What is Taekwondo?

Taekwondo is a Korean martial art that uses discipline as a means of developing and enhancing mental, physical, and spiritual health. Translated, Tae means foot, kwon means fist, and do means the way, hence, Taekwondo means The Way of the Foot and Fist. It is a physically dynamic art that showcases a myriad of kicking skills. Today, it is a global sport that has gained an international reputation, and is among the official games of the Olympics.

• Develop strong minds, bodies, and spirits
• Build focus skills
• Raise self-esteem
• Develop and build positive character traits
• Become self-secure
• Learn basic – and vital – self-defense techniques

Yes, Virginia, you can learn martial arts, too!

We love to work with young martial artists, and we accept students beginning at age 3. (That's right: If they won't pee on our mat and can follow direction, they're welcome.) Martial arts is especially beneficial to youths who struggle with inattention. Taekwondo helps boys and girls struggling with ADD/ADHD to build focus skills and channel all that extra energy in a positive manner. As a result of better focus, their classroom behavior and school grades often improve.

Tao of Texas's chief instructor, Cathy Chapaty, is a 17-year martial arts veteran with 9 years experience teaching young students with ADD, ADHD, and other challenges. She is respected among parents not only for teaching their children how to defend themselves, but also for her insistense in old-fashioned manners. New students earn their white belts by saying "Yes, ma'am," "No, ma'am," and "Thank you, ma'am" at appropriate times. Parents love the school's character development program.

Character Development: Our Foundation, Our Future

It is understood at Tao of Texas that "character is the only rank." This idea is reinforced by the cornerstone of Tao of Texas's character development program, Basic Rules to Live By, a 10-point system that teaches youth how to practice respect, responsibility, integrity – even cleanliness – on and off the mat. As a result, our young students become more respectful of their family members, teachers, and peers, and later become kinder and more responsible parents, husbands, wives, employees, and neighbors. Students know that they risk losing their hard-earned rank if their are rude, selfish, or inconsiderate. They also know that they gain respect and rewards for doing the right thing.

Our Motto: Don't Quit

To practice Taekwondo at Tao of Texas, you have to be willing to try your best, whatever that is. You say you're not a slim, trim Olympic athlete? Neither are we. Tao of Texas students simply live by a motto of "Don't Quit." We even have a policy that if a student says “can't” that they pump out 50 push-ups. Why? Because if you say you can’t, chances are you'll never try. And if you never try, you're guaranteed to never accomplish your dreams. But more spiritually important, if you never accomplish your dreams, you are left with regret. Taekwondo provides the balance, confidence, and inner and outer strength to help its students accomplish all sorts of goals and dreams.

Even yours.

Change You Can Believe In

Mahatma Gandhi once said, "Be the change you wish to see in the world." What change do you want to see in your life? With a positive attitude, open heart, and humble spirit, anything is possible. If you are so called, please join us at Tao of Texas. Begin the 10,000-mile journey today. You will not regret one step.