EVERYONE!

One of the best things about our classes is that families, teens, kids, and adults can all work together! Whether you’re 8 or 80, you’ll conquer challenges designed just for you!

Our main courses come out of Traditional TaeKwon-Do, where we learn stances, blocks, hand strikes, patterns (sometimes called “kata” or “forms”), and a particular emphasis on kicking and balance.

Every class, we will focus on a couple subjects specific to your belt rank (link ranks), then practicing using target pads or heavy bags. After a few ranks (link testing), we include sparring (hyperlink) to help students overcome the anxiety of facing an opponent. Additionally, we work on practical defense concepts, preparing both body and mind.

Our instructors are 5th Degree Black Belt Kenton Good and Brian Brown.

To learn more about our instructors, click here.

We use belt colors to indicate what knowledge each student has learned.

Everyone starts with a White Belt, meaning they’ve just begun this exciting journey! The colors then go Yellow, Green, Blue, Red, and finally Black Belt, with half-steps in between each. There is a physical test between each of these ranks.

Yes. Rank tests for Yellow-Red belts are performed every 4 months (April, August, December).

During your test, you will be asked to demonstrate your pattern and the techniques from that semester. Each Test usually occurs during a normal class time. There is an additional testing fee of $X to cover belts, boards, and certificates.

Pressure is privilege… meaning you are asked because you can prevail in the challenge. This is a great time to show off the results of your hard work!

Earning a Black Belt is a huge milestone on your journey to martial arts mastery, but it is just the beginning!

Receiving your 1st Degree Black Belt means you’ve learned all the basics, and are now ready to begin perfecting your technique, strategies, power, and readiness. It takes 3-4 years to earn a Black Belt. That sounds like a long time! But just like school, a 4th grader may have 4 years of understanding, but they still have 8 YEARS to graduate High School! And then another 4 years for a college degree!? And that STILL doesn’t make a master!

YES! Sparring is a fun and important exercise to train so many aspects of martial arts!

Many people enjoy the heart-pumping thrill and camaraderie that comes from competition! We offer a special session on Friday nights just for this purpose! In our class, we emphasize light contact with protective gear so students understand how to use their skills while maintaining a safer environment.

Importantly, sparring is NOT the same as fighting. Sparring is more like a game with a set of rules and a point system that is used to help determine a winner. Before anyone begins sparring, the instructors will evaluate the student’s ability to control their movement and power, to help reduce risk to other students.

Much of what we teach can be used for defending yourself or others. Alongside the techniques learned at each rank, we address some common scenarios and reactions to keep yourself safe. 

Self defense isn’t a one-time lesson, but a dedication to preparing yourself, through practiced situations and responses, with a developed mind and body, to be ready.

Yes. Sparring gear consists of padded headgear, gloves, and boots. Initially, students in class can borrow gear, but we’ll ask that students purchase their own gear.

*Every student should have a fitted mouthguard, and bring it with them for every class.

*Male students should wear a protective cup under their uniform for every class.

YES!

Once a student reaches Green Belt, we encourage the purchase of their own sparring gear. Order your gear through us! We’ll help you choose the right size for each piece. Orders typically arrive in less than a week. Your gear will fit you better, help you get ready faster, and be a color of your choice!

At a minimum, you’ll need headgear, gloves, and boots (pictures), but we highly recommend shin pads as well.

Additional protective gear is optional, such as full-face shielded headgear, forearm pads, and chest protector.

The goal of all martial arts is peace. As part of our Student Oath (link), we emphasize building a peaceful world and to not misuse the skills we teach.

However, real life is unpredictable, and violence may find its way to anyone. It is important to understand violence and train one’s reactions to help reduce the consequences.

We discuss how human body mechanics work, both in how to keep oneself safe and how to cause injury to another. We discuss the mind of an attacker and defender, which can be unsettling for some.

While the goal of training is to avoid pain and injuries, incidental contact is all but inevitable. We do our best to maintain a safe and controlled environment, but bumps and bruises are not uncommon.