Responsibility

By Kyle Feagans, brown belt

Close your eyes and clear your mind for a few minutes.  Now, imagine what it would be like at home at school and at work if everyone acted irresponsibly?  What would the communities the cities or towns, the counties and states we live in be like if everyone acted irresponsibly?  Without responsibility the world we live in today would not exist.  Without responsibility core character words such as integrity, honesty, dependable and trustworthy would lose their meaning.  Responsibility is one of the many a core values that make a person who they are.

As parents, business owners, employees, school students, and CTI martial art students, responsibility is one of the many values at the core of our success.  No matter where we are, who we are or what we do, responsibility is a key indicator of our true character and is just one of the many key characteristics that make us who we are.

Responsibility is a characteristic that can have a negative or positive effect on those around us.  This characteristic leaves and impression in people’s minds as to the type of person we are.  As parents of children it is important to live out examples of responsibility so they themselves will be responsible.  Being responsible, like many things in life, can be challenged.  There may be times when we do not want to slack on our responsibilities.  It is during these times in which we know we must discipline ourselves to be responsible.

Being a MSK Taekwondo student is an honor that comes with a tremendous responsibility too.  There is a responsibility involved in training our body physically to perform different types of kicks, blocks, punches and strikes.  As we progress in our training at the CTI we must train our minds to focus and concentrate on the small details involved in performing poomse or executing kicks, blocks, punches and strikes.  We also have responsibility of self control.  We must never forget that our training puts us in a position to protect ourselves from attack and it is not intended to put us in a position to attack.

Now, close your eyes and clear your mind and imagine a world full of responsible people.

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!

Kicking

By Alice Meyung, 4th dan

Taekwondo Kid Flying Side Kick Break

The word “Taekwondo” translates into “the Korean art of smashing with the bare feet and hands.”  Of the martial arts, Taekwondo is well known for its abundance of kicks, and while Taekwondo is smashing with BOTH the hands and feet, it was developed with an emphasis on kicks for a number of reasons.  Your legs are longer, stronger, have more muscle mass and are, therefore, capable of more power.

During the development of martial arts and Taekwondo, the common Korean often faced a horse-mounted opponent and could only reach them by jumping and kicking.  This emphasis on kicks has endured in modern Taekwondo and is a huge part of the tec
hniques you must master in order to earn your first-degree black belt.

While your legs and feet are anatomically performing the technique, they are not the only parts of your body in play.  Your core muscles are essential in executing the technique to the best of your ability.  Without a strong core, you will not be able to kick high and with the appropriate amount of strength and power.  Strong hips, an accurate focus hand, locked eyes, and the correct pivot are all vital to the success of any kick.  Remember, you ABSOLUTELY MUST be stretched out and warmed up before attempting any kicking technique.

To learn more, be in Miss Meyung's Kicking class at Moo Sul Kwan Summer Expo XXVIII!

Common Sense for Stress Management

By Rex Splitt, 2nd dan

Check them off the list!

1. Eat three meals a day, including breakfast.
2. Avoid sugar, salt, animal fat and processed white flour.
3. Pursue regular program of physical exercise or other leisure pastimes.
4. Nurture and maintain friendships.
5. Get enough sleep (usually 7 to 8 hours).
6. Practice abdominal breathing and relaxation.
7. Schedule time and activities alone, and with others to maintain a well-rounded life style.
8. Stop smoking.
9. Limit alcohol (one drink with meals) and limit caffeine intake.
10. Pace yourself and allow for an even flow of demands.
11. Identify and accept emotional needs.
12. Recognize early warning signs.
13. Allocate time and energy to allow for stimulation.
14. Take appropriate supplements, if needed, for proper nutrition.
15. Avoid self-medication.
16. Take one thing at a time.
17. Give in once in a while.
18. Talk out your worries.
19. Make yourself available.
20. Learn to accept the things you cannot change.

38th CTI Superbowl is Super!

Students from each of the CTI Campuses, Green Mountain, Craig, Westminster, Littleton, Conifer and Golden attended the 38th CTI Superbowl.  There were also students from our public and private schools in attendance making this a most special day.  This end of the CTI-year championships was held at Alameda High School over two days at the end of February.   289 students and instructors celebrated the day by competing and demonstrating the many areas of Moo Sul Kwan martial arts training.

Friday night began with black belt poomse competitions, followed by Free Sparring, First Point Wins! and Board Breaking.  The action was fast and furious and it continued the next morning with a black belt warm-up at 7:00 AM.  Red belts continued the competitions at 8:00 AM on Saturday morning, followed by the brown and purple belts.  At 10:15 AM, our youngest students competed in poomse and sparring, along with a little breaking, until the halftime festivities at noon.  At noon, the National Anthem was sung by Michael Sandusky, 2nd dan.  Grandmaster Sautel gave a talk and then a special demonstration was presented to everyone by members of the CTI LeAD Team and the CTI Masters and Black Belt Clubs.  After some black belt presentations to five new CTI 2nd dans, (Neda Kikhia, Chris Wallace, David Wallace, Thomas Sautel and Shawn Sweeney), the action continued.

Special thanks to all of our scorekeepers and helpers, parents and family members and friends who helped make this day a wonderful success!  A special thanks goes to the moms of the Golden Campus for all their help and expertise.

Competitors from the 38th CTI Super Bowl

Congratulations to this year's CTI Superbowl Grand Champions: Kyle Feagans, Thomas Ma, Zachary Outcalt, Shekina DeTienne

Below are the results for the 38th CTI Superbowl competitions:

POOMSE

1st place
Freddy Sautel      Brian Steward       Erik Ondrejko               Chris Wallace
Eric Evans           Caleb Feagans     Coghan Spery              Jocelyn Wallen
Tyler Sander        McKenna Louth     Jordan Stiller               Nathaniel McKernan
Peyton Brauch      Carl Gibbons        Jennifer McKernan      Kenny Brancio
Alex Grosshans    Casey Feagans     Mark Scott                    Cody Barnhardt
Caleb Neel            Dakota Jesse          Ethan Miles                Christina Manna
David Fanton         Lisa Landis             Tanner Sander          Nicholas Boender
Kaden O’Brien      Nick Pugh                Zachary Boender       Rick Orton
Thomas Ma           Zachary Outcalt       Gwen Gutierrez          Nico Trilk
Merrick Oleszek    Jacob Henderson    Avery Holdren            Ethan Girard
Evelyn LaMorgese Taryn Bilyeu             Logan Gill                  Lydia Willis
Nico Huggins         Chase Wyngarden    Ian  Wilson              Porter Krause
Michael Whipple     Mathias Bauer          Tatum Buenning


2nd place
Abdu Kikhia             Neda Kikhia              Rosie Sokolove
Brett Carpenter        James Pennington      Sean Lawlor        Maggie  Wingate
Tyler Murphy              Emma Pinsinski       Don Johnson        Kira Malmgren
Eric Bear                    Ethan Price                Anna Sparlin          Peter Losasso
Natasha McKernan  Zuzanna Janowska   Naomi Price            Sarah Luper
Tim  Tobias              Joseph Long              Emily Dipple           Jake Dipple
Richie Haddad         Kellen Reeves           Jake Fanning           Dante Hulin
Makayla Trapp          Sarah Dipple              Sarah Dahle           Barry Metzentine
Lauren Lundeen       Devon Bilyeu               Ryan Wyngarden   Hailey Koch
Jamie Barnes            Jonah Sidwell             Santiago Huggins Lucas Richardson
Alejandro Deppmeier Jacobi Field            Makawee Mitchell     Jackson Hayes
Evan Montoya               Owen Landis         Grant Haverkamp       Brynn Konrad
Addison Harkins        Max Kriegbaum        Alex Price

3rd place
Clayton Garner          Michael Sandusky    Knisely Sautel            Jackie Wallace
Abbey Watkins           Michael Madayag     Gaberiel Gallegos     Crystal Swedenberg
Damian Rupp            Emily Brophy             Zach Greaves             Allyse Nothstine
Collin Kreutz               Rob Sarche               Melodie Page             TJ Gutierrez
Theodore Lincke       Mason Louth              Shekina DeTienne    James Healy
Lilly Minor                    Addie Spery               Braden Davis             Anna Ehn
Amaya McGill             Chris Landis              Derek Simpson         Beatrice Lincke
Elizabeth Hawkins     Lydia Lincke              Clayton Prevattte       Nancy Fanning
Jakob Deverell           Aiden Greco               Connor Brauch          Josh Miller
Phillip Hoenmans     Mason Golliher          Caiden White             Sebastian Snider-Mateu
Sean  Konrad             Caleb Mason             Emily Fanning            Mateo Piza
Noah Sisk                   Ryan Pennington      Emily Romero           Vaughan Williams
Draper Webb              Lily Dwyer                    Torin Fischer

4th place
Dustin Wheeler          Bridget Sautel            Sally Morgan               Thomas Sautel
Delaney Zandin          Zac Johannes           Justin Lautrup             Allysa Copper
Tanner Copper            Lexi Johannes           Eileen Lindner            Effie Gibbons
Kai Wong                     Kyle Feagans             Marcy Feagans           Mike Dean
Caela McCartney        Keet Holdridge           Kelsey Smith              Sam LaMorgese
Bailey Bish                   Kameron Evans         Bryce Harriet               Seth Osborne
Keith Reeves               Seth Hughes               Benjamin Pugh          Mya Field
Max Vogan                    Mike Zandin                Mitchell Kelley             Max Landis
Mohale Mitchell            Abby Lundeen            Madeline Rougier      Samantha Biesemeier
Ben Brewster               Grayson Krause          Jaxon Gard                Vance Colle
Noah Turnage              Ethan Dwyer               Christian Beamen     Robbie Crandell
Phillip Butler                  Ethan Kirschner         Owen Parkins            Henry Walsh
Kane Mullin

TIGER POOMSE

1st place
Holden Langie              Alaina Walker               Macy Wallen               Anya Trilk
Mitchell Oleszek            Sean Haverkamp         Natalie Willis             William Johnson
Ella Sidwell                    Isaac Jensen                Ryder Peckham         Maiya Ford
Eli Turnage                    Leo Lukosky                  Orion Kriegbaum

FREE SPARRING

1st place
Clayton Garner              Brian Steward            Chris Wallace
Abbey Watkins              James Pennington        Zach Greaves            Coghan Spery
Terry Copper                  Jocelyn Wallen               Theodore Lincke        Alicia Leone
Tanner Copper              Emma Pinsinski            Peter Losasso            Mike Dean
Caela McCartney          Zuzanna Janowska       Dakota Jesse             Mike Zandin
Aiden Greco                   Sara Dipple                     Tim Tobias                 Shekina DeTienne
Kaden O’Brien               Lisa Landis                     Nick Pugh                  Thomas Ma
Mark Scott                       Jake Dipple                    Makayla Trapp            Lauren Lundeen
Peyton Barnard              Bailey Bish                     Tanner Sander            Taryn Bilyeu
Hailey Koch                    Sean Konrad                  Ben Brewster             Jackson Hayes
Mohale Mitchell              Holden Langie               Ethan Girard               Brynn Konrad
Owen Parkins                Connor Brauch              Jacobi Fields               Vaughn Williams
Nico Huggins                Chase Wyngarden         Kane Mullin

2nd place
Freddy Sautel  Thomas Sautel  Bridget Sautel  Rosie  Sokolove
Brett Carpenter  Caleb Feagans   Damien Rupp  Nate Watkins
Rob Sarche  Effie Gibbons  Johnny Williams Blenness Quintana
Collin Kreutz  McKenna Louth  Brandon Pennington Kenny Brancio
Anna Good  Sabrina Jameson Alan Fernandez  Rick Orton
Kyle Fanning  Beatrice Lincke  Caleb Neel  Kelsey Smith
Cody Barnhardt  Nancy Fanning  Nick Boender  Zach Boender
Chris Landis  Richie Haddad  Addie Spery  Sarah Luper
Lilly Minor  Anna Ehn  Jacob Fanning  Jamie Barnes
Gwen Gutierrez  Alejandro Deppmeier Santiago Huggins Vance Colle
Ryan Wyngarden Will Johnson  Grayson Krause  Makawee Mitchell
Alex Price  Phillip Hoemans Ian Wilson  Noah Turnage
Evan Montoya  Robbie Crandell  Lily Dwyer

3rd place
Erik Albrechtson Neda Kikhia  Mark Drummond Erik Ondrejko
Zac Johannes  Sierra Field  Tyler Sander  Kai Wong
Kyle Feagans  Anna Sparlin  Trevor Koch  Jordan Stiller
Sean Lawlor  Kira Malmgren  Alex Grosshans  Mason Louth
Lexi Johannes  Casey Feagans  Sam LaMorgese  Barry Metzentine
Max Landis  Lydia Lincke  David Fafnton  Jessica States
Zachary Outcalt  Naomi Price  Jhaison Prouty  Jakob Deverell
Keith Reeves  Marshall Vogan  Elizabeth Hawkins Emily Dipple
Madison Harriet Derek Simpson  Allison Ehn  Abby Lundeen
Nathaniel Parkins Jonah Sidwell  Ethan Dwyer  Nico Trilk
Ryder Peckham  Lydia Willis  Torin Fischer  Sebastian Snider-Mateu
Ryan Skluzak  Mateo Piza  Michael Whipple Sean Huntley
Ryan Pennington

4th place
Abdu Kikhia  Kathleen Sautel  Annie Sautel  Eric Evans
Ethan Price  Justin Lautrup  Don Johnson  Maggie Wingate
Marcy Feagans  Jack Eddy  Allyse Nothstine TJ Gutierrez
Joren Good  Madalyn Grosshans James Healy  Devon Bilyeu
Bryce Harriet  Leah Teglovic  Liam Dunkin  Romelle Reeves
Zach Metcalf  Clayton Prevatte Mya Field  Sarah Dahle
Amaya McGill  Seth Hughes  Aspen Hawkins  Natalie Lundeen
Merrick Oleszek  Brandon Dills  Logan Gill  Adam Harkins
Henry Walsh  Erik Rodriguez  Emily Fanning  Joshua Metzentine
Phillip Butler  Justice De Nava  David Malec  Owen Landis

FIRST POINT WINS!

1st place
Clayton Garner  Brian Steward  Rosie Sokolove
Thomas Sautel  James Pennington Zach Greaves  Coghan Spery
Don  Johnson  Alyssa Copper  Theodore  Lincke Blenness Quintana
Tanner Copper  Emily Brophy  Brandon Pennington Mason Louth
Natasha McKernan Zuzanna Janowska Barry Metzentine Dakota Jesse
Kyle Fanning  Sara Dipple  Braden Davis  Jessica States
Zachary Outcalt  Naomi Price  Jhaison Prouty  Thomas Ma
Mark Scott  Richie Haddad  Elizabeth Hawkins Lauren Lundeen
Lilly Minor  Bailey Bish  Derek Simpson

2nd place
Dustin Wheeler  Bridget Sautel  Brett Carpenter  Abbey Watkins    Erik Ondrejko  Zac Johannes  Tyler Murphy  Nate Watkins
Kyle Feagans  Effie Gibbons  Trevor Koch  Jordan Stiller
Gabriel  Gallegos McKenna Louth  Peter Losasso  Mike Dean
Lexi Johannes  Casey Feagans  Mike Zandin  Alan Fernandez
Devon Bilyeu  Lydia Lincke  Ethan Miles  Shekina DeTienne
Kaden O’Brien  Lisa Landis  Dante Hulin  Jakob Deverell
Chris Landis  Jake Dipple  Mya Field  Emily Dipple
Peyton Barnard  Madison Harriet Tanner Sander

BREAKING

1st place
Dustin Wheeler  Michael Sandusky Jackie Wallace  Rosie Sokolove
Thomas Sautel  James Pennington McKenna Louth  Gabriel Gallegos
Terry Copper  Andrew Madayag Alyssa Copper  Theodore Lincke
Trevor Koch  Kyle Feagans  Natasha McKernan Chris Landis
Beatrice Lincke  Peyton Barnard  Zachary Boender Tanner  Sander
Thomas Ma  Kaden O’Brien  Shekina DeTienne Zachary Outcalt

STAFF POOMSE

1st place
Freddy Sautel  Abdu Kikhia  Bridget Sautel  Rosie Sokolove
Eric Evans

2nd place
Michael Sandusky Brian Steward  Shawn Sweeney
Chris Wallace

3rd place
Mark Drummond Clayton Garner  Knisley Sautel  Jackie Wallace
Erik Ondrejko

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!

MSK Training Comes Shining Through

By Jim Intriglia, green belt

Back in October of 2009, when I began my journey as a CTI student of Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo, I learned that the training I would be receiving would benefit other aspects of my life.  Today, I can see how my training along with the new knowledge I have gained, has benefited many area of my life.  What’s most interesting is how other people, that are part of my life, see and value the training and lessons that I have learned as a CTI Taekwondo student.

For example, during a recent job performance evaluation at work, my supervisor noted that he values the fact that I am quick to volunteer when he needs a member of our team  to tackle an uncertain project or task.  I smiled when I was told this, because I realized that Grandmaster Sautel always encourages us in our training to be the first to volunteer in class when the call goes out for a volunteer.

Respect is another quality that becomes apparent to others that come in contact with CTI Taekwondo students.  When dealing with superiors at work, I often catch myself saying “Yes Sir” or “No Ma’am” in response to a directive.  While this response may raise an eyebrow or two once and a while, I notice that many managers appreciate respect shown in this way.  People in leadership positions appreciate being shown respect.

Discipline and tenacity are two other qualities that we learn as students of Moo Sul Kwan.  “You’re like a junkyard dog when you set your mind to getting something done,” I was told by a colleague not long ago.  I smiled and thought of all of the times that we were taught in class to never give up when we try and fail at accomplishing a goal.  We learn how to discipline ourselves, so we keep working at a task until the time comes when we have completed what we have set out to accomplish, and move on to accomplishing greater things.

Leadership is another quality that students learn as they progress through their Moo Sul Kwan training.  Though I do not always endeavor to lead projects at work or with community service organizations that I serve, I often am approached to do just that.  I know that the leadership training and qualities instilled in me as a CTI student shines through my everyday personality.  Leaders can spot leadership qualities in others, and thus CTI students often find themselves in leadership positions at work and in service to the community.

Courage and knowledge of self-defense are two other qualities that Moo Sul Kwan students learn from the first months of their training.  When an opportunity presents itself where a person is being physically or verbally abused, a MSK student will have the courage, discipline and skills to intervene successfully.

In what ways has your CTI MSK training benefited your friends, family and co-workers?

Notre Dame Demos

The Colorado Taekwondo Institute was represented at the recent Channel 9 Health Fair at Notre Dame Catholic School on February 10th.

Students from the sixth, seventh and eight grades learned about Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo during the many separate demonstrations presented.  We were totally impressed with the self-control and respect that the students and staff, led by Principal Charlene Molis, from Notre Dame exhibited - it made for a wonderful day!

Depending on the group that came through, the students were taught how to do several different exercises and perform some beginning basics.  Grandmaster Sautel led the demonstrations aided by Michael Sandusky, 2nd dan and Kathleen Sautel, 1st dan.  (Kathleen Sautel, daughter of Master John Sautel, currently attends the 6th grade at Notre Dame.)

We will be returning to Notre Dame to teach and demonstrate for the first through fifth grades in early March.

Oberon Middle School Demonstration

The Colorado Taekwondo Institute, led by members of the  CTI Black Belt Team, recently put on a demonstration for Oberon Middle School in Arvada, Colorado.  The demonstration was for Oberon's Respect Day Assembly which began bright and early at 7:30 AM.

As the students and instuctors demonstrated exercise, basics, poomse, self-defense and more, Grandmaster Sautel spoke to the students and teachers of Oberon Middle School on the concepts and benefits of respect. The stands were packed with 7th and 8th graders and everyone had a good time.

Over thirty CTI students and instructors came from the Conifer, Golden, Westminster, Littleton and Green Mountain Campuses to participate in this important demonstration.

There is are also upcoming demonstrations scheduled for Notre Dame Catholic School and Compass Montessori School in Denver and Golden.

Congratulations on a job well done goes to the CTI demonstrators:

5th dan - Erik Albrechtson

4th dans - Freddy Sautel, Clayton Garner and Alice Meyung

3rd dan - Abdu Kikhia

2nd dans - Michael Sandusky, Mark Drummond, David Wallace, Neda Kikhia and Thomas Sautel

1st dans - Sally Morgan, Eric Evans, Delaney Zandin, Ian Randall and Caleb Feagans

Red Belts - Maggie Wingate, Terry Copper, Tanner Copper, Alyssa Copper, Rachel Rockenfeller and Nathan Rockenfeller

Brown Belts - Casey Feagans and Peyton Brauch

Purple Belts - Ethan Price, Jennifer McKernan, Nathaniel McKernan and Natasha McKernan

Green Belts - Lydia Lincke, Beatrice Lincke and Zach Metcalf

Orange Belts - Kellen Reeves and Caleb Neel

No More Watching from the Bleachers

By Terry Copper, red belt

“To be in your children’s memories tomorrow, you have to be in their lives today” – Anonymous

Recently, I wrote a testimonial on Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo and its importance to me as a parent.  Since then, I have wanted to expand and elaborate on the subject of active involvement in our children’s lives.

Fourteen years ago I earned my masters in counseling. A counseling degree helped fine tune my parenting skills. As I served my time as an intern at different mental health hospitals and while working with varying degrees of mental illness, a theme started to emerge. Many adults are angry about what happened to them in their childhood.

Before my counseling experience, I would have guessed patients were in these facilities due to violent incidents in their lives.  This was often not the case.  A lot of the patients I worked for were angry about the lack of parental attention during their childhood.   They were still looking for that unconditional love from their parents.   It was the small things, from childhood, that led these adults down a path of poor choices.

I never wanted to be a spectator in my children’s lives in the first place.  I've always wanted to be a participant.   My experience with mentally ill patients solidified this desire.  Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo and martial arts, in general, are one of the few sports or events where we can work side by side with our children.  What a great feeling it is to smile at your child after they break that board for the first time.  An even greater feeling is watching your child smile at you when you break your board for the first time.

After years of hard work and lots of sweat, I may be close to getting my MSK Taekwondo black belt at the CTI,  but in the eyes of my children I hope they will look back as healthy adults and smile at my “black belt” in parenting.    Consider taking that journey with your child.  Join MSK Taekwondo at the Colroado Taekwondo Institute and become a memory in their lives tomorrow.