teach you a lot.

This martial art is very similar to karate, as I said earlier. In karate you may learn many of the same things. Punches, kicks, blocks, and many other techniques are very similar to other martial arts, including kids karate. Taekwondo, or the CTI more specifically, is an educational martial arts program, making sure that students get leadership, self control and goal setting skills along with their training. Enforcing self-control, at the end of class we bow out while saying “Ho-Shin” which is a Korean saying meaning self-control before self-defense.

If you are considering starting martial arts, I highly recommend the CTI schools. This martial arts program provides many life skills along with martial arts training. We start classes at age two, so almost no age is too early to start. This program is a ton of fun and gets you in shape very quickly. The CTI is an amazing martial art school that teaches taekwondo, and we always have room for new members, so come give it a try!

The Colorado Taekwondo Institute: Lakewood School

Are you looking for karate in Lakewood or a martial arts school in the Lakewood area? Look no further than the Colorado Taekwondo Institute!  Based on the traditions and philosophy of Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo as set forth by our founder Great Grandmaster Lee H. Park in 1969, the Colorado Taekwondo Institute offers a full set of age-appropriate curriculum in Taekwondo. We have Denver-area locations in Lakewood, Littleton, Golden, Westminster, and Conifer.

The Lakewood school of the Colorado Taekwondo Institute opened in 1991, and is our headquarter location. Students come from Lakewood, Littleton, Morrison, Golden, and Wheat Ridge to train with the most experienced and hardest working black beltsin the metro area. Our dynamic classes provide the best in martial arts lessons for toddlers, kids, teens, and adults. The Lakewood location of the CTI has many certified black belts, who all began at this campus as white belts.  These well trained black belts now assist or instruct classes, as well as continue their own training.

The head instructor is Grandmaster James M. Sautel, 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, Grandmaster Sautel could teach at any campus – his choice to teach in has ensured that this campus has the best of everything.

Our dynamic classes provide training for all ages ranging from our Tigers starting at 2 years old, Juniors starting at 5 years old, teen classes and our adult class. Classes are held throughout the entire week with convenient afternoon sessions.Students are encouraged to enroll as the class provides additional training outside of the basic routine taught in the Monday/Wednesday and Tuesday/Thursday classes. We also host before and after school program at many local elementary schools.

We at the Colorado Taekwondo Institute strive to produce high quality black belts that can contribute to society on many levels including family, school and community.  We have over thirty years of experience and success in accomplishing that goal.  We believe that we can provide the highest quality education based martial arts experience to you and your family.

For more information about the Lakewood martial art school and the Colorado Taekwondo Institute in general, please visit our website at www.ColoradoTaekwondo.com or give us a call at 303-989-7542.

The Colorado Taekwondo Institute: Golden School

Are you looking for karate classes in Golden, CO? The Colorado Taekwondo Institute Golden Campus offers dynamic classes for all ages and abilities. Each class provides hands on instruction from our Black Belts. Students learn the Korean Martial art of Taekwondo while developing self control, self esteem, physical endurance and self defense skills. At the Golden location our students are offered goals and challenges to complete throughout their training.

Instructors at the Golden Campus include Mr. Fred M. Sautel is our 4th Degree Black Belt and head instructor, Mr. Michael Sandusky, 3rd Dan; Mr. Brian Steward, 3rd Dan; Mr. Eric Evans, 2nd Dan and Mr. Justin Lautrup, 1st Dan. Each instructor is rooted in our Moo Sul Kwan basics and is dedicated to the safety and success of our students. Each Black belt has trained for multiple years within the Colorado Taekwondo institute and continues to receive Black Belt training on a weekly basis. All instructors focus on the safety and training of our students.

The Golden location opened in September of 2005 and serves students from a wide range of locations such as Lakewood, Evergreen, Golden, Westminster, Arvada, and Denver. The workout area contains a custom built suspension floor, targets, falling mats and Wavemaster bags. Our workout area is cleaned weekly by the Golden location students. Students also enjoy our other activities such as Tournaments, Expos, Symposiums, Camps and Seminars. In addition to the campus events, each year the Golden Campus hosts the annual CTI Picnic in the Park. Student, family and friends are encouraged to attend as we celebrate the accomplishments of the year, eat great food and participate in the many games and activities.

Located near the Applewood Shopping Center, the Colorado Taekwondo Institute Golden location is conveniently located within a short distance of Colorado Mills Shopping Center and various shopping at Applewood and Wheat Ridge shopping. Nearby businesses include Tafolino’s Mexican Restaurant, King Soopers, Walmart, Target, United Artist Theaters and many more. Highway access is only minutes away with access to I-70, and 6th avenue.

Our dynamic martial arts classes provide training for all ages ranging from our Tigers starting at 2 years old, Juniors starting at 5 years old, teen classes and our adult class. Classes are held Monday through Friday with convenient afternoon sessions. All students can attend the Friday specials class to enhance their training.. Students are encouraged to enroll as the class provides additional training outside of the basic routine taught in the Monday/ Wednesday and Tuesday/ Thursday classes. We also host an after school program at Our Lady of Fatima School.

Come stop by for our summer special for new students. We are located on the North West corner of 20th and Youngfield, next to Tafolino’s Mexican Restaurant. We have summer specials as well as new student specials that allow you to experience our program without the stress of a long term commitment. When it comes to karate classes in Golden, CO, we're second to none. Give us a call at 303-233-0039 today!

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.

Benefits of Martial Arts for Families

By Hope Morgan, 2nd Dan

Sharing physical activities with your kids, parents, and siblings isn’t just a fun way to get your heart pumping. It’s also a great way to build family bonds, and a great taekwondo program provides the perfect opportunity to share the many benefits taekwondo offers for families. It’s quite rare to find a sport that involves the entire family, and more often than not, someone is left just sitting on the sidelines observing. Taekwondo, however, allows the entire family to join in. Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo offers classes tailored for all age groups, so whether you’re a younger sister or a grandfather, our taekwondo school will suit you and guarantee you reap all of the benefits, making it simple to participate in a family activity.

Currently, our taekwondo program is home to several families, and all of them agree that working out together makes things not only more interesting, but overall more engaging. Even when you’re not working out in the same class as your loved one, you are still experiencing all of the same fun, and that doesn’t even include all of the exciting events held every year ranging from tournaments to expos and camps. Our taekwondo school prides itself on being very family oriented and is therefore a safe, positive environment for your family to experience fun activity.

It’s the specialization of this taekwondo school that really makes it unique. As an adult or parent, it’s most likely that you are not looking for the exact same benefits in a sport that your child. That’s what is so amazing about this martial arts school – your whole family can participate while still meeting all of your individual needs. In their class, your younger family member will learn the importance of education, good decision-making, and teamwork while developing their confidence, focus, responsibility, and respect. While practicing all of the same material, adults are able to expand their physical fitness abilities, learn positive and healthy actions, and broaden their concentration capabilities. Taekwondo is also a great stress-reliever. What better way to unwind than to work out at a constructive and encouraging taekwondo school.

One thing our taekwondo program really tends to focus on is the significance of setting goals, something we believe is important for both younger and older students. Not only does martial arts permit the whole family to work-out together, but it’s a long-term commitment rather than just a seasonal activity. Family can really help encourage their relatives to set goals for themselves, and when your family is also involved, it makes it easier to push each other towards success. You constantly have someone to help you by practicing at home, providing you an extra layer of support and a feeling that you are engaged in their learning experience. A new level of understanding comes with mutual participation in a sport and makes sharing each other’s successes that much more special.

Finding the Right Martial Arts School and Program

By Lydia Lincke, 1st dan

Finding the right martial arts school is tough, and it’s easy to waste lots of time looking for places nearby that are cost effective and give you the same benefits of a world class organization. Age old practices that have been being refined for thousands of years are continuing to grow and develop, and thoughtful, disciplined, and respectable students of today are the result of this. However, there are only a select few martial arts programs that are the result of this long train of martial arts development.

Moo Sul Kwan taekwondo offers many of these benefits, and the things that are taught here aren’t limited to traditional martial arts techniques. Through our extensive training, students gain the ability to maintain self discipline, learn how to be a leader, and learn to work with others.

The training that is done in MSK taekwondo is a perfect way to get, and stay, in shape. The regiment is typically two classes per week, so there is a balanced and healthy amount of workout almost all of the 52 weeks of the year. During these classes, instructors encourage self directed learning, starting as soon as white belt. Ideas such as practicing techniques at home and taking your martial arts training with you into your daily life are urged. Valuable life lessons are instilled in students and martial arts training becomes a lifelong practice that is applied in every area of one’s life.

As the students get higher up in the belt ranks, leadership is expected. Students are broken out of their shells of comfort and put into situations in which they are able to translate their own knowledge into words to other students. In this way, students are put in the spotlight in a friendly way so that they are practicing leadership with their friends and peers: a perfect way to transition into once scary things like teaching or public speaking. In this way, self confidence is built in a positive way so that students almost don’t realize they are becoming more self assured until they are a red or black belt standing in front of an entire class teaching students the basics of martial arts.

One of the most important values (http://coloradotaekwondo.blogspot.com/2013/08/why-enroll-your-child-in-taekwondo.html) that is taught indirectly in MSK martial arts is teamwork. Martial arts are typically very individual sports, and they allow students to focus more on themselves and their own improvement in any area of their life. However, part of the training includes self defense and being taught to be aware of everything that is going on around you. Self defense is always practiced with another person, and students can learn to cooperate and communicate with their partner without words in a class setting. Having awareness of other moving people around you is taught through experience. In MSK martial arts, forms, or poomse, are often practiced in groups in which students must learn to work together with the people around them almost subconsciously so that safety is ensured and collisions don’t happen.

If you are looking for a martial arts program that is more extensive than just learning punches and kicks, MSK is the place to stop looking. Truly beneficial lifelong practices are hard to come by, and you won’t easily find another friendly, applicable, and rewarding program like Moo Sul Kwan taekwondo. You can enroll any time of the year and any one of our locations in Colorado: Lakewood, Littleton, Conifer, Golden or Westminster. We appreciate your interest!

Bored Kids This Summer? What About Karate Classes?!

The same thing happens every year at this time. Summer break from school starts; soccer season ends; they play the last of their baseball games. It's time for some nice peace and quiet and for the kids to rest up. But after a week or so, the same thing happens. Kids come to their parents, "I'm bored!". One great solution for families is karate classes for children.

The benefits of kids participating in structured activities are numerous. Three big benefits the children participating in karate classes include: 1) encouraging healthy behaviors to prevent childhood obesity, 2) developing motor skills, coordination, and movement, and 3) structured activities improve mood and self-esteem.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and quadrupled in adolescents in the past 30 years. In addition, in 2012 more than one third of children and adolescents were overweight or obese. This "obesity epidemic" is going to cause many problems for many children in the near and far future. Obesity has been linked to cardiovascular disease, such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure, pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, several types of cancer, and osteoarthritis. With this in mind, it's more important than ever to teach our children the importance of getting a healthy amount of exercise and to keep fit bodies. Beginner martial arts classes at the Colorado Taekwondo Institute are great for just that. Each class is sixty action-packed minutes of cardio and strength training. While learning to kick in punch, they are also getting their bodies into good, healthy shape.

The children's classes at the Colorado Taekwondo Institute are great for developing motor skills, coordination and movement. Students learn to kick, punch and block from various stances, utilizing nearly every muscle in the body. They are also put into complex patterns known as forms or poomse (patterned movement), which increase with difficulty as a student progresses through the belts. This develops the motor coordination for students, which will in turn help them with other aspects of their lives.

The benefits of karate classes for kids, however, don't just stop with the physical ones. There are many, many mental benefits too. Our classes teach students to be more respectful and courteous, but they also help students improve their mood and become more confident. According to a paper at the University of Connecticut, students who practiced martial arts felt to be more outgoing, comfortable, stronger and controlled. This will stay with children their whole lives, and will affect them throughout school, college and into their professional careers and adulthood.

So the next time one of your children comes to you bored, or expresses interest in learning martial arts, give us a call at the Colorado Taekwondo Institute. We offer beginner martial arts classes for toddlers, children, teens and adults at each of our Colorado locations: Lakewood, Littleton, Westminster, Golden and Conifer. Give us a call or you can request more information right here on our website. We look forward to serving you!

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Sources:
http://www.sparkpe.org/blog/the-benefits-of-structured-physical-activity-for-early-childhood-programs/

http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/obesity/facts.htm

http://digitalcommons.uconn.edu/dissertations/AAI3340459

Martial Arts Lessons at the CTI

By Coghan Spery, 1st dan, 15 years old

The Colorado Taekwondo Institute (CTI) has unique martial arts lessons. Not only does it teach its students self-defense, it teaches students many things that might be hard to find in life. Our martial arts classes provide students with safety, a healthy lifestyle, a place to make friends, a place to challenge yourself, and a place to learn leadership.

CTI martial art classes are a great place to work out because CTI focuses on safety.  As a martial arts program, CTI understands that Taekwondo is a full contact sport and that safety always comes first. CTI never allows students to spar or break boards without an adult instructor supervising at the time. In CTI’s martial arts lessons, they spend many classes teaching their students how to use the proper technique for sparring, falling, and breaking and help protect the students from hurting themselves. CTI also teaches their students self-control, so that they do not hurt others, in or out of class.  For CTI, safety is always first.

In a country where more and more people have dietary and exercise issues, CTI martial arts classes helps students learn how to lead a healthy lifestyle. CTI teaches its students to lead a healthier lifestyle by helping them make healthier choices, giving them a good workout, and encouraging them to workout at home. CTI’s regular martial arts classes meet twice a week, although students can attend other classes with different purposes, such as a Black Belt Club to learn a different set of Poomse and self-defense. CTI also encourages its students to follow a healthy diet.  CTI’s martial arts lessons are a amazing place to learn, because it encourages its students to lead a healthy lifestyle by working out frequently and eating healthily.

Many people take martial arts classes, and it is a great place to meet new people. CTI is a perfect example of this because of its classes.  It puts people of the same relative age together, making it easier to make friends. Classes encourages students to work with other students that they do not know and allowing them to meet new people and make new friendships. CTI also makes it a “safe” place to make friends in its martial arts lessons because we don't not allow bullying. CTI’s martial arts classes are a great place to make friends, because student
s do not have the risk of being teased, and they are encouraged to work with new people.

CTI’s martial arts lessons encourage students to push their limits and challenges its students by having them learn and memorize a variety of different techniques and sequences of techniques for the next rank, such as Poomse, One steps, and Self-Defense.  Also, to move on to the next rank, CTI’s students must memorize all of the techniques and sequences of techniques for the all of the ranks before it.  In CTI’s martial arts lessons, its students are not taught all of the techniques in a single class, instead they space out the learning process, letting the student memorize a few moves at a time, before continuing on.  In order to see that the student has successfully memorized all of their techniques, they are invited to a physical test, where they must demonstrate, with other students, what they have learned in their time at their rank.  CTI’s martial arts classes encourage and challenge its students, by having them learn a variety of different techniques before moving up in rank.

In many martial arts lessons, students follow the instructor, but in CTI’s martial arts classes, students learn how to follow and to be a leader.  Once a student achieves a certain rank, the teacher will have them take a leadership role and work with lower ranking students. Doing this gives the student a skill that is required in life, and helps the student move up in rank, because once you get to a certain level some amount of leadership is required. CTI also teaches its students how to be a good leader, showing them that you have to be a team player to be a leader, and a leader also has to be a follower part of the time. CTI martial arts lessons are a great place to learn martial arts, because you learn how to teach and learn as well as self-defense.

CTI martial arts lessons classes are unique because they teach and give its students things other than self-defense. In CTI’s martial arts classes, students learn things that might be hard to find in everyday life. Because CTI’s martial arts lessons give its students safety, a way to get a healthy lifestyle, a place to make friends, a place to challenge its students, and a place to learn leadership, it is a unique place to learn martial arts.

Meet the CTI: Golden School

Welcome to the Golden Campus of the Colorado Taekwondo Institute!

The Golden location was founded in 2005 and is on the western edge of the Applewood area of Golden. Located on the corner of 20th Avenue and Youngfield Street, the Golden campus is easily accessed by many neighboring communities.

The Golden taekwondo school is next door to Tafolino's Mexican Restaurant and across the street from Jimmy's Wings. It's a nice little shopping area with a lot for parents to do while their children are in class. Of course, parents are encouraged to do classes right along with their children!

As with all of the Colorado Taekwondo institute locations, the Golden martial art school has a custom built, gymnastic-style, carpeted floor which makes a great environment for working out. The bounciness of the floor makes the workouts low-impact on the feet, knees, hips and back. But our classes are high-impact when it comes to results!

Most people have heard of the benefits of martial arts training. There are the physical benefits: weight loss, strength development, flexibility and coordination; and the mental benefits: confidence, focus, respect and discipline. Here at the Colorado Taekwondo Institute, we guarantee that you or your child will see both of the mental and physical benefits within weeks of starting classes. We have countless stories of adults who have lost weight and gotten promotions at work (from their new-found hard work skills and confidence), kids whose grades who have improved and are getting along with their siblings better.

The Golden school has martial arts classes for toddlers (2 and up), kids, teens and adults. With classes five nights a week, there are certain to be the right classes that fit your family's schedule.

So when looking for karate classes or martial arts classes in Golden, CO, look no further than the Golden location of the Colorado Taekwondo Institute. Learn more about us at www.ColoradoTaekwondo.com or give us a call at 303-233-0039.