What is Taekwondo?

Taekwondo is a Korean martial art that builds focus, confidence, and mental, physical, and spiritual strength and 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

Building Better Character—and Focus—Every Day

Martial arts is especially beneficial to youths who struggle with inattention. Taekwondo helps boys and girls struggling with 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. It helps those with Asperger’s syndrome connect with others via safe group activities and builds confidence in social situations.

Tao of Texas chief instructor CATHY CHAPATY is a 19-year martial arts veteran with 11 years experience teaching young students with a variety of challenges. She is respected among parents not only for teaching their children how to defend themselves, but also for building confidence and planting seeds of determination via a “don’t quit” motto.

Character development traits are emphasized just as much as kicking and punching. The first lesson involves showing respect to parents and siblings. New students earn their white belts by saying “Yes, ma’am/sir,” “No, ma’am/sir,” and “Thank you, ma’am/sir” at appropriate times at home.

Tao of Texas’s character development program, Basic Rules to Live By, is a 10-point system (detailed below) that teaches youths how to practice respect, responsibility, integrity—even cleanliness—on and off the mat.

1. We must respect our parents and family members at all time.
2. We must greet family members when we come home, and say goodbye when we leave.
3. We must be honest and truthful at all times.
4. We must build and maintain a good relationship with our brothers and sisters at all times.
5. We must help with household chores.
6. We must wash our hair and body, and brush our teeth every day.
7. We must clean our room and keep it clean.
8. We must not rudely interrupt another’s conversation.
9. We must complete our homework (or project) and turn it in on time.
10. We must respect our teachers and peers at all times.

As a result of practicing Basic Rules to Live By, 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 they 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 study Taekwondo at Tao of Texas, all that’s required is a desire to learn and a willingness to try your best. Tao of Texas students live by a simple 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? When people say they can’t, chances are they’ll never try. And if they never try, they’re guaranteed to never accomplish their dreams. But more spiritually important, if they never accomplish their dreams, they are left with regret. Taekwondo provides the balance, confidence, and inner and outer strength to help its students accomplish a multitude of goals and dreams. Trust us: You’re no different.

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 and willing spirit, anything is possible. Join us at Tao of Texas. Begin the 10,000-mile journey today. You will not regret one step.