Tae Kwon Do is a Korean Martial Art that is practiced all over the world. Literally translated, the Korean word "Tae" means to "kick with the foot". "Kwon" implies "a hand or fist to block, punch, or strike". "Do" means an "art" or "way". Thus, "Tae Kwon Do" means, "the art of kicking, blocking and punching". While similar in some ways to Chinese Kung Fu or Japanese Karate, Tae Kwon Do's most prominent feature is it's emphasis on dynamic kicking.

Through disciplined training, Tae Kwon Do improves both the mind and body, placing great emphasis on the development of personal character. Students are taught that self control, self discipline, kindness, and humility must accompany their increased physical strength and ability. Tae Kwon Do is not merely a physical fighting skill, it is also a way of life.

In addition to being a effective form of self defense, Tae Kwon Do is also practiced as a competitive sport which is now even an Olympic event. Well defined rules have been established that make Tae Kwon Do sparring one of the most fast-paced and exciting competitions you'll ever see. While participation in competitions is completely optional, a fairly large number of our students, both adults and children, do choose to compete in local and national tournaments to put their skills to the test. In addition to sparring, most tournaments also typically involve poomse (sets of pre-defined movements against imaginary opponents) and board breaking.

Children from 5 and up learn self discipline, confidence and respect as well as physical fitness in the children's Tae Kwon Do classes. All children are taught at their own pace to develop their maximum potential.

Teenagers gain self confidence as they train side by side with the adults. By training with adults, teenagers achieve a sense of maturity that often doesn't occur in many of the other activities in which teens normally participate. While gaining physical strength and self defense skills that instill confidence, they also gain the inner strength to walk away from conflicts.

Adults study Martial Arts for self protection, physical fitness and the development of a more positive mental attitude. Unlike jogging or workouts at the gym, where the body is active but the mind is still free to dwell on the day's problems, the Tae Kwon Do classes offered at the center demand that the mind is focused on the lesson or exercise at hand. The result is that the problems of the day are forgotten and you end class with your body invigorated and your mind and spirt refreshed.

Senior Adults appreciate the fact that Tae Kwon Do is one of the few activities that covers all four of the Four Fitness Building Blocks that the AARP recommends for better health:
   Endurance - activities that boost your heart rate and breathing for an extended period of time
   Strength - activities that build muscle and make bones stronger
   Flexibility - activities that involve stretching and increase your range of motion
   Balance - activities that help you maintain posture and balance to keep you from falling.

Instruction: At our World Class Tae Kwon Do Schools, training is led by experienced professional instructors that are not only expert martial artists but also exceptional teachers. They know how to make classes interesting, challenging, and fun for every student from the youngest white belt to the most senior black belt. A typical class will start off with strengthening & stretching exercises and then may lead into any or all of the following:

• punching, kicking, & blocking drills with a partner,
• punching, kicking, & blocking drills using hand targets and body shields,
• non-contact sparring with a partner,
• poomse (forms),
• one-step sparring (pre-arranged attack and defend scenarios),
• self defense locks & holds (Hapkido).