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!

Taekwondo and Karate Training at the CTI

By Justin Lautrup, 2nd dan

The Colorado Taekwondo Institute provides ideal Taekwondo and Martial Art training for everyone. The Colorado Taekwondo Institute provides Taekwondo training to anyone above two years old. The training provided by the Colorado Taekwondo Institute will assist children with focus, motivation, and anger release, all safely and in a secure environment. Taekwondo and karate training offered to adults develops and maintains physical health, positive mental stimulation, and of course, self defense skills.

One of the benefits of Taekwondo training is the cultivation of focus. Having something to direct attention to and work towards improves overall focus skills that can be applied in school, other sports, and at home. Taekwondo training also improves motivation at school and other activities by helping students to set goals. By earning belts and learning that putting in the work will get you the results, children become more motivated for long term goals such as good grades and health. Taekwondo training teaches kids self defense and the ability to control their body. This is useful in bullying situations because kids are taught to protect themselves physically as well as mentally through a positive assertive attitude.

The Martial Art training offered to adults involves workouts that will improve and maintain physical health. Aerobic endurance is developed and maintained through jumping jacks every class, and constant exercising involved in Martial Arts through the class. Anaerobic strength is developed and maintained through push ups, sit ups, and other exercise involved in training for martial arts. Flexibility is increased and maintained from Taekwondo training by fully stretching all muscles that will be used before the work out in order to lower the probability of injury. Being flexible also lowers the chance of injury outside of Taekwondo. Stretching will increase the possible motion on techniques learned from Taekwondo training.

Taekwondo training develops positive mental effects. Having a higher belt to work towards provides increased goal setting skills. These skills can be applied to work, other hobbies and at home. The self defense skills learned from not only provide the obvious self defense, but also increase confidence and self control. The Taekwondo training, similar to Karate training, has positive effects on children including anger release and self motivation. This is developed through earning belts, providing a goal to work towards, and safe exercise, which are all involved in Taekwondo training. These areas are important skills that can be used in school, at home, as well as other extracurricular activities. For adults, Taekwondo training is important and useful because of the Aerobic, Anaerobic, and flexibility developed and maintained during Taekwondo training. Taekwondo and karate training also provides extra skills that are not initially expected such as self control, perseverance, and courtesy.

Taekwondo training can be surprisingly fun, and is a good way to meet new people and it is a great community. These benefits are well worth the time put in and will assist you throughout your whole life.

The Colorado Taekwondo Institute: Westminster School

Are you looking for karate or martial arts in Westminster, CO? Well then look no further- the Colorado Taekwondo Institute Westminster location offers dynamic classes for all ages and abilities. Each class provides hands on instruction from our black belt instructors. Students learn the Korean martial art of Taekwondo while developing self-control, self-esteem, self-defense skills and of course physical fitness. At the Westminster location our students are offered goals and challenges to complete throughout their training.

The Westminster school was founded in 2005 by Master Erik Albrechtson, 5th degree black belt in Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo. Each class is taught by a certified AMASEA black belt instructor, that started with the CTI as a white belt. There are also upper belt students in every class assist the instructor to give students one-on-one time with an upper belt to focus on new techniques and areas in need of improvement. Master Albrechtson brings a level of educational training and experience to the Colorado Taekwondo Institute to provide superior classes to all of our students.

We offer a wide variety of martial arts classes for students of all abilities and ages. Students start classes as young as two years old and we even have students in their 60s working out. Classes are divided by age, so each class can be taught at the appropriate level for each of the students.

Located near 88th Avenue and Garrison, the Westminster location is conveniently located and provides classes for students in North Arvada, Westminster and Broomfield. The Westminster school is in the corner unit of the Lake Plaza Shopping Center, which houses a Diamond Shamrock, Global Thrift, Lake Plaza Barbers, Applauze Salon, Maitri Yoga, Sano's Amadeos Italian Kitchen, and Sideways Sports Lounge.

Here at the Colorado Taekwondo Institute, we make the educational aspect of martial arts an important part of our program.  We offer three student manuals ranging from white belt through black belt plus a manual specifically for the junior students.  A written and physical test are required at each belt level.  Above and beyond the regular classes, we offer four interschool tournaments every year as well as our yearly Expo.  The Expo is an entire weekend dedicated to martial arts learning and is open to all students.  Additionally, we offer a Symposium every year for the upper belts to study advanced topics like how to teach and judge as well as advanced physical aspects of our martial art.

Come stop by for our summer special for new students. We are located on the southwest corner of 88th Avenue and Field Street, next to Applauze Salon. We have new student specials that allow you to experience our program without the stress of a long term commitment. Stop by or give us a call at 303-428-5377 and we'll provide you the best in karate or martial arts training in Westminster, CO.

The Impact of a Dynamic Martial Art

By Shekina DeTienne, 1st dan

While I was in the testing process for black belt, I was talking with my mom about my training, the process and what was to be expected.  As the conversation was coming to a close, my mom said, "I am so glad that you have found the Colorado Taekwondo Institute and you are pushing for your goals."  Training with the students and instructors at the Colorado Taekwondo Institute has been an impactful experience in my life and one that I encourage everyone to try.

People join different martial arts styles for varied reasons.  Whether karate, judo or taekwondo, everyone has different initial expectations and reasons.  When most people think of training in a martial art, they often think of a Karate Kid or Bruce Lee type of situation.  What they often find is a very different experience.  Each person goes through the same basic education, starting with the foundation and then building and advancing.  However, ensuring the training is custom fit to the student is essential to their success through the belts.

Starting with the basics and moving up, we are able to help students of all ages accomplish their goals.  From the parents who want their child to learn respect and structure to the adult looking for physical fitness and self defense, the instructors at the Colorado Taekwondo Institute help their students train to the best of their abilities.  Using positive structured curriculum, students gain physical fitness, learn effective self defense and respect for themselves and those around them.  While establishing these basics, students learn various self defense techniques for different situations as well as learn how to put their basics into motion with poomse, our prearranged forms.  Using the basic striking, blocking and kicking techniques as a foundation, we build on them to more advanced moves.  Our instructors move at a pace which is best suited for the individual student.  The ultimate goal is to train a well rounded, educated and self controlled black belt.  This is not an easy task, however the prize is well worth the prize.

Training in Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo started out as a fun past time that I intended to help with physical fitness and learn some self defense.  After falling in love with the art and making a commitment to fight for black belt and beyond, I realized that it has become so much more to me. The training involved has taught me self control, the importance of continuing education and having respect for myself and everyone around me.  Lessons of perseverance, integrity and how to be a true leader have not just had an impact on my training but also life outside the school.  Working alongside the students and instructors at the Colorado Taekwondo Institute has been a great journey, and is one that I intend to continue for years to come.

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.

Achieving Fitness with Taekwondo

Using taekwondo as a training tool can be a great tool for getting your body into shape for peak performance. This allows you to make sure you do what is necessary to get the most from your body. A martial arts training program allows you to work diligently with what you have in order to become the best you can be. Have you ever thought about what you want to achieve?  There are ten training tips that will allow you to use taekwondo in order to reach those goals.

• Routine variances

There are good reasons not to perform the same routines week after week. There are a few reasons it may be a good idea to seriously consider varying any type of exercise routine, no matter what type of routine that might be such as:

• Your body and mind will become accustomed to the same routine
• Your body will no longer be capable of adapting  to the exercise
• You will discontinue growing mentally

To allow your body to enjoy a peak performance use taekwondo to occasionally give your body a jolt by alternating the types of exercises you do.

• Get enough sleep

Like any type of routine, engaging in taekwondo is more successful when the body is well rested. If you get enough sleep your performance will be greatly improved. Proper sleep is also essential if you want to see a good athletic performance.

• Strive for lean and strong muscles

In order to enjoy peak performance in this martial arts skill it is important to be work toward strong and lean muscles. While bulky muscles may work in other types of fitness regimens, taekwondo is not one of them. In fact, bulky muscles are completely useless and will do nothing but slow you down. In order to build strength during the performance of martial arts, it is best to use your own body weight.

• Do not train every day

Your body is not a machine and if you attempt to work it too hard you will experience burn out. As a living thing, your body and mind need time to work and then rest in order to perform at optimum efficiency. You should train in bursts rather than trying to continuously train for months at a time. This will only cause burn out, and it is more than likely you will become frustrated and quit.

• Engage in stretching exercises

Stretching plays an essential role when it comes to peak performance in taekwondo. You will find it very difficult to perform without stretching, and the high kicks will be very difficult to perform. Stretching provides flexibility for your body and helps you maintain good posture. There is reduced chance of injury if your body is flexible.

• Learn to relax

One thing you will learn about taekwondo players is they are always very relaxed. Because of this they have the ability to make very solid and fast movements that also allow their bodies to endure impacts.

• Eat food that is good for you

Those who perform taekwondo need the right fuel, and it’s quite obvious with this type of martial arts performance you live by the saying, “You are what you eat.” It is essential to consume the right portions of quality protein in order to build lean muscle. The best options are fish, chicken, lean red meat and eggs.

Build your energy with complex carbs such as whole wheat bread, oats, brown rice, brown pasta and potatoes. Eat five servings of fruit and vegetables every day to complete the regiment. Try to avoid sugar though in a competition you might consume an energy drink to get you through the last round.

• Be ready to take on new challenges

Peak performance in taekwondo requires the player to be mentally alert. It’s essential to remember all your patterns in stressful situations and think clearly. In order to accomplish these things you must be physically fit, well-nourished and well-rested. You also want to take on new challenges and push yourself in order to work on more difficult board breaks.

• Have fun!

The most important thing is to have fun. If you don’t enjoy what you are doing you’ll quit. It won’t matter whether you want to continue training; lack of pleasure in what you are doing will eventually cause you to give it up.