|
Taekwondo is a
great opportunity for children and adults of all ages to
develop self-esteem as well as strength, flexibility and
coordination. This YMCA class, a Karate-for-Kids
program offered through the American Taekwondo Association,
is suitable for all ages, from 4 years old to 80 years old.
Sessions run monthly (except for the Black Belt Club which
runs bi-monthly). Participants are issued an initial uniform
at no extra cost with two paid sessions. Students learn
discipline, respect, responsibility and self-control as
their physical conditioning and ability increase. Students
are given the opportunity to advance in belt ranking and
compete in occasional tournaments (belt testing and tournaments
require an extra fee). All classes are taught by, Mr.
Steve Kreter, Nationally Certified Instructor
for the American Tae Kwon Do Association. He is also
certified as a defensive tactics instructor for the PPCT
systems. |
|
|
|
| Classes
are held at our Satellite location at 172 S. Jefferson
every Tuesday / Thursday and Saturdays at the following
times: |
|
Tuesday
& Thursday |
|
 |
| Tiny
Tigers (ages 4 - 6) |
4:30pm |
|
| Beginner
(W, O, Y) |
5:00pm |
|
| Intermediate
(C, G, P) |
5:30pm |
|
| Advanced
(B, Br, R) |
6:15pm |
|
| Black
Belts / Leadership |
7:00pm |
|
| Private
Lessons (by appointment only) |
3:30pm
& 4:30pm |
|
***Classes are subject to participation minimums and
may be canceled if these are not met.
For more information about our TaeKwonDo program,
call and ask to speak with our TaeKwonDo program
call (660)202-7150.
|
|
| Cost:
contact Steve Kreter & Trainers |
|
|
|
|
|
This program is based on a lifetime
learning concept in addition to technical skills.
The concepts taught are Self-Control, Courtesy, Integrity,
Confidence, Self-Esteem, Perseverance, Respect and
Dedication. We also work to develop the YMCA principles
of
caring,
honesty, responsibility,
and respect.
Our Karate-for-Kids program includes the unique victory
patch. Kids are awarded special victory stars for
outstanding performance in karate class, school, home
or tournament competition. |
PARENTS ASSOCIATION |
We have an active association which
does a wide variety of things to help make each student's
experience special. They put on special events and
fun activities for the students and assist with fundraising
to defray tournament costs. |
|
|
Tiny Tigers
(ages 4 to 6) |
|
Our
preschool program, Tiny Tigers program was developed
specifically for children ages 4 through
6. It is designed to encourage social, emotional,
physical and intellectual growth in children. The program offers a strong foundation in essential
character qualities such as courtesy, respect, and discipline.
In addition, the program is designed to improve children's
motor skills and enhance their ability to pay attention
and follow directions.
We
help to improve students’ attention span, memory,
socialization skills, courtesy, respect and
discipline. By the time your child starts school you
and their teacher will notice the improved behavior
that our students show over other children.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Karate
for Kids (ages 7 to 15) |
|
Our
Karate for Kids program teaches the positive mental attitude
they need for everything from breaking boards to success in
other sports such as baseball and basketball. Helping kids
understand truthfulness and honesty is one of the more
important goals of this program.
A Karate Kid
never gives up. Karate Kids go out of their way to help
people — from helping out friends to helping the family
with chores and things beyond their normal responsibilities.
Our program teaches self-discipline in areas like
self-control, homework, manners, and picking up after
yourself. The instructor teaches the importance of choices
and consequences in everyday life. |
| |
|
|
|
| |
Adult
Program (ages 16 & up) |
| Adults
and young adults — you can expect the same kind of
benefits as our kids programs provide. In addition,
training in TaeKwonDo will provide the following
benefits:
|
- Fitness
- Self-Defense
- Street
Defense
- Stress
Relief
- Self-Confidence
- Plus
lots of fun and more!
|
|
|
TaeKwonDo
is something the whole family can do and enjoy
together!
|
|
|
|
|
TaeKwonDo
is
the martial art for all ages |
|
SELF-DEFENSE |
WEAPONS
|
-
Grappling
-
Knife
Defense
-
Joint
manipulations
|
-
Bo-Staff
-
Nunchakus
-
Escrima
Stick
-
Others
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
The Belts |
| In
Songahm TaeKwonDo, our belts reflect a member's proven level
of competence and (just as importantly) the progression of
colors reflects an inner journey that never truly ends. Each
belt achieved is truly an accomplishment worthy of respect.
It is also worth noting that
achieving a belt isn't just a matter of "spending
enough time" in a previous belt. In order to achieve
their next rank, a student must demonstrate their
proficiency in their current belt's techniques, to include
Basic Moves, Sparring, and Forms. |
|
ATA
TAEKWONDO BELTS
SONGAHM
RANKING |
| White |
-
"Pure
and without the knowledge of Songahm
Taekwondo. As with the Pine Tree, the seed
must now be planted and nourished to
develop strong roots."
-
The
student has no knowledge of Songahm
Taekwondo and begins with a clean (pure)
slate.
-
Purity
is often signified by the color white.
|
| Orange |
-
"The
sun is beginning to rise. As with the
morning's dawn, only the beauty of the
sunrise is seen rather than the immense
power."
-
The
beginner student sees the beauty of the
art of Taekwondo but has not yet
experienced the power of the technique.
-
Orange
is found among the many colors of the
sunrise.
|
| Yellow |
-
"The
seed is beginning to see the
sunlight."
-
The
student begins to understand the basics of
Taekwondo.
-
The
sun appears to be yellow.
|
| Camouflage |
- "The
sapling is hidden amongst the taller pines
and must now fight its way upward."
- The
student begins to realize his/her place in
the world's largest martial art. The
student must now begin to spar in order to
promote in rank.
- Camouflage
(greens) is used to hide among the trees
in the forest.
|
| Green |
- "The
pine tree is beginning to develop and grow
in strength."
- The
student's technique is developing power.
The components of the basic techniques are
beginning to work in unison.
- As the
pine tree develops, it sprouts green
pine needles.
|
| Purple |
- "Coming
to the mountain. The tree is in the
mid-growth and now the path becomes
steep."
- The
student has crossed over over into a
higher level of SOngahm Taekwondo. The
techniques, poom-sae (forms), and level of
gyeo-roo-gi (sparring) becomes more
difficult, creating a "mountain"
that must be overcome.
- Mountains
are often depicted as being purple.
|
| Blue |
- "The tree reaches
for the sky toward new heights."
- Having passed the
mid-way point, the student focuses his/her
energy upward toward black belt.
- The sky
appears as blue.
|
| Brown |
- "The
tree is firmly rooted in the earth."
- At
this point the student has mastered the
basics and developed deep roots in
Taekwondo.
- Brown
is known as an earthy color, such as dirt.
|
| Red |
- "The
sun is setting. The first phase of growth
has been accomplished."
- The
first day (the period of time from white
belt to red belt) of growth is coming to
an end. The physical skill has been
developed but lacks control; therefore,
physical and mental discipline must now be
achieved.
- Variations
of red are found among
the many colors of the sunset.
|
| Red/Black |
- "The
dawn of a new day. The sun breaks through
the darkness."
- The
previous day has ended, giving way to a
new dawn. The student must begin a new
phase of training; that of being a black
belt.
- The
red is the sun (in a
sunrise) as it breaks
through the black of
night.
|
| Black |
- "The
tree has reached maturity and has overcome
the darkness... it must now 'plant seeds
for the future.'"
- The
color black is created when all the colors
of the light spectrum have been absorbed
into an object. That object has
"taken control" of the colors
and retained them. If one color was to
"escape", the object would no
longer be black but would appear as that
color. The student has mastered the nine
geup (grades) of Taekwondo. He/she has
"absorbed" all the knowledge of
the color ranks and overcome or
"mastered" that level or
training.
- The
colors of the spectrum are bound together
and are not reflected off an object,
resulting in the absence of color which we
call black.
|
|
The
Black Belt Program |
| The
Black Belt Program is a program developed by the
ATA. It is open to all students regardless of
rank or age. Black Belt Club members are those
individuals who have set their goal at black
belt. Students must know exactly what their goal
is if they are to move toward it with desire and
conviction. A Black Belt Club patch is worn on
the left sleeve of the uniform to remind them of their
goal every time they put on their uniform. |
|
|
Sparring |
| Sparring is offered
without additional charge to all yellow belts and above. Light
contact with full protective equipment is used to promote
self control, increase timing, and build physical endurance. |
ATA & the ATA
Fee |
American
Taekwondo Association
is the largest Martial Arts Organization in the
world. It is a part of the World
Traditional Taekwondo Union. The ATA has one million members
and two thousand schools in the United States.
This association offers the belt certifications, world wide
tournament eligibility, and program curriculum. The ATA
fee is an annual membership fee which includes a quarterly
magazine, belt certification, and eligibility to participate
in tournaments.
(This is not to be confused for tournament fees which are
separate.) The ATA fee is required to participate in tournaments,
and eligibility for belt certification. The ATA fee provides
annual membership to the American Taekwondo Association,
and a quarterly Magazine. |
