Thank you for visiting our web site and congratulations on your decision to getinvolved in martial arts with your family. I know from experience that training in Tae Kwon Do with your family will be one of the most rewarding activities you have ever done. Training side-by-side with your child will provide you with shared goals, quality family time, and an opportunity to meet a great group of friendly people.
Of course, you'll also have a lot of fun as you improve your fitness, gain self-defense skills and learn the exciting Korean martial art of Tae Kwon Do. This site will provide you with an explanation of the special opportunity's available through our family classes. It will also explain what you can expect to experience when getting started. In addition, you can read some stories about other families currently benefiting from Tae Kwon Do.
Let me begin by first answering some of the common questions new students have when getting involved with Tae Kwon Do.
Question #1: What is Tae Kwon Do and how is it different from other martial arts? The different martial arts all originated in different countries thousands of years ago as forms of self-defense. For example, Karate comes from Japan, Kung Fu from China and Tae Kwon Do is native to Korea. In terms of martial art techniques, Tae Kwon Do emphasizes kicks more than other martial arts, making it ideal for improving your child's strength, balance, flexibility and endurance.
Question #2: At what age can children start? Our experience has shown that children ages five and up will be able to take the greatest advantage from Tae Kwon Do classes. Though we do have children as young as three training here, they start in a class called Little Tigers, before moving onto children's classes. Starting at age five, your child is eligible to participate in trial program, which allow our instructors to work with them one on one and evaluate their readiness for Tae Kwon Do classes. Our staff will then use their experience to recommend the best course of action for you to take with your child.
Question #3: Does it increase aggressiveness? Absolutely not! Your child will be taught from the first lesson that a true "Tae Kwon Do kid" never misuses their martial arts skills. Throughout their training, they will be reminded that being physically and mentally tough doesn't allow one to be tough with others. Instead, Tae Kwon Do students are expected to be humble, courteous, respectful and careful about when and where they practice their skills. Our instructors will continually educate your child that Tae Kwon Do is a form of exercise and self improvement, not a tool for bullying or intimidation.
Question #4: Will I attend classes with my child? Definitely! In fact many families are finding Tae Kwon Do to be the perfect family activity, combining an exciting workout with a new learning experience. At our U.S. Tae Kwon Do Centers, your entire family will have the choice of attending their children's or adults' class separately or coming together as a group to our family classes. Either way you'll have a great time and create a special family bond. I'm sure that the more you read about our program, the more excited you'll be about getting involved. Once you do get started, here is just a short list of the benefits you can expect.
Tae Kwon Do is a great form of family fitness
It's unlikely that your child can attend a health club with you. And you would probably feel a little out of place if you joined in with your son or daughter's soccer or baseball team. Yet at U.S. Tae Kwon Do Centers, every member of your family (child, teen and adult) can train together side by side.
This is a great chance to gain respect for each family member's abilities and an opportunity to learn from one another. As a parent, you will also be setting an invaluable example for your child about the importance of regular exercise
In addition, Tae Kwon Do combines the best of several forms of physical training. Stretching and calisthenics will improve your flexibility and balance. Kicking drills and partner work will improve your endurance and timing and the different forms and curriculum requirements will improve your strength and muscle tone.
Best of all, no two classes are alike. You and your children will appreciate the varied, high-energy workouts and be motivated to attend lessons regularly.
Tae Kwon Do is excellent at creating a strong family bond
The pursuit of Black Belt excellence is a worthwhile goal that will bring your family closer together. It is likely that different members of your family will progress at different rates. As a result, you will have the chance to assist, coach and cheer one another on through the different requirements.
You will also share the pride of seeing each family member advance and move on to a new belt. It is something that the entire family will be proud of!
Many parents also appreciate the fact that Tae Kwon Do is based on the principles of courtesy, respect, and cooperation. They find that as a result of taking Tae Kwon Do, children are more well-mannered and behave better at home. They also tend to get along with their siblings and treat household chores more responsibly.
The Tae Kwon Do school is a great place to meet other positive people and good role models!
As a parent, I'm sure you are always aware of the places your child goes and the people that surround them. Even when it comes to yourself, I'm sure you've always realized that the quality of people in your life often determines the quality of your life. At the U.S. Tae Kwon Do Centers, you can be confident that you and your family will be developing relationships with sincere, motivated, healthy families dedicated to your self-improvement.
You'll also be pleased to know that in addition to our regular classes, we also offer a full calendar of dynamic events designed to improve your martial arts experience and foster friendships among students.
Our special events include Board Breaking classes, Summer Picnic, Christmas Party, Birthday Parties, Summer Programs, and a board Break-A-Thon for charity. It's our goal to make our Tae Kwon Do school a valuable resource for your family and community, providing a place to exercise, socialize, and network. We are a "family club!"
I'm happy to share with you some comments provided by satisfied families:
Irena and Timmy 
Last summer my son Timothy and I suffered a huge loss. I lost my husband to cancer when our son was only 4. It was a time that I needed to focus my energies on something positive and productive. Martial Arts was something that I had always wanted to do but somehow had never gotten around to it. One day I drove by the U.S. Tae Kwon Do Center and decided to stop in. I liked what I heard and the energy I felt was very appealing. My son and I signed up to start in the fall just after his 5th birthday. Although I thought I might be too old to start working on my black belt, I really wanted to do it.
The curriculum, the goals, and the philosophy all seemed to be just what I needed for my son. As a single mother I knew I had to develop a strong sense of self and be a positive role model in my son's life. Patience was also something that I hoped we could both develop in Tae Kwon Do. We are both green belts now and our goal is to obtain our black belts. It is a commitment and will take a lot of work but we both really enjoy it.
The staff at the U.S. Tae Kwon Do Center have been wonderful, they are dedicated and hardworking. There are times when Tim is very tired and struggles to come to class, but once I get him there, the USTC staff are very patient and always manage to motivate him.
The other students are great. They are helpful, friendly, and very supportive. I felt that Tim and I fit in right away at the school. We enjoy our individual as well as family class time. In particular, we love Board Breaking class as they are always so much fun. I'm very glad I made the decision for us to join the U.S. Tae Kwon Do Center.
Ed & Kacie
My name is Ed and my daughter’s name is Kacie. She’s six years old and I’m 44. We joined USTC in November of 2003. In the short time that we have been here, I’ve noticed positive changes in Kacie’s attitude and behavior. She shows more respect towards people and is more focused in her school work.
I attribute these changes in Kacie to the discipline and respect being instilled in her by the instructors at US Tae Kwon Do. They lead by example, teach with patience, and provide positive motivation to ensure each student’s progress. As for myself, I’m fulfilling a lifelong desire to work towards a black belt. When I was younger I took a few classes, but I never followed through and it has always been in the back of my mind. Now I am in the best shape I have been in in many, many years (too many).
We take class together on Saturdays and we practice at home. Tae Kwon Do has definitely brought us closer together as a family and I would highly recommend US Tae Kwon Do to anyone looking to improve their lives and spend quality time together as a family.
By now I'm sure that you are interested in trying out Tae Kwon Do for your family. The best way to do that is through our trial program. Please take a moment to contact us today.
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