CTI Black Belt Team - South Korea, Part 3

Day seven of the CTI Black Belt Team World Tour '14, started off with an incredible three or so mile morning run and workout.  Running through the streets of Jeju City in the early morning, the team jogged through the side streets lined with shops, food stores and countless businesses waking up and preparing for the day.  Along the way, the team stopped at a few small hidden spots and did poomse, broke a some boards and finished back at the hotel ready to begin another day of adventures!

It was off to the Jeju International Airport because it was time to fly to Gimhae International Airport in Busan, the largest port in the southeast tip of South Korea.  After arriving on the Korean mainland, the team headed off to a big seafood lunch and the famous Jagalchi Fish Market.  Seemingly every sea creature in the world was on display and ready to eat in a moment's notice!  Shopping was next at the Jagalchi Market with street after street of shop after shop - there was even shopping below ground level!

Another thing the team did in Busan was to visit the APEC House.  This special place was constructed specifically for a special summit for world leaders in November, 2005.  It's name is the Nurimaru Apec House (nuri - "world" and maru - "summit") and it looks out over the ocean and the city of Busan.

The next moring started out with some exercise on the beautiful grounds of the Kolon Hotel in Gyeongju.  There was a artifically turfed soccer field that worked perfectly for the team's sunrise workout.  After a wonderful breakfast, the team visited Bulguksa Temple and the Seokguram.  Then it was on to the Gyeongju National Museum.  There was so much to see about Korean history and culture at these sights filled with historical treasures.  Among the many fantastic items, the precepts of the Hwarang-do, carved on an ancient rock, was on display for everyone to see at the museum.  During the visit to the National Museum, several of our black belts had a lot of fun befriending many a group of Korean school teen.  They played frisbee, exchanged samples of US and Korean money, laughed and took selfies with each other.

Close by was beautiful Anajpi Royal Pavilon.  This was a hand built pond and play area for the ancient kings of the Silla Kingdom.  Also visted by the team was an area know as the King's Grave - tombs of the Silla Kingdom monarchs.

During the next day, the team headed northwest.  After a nice bus ride, including a stop at a Korean truck stop where a Native American trio was performing music for the South Koreans, the team made it to Muju, home of the brand new Taekwondowon.  We had a tour of this wonderful place of Taekwondo, which included a state of the art museum and the largest Taekwondo competition arena in the world.

After the visit to the Taekwondowon, the team returned to Seoul and immediately headed to the famous Seoul Tower.  This 777 foot tall tower looks out over the city of Seoul, and it was quite a sight!  After the tour to the top of the Seoul Tower, the team headed for dinner at a special place in downtown Seoul for their last evening in South Korea.

Following breakfast on the team's last day, they travelled to Yongin City and the Minsok Folk Village.  Everyone saw many interesting things dealing with how people lived in Korea in the past.  Highlighted at the folk village was the "Farmer's Dance", involving a troupe of athletic dancers, and a Korean National Treasure.  This treasure was not a thing, but an elderly man who performed incredible balance maneuvers on a rope that was high in the air!

Then it was on to Incheon International Airport, everyone eventually making it home with many stories to share.

This seventh stop on the CTI Black Belt Team World Tour was a resounding success and each member experienced and learned many things that will strengthen and enrich their training, teaching and their lives.

There are DVDs on the trip to South Korea.  Ask your instructor to put one on your television in your CTI Campus Lobby!

A CTI Fairy Tale, "The Honest Axman"

By Hope Morgan, 2nd dan

At the end of an exceptionally long day of work, Jack packed up his rugged wooden ax and began the lengthy trek back to his cottage. Through thick brush and med, he trudged along, ignoring the all-too familiar aches and pains covering his body.

See, Jack was an extremely poor man, living in dire times where money was scarce. He spent day after day chopping down the sturdiest and largest trees in the forest behind the kingdom in hopes of selling the wood to his fellow citizens. This type of hard work was Jack’s only hope of keeping food on his table, not to mention preventing the king from taking his cottage, a fear that was beginning to become a reality if Jack could not save enough money to pay off his debt.

Lost deep in thought, Jack must have ambled off of the path. He stumbled over some overgrown vines, forcing his mind back into reality. As he plunged forward, he lost control of his grip on his ax. Jack finally caught his balance, but only to see his ax plummet into the river directly in front of him.

“Oh, no!” Jack said with panic. “My ax! I’ve lost my ax!” A feeling of devastation washed over him. “Without my ax, I have no way to make money.”

Jack fell to the ground, trying to think of something to do. “The river is much too deep, and I don’t know how to swim,” he pondered aloud.

His sense of hopelessness seemed to deepen exponentially, and he was ready to give up. He reached for his other belongings, ready to take off when he noticed the river bubbling. Jack jumped back with surprise.

“What is going on?”

The bubbles grew, sending waves back and forth throughout the water. And then…

“Well, hello there sir!”

“AHHH!” Jack collapsed to the ground. Before him stood a tall, muscular man with a beard as white as snow.

“But! You! No! Not possible! How?!” Jack couldn’t believe his eyes. How could a man just rise from the river?

“My name is Aleck, and this forest is my home. Yes, yes, I know you don’t believe it, but time is limited so please try to hold your shock for now. Anyways, I couldn’t help but notice your shock, and I thought I’d pop up to help. Now, do tell me what is wrong.”

Jack, still amazed beyond all conviction, somehow found the words to speak. “I accidently dropped my ax into this here river. I do all of my work with that ax, and now I have no way of making money.” Jack’s eyes couldn’t help but fill with tears as he recounted his troubles. “The king will take my home if I cannot come up with enough money, and that ax was my only hope.”

Without batting an eye or saying a word, the mysterious Aleck dove back into the water. Before Jack could even question what was happening, he broke the surface again.

“Is this your ax sir?” Aleck inquired, holding a silver ax.

Again, Jack was at a loss for words. A silver ax. A beautiful, shiny, silver ax. He was tempted to answer back yes and solutions for his problems flooded his head, but he couldn’t find himself to do so. His eyes shifted to the ground. “No, that ax is not mine.”

And without another word, Aleck dove back down into the river. Second later, he appeared, this time holding the most marvelous ax Jack had ever laid eyes upon. It was pure-gold, shining in beneath the sun with every miniscule movement.

“Is this your ax?” Aleck asked again.

A gold ax, Jack thought. I could sell that and my problems would be solved for good!

But as tempting as his thoughts sounded, Jack couldn’t bring himself to tell a lie.

“No sir, that is not my ax either.”

At his answer, Aleck smiled, “Well my dear Jack, I do applaud your honesty.” He reached behind his back and pulled out Jack’s small damaged ax. “Most men would have lied and claimed the silver or gold ax, but you sir, are a truly sincere and honest man, and you will therefore be rewarded.” Aleck handed all three axes to Jack.

“I trust you will continue practicing your admirable morals,” Aleck continued. “It has been a pleasure meeting you, but as I mentioned before, time is limited, and I must be off.”

“Th-Th-Thank y-y-ou,” Jack stammered.

For the last time, Aleck dove back into the river.

Jack looked upon the silver and gold ax. He couldn’t help but feel joyous. He gathered all of his belonging, and began his journey back to his cottage.

Jack did indeed sell the silver and gold ax for a hefty amount of money. He paid off his land to the king and kept just enough to continue and modest and happy life at his cottage. He donated the rest of the money to various charities around the kingdom, making sure to spread the word of honesty and its great importance. And with that, Jack was able to live the rest of his life, content and blissful.

Martial Arts: A Spectrum of Benefits for Autism

Autism Spectrum Disorder is a far reaching diagnosis & covers many behaviors and traits. In the United States, 1 in 88 children are affected by Autism.

Since children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, or ASD, often struggle with motor skills and may feel uncomfortable in large group competitive or team activities, the structure, discipline and one-on-one facets of Taekwondo can make a positive difference.

“Taekwondo is a dynamic martial art of self-defense noted for building strong bodies through punching and kicking. But it also builds strong minds. Through the discipline, attention and concentration needed to learn Taekwondo, (and to know when, and when not to use it) your child will enhance their personal skills needed to study longer and work harder in school. Coordination, strength and stamina for their body . . . and mind.”

The basic motor skills required for taekwondo are taught from the easiest to the most difficult, often sitting or lying down, depending on the technique performed.  These punches & kicks are practiced every class. The Colorado Taekwondo Institute instructors follow the same routine in every class. This practice of order and repetition aids all students in learning the techniques; especially those who need order and similar situations to feel comfortable, such as those with ASD.  The development of large motor skills that comes from taekwondo training helps the balance and coordination of ASD children, and all taekwondo students. The discipline of taekwondo is appreciated as the setting of appropriate limits and expectations.  There is limited talking; much of class is silent and is focused on mimicking the behaviors of the instructor.

Taekwondo focuses on order and repetition to achieve a skill.  This benefit truly fills a specific need of the child with ASD.  These children thrive on order and on non-verbal activities and responses.  The child with ASD often retreats within himself especially in new situations or in large groups.  One obvious advantage to taekwondo classes, particularly Colorado Taekwondo Institute’s classes, is the absolute repetition of the class.  The structure rarely varies – and the child can become comfortable in class knowing what comes next without anxiety.  Even the initial physical change of putting on a uniform the same as everyone else in class can signal the sameness and discipline of Taekwondo.

Each student progresses at his own pace and under the direct supervision of his certified Colorado Taekwondo Institute instructor.  This individual focus takes away the sense of competition that many children experience in other sports.  While the taekwondo classes are made up of students at different levels, there is very little competition, but much cooperation. Since taekwondo is an individual art; but is taught in a group, the child with ASD receives both one-on-one interactions and group time – both of which are important to his growth and the ability to regulate his own behaviors.  

The connection between the discipline and regulation of Taekwondo and the child with Autism Spectrum Disorder’s need for repetition and routine can lead to an improvement in the child’s motor coordination, ability to be attentive and to connect with others.  The improvement in behaviors specific to ASD, as well as in behaviors that many children struggle with, like aggression, self-control and communication shows that martial arts training’s benefits reach farther than reduction of stereotypical behaviors.  This shows the mind/body connection and its importance in changing behaviors or learning new skills.

This mind/body connection of memorizing techniques is a huge part of the benefit that martial arts can bring to the child affected by ASD.  The focus on engaging the mind to help the body mimic the behaviors helps the student with ASD to act outside their comfort level without being challenged.  The repetition is both soothing and reinforces and improves the movement.  This connection between mimicking behaviors and owning the techniques is seen in all students; students with ASD specifically thrive on the mimicry before understanding the technique.  Colorado Taekwondo Institute’s emphasis on educational martial arts brings the mind/body connection into even greater focus.

The correlation between martial arts training and improvement in the stereotypic behaviors of ASD students is positive.  Martial arts training benefits all who practice it; but for those affected by ASD, martial arts is an area where they can succeed in sport as an individual and improve social skills and abilities.  Martial arts training helps those with ASD to integrate their body, mind and spirit in a way that other activities cannot help them do.  Taekwondo is a complete activity that engages the psychomotor, affective and cognitive domains in balance with each other, to integrate not only the Taekwondo practice; but the whole person.  Contact the Colorado Taekwondo Institute in your area to find out more on the training benefits specific to your situation.

Sources:
http://www.autismspeaks.org/science/science-news/top-ten-lists/2012/cdc-revises-estimate-autism-prevalence-1-88

http://www.ellsworthata.com/1/post/2012/2/martial-artsthe-untapped-therapy-in-the-age-of-autismmartial-arts-and-the-spectrum.html

http://lacrossetribune.com/lifestyles/health-med-fit/article_d72b1520-07c0-11e0-b670-001cc4c03286.html

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/black-belt-brain/201211/martial-arts-and-the-autism-spectrum

http://www.uwlax.edu/urc/files/15th%20Annual%20Booklet.pdf University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.  The Benefits of Martial Arts in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder – Abstract p. 52. Tara Schmitz, Rachel Nelson, and Andrew Oebser Advisor: John Greany, Physical Therapy.  Presented  April 2012.

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

Kicking Some More

By Erik Albrechtson, 5th dan

Taken from a kicking class for upper belts at the AMASEA National Convention.

Black Belt Jump Kicks in New Zealand

Taekwondo is the Korean art of smashing with the bare feet and hands.  In Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo we do a variety of strikes and blocks with our hands, but we still love to kick.  Our legs are bigger, stronger and longer so they are wonderful tools for our self-defense arsenal.  Unfortunately, they are further from the brain so they are harder to use; fortunately that means we get to practice more to master them!

Each time you kick, you are using muscles from your legs, hip and core.  Developing and learning each kick will take many repetitions as you train your body- there are 13 muscles in your leg alone!   Many tens of thousands of repetitions will be need to be performed to master each kick, and even then constant practice will be needed to remain in top form.

In Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo, we have three basic kicks: front kick, roundhouse kick, and side kick. These three kicks are practiced in every class we do and provide a solid foundation for all of our other kicks.

In addition to the three basic kicks, there are a handful of other kicks we perform, including: back kick, hook kick, crescent kick, ax kick, and twist kick.  These kicks are built off the solid foundation laid by our basic kicks, and give us a greater variety of kicks that vary in speed, power and direction.

In further addition, we can modify each of our basic and advanced kicks to another level to accommodate a variety of situations.  These alterations include: defensive kicks, spinning, jumping, switching, flying, double kicks, twin kicks, and kicking from different angles (e.g. downward hook kick). Just adding one of these modifications to our basic and advanced kicks gives us nearly sixty four kicks at our disposal.  And this doesn't count using two modifications (e.g. jump spinning back kick)!

So what does this all mean?  We need to practice! As with anything, you should always start easy and build your way up.  Start by doing your kicks on the floor.  Then stand up and use a chair to help with balance and eventually get rid of the chair.  Next move on to practice by kicking a soft target.  Only then once you are proficient should you move on to breaking boards (with your instructor's supervision of course).  Do repetitions each day and slowly perfect your kick!

Go Beyond Taekwondo – Denver Martial Arts for Adults

Martial Arts for all Ages!

Everyone likes a man (or woman) in uniform, right? Around the country, adults are looking for a new form of physical fitness and competition. Considering martial arts may not be as outrageous as you think. More and more, martial arts training are becoming a popular way for kids to gain self-confidence, focus, and fitness, but in Denver, martial arts training can be just as transformative for adults. The Colorado Taekwondo Institute offers training at campus locations throughout Colorado, including Denver-area training in Lakewood, Golden, Littleton, and Westminster. Martial arts are not just for youth anymore.

Adults benefit from martial arts classes in the same manner as children. And, if they come to their program with the same openness and curiosity that children do, they are often surprised by how much their training has improved their self-esteem, helped them relieved stress, and produced strength and muscle tone that can help them in other activities.

Patience is a Virtue
When many adults begin their martial arts training, they may not want to show the world their uniform or their beginner’s belt. According to an informal poll conducted by TaekwondoAnimals.com, the number one reason adults take martial arts classes is to learn self-defense techniques. In fact, self-defense training was among the reasons these ancient Asian customs made their way into the American consciousness. The truth is, most martial arts are not designed to be purely self-defense techniques, but the discipline and practice can make you stronger, more confident, and self-possessed in a way that will make others take notice, which might be the best self-defense technique of all.

Patience and openness are essential qualities for adults that wish to begintraining in karate, taekwondo, hapkido, or judo. The traditions, meditations, and honor rituals play a large role in whether or not students are able to advance to learn and master more skillful competitive sparring techniques. If you have the patience to let the process develop, you can reap the benefits of martial arts training in a number of ways:

• Relieve Stress – We may not all be calm, deeply spiritual individuals, but through even beginning martial arts training, you can develop the skills you need to calm your nerves, and focus your energies toward simplified goals. Martial arts as stress relief may be one of the most underrated reasons to begin an adult program, but nearly every adult struggles with stress on some level, and taekwondo, karate, judo, or hapkido training is a great way to tackle this life-shortening affliction.
• Get Healthier – Of course, any type of cardiovascular exercise can help you feel better and live longer, and martial arts are no different. Many adults face boredom and lack of energy at even the thought of exercise, and they may not feel strong or skilled enough to compete in other athletic sports. As a martial arts student, adults can get the exercise they need, and participate in something they enjoy.
• Set Goals – The belt system for adults is the same as it is for any student, six or sixty. By advancing through the belts, you can continue to set goals and achieve them, learning a little more about the art and a little more about yourself with each step. As you advance, you may even want to show the world your uniform and your dojo/dojang.

You’re Not a Kid Anymore
While beginning to study martial arts, Denver adults should keep in mind the initial limitations of their body. Although it is possible to strain muscles and joints, your training will slowly bring you to the level you need to be at to begin to learn proper techniques and maneuvers. If you are considering beginning martial arts training, here are a few things you may want to consider:

• Don’t Forget to Stretch – Most injuries occur in participants who come to class with tight muscles and forget to properly stretch before moving their body in ways in hasn’t moved before. Luckily every class at the CTI begins with a proper warm-up and stretching to prevent injury and to develop your flexibility. 
• Trust the Instructor – Your instructor is there to help you grow. Make sure you utilize their knowledge and ask for advice whenever you need it. Your master can also help you deal with any issues you might be having with your technique or your growth.
• Don’t Fear the Pain (It's only soreness!) – Remember, in pain there is gain. Particularly if your martial arts training is the first exercise you’ve had in months or even years, expect your practice to provide you with a lot of initial muscle aches. This only means you’re doing it right.

Sources:

http://burkeskarate.com/2013/01/5-reasons-adults-should-take-karate/

http://www.taekwondoanimals.com/taekwondo-for-adult-beginners.asp

Silver Anniversary Champs!

Our 25th Denver Martial Arts Championships is taking place on September 12-13, at Alameda International High School in Lakewood, Colorado!

Students and instructors of all ages and belt levels will be competing during the two day tournament in poomse, sparring, breaking, staff and more!  Poomse will display the competitors' power, balance, agility among many other attributes.  Sparring will involve 1, 2, 3 and four point techniques for some divisions.  Board Breaking will test things like the competitors' focus, form and speed.  And Staff competition for the black belts will be done in teams of two.

Since this is our 25th Anniversary DMAC, there will be some special surprises including a tournament halftime demonstration.  There will also be a Private Lesson Extravaganza on Friday evening before the black belt competitions.  At this time, students receive private one-on-one lessons with different Black Belts on their poomse, sparring, staff, and/or breaking technique.

All students who compete with good martial arts sportsmanship will receive a special Silver Anniversary DMAC Patch.  DMAC Black Belt Grand Champion Awards will be based on overall scores in each division.

Admission for our family members and friends is always free.  Bring a camera and get some great shots of your family members and friends as they compete in this special championship tournament.

Pre-registration is the only way to sign up for the 25th DMAC.

Click here for more information and to download the DMAC information brochure.

You can register by clicking here.

Find the Right Martial Art for You

In the twentieth century, Asian martial arts spread across the western world in a number of ways. The popularity of film and television stars like Bruce Lee and others had a tremendous impact on American culture. In the 1960’s, martial arts training began to grow into the physical fitness, self-defense, and spiritual training ritual that has become in virtually every region of the country. For kids’ martial arts, Colorado offers training opportunities for boys and girls as young as five, through the Colorado Taekwondo Institute. For martial arts classes, campus locations around Denver and the Rocky Mountains, as well as locations like Golden and Lakewood, taekwondo is a great way for kids to build confidence and focus. Beyond taekwondo, students can learn qualities from a variety of Moo Sul Kwan martial arts that include hapkido and judo.

Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo

Moo Sul Kwan Black Belts in Korea

Chinese and Japanese arts like kung fu and karate have been popular in the U.S. since the 1960’s, but at the same time, centuries old arts of Korea also gained popularity through the teachings of Grandmaster Lee H. Park. At the Colorado Taekwondo Institute, Moo Sul Kwan taekwondo is practiced, beginning with Tiger classes for kids between two and five years old. Students will begin as white belts when they enter the youth program, learning the basic tenets of taekwondo, as well as basic sparring stances and positions.

The significance of the basic poses may seem trivial to many students at first. Moo Sul Kwan emphasizes the cultural significance of different poses, and how they are used to exemplify respect and sportsmanship, as well as honor of the traditions that allowed the practice to persevere through government outlaw of the sport and political upheaval. Just as other martial arts contain in their movements a variety of meanings, taekwondo is a practice that involves combat training, as well as spiritual grounding and physical fitness.

Hapkido Basics
Where taekwondo focuses on kicking techniques that optimize strength, speed and power, hapkido uses balance and physics to use leverage to your advantage against an opponent. Moo Sul Kwan practice includes emphasizes three identities of the martial art: combat, healing, and internal growth. Hapkido tradition is based on the study of how the body responds to external pressure and the economical use of body movements to create the most power.

Mastering the techniques of hapkido involves utilizing the position, balance, and movements in a way to create the most power, even against a larger, stronger opponent.This can be crucial for kids’ martial arts; Colorado Taekwondo Institute offers opportunities for Moo Sul Kwan students to boost their self-esteem and learn to overcome obstacles. Hapkido uses three theories that dictate movements: Yu, Won, and Wah:

• Yu (Theory of Flowing Water) – One way in which you can overcome the force of an opponent is to redirect the power, like flowing water, to force its energy to another location. Force, like water, will not contest an obstruction; it will simply find ways around it and therefore, can be deflected and diffused away from its original destination.
• Won (Theory of the Circle) – Symbolically, the circle is an important feature of hapkido in terms of life cycles and nature. In sparring, the circle represents the ever-present range of motion that needs to be defended and utilized to strike an opponent. The circle is also important in relation to the rejection of straight, or rigid movements, in favor of looser, flowing body movements that more closely resemble circles.
• Wha (Theory of Harmony) – Students studying hapkido focus on mind, body, environment, and technique. In order to integrate these aspects of the art, harmony becomes an essential element of hapkido training. To accomplish this, students learn to incorporate knowledge with movement, and then movement with environment, and finally combine these skills with well-practiced technique.

Judo and Mul Soo Kwan
Judo has a long history as a combat and self-defense technique. In Moo Sul Kwan training, judo techniques are taught with care to ensure the safety of kids. Judo and hapkido place an emphasis on “balance breaking” or using learned techniques to overcome the position of an opponent or defend against an opponent’s strike. Judo training helps bring about a physiological awareness that few other sports can elicit, and judo was developed as more than just a style of effective combat.

As with other kids’ martial arts, Colorado’s judo training can help students build physical strength and focus, increasing self-esteem through a safe way to develop muscles and physical fitness. Lakewood taekwondo classes can introduce students to a world of Asian martial arts in an environment that promotes sportsmanship, respect, and confidence building that can last a lifetime.

Sources:
http://taekwondobible.com/trainings/basic/basic.html
http://voices.yahoo.com/the-growth-spread-asian-martial-arts-the-6497384.html
http://www.hapkidoselfdefense.com/theories.htm

CTI Black Belt Team - South Korea, Part 2

The Black Belt Team Adventures Continue!

It's virtually impossible to relate all of the adventures, but here are some of the highlights . . .
It was 6:30 AM on day five, and the CTI Black Belt Team headed towards Kimpo International Airport for their flight to Jeju Island!

The 50 minute flight was quick, and pretty soon, the Team was on a new bus and it was touring time on Jeju Island.  First, the 42 made their way to Oedolgae Rock which had magnificient views and lots of intersting history and symbolism.  Lunch followed, featuring the infamous abalone noodles (ask a Team member), and it was on to Cheonjeyeon Falls.  The Team took a good hike down to the first falls and then over to the incredible second falls, while taking pictures, laughing and learning.

After a quick two minute drive, the Black Belt Team hit the beach to watch the surfers compete in a Korean surfing championship.  The Team got wet, lounged around and had some good fun!  (Ask a team member to explain what the bus driver did to them before they got back on the bus.).

Jusangjeolli Cliff  was the next scenic spot the Team visited.  It was another beautiful setting on the shores of Jeju Island.  Afterwards, it was time to journey back to Jeju City for a little shopping and an excellent chicken dinner - Korean-style!

One morning on Jeju Island, black belt team members got up at 6:00 AM at the Jeju Neighborhood Hotel and took a run on the back streets of Jeju City.  During the run, the group stopped at a hidden park in the middle of the city and did some board breaking for some eldserly early morning risers who were warming up with their own techniques.

On day six, after an incredible breakfast on the 17th floor, the Team went to explore Seongsan Sunrise Peak.  Group pictures were taken at the base of the volcano, in front of many happy Chinese tourists who were taking pictures of these Americans in MSK uniforms.  The Team then hiked up to the top of Mt. Halla.

The trek up to the top of the ancient volcano was a heated workout.  Mrs. Park led the way, and it turned out to be a wonderful experience.   At the to pof the crater, the Team took many pictures and also broke boards for the people from many different countries who were there.  Legs shaky from the volcano quest, everyone made it down safely, boarded the bus and journeyed to see the Hanyeo (diving ladies) and black rocks at the ocean.

After spending some time searching for sea creatures and watching the Hanyeo dive, it was on to Seongeup Folk Village where the team learned about living in ancient Jeju times.  The dynamic lady, who was the guide and actually lives the life, gave everyone a lively presentation about existing during the early days of Jeju Island . . . in Jeju-accented Korean.  Luckly, the Team had Mrs. Park and our tour guide, Yujin, to interpert the hilarious rantings of this Jeju native.

Go-Karts, Horseback Riding or ATVs?  Those were the choices before we went to dinner that evening. Mrs. Park led a group on horseback.  The ATV riders donned camoflauge,helmet and gear and rambled around.  Master John Sautel won at the Go-Kart track against some skilled drivers.

Could our CTI Black Belt Team possibly do any more?  You bet!

More of the trip continued on Part 3...

See some pictures of the trip!

CTI Black Belt Team - South Korea, Part 1

The CTI Black Belt Team at Kyung Hee University

Eleven day journey . . . thousands and thousands of miles . . . adventure after adventure after adventure . . . that pretty much sums up what our CTI Black Belt Team and Support Crew did on their tour of South Korea!  The group numbered 42, and everyone did a wonderful job the entire time.  Each really earned their World Tour Patch, because after the daily, multi-choices breakfast that was had, it was nine to nine each and every fun-filled day! 

On the first day, arriving at 5:30 AM from the United States, we met Mrs. Yung J. Park who was waiting for us when our plane landed.  After our first breakfast in the Land of the Morning Calm, the team got its "Korean legs" while touring Seoul National University's Ocean Wave Engineering project.  The walk around the campus located in Seoul, the wave research presentation and lunch at the university's Student Center got everyone acclimated quickly.

The next couple of days found the group touring ancient Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul, shopping at Insadong and Dongdaemun shopping areas and working out in Yongin City with the Kyung Hee University Taekwondo Teams.

Our CTI Black Belt Team was able to work with the three main teams at Kyung Hee University. (These Korean black belts get their degree in Taekwondo and Major in one of three areas - Poomse, Sparring or Demonstration.)  On this second day of the trip, the team trained with members of the Korean Olympic Sparring Team.  All between the ages of 18 and 24, the Korean team had lightning quick feet and pushed our team hard!  Exercises started out with some big time stretching.  Then it was on to exercises that help develop and improve sparring abilities.  The beginning
of the exercise was similar to what is done in our CTI Power Taekwondo.  A few sweaty hours later, it was time for a little free sparring.

The following day the team returned to Kyung Hee University and was met by the Kyung Hee Demonstration Team.  But before the drive to the training, the team did the most touristy-thing of the trip . . . that's right . . . they went to the Unhyeongung Royal Residence.and took turns dressing in the traditional costumes of the late 1800's for pictures, education and fun!  Afterwards the team went to the historic Myeongdong area for some shopping and lunch at a local Korean restaurant.

When our CTI Team did arrive at the university, we met the Kyung Hee Demo Team and they showed us their demonstration that included some basics and some excellent breaking techniques.  Then, the Kyung Hee Poomse Team took over.  After a few hours of training, including a good long warm-up and countless kicking drills, it was time to trade some Taegeuk poomse back and forth between groups.  Taeguek il chang was performed by the Korean black belts.  Then our black belts performed Taegeuk il chang for the hosts.  Then it was two poomses at a time, with the Koreans going first and then our CTI team going next.  All the poomses were alternated back and forth up to, and including, the sixth dan WTF poomse Ji-Tae.  After the poomses, the Korean Team members were split up with our team members to work on different poomse techniques.

It was time to head back to the Provista Hotel in Seoul, and get ready for one of our favorite parts of the whole trip - meeting the Park Family for dinner.  And it was not just an ordinary dinner, it was a Hanjeongsik - a many, many coursed meal of exotically prepared yumminess. On hand were two of Great Grandmaster Park's brothers Dr. Song H. Park, Dr. Young H. Park, and many of their family members.  It was quite an evening, and a night for our group to remember for a long time!

Stay tuned for Part 2 of the CTI Black Belt Team World Tour '14...

Check out some pictures by clicking here.