Finding a traditional school that I felt was run with a family atmosphere as opposed to a business atmosphere that could fit into my busy schedule both time and proximity wise was not as easy as I hoped. I took an intro class at four different schools before deciding to pursue my training at Kwon's Black Academy. This is certainly not the closest most convenient school for me to attend based on proximity to my work and home, but I felt that the sacrifice was well worth the education and training that I have received in the many years I have been a part of Kwon's family. I could not be happier with my decision to pursue my training with such a traditional and professional school. I always feel like a part of the family at Kwon's and have always benefited from and appreciate the dedication and encouragement that I have received over the years from such a wonderful organization.
I can't begin to tell you in how many ways I have benefited in my personal / professional life from my training. Martial arts truly becomes a part of who you are!
Dimitri Vassiliou
1st Dan Black Belt (March 3rd 2007)
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Martial Arts is a way of life to me. It is without a doubt something I needed but didn't know it. I will pursue it and continue to better myself physically and mentally. Martial Arts helps me in all aspects of my life everyday. My mind is sharper, my energy increased, my spirit lighter and my confidence higher. It helps to sharpen what I call "My Edge."
Martial Arts is in me and has given me everything I wanted, hoped for and had heard about. I have only just begun and I see the changes in my life. I am more humble, more respectful, less judgmental, more effective as a person.
Martial Arts helps give me an inner peace, which ultimately leads to satisfaction in life -- happiness. It is definitely a way of life for me for the rest of my life. I look forward to the unknown.
Thank you,
Denise M. Bones
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As Korean-Americans, Aaron, 8, and Eric, 5, are getting a little glimpse of their heritage through Tae Kwon Do classes. Years of observing and training at the Do Jang have helped them to gain respect and pride for the culture that Tae Kwon Do brings. The kicks and punches have helped the children to do so well with soccer and baseball. The concentration and focusing ability has increased tremendously as those qualities are emphasized over and over in the class, I do like an exercise where children are practicing to sit still and focus. I is such a discipline!!!
Aaron, Cho Dan Bo - Eric, 5th Gup Purple Belt
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Kim Judy (Green Belt):
1.
Get in shape - I was out of shape, over-weight, and loosing muscle tone;
I did not want to continued on that path or I figured I would barely be
able to walk at age 60.2. Self defense - I wanted to be able to take a walk in the woods, alone, without constant concern that I would not know how to protect myself should I be attaked.
Before joining Kwon's Black Belt Academy, I asked a friend, who had trained in Martial Arts for many years, how to choose a place to train (a Do Jang). He gave me a great list of questions to ask and things to look for - all of which Kwon's Black Belt Academy offers.
This included things like: an introductory program so I could see if Tae Kwon Do is really right for me; separate classes for children and adults; a traditional approach to training that stresses not only physical skill and technique but unified training of mind, body and spirit.
At the time I had no idea how important the philosophy of Tae Kwon Do (unity of mind, body and spirit) would turn out to be. However, now, I believe that it is one of the three things that set Kwon's Black Belt Academy apart from the other Karate places.
The other two are: 1) Kwon's great instructors - they challenge you to challenge yourself and yet never make you feel bad about what you don't know or don't do so well, and 2) the other students and Black Belts that train at Kwon's - many have gone out of their way to make me feel welcome, and to help me learn. It is just a little more fun when you are practicing with frendly faces.
I could probably list a dozen things that make training at Kwon's Black Belt Academy worthwhile to me; but the bottom line is that I am making progress towards my goals that I could not have done otherwise. I am loosing weight, getting leaner, gaining flexibiliy, and learning how to defend myself."
It is a way of life, at least this is my goal -- to make it a way of my life. It has made me stronger, it taught me to love and except myself. It helped me to understnad what I am. Because of my training I achieved many things I never thought I could. Training the mind, body and spirit -- it makes me feel complete.
Luda Vdovina
1st Dan Black Belt
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(Tae Kwon Do/Tang Soo Do) ... for me it is a way of life.It gives me pleasure and satisfaction.
Like a hobby it is somehting I enjoy. A hobby is something you may do to "get away" from the "real world." It does more for me though, it provides me with the ability to take what I learn here and apply it every where else in my life. A way of life is something that folows you throughout every day; whether you are doing that thing or not.It provides me with a set of codes by which I can make myself better in all things.
The fact that I play guitar has little affect on my professional life. For example, the fact that I am a martial arts weighs heavily in my professional and personal life. Partly because of the nature of Tae Kwon Do. Partly because of how I treat it.
The primary difference is your outlook on what you do. How you let it affect you when you are not doing it.
Steve Wright responding to questioning of our art
3rd Degree Black Belt