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AMERICAN TAE KWON DO ACADEMY Frank R. Coppola III-President |
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Family Exercise with a Purpose
About our
At the American Tae Kwon Do Academy, our mission is
to provide quality “Family Exercise with a Purpose”. Our program was developed with the
individual, family and community in mind and our membership ages range from
tots to grandparents. Our exercise
program provides muscle and strength building; coordination and balance;
agility and flexibility. In addition to
enhancing self-confidence through self-defense skills, members learn teamwork
and caring by working with and helping other members. Many of our classes are offered at YMCA
facilities since our values align closely with the YMCA’s principles of caring,
honesty, respect and responsibility.
Members also experience the challenges and rewards of goal setting by
progressing through the rank of beginner (White Belt) to advanced (Degrees of
Black Belt).
Individual, family and
community:
While our Tot Kwon Do program caters to pre-school
members ages 3 to 5½, our general program is open to individuals 6 and
older. Our program is enhanced with a
broad mix of children to seniors working together and learning the art of
self-defense. Skill and ability are not
bounded by age group, but rather by level of mastery of the martial arts
discipline. Family members enjoy the
opportunity to workout together while developing lasting friendships that
extend beyond the class environment.
Many as well enjoy the opportunity to give back to the larger community.
Self-defense and exercise:
Most
people are aware that martial arts provide solid self-defense skills. Many are not as familiar with the general
health benefits and the fact that not all programs are akin to “Boxing
clubs.” Through our rigorous and
disciplined basics portion of the program members receive a solid
cardiovascular workout ranging for about 30 minutes per class. Through our forms and, pre-arranged
sequences of self-defense techniques, members improve their balance, speed,
agility, and flexibility. Our Non-Contact
Sparring provides a safe means to learn effective self-defense skills.
Confidence, caring and caution:
Through enhanced self-defense skills individuals gain
confidence. By working with other
members, they learn the importance of caution.
Students learn how important it is to help each other acquire self-defense
skills with the right level of care and respect for their own ability and that
of their opponent to insure a safe and fun experience for all. One key component of the program is for upper
belts to regularly work with lower belts to impart their knowledge, while at
the same time broadening their own skills through the teaching experience. Children gain confidence by working with
adults on the same skill level, and in some cases by instructing adults. This is indeed a unique opportunity for
children to develop leadership and interpersonal skills.
-Frank R.
Coppola III