CTI Limericks

Part of a recent CTI Monthly Homework

By Students from the Green Mountain Campus of the CTI

Morning workout punches and kicks,
Bend your knees and tighten your fists,
Strikes, blocks, and self defense,
Taekwondo in the mountains,
It just makes perfect sense!

Christina Manna, 12, Green Belt


The boy was kicking
He was not flicking
He was facing forwards
Towards the audience
What was he thinking

Emily Chavez, 7, Yellow Belt


Camp MSK was fun
Running and running to run
The sun was bright
Very very light
Fun in the bright sun

Sean Konrad, 9, Brown Belt


Camp MSK '14 it was fun
Almost all day in the sun
We got to have fun
And walk and run
Camp MSK was very very fun!

Brynn Konrad, 8, Brown Belt

Respect for Success

By Mark Scott, red belt

Respect means showing the value or importance of something or someone.  When we respect the law, we show the importance of the law in our society by acting in accordance with its regulations.  To show respect to someone, we show that we value their opinions by asking advice, we show trust by following their leadership, and we accept their faults along with their abilities and talents.

Respect should be used in all areas of our lives to exist in a healthy society.  Showing respect at home should be obvious.  Children should always give respect to their parents.  Parents should show respect to their children when they do the right things by increasing their responsibility and giving them more freedom.  Husbands and wives should show respect for each other by always listening, always forgive each others mistakes, and accept each other faults.  Any lack of respect causes a breakdown which could break up the home.

Respect at work must be shown to both those above, equal, and below in the hierarchy.  When those above make decisions, they must be followed and respected.  If the decisions aren't respected, the leaders will replace the workers with those who will follow and respect the decisions.  Respect must be shown by the leaders as well to those below by rewarding by promotions or monetary increases.  We must respect our equals to work together and make the right decisions which in turn produces the best quality work.

I have and try to show a great deal of respect to my co-workers.  Again and again they show a great deal of imagination to solve problems.  They also produce work of great quality.  I must also try harder to show more respect to the upper management at my work.  While my direct managers seem to make decisions that are easy to understand, the higher management make decisions that sometimes seem to be counter-productive.  Instead of finding fault with the decisions, I should respect those decisions and try harder to understand and follow their leadership.

". . . and we accept their faults along with their abilities and talents."

MSK EXPO XXX

"Keeping it to the Grindstone"

This year's Moo Sul Kwan Summer Expo is being held in Breckenridge, Colorado, on May 30 - June 1.

Beaver Run Resort has been home to four other MSK Summer Expos in the past, and it has proven to be a fantastic venue for the Expo.  Top Moo Sul Kwan martial arts instructors like MSK and AMASEA President Charles F. Hildebrand and Grandmaster James M. Sautel, President of the CTI, will be on hand to instruct students of all ages and belt levels during the three day weekend at one of the top ski resorts in the United States.

The seminars and classes begin on Friday evening and run to noon on Sunday.  This year's Summer Expo theme is, "Keeping it to the Grindstone."  The many different classes, seminars and events will keep this important theme in mind.  Some of the other dynamic Expo Instructors include:  Master Merinda Sautel, Master John Sautel, Master Erik Albrechtson and 4th dans Freddy Sautel, Clayton Garner and Alice Meyung.

On Saturday, there is the annual Expo Banquet and Party which always involves family entertainment from the instructors and students.  Also during this wonderful weekend will be the Amazing Moo Sul Race X.  Participants are given a Moo Sul Race T-shirt, placed in teams, and then the action begins as the teams figure out and overcome the many obstacles and challenges on their journey.  As always, during the weekend, there will be special classes for our parents, family members and friends taught by some of our finest instructors.

Come to Colorado!  Come to Breckenridge!  Come to Beaver Run Resort!  Improve yourself and have a blast!

More information about the MSK Summer Expo can be found here.

You can register online for the MSK Summer Expo!

Three Hundred and Something

By Jim Sautel, 7th dan

It’s a guarantee. It will be in the books if you can . . .

Hmm . . . three hundred and forty or fifty some days from now – fifty some weeks into the future, an entire year to go and the question is, “Where will you be in your training this time next year?”

Think of all the experiences you will rack up by starting today and consistently keeping at it for the next year. There would be over a thousand poomse (pattern movement or forms) reps if you did only three poomse a day!  You’d have over 18,000 push-ups if you only did 350 a week for the next twelve months! If you did 250 kicks a day for the next year, it would be around 90,000 kicks!  How could you not get better?  It’s a guarantee.  It will be in the books if you can follow through one day at a time!

It’s amazing what can be accomplished one day at a time over a designated period.  When you think about it, look at what we accomplish each time we step into the classroom.  Massize quantities of sit-ups are ripped out in a blink of the eye.  In 30 seconds of time, we can perform an entire poomse or two.  Give us 15 minutes and we can blast out numerous one-step and self-defense walking drills.  We do things like this each and every time we attend class at the CTI, and when you couple that with practice done at home, your personal stats can really pile up . . . and when you have heaps of stats, that means you've got a load of repetitions, uncountable experiences and exuberant successes!

Take a few minutes and make a list of all the exercises and techniques you do and look at the possible number outcomes that could result from three hundred and some days of training – results to be summed up one year from now.  Remember, when you hypothesize and look at those gigantic numbers, know that you can do it!  You can have all those stats under your belt by attacking it one day after the next starting now!

How Your Children Can Benefit from Taekwondo

Many parents who are considering enrolling their children in martial arts training may wonder if there are benefits. Let us take taekwondo, for example. This type of martial arts is from Korea and can provide many benefits for children even in today’s world.

Assessing the Benefits

What are some of the benefits for children who are involved in martial arts training? Some of the things to consider are:

• Physical fitness
• Weight control
• Improved concentration
• Respect for other people
• Substantial improvements in self confidence and self esteem
• In addition to all the benefits children can obtain from taekwondo, they are also having fun. 

Fitness is a very important aspect of taekwondo, and quite honestly, it’s refreshing to see children so fit and sporting a healthy weight. Unfortunately there are far too many children in today’s world who are overweight simply because they don’t exercise and eat high energy foods.

Fun and Exercise Are Part of Taekwondo

Many people believe the human body is design for exercise. This is especially true of children who should run, jump and get out of breath while combining play and exercise. One of the many benefits of kids taekwondo is they have fun at the same time they are performing physical exercise. They gain physical fitness all around because the exercises in which they are engaged exercise their whole bodies. Even better is the fact they want to continue coming back.

Lessons to Learn

Martial arts training can provide a great many benefits, especially for young boys. For one thing the rigorous physical training provides an outlet for their boundless energy. Some of the other benefits of taekwondo for young boys include the following:

• Allows them to kick and punch under controlled conditions
• Teaches self-control
• Teaches them the need for taekwondo to remain in the Dojang
• Teachers are also great role models
• Instructors are fit, healthy and controlled as well as being senior students

How Taekwondo Benefits Girls

While many people see taekwondo as a sport for boys, the reality is girls can benefit from martial arts training as well. For instance, when girls are fit and healthy they have a positive image of their bodies. They also develop self esteem and self confidence as a result of learning in person confrontation and develop power through wooden boards. It doesn’t matter whether the child is a boy or girl; kids taekwondo helps them become physically and menta
lly stronger.

Keep in mind taekwondo is not just about physical training; it’s also training for the mind. In kids taekwondo children learn complicated movements that help their memory and ability to concentrate. During martial arts training they also learn how to coordinate their bodies. The training involves a great deal of discipline, which teaches them how to gain the self-discipline they need to push forward no matter how difficult training is.

Training in taekwondo also teaches children about respect and courtesy. It begins with respect for the instructors and each other. This in turn teaches them to respect themselves. They learn the importance of being polite to everyone whether they like them or not—definitely a great skill to take with them into adulthood. Some of the other things they learn include:

• How to persevere
• How to press forward if something is difficult but worth achieving
• How to face failure and move past it by picking themselves up and trying again

When children succeed the pride shows on their smiling faces. This gives a real boost to both their self confidence and self esteem. Taekwondo can help children become surer of themselves and ultimately gain the confidence they need to speak in front of the class or even perform a difficult pattern in front of a panel of judges, the kind of tasks that will help them become successful adults.

They will learn to teach and become mentors to the younger children which helps them learn and achieve patience and kindness. Eventually these children will become calm and self-assured young people who possess the self confidence they need to accomplish everything they need and want to do. In fact, those who have self esteem are less likely to engage in destructive behavior such as substance abuse. It also means children who have trained in kids taekwondo are not as likely to become victims of the school bully.

Practicing vs. Training

By Eileen Lindner, red belt

I practice my Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo every day.  I’m pretty sure we all do – whether we are going over our poomse moves, doing walking drills in the hallway, getting in a few extra sit ups & push-ups, or using Ho-Shin – we all practice our martial art.

However, I don’t train every day.  What’s the difference, you ask?  Well, to my mind, the difference between practicing and training is huge.  Practicing is extremely valuable, and without practice & proficiency, training is difficult.  Training is more intense than practice & often is associated with a specific goal: an event or date marking a test or competition.

Practice, to me, is the baseline of maintaining a skill.  Practice is repetition – during class, perfecting that new move in a poomse, and then incorporating it into the poomse smoothly so it doesn't look newer than the rest of the pattern.  This happens during class, under the watchful eye of your instructor.  It really happens at home, when you realize that you needed 5 more repetitions with your instructor; but do it the best you can as many times as you can & go to the next class with detailed questions on foot position, which hand moves first, etc.  This practice polishes your poomse so you can start training on it.

Training is challenging yourself after you've been taught the moves – training really makes your poomse come together & enables you to get your moves to the right speed with as much power, focus, balance & control as you have – that day.  Training means you’re never satisfied with a poomse.  It means you've taken this exercise as your own & you will master it – but not today – not tomorrow – but it will happen – and then there will be another aspect of it to perfect.

Training means you accept that this is a long-term deal.  That you will push yourself farther & more completely than any instructor could – and your instructor will recognize that in you & push harder, since that’s what you need to train.

The difference between practice and training is the difference between learning a skill & doing that skill; between being satisfied with good & wanting to be the best you can be.

Both practice & training will bring you from being a white belt, dreaming of achieving black belt – and being that black belt, striving for the next level.

Setting the Example

By Eric Evans, 1st dan

Setting an example for others is a key aspect of being a Moo Sul Kwan martial artist.  It requires a black belt attitude at all times and in all situations.  Leading by example is not reserved for Moo Sul Kwan Instructors and Black Belts alone. It is a requirement at all belt levels and is a task that must be continually refined. Setting the example is what we should all strive for in and outside of class.

Traveling back to Missouri each year for the AMASEA National Conventions is always exciting. I look forward to meeting new instructors, students, exploring St. Louis and Cape Girardeau.  I also look forward to the Great Grandmaster Shin workouts. The workouts consistently push me beyond what I thought I could achieve.  I remember the first time we were told that we were going to warm up with chops. In my mind I thought, "No problem" as chops were a normal part of my daily workout routine. Then Great Grandmaster Shin told us that we were starting with 300 chops. Start? What had I gotten myself into? A wave of doubt hit me at first, but then something extraordinary happened. As we were performing the exercise I looked over and saw that Great Grandmaster Shin was doing them with us. Even after he had taught two or three other classes, he was still the example. This rejuvenated my spirit. He was giving us his best effort and that in turn pushed me to put forward my best effort, pushing myself further than I ever had before.

This attitude is repeated time and again through our CTI Instructors. Our instructors lead by example in and out of the dojang. They actively participate in the workouts with us and never ask us to do anything they are not willing to do themselves. MSK instructors and black belts are also students. They attend extra training classes to learn new ways of instruction. I believe this is one of the key reasons our organization is so strong and offers invaluable life long lessons to each and every student.

The Colorado Taekwondo Institute strives to develop leaders who help to enrich the program in their own unique way. Becoming a person that leads by example requires individual dedicated effort.  Being an effective leader is not a characteristic that can be taught but applying basic CTI techniques can help a student advance.  For example, when we learn to perfect our poomse it helps to breakdown the individual elements.  In addition to learning the actual moves we must also learn what the moves are designed for, what the meaning or pace of the poomse is and how we can improve ourselves. Each individual component of the poomse must be broken down and improved. Each move must have an intended target, power, an impact point and focus.

In comparison, to learn how to become a student that leads by example it is helpful to break down the dedication that it takes.

We must display integrity so the organization can display a positive influence and enrich the lives of families in our community.

When we are in class we must pay attention and dedicate 100% of our effort.

We must set the example of how to act through our words, our thoughts and our execution of techniques. Responding with a loud, crisp 'Yes Sir!' is just one example that invigorates the class and helps them push harder. A new white belt has the promise of hope when they see a fellow student persevere through difficult techniques or poomse they have just learned.

We must apply extra effort through attendance of advanced classes such as black belt club and events such as the tournaments, CTI Expo, Camp MSK and demonstrations.

Each student should seize the opportunity to complete the monthly homework and write articles on subjects that interest them. The articles enrich the life of the author but more importantly provides students an additional opportunity to continue to learn.  

Students should also journal their thoughts and experiences. This will allow them to reflect back on how they progressed through training and the effort they put forth to became a Moo Sul Kwan Martial Artist.

"Example is not the main thing in influencing others. It is the only thing."
- Albert Schweitzer

2010 - 2012 CTI Competition Awards

At the recent MSK Summer Expo at Granby Ranch, a special awards presentation took place during the Saturday Expo Evening Banquet.  The top award, the 2010 - 2012 Lee H. Park Award, was presented to Alice Meyung by President of Moo Sul Kwan and the AMASEA, Grandmaster Charles Hildebrand, 8th dan.

Miss Meyung is a 4th dan black belt and instructor at the Green Mountain and Conifer Campuses of the Colorado Taekwondo Institute.  Miss Meyung began training at five years old and has been working hard ever since!  Graduate of Colorado College, Miss Meyung is a member of the CTI Black Belt Team that recently traveled to Germany and Austria in 2011.  A lead member of the CTI Demo Team, Miss Meyung is the recipient of the Lee H. Park Award for her outstanding dedication to the students and instructors of the CTI.

Also that evening, the 2010 - 2012 CTI Competiton Awards were presented.  Competition has always been a part of our training.  Competition plays a vital role in creating our well-rounded MSK person.  There’s the physical, mental and emotional preparations that take place for the competitor.  This can be divided into hours, days, months, years and longer.  There’s the “night before the competition" feelings that tie stomachs into knots and make sleep a restless endeavor .  There’s the “morning of” and the feelings of exhilaration and power when warming up to step into the ring.  There’s that feeling of “pure reflex” when the competition begins that you can’t explain to anyone unless you've done it.  Competition brings our students and instructors to other levels that seem almost magical, but of course we know that the benefits of competing are just the result of long hard work and the willingness to compete in the first place.  Congratulations to everyone who took part in our CTI events for the last two years.  The expertise and sportsmanship were incredible!  Here are this year's winners:

Miss Meyung at Camp MSK

Poomse

Black Belt - Freddy Sautel
Adult - Jennifer McKernan
Junior - Caleb Feagans

Sparring

Black Belt - Clayton Garner
Adult - Terry Copper
Junior - Erik Ondrejko

First Point Wins!

Black Belt - Abdu Kikhia
Adult - Don Johnson
Junior - Thomas Ma

Breaking

Black Belt - Thomas Sautel
Men - Rob Sarche
Women - Vivi Brown
Junior - Gabe Gallegos

Staff Poomse

Adult - Freddy Sautel
Junior - Rosie Sokolove

Overall Tournament Champion

Adult - Freddy Sautel
Junior - Rosie Sokolove

Lee H. Park Award

Alice Meyung

2012 AMASEA National Convention Trip

Several of our CTI black belts accompanied Grandmaster Sautel to Cape Girardeau, Missouri, for the 2012 AMASEA National Convention.  The full five day trip took place at many places including; Southeast Missouri State University, the City Museum of St. Louis, Laclede's Landing, Jackson, Lutesville, Ruma's and more!

The AMASEA National Convention and was led by Grandmaster Hildebrand, President of the AMASEA and Moo Sul Kwan.  Special guests instructors made this year's convention one to remember!

The group from the CTI left Denver on Wednesday evening and drove to St. Louis where they met Mr. Dustin Wheeler, 3rd dan and explored the City Museum in downtown St. Louis.  Climbing, ducking, crawling and sliding throughout the many storied building was so much fun it was hard to leave.

After the fun time in St. Louis, the group proceeded to Cape Girardeau and the home of Master Bill Jones and Mrs. Kimberly Jones.  A big feast was put on with friends coming to help us get situated in Cape - Lt. Colonel Robert Jones was on hand, along with CTI friends Mark and Theresa Raines, Don Jones, Donna and Ivan and others.

On Friday morning, the CTI group traveled out into the countryside and had a wonderful day.  They hiked, four-wheeled through flood waters, skipped rocks, played Frisbee, took pictures and ate at superb little place in Lutesville called Jays.  After helping Master Jones load, deliver and set up mats at the Show Me Convention Center, convention classes began.

The classes during the weekend were excellent!  Great Grandmaster Bong Yul Shin Shin led many workouts, along with, Grandmaster Charles F. Hildebrand, Grandmaster James M. Sautel, Master Rick Schutt and others.  The classes ranged from Sparring to Poomse to Taekwondo Kicking to Judo to Judging to MSK Hapkido and more!  In addition, there was also a special banquet and party on Saturday evening and some dynamic poomse and high kicking competitions on Sunday.  Congratulations to Alice Meyung, Abdu Kikhia, Eric Evans and Zach Greaves for placing first in poomse and to Michael Sandusky for placing first in the high kicking contest.

Special thanks also goes to Master Doug Johnson and his black belts for giving the CTI group a special MSK Hapkido workout before the Sunday morning events began.

On the way home to Colorado, the group spent time with Mr. Wheeler at historic Laclede's Landing along the river front in old St. Louis.  A tour of the area, a visit to Hannegan's and some more frisbee throwing beside the Mississippi River and the group was on the road back home to the Centennial State.

Attending the AMASEA National Convention from Colorado were:  Zach Greaves, red belt, Eric Evans, 1st dan, Michael Sandusky, 2nd dan, Brian Steward, 2nd dan, Abdu Kikhia, 3rd dan, Alice Meyung, 4th dan, Freddy Sautel, 4th dan, Erik Albrechtson, 5th dan and Jim Sautel, 7th dan.

To experience the best weekend of the 2012 summer, attend the 28th Moo Sul Kwan Summer Expo which was originally based on Great Grandmaster Lee H. Park's AMASEA National Convention and is one of the largest MSK events of the year!

2012 All-City Champs

The All-City Champs is Here! The final tournament of the season is coming!  The 2012 All-City Championships is happening on April 27 - 28, at Alameda High School in Lakewood, Colorado.

Being the final championships of the CTI year, it is a very important two day event for our students and instructors.  Besides Camp MSK '12, this is also the last chance to accumulate points for the 2010-2012 CTI Competition Awards (which will be presented at Moo Sul Kwan Summer Expo XXVIII).

There will be divisions for all ages and belt levels.  The black belts will begin competing on Friday evening at 6:00 PM.  Saturday will begin early with black belt and upper belt competitions followed by all students of all belt levels and ages competing in Sparring, Poomse, First Point Wins!, Breaking and more.

Spectator admission for this event is one can of food for the Food Bank!

Last year's 2011 All-City Grand Champions were:  Abdu Kikhia and Rosie Sokolove

Click here for more information on this exciting event!

Why Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo? Why at the CTI?

By Rex A. Splitt, 2nd dan

Years ago our youngest son (5 years old at the time) was wanting to learn martial arts.  We researched several different schools and when I talked to the instructors at the Moo Sul Kwan school in Craig, CO, it was very evident this was the school for our son.  The educational aspect is what most attracted us, as well as the background of the Sautel’s and their attitude towards learning for their students.

After several months of watching our son’s participation and seeing other adults in classes, I realized that this would be a great way for me to exercise.  I had a high stress job and was looking for exercise and a way to relieve the stress in a positive manner.

So I joined and began my path towards black belt.  The physical fitness aspect was phenomenal.  I felt better, my fitness level greatly improved, and my stress level was significantly reduced.  Watching our son grow and mature through the program was exciting.  He developed the courtesy, integrity, self-control, concentration, and respect that made him the young man he is today.

Several years later our oldest son was promoted to 1st Dan Jr. black belt.  That was interesting as now I called him Mr. Splitt and answered him “Yes sir,” and “No sir.”  During this time our youngest son joined, as did my wife.  So it was a family activity that all of us enjoyed.  We have great memories, photographs, videos, and talk about those often at family gatherings.

After several years I was promoted to 1st Dan black belt and helped lead the school in Craig.  I remember talking with parents of students and many of them saying how much Taekwondo helped their children.  I saw students with learning disabilities start classes and within weeks their grades improved.  Students struggling to get D’s were soon getting B’s. It was not uncommon by the end of the school year to see A’s on their report card.  That achievement alone improved their self-esteem and self-confidence.
 Teachers in the school system were amazed at how students improved once they enrolled in the CTI program.  The teachers would make comments, “Your child is in Moo Sul Kwan isn’t he (she)?”  They saw the change in respect and the student’s ability to concentrate improved.  There were a few teachers that would recommend to parents they enroll the child in Moo Sul Kwan because they had seen the benefits to other children.

So back to my initial question as to why I joined CTI. It remains the physical fitness aspect. I know at age 57 cardiovascular health and physical fitness is important.  I feel better, I have more energy, and my stress is under control.  This is the only exercise activity that I have ever been able to stay with long term. It never gets boring!  There is always more to learn and more to improve on.  The CTI program is flexible to your physical needs.  If there is some activity or technique that you cannot perform because of a physical issue, the instructors understand and they find a way to work around that issue.  So the program is for ALL ages, not just the younger generation.

Another reason is the CTI family.  The friendships you make become life long friends. Friends you can always count on to be there for you.  Some of my best friends are part of the CTI family.  They provide the support and encouragement I need.  I also want other parents and students to be able to experience what my family did.  There is a special bond between my sons and I because of our participation together in Taekwondo.  I enjoy seeing students grow and mature through the CTI program.  Seeing a student graduate from high school, obtain a college degree, get married and start a family just warms my heart. It provides a sense of satisfaction knowing that I helped them become that young adult.

I have been blessed to be part of the CTI family.  Our sons have excellent jobs and are wonderful young men thanks to the leadership and vision of Grandmaster Sautel and the instructors of CTI.  CTI help me as a parent reinforce the ethics and morals I was teaching my children.  Our oldest son and his wife are expecting our first grandchild this year.  Who knows, maybe my grandchild will be a CTI student someday and I will get to teach him or her!

CTI Superbowl!

Our end of the CTI-Year is coming!

The 38th CTI Superbowl is coming February 24 - 25!  Our end of the CTI-Year championships will take place at Alameda High School.   Black Belt competitions begin on Friday evening at 6:00 PM.

Competitions continue on
Saturday at 7:00 AM.  Check your Superbowl schedule for more information on times.

The CTI Superbowl is the only championships of the year where the under black belt students vie for Grand Champion honors.  There will be four divsions of Grand Champion - Adult, Teen, Super Junior and Junior.

Click here for more information.

Perfection

Black Belt Team Hotel in Germany

By Eric Evans, 1st dan

Perfection.  It is something we all strive for in some aspect of our life, but never seem to achieve.  Just when you reach the summit of a goal, you realize there is another hill to climb.  It is the continual drive that moves us to better ourselves and those around us.

From the moment we are born, everything we do requires practice.  We are not born knowing how to crawl, walk or run.  The same is true with MSK Taekwondo.  We must first gain knowledge, then practice.  But it not enough to just practice, it must be perfect practice.  As we grow in  Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo, our definition of perfection, or what is good enough for our current ability, will change.  A front kick performed as a white belt has key features that must be understood and attempted thousands of times. As the student progresses, the little items become apparent.  It is no longer good enough to just kick above our heads, we must now focus on an imaginary target in addition to foot position, knee position, balance and a dozen other items.

The number of aspects a student could focus on in one front kick is astounding. So how do we achieve perfection, when there seems to be something we can continually perfect?  A front kick must be broken down into smaller, more manageable goals.  It may start with eye position or balance with a bent knee in the supporting leg. After these aspects are honed, a student could examine knee position, rubbing the knees together and bringing the kicking knee high above the belt before releasing a snappy front kick.

Whatever the move, we must follow a few general guidelines when practicing:

1. Gain the knowledge of what the move is suppose to look like.

2. Examine where the move could be broken up into smaller more manageable goals..

3. Start slow at first then gradually increase speed as confidence and a repeatable result increase.

4. When learning advanced moves such as the step spinning or jump spinning round house; start with the basics, a round house from a sparring stance.

5. Take the time to examine your effort. What went well? What needs to be improved?

6. Have patience. It has been said that it takes 10,000 hours of dedicated effort to master anything.

7. Practice Perfectly, this does not mean the move will be perfect every time, it does mean that you use every opportunity to improve what has already been done before.

CTI Picnic Time

The summer season of 2011 - starting to wind down . . . what a fantastic summer!  Thinking back on the last couple of months makes your virtual CTI head spin . . . we got so much accomplished this summer that the fall promises to be something special.  Some of the things we did in the past past sixty days . . .the Moo Sul Kwan Summer Expo XXVII in Colorado Springs, Camp MSK '11 at Snow Mountain Ranch, the CTI Black Belt Team World Tour '11 in Germany / Austria, the Buffalo Bill Days Parade in Golden, CTI Promotion Tests, Water World, Special Workouts and Events.  We were so busy, the summer seemed to go by extremely fast.

Taekwondo Kids Having Fun!

So how do we end up a summer such as this?  Rest?  No!  We have a picnic!

Around 250 students, instructors, family members and friends attended our 4th Annual CTI Picnic at Tanglewood Park in Golden!  There were games, contests and some of the best food of the summer at our annual get-together.

At the picnic, we competed in throwing games like the Softball Toss, Frisbee Toss, Shoe Kickin
g, Ultimate Frisbee and the Football Toss.  Later, everyone's favorite, the Catch the Water Balloon Slingshotted by Three Dads, got everyone soaked and laughing as they tried to catch water filled balloons launched to the stratosphere!

Special thanks goes to everyone who came.  The food that was brought was outstandingly delicious and we had perfect weather and the best of company.  Thanks to the Golden Campus and Mr. Evans for hosting us in our annual day in the park.

Parade Poetically Projected

By Holly Madayag, red belt

The students woke early Saturday morning to a beautiful sunny day
Not a single cloud to threaten rain;
We donned our uniforms in the usual way
And prepared to show the masses how hard we train.

We anxiously waited for our turn

Our Parade Demo Team!

On a back street in downtown Golden;
And ever so quickly we did learn
That we were third in line and holdin’.

There were lots of folks and little shade
Excitement filled the air;
It was the annual Buffalo Bill’s Day Parade
And the CTI was proudly there!

We were honored to see some of the many other groups paradin’
Such an amazing sight;
Cowboys on horseback masqueradin’
Gymnasts backspringing with all their might!

And then it was time, it was our school’s chance
We marched in tall and proud;
Then each of us assumed our best low stance
With kihaps bold and loud!

As we neared the judges, we stood entirely still
Then Master Albrechtson gave the commands;
And we began breaking, poomse and a walking drill
You could hear a pin drop in the stands.

And in the crowd there was a little boy
We’ll just call him Tommy;
He watched in awe as the black belts broke
Then I saw him tug her shirt, point and say, “Look, Mommy!”

It was at that moment I surely knew
As I watched him hold his hand out for a flyer;
That this is why we do what we do –
And why our spirit will never tire.

I hope “Tommy’s” mom will sign him up
And he trains hard and becomes strong;
And then in next year’s parade he could march with us
And the crowd would get a chance to see his best Tae Geuk Il Chang!

CAMP MSK TOPS THE LIST!

Camp MSK '11 was definitely one to remember!  The Camp started out with perfect weather and it only got better.

We started out with a flurry of action and learning.  By the time the first two days were over, we had ridden our bikes, tested our black belt candidates, started putting together our team demonstrations, hit the zip line, rode the horses, climbed the wall, tye-dyed our shirts, worked on one-step sparring, self-defense, basics, exercise, poomse, sparring, swam in the pool, went to an outside movie, played the CTI Kickball Championships, performed musical breaking and so much more!

Throughout the week, Cindy Tusa kept us well fed as always with the help of Pam Sautel and Master Jones.  (Master William R. Jones, 5th dan, was our special guest at Camp.)   After each meal, one of the Camp Teams was responsible for clean-up.

Square dancing took place on Tuesday evening at the Legett building for the older campers, and it was up to it's usual excitable pace.  People could hear them for miles around as they laughed and shouted the session away to the sounds of a professional square dance caller.

As the Camp MSK week rolled on, everyone go a lot accomplished.  The best way to find out about everything that happened is to ask the lucky ones who had the chance to attend this year's Camp MSK.

Best Taekwondo Camp to Date!

Here is a list of the participants by teams.  (Note that each team was named after one of our first six Vice-Presidents of the United States of America)

Team John Adams - Freddy Sautel, Chris Wallace, Brendon Dodson, Kelly Franson, Nate Watkins, Riley Leischner, Emma Pinsinski, Andrew Madayag, Zach Greaves, Kameron Evans, Richie Tusa, Nicholas Boender, Caela McCartney, Jacobi Field and Lydia Lincke

Team Thomas Jefferson - Erik Albrechtson, Bridgest Sautel, Claire Snyder, Damian Rupp, Kai Wong, Caleb Feagnas, McKenna Louth, Nathan Rockenfeller, Justin Lautryp, Owen Hartmann, Alan Fernandez, Anna Sparlin, Zachary Boender, Torrey Tusa and Beatrice Lincke

Team George Clinton - Karissa Mowry, Stephen Sautel, Sierra Field, Maggie Wingate, Coghan Spery, Michael Madayag, Kathleen Sautel, Emma Hartmann, Peyton Brauch, TJ Gutierrez, Johnny Williams, Mitchell Kelley, Kelsey Smith and Zachary Outcalt

Team Aaron Burr, Jr.  - Alice Meyung, Michael Sandusky, Annie Sautel, Delaney Zandin, Bryton Jones, Ian Randall, Cody Crawshaw, Cole Ernst, Allison Lawrence, Addie Spery, Lauren Lundeen, Nico Trilk, Dante Hulin and Baxter Wilson

Team Elbridge T. Gerry - Jamie Sautel, Brian Steward, Patrick Vargo, Erik Ondrejko, Ryan Lindner, Jocelyn Wallen, Zac Johannes, Collin Kretz, Rachel Rockenfeller, Julianne Todd, Thoedore Lincke, Nathan Orwick, Josephine Hobson, Elise Smioth and Keoni Derosia

Team Daniel D. Tompkins - Clayton Garner, Abdu Kikhia, Hope Morgan, Thomas Sautel, Eilidh Spery, Jack Eddy, Eric Bear, Sean Lawlor, Lexi Johannes, Anna Good, Mason Louth, Gwen Gutierrez, Mya Field, Caleb Johnson and Elijah Nelson

Running this year's Camp MSK were:  Master Erik R. Albrechtson, Master William R. Jones, Master John T. Sautel, Master Merinda J. Sautel and Grandmaster James M. Sautel

Click here for a few photographs or this special week! http://www.coloradotaekwondo.com/page/show/277786-camp-msk

Forwards and Backwards

The University of Colorado, Colorado Springs was the site of a fantastic 27th Summer Expo weekend in early June!  Expo participants worked hard and played hard, training in classes from A to Z.  This year's Expo Teaching Staff included master instructors:  Grandmaster Charles Hildebrand, Grandmaster Jim Sautel, Master Merinda Sautel, Master John Sautel and Master Erik Albrechtson. Other excellent instructors included:  Freddy Sautel, Clayton Garner, Alice Meyung, Jamie Sautel, Bridget Sautel,  Abdu Kikhia, Brian Steward, Stephen Sautel and Noha Kikhia.

The action began on Friday after the group picture and line-up.  Michael Sandusky, 2nd dan, sang the National Anthem, and after the opening remarks, classes began.

Classes were held outside all around the campus area - the weather was perfect!  Students picked apart their poomse, one-step sparring, free-sparring, self-defense, basics, breaking techniques, kicking, punching, striking, blocking and more with the theme of this year's Expo in mind - "Forwards and backwards."

Grandmaster Hildebrand, President of MSK and the American Martial Arts Sports and Education Association, taught many great classes in the lodge room which had tremendous views of Garden of the Gods and Pike's Peak.  There were also some other rooms used for seminars/dicussions on judging, special parent self-defense and workout classes, junior project classes and other classes that took place during the weekend.

Each year on Expo Saturday Evening, there is always something planned.  This year we were entertained with CTI Campus Fractured Fairly Tales.  The Conifer Campus started first and presented "The Three Little Pigs meet Caleb-locks and the Three Bears".  The Green Mountain Campus followed with "Snow White Belt and the Seven Black Belts".  The Littleton Campus gave their rendition of, "Cinderella meets her Fairy Godfather".  The Westminster Campus was next with "Little Junior Red Belt Riding Hood" and then the Golden Campus finished the skits with, "Grandmaster HIldebrand and the Bean Stalk."

Our own Moo Sul Rock 2011 band was in rare form as they played in between skits and for the rest of the night.  Bruce Dean sang a rendition of "Danny Boy" for Mr. and Mrs. Hildebrand to start off the evening.  The red belts soon got everybody dancing when the band played Mustang Slinkard for one of the visiting black belts.  The Moo Sul Twist Contest, poomse, line-dancing and just a lot of fun rounded out the evening.

After Sunday black belt early morning training, the Amazing Moo Sul Race 7 began.  This year's race broke the record for the longest of all time and presented many challenges to the teams of six or seven.  Each team represented one of the Presidents of the United States.  The John Adams Team won first place with a time of 2:33:25.  The older members of each team had to get up Mt. Park at the beginning of the race while the younger team members headed over to the Target Station.  After reuniting, the teams then made their way through the Amazing Moo Sul Race Course in an around the UCCS campus.

So many adventures in learning and fun took place during this year's 27th MSK Summer Expo.  To get the whole story, check with the students and instructors who were able to take part!

See you next year at Moo Sul Kwan Summer Expo XXVIII!

Poomse, Goal by Goal

By Merinda J. Sautel, 6th dan

"Thinking about the Goals of Moo Sul Kwan when practicing your poomse (pattern movement or form)."

Blocking During a Form

Goal one encourages the development of healthful orientation by providing opportunities to learn about how the body works and moves.  Learning poomse directly relates to this goal by the very nature of learning different patterns and the moves within each pattern.  To master a poomse, a student must learn each individual move and how to put it together with a series of moves.  Breaking down each move in a poomse gives the student the opportunity to see how the body functions within the poomse.

Goal two is about setting goals and being a self-directed learner.  Learning and practicing poomse is a perfect way to practice being a self-directed learner.  The student must set an individual goal to learn and perfect a poomse and then he or she must use self-directed learning to practice the moves given to him by the instructor until new moves are given.

Goal three is about preparing black belts to extend the teaching of martial arts.  Poomse is a vital part of each student’s training and without it no student can make it to black belt.  The Colorado Taekwondo Institute is a black belt preparation program.  We don’t train our students to be orange belts; we want quality black belts.  Learning poomse is a core requirement to reach black belt and beyond.

Goal four pertains to training upper belts and extending skills beyond the beginner level.  As each student’s training progresses, poomse becomes more complex which complements the multi-faceted training so necessary in becoming an upper belt.

Goal five promotes scholarly activities and creative endeavors.  In CTI, we learn about each poomse, not just the moves.  We also practice poomse in creative ways such as in groups, mirror image, and in different environments such as outside or in swimming pools.

Goal six is more abstract as it pertains to poomse training.  The goal is all about taking Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo to the public and showing what we have as an important sport.  Poomse can be a powerful demonstration tool.  We work hard in CTI to be able to perform poomse individually and in groups.  One should always practice poomse as if performing it in front of an audience.

A Whole New Language

. . . a special language developed through years of training . . .

Standing around a group of MSK martial artists and listening is a unique experience if you haven’t been in class, yet.  There is a special language developed through years of training just as doctors, bricklayers, firemen and teachers develop their own vernacular.  The only way you acquire a new language, like Moo Sul Kwan, is to live it.  Through all the practice, study, repetitions and execution of your “art”, you are able to communicate with others on a whole “new” plane.      

Mr. Jamie Sautel, 3rd dan, had opportunities to shadow Dr. Rob Madayag (a huge CTI supporter) in the ER at a local hospital.  When asked how it went, he commented, “It was like a whole new language.  From the technical phrases used during real situations that happened, to the de-briefings after those events.” Sautel added, “I didn't know what they were talking about a lot of the time, but I could see that it was just like listening to the upper belts – so you just listen and learn.”

So how do you start to learn that MSK language?  1. Start by learning all of the terms used in class – know how to say them and spell them.  2. When you kihap, know that you are communicating your spirit and more to others in your class.  3. When answering back in class, do so with respect while using proper vocal levels. 4. Listen and practice.

You Each Share the Same Name

By Jim Sautel, 7th dan

Great Grandmaster Bong Yul Shin was speaking to a small group of Moo Sul Kwan black belts after the Gateway Taekwondo Championships in St. Louis last May.  Among many things that were discussed, one important point he imparted to the group was that each person sitting there shared the same last name.

Great Grandmaster Lee H. Park

“The same last name?” they thought to themselves.  It had been a long day and maybe they hadn't heard him correctly.  No . . . they had heard him right.  He said exactly what he meant to say.  We shared the same last name.  Just as sure as we were sitting there, we shared the same name, the same heritage -  and the name was “Moo Sul Kwan.”  
When you think about it, it’s true isn't it?  Because of the countless hours of training, the numerous trips and competitions you've taken, and the multitude of experiences and successes you've had studying Moo Sul Kwan, a connection has been built with fellow Moo Sul Kwan instructors and students from across the country.  You have a connection that was constructed through your hard work and dedication to the art named Moo Sul Kwan.

The students and instructors you meet a thousand miles away from home you find you can relate to because you speak the same language.  When you think about it, there is also a connection to Moo Sul Kwan students from across time itself.  It’s called “tradition” – more specifically, Moo Sul Kwan tradition.  Those workouts and competitions in the ‘70’s help lay the foundation of what we are also working on now.

Therefore, it’s important that we continue to train as hard as we can.  That we “Keep Pushing” both when times are tough and when times are good!  Great Grandmaster Shin wanted us to realize how special we were to be a part of  Lee H. Park’s organization - Moo Sul Kwan.  So we must turn up the heat, increase the pressure and challenge ourselves daily to work hard so that we deserve to be associated with Moo Sul Kwan martial artists from the present, past and future
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