Tae Kwon Do Schedule

ClassSchedule (updated 1/21/10)

What is Tae Kwon Do?

Tae Kwon Do, literally translated to “hand foot way(art)”, is sometimes referred to as ‘Korean Karate’ because it is based on ancient Korean methods of self-defense. The techniques practiced in Tae Kwon Do are hundred of years old but were first introduced to the Korean population in the mid 1940’s. Introduced to the Olympic games in Seoul, Korea in 1988, most people are familiar with Tae Kwon Do as a spectacle of high and flying kicks and quick punching techniques. However, at Mission Martial Arts, Chung Do Kwan is the school of Tae Kwon Do practiced. Introduced to the United States in 1963 by Grandmaster Duk Sung Son, Chung Do Kwon puts an emphasis on solid ground based kicking and highly effective self-defense techniques.

What do you mean ‘schools’ of Tae Kwon Do?
In 1944 there was only one Tae Kwon Do school in Korea, but as the years went by, more schools or ‘Kwans’ began opening up. Although there were 8 main Kwans by 1953, the largest was the Chung Do Kwan institute. This is why, if you have watched or practiced Tae Kwon Do in the past, this school may seem very different. Because the basics, forms and class structure vary from school to school, unless you have studied Chung Do Kwan before, you must start as at the beginner level regardless of your previous martial arts experience.

How can Tae Kwon Do help me?
Besides being one of the most intense cardiovascular workouts you can get, Tae Kwon Do teaches effective self-defense techniques that could save your life. By practicing even once or twice a week you will learn to utilize your body more efficiently and develop speed, power, balance, focus, accuracy and much more.

So, is Tae Kwon Do good for Kids?
Tae Kwon Do is great for kids, especially if they possess the ability to stay even moderately focused on the teacher and the lesson at hand. The pacing of the children’s class is intended to motivate the students to concentrate, work hard and practice respect, while building their dexterity and coordination. The skills learned in Tae Kwon Do class have been proven to extend to all aspects of life including school and home life. Some children, especially young children, find it hard to understand that, although Tae Kwon Do is fun, it is not playtime. If a child is unwilling to learn, or becomes a disruption to the development of the class, he may be not ready for Tae Kwon Do.

Instructor: Pat Natoli 4th Dan

As owner and operator of Mission Martial Arts, Pat Natoli holds a 4th Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do under the World Martial Arts Association. With almost 20 years of martial arts experience, Pat has taught students of all ages in Brooklyn and Manhattan. In 1995 Pat Natoli founded the Fordham University at Lincoln Center Tae Kwon Do Club and has been instructing there since. In the past 15 years, the Fordham Club has produced over 20 black belt students and alumni. In 2004, Pat began teaching classes for children after school at the Albee School of Dance in Brooklyn, NY. With the astounding success of that program over the past two years, and the opportunity to create a new state-of-the-art, clean and comfortable studio, Mission Martial Arts was born. From beginner to expert level, we are dedicated to providing a motivational atmosphere that encourages emotional, mental and physical development without the burdens of anxiety or fear of injury.

A Brief History

Prior to the 1940's, practice of the martial arts was banned in Korea due to the Japanese occupation of the territory. However, the practice continued underground in the form of training in Tae Kyon. Many Korean's learned various Japanese martial arts while in Japan. One of these men was Grandmaster Woon Kook Lee who trained under Gigen Funikoshi the great founder of Shotokan.

Grandmaster Lee became a 3rd Dan under Funikoshi in Shotokan before returning to Korea. When Master Lee finished his university schooling he came back to Korea in 1944. This was before the end of the war so to start a martial arts school, Master Lee had to apply for a license with the Japanese government. They rejected the application twice, but finally allowed him on the third try. So Master Lee began teaching Tang Soo Do (the Korean translation of Karate-Do, literally meaning "China Hand Way") in the Yung Shin School Gym in Sa De Mun, Ok Chun Dong district in Seoul. He named his school "Chung Do Kwan" which means Blue Wave Gym. One of the men that started training with Master Lee in the beginning was a Mr. Duk Sung Son a young boxer. After the war was over (August 15.1945) there was civil unrest and gang fighting in the streets. During this time other martial art schools (Kwan's) were formed, some by students of Master Lee. In a few years there were many martial art schools. But, the largest was the Chung Do Kwan institute.

Under Master Lee's watchful eye and guidance, by 1947 the government saw the value in Master Lee's martial arts school -- teaching honor, courage, loyalty, and discipline. So finally the government began to support the training. Master Duk Sung Son was appointed headmaster over the Chung Do Kwan. In 1955 an effort was made by the various Kwans to have some sort of National Unity in the Korean Martial Arts. At this time he was teaching Tae Kwon Do to novice policemen and with his growing reputation he became the original chief instructor of Tae Kwon Do for the Republic of Korea's Army and Military Academy. Master Son and General Choi (of the ITF) were both on the panel that came up with the name "Tae Kwon Do" for the Korean martial art. In 1961 the Korean government put pressure on the Kwans to unify, forming the Korean Tae Kwon Do Association (KTA) with General Choi as president.

Some of the Kwan's especially the Chung Do Kwan wanted to keep their identity and training methods and remained aloof. But in 1962 the Korean government only recognized the rank of those in the KTA. Many of the Tae Kwon Do masters were frustrated with the restrictions this placed on Tae Kwon Do training, so in the late 1960's many Masters left Korea and formed Tae Kwon Do organizations outside of Korea. In 1963 Grandmaster Son and several of the Chung Do Kwan institute masters came to the United States. Then in 1966 Grandmaster Son united the Chung Do Kwan masters under the World Tae Kwon Do Association (WTA).

While in the United States Grandmaster Son has taught at West Point, Yale, Princeton, Brown, Columbia, New York University, Fordham, Stony Brook, and Providence. While at Fordham University, a young man named Michael T. Dealy came under the tutelage of Mr. Son and soon became the President of the Tae Kwon Do club at The Fordham Rose Hill Campus. Over the next three decades, Michael Dealy trained as Mr. Son’s top student, winning numerous tournament competitions and performing in countless Tae Kwon Do exhibitions around the world. During this time Mr. Dealy earned his Masters Degree in Comparative Literature and his Ph.D in Psychology from Fordham University. By the early 90’s Michael Dealy had an astounding number of champion students of his own and founded the World Martial Arts Association (WMAA) which currently has chapters in New York, California, Texas and Indiana.

Headquartered in Brooklyn NY, The WMAA is home to hundreds of students practicing Martial Arts all over the United States, with frequent training camps to the Catskill Mountains. Under Headmaster Dealy, currently 9th Dan, Tae Kwon Do is taught as an intense, vicious and practical art while focused on encouraging experiences and unconditional positive regard. Tae Kwon Do is for students of all ages, and families are encouraged to practice together. There is no better way to stay in shape while learning discipline, respect, focus, strength, and an indomitable fighting spirit.
Everyone exists in the shadow of the mission …

Class Breakdown

K is for Karate' Tae Kwon Do (4 - 6) – This class is for children between the ages of 4 and 6 years old and lasts approximately 45 Minutes. Students younger than 5 years of age may participate by invitation only. This short Tae Kwon Do class incorporates the fundamental parts including basics, forms (kata), sparring, agility exercises and bag work. Students in this class only practice a portion of the exercises at the beginner level (white belt) until they pass a preliminary promotion test known as the ‘First Form Test’. Upon promotion to the next official colored rank of yellow belt, the student may be invited to attend the Youth Class.

Tae Kwon Do Youth (7 - 12) – A youth Tae Kwon Do class is for all students 7 to 12 years old and is taught at a moderate pace . Students younger than 7 years of age may participate by invitation only. This traditional Tae Kwon Do class incorporates all of the fundamental parts including basics, forms (kata), freestyle sparring, three-step sparring, agility exercises and bag work. It is for all belt levels and lasts for approximately 1 hour. Students in this class conform to the official Tae Kwon Do belt system.

Tae Kwon Do Adult (13+) – An adult Tae Kwon Do class is for any student 13 years old and above and is paced for mature students. Students younger than 13 years of age may participate by invitation only. This traditional Tae Kwon Do class incorporates all of the fundamental parts including basics, forms (kata), freestyle sparring, three-step sparring, agility exercises and bag work. This class is for all belt levels and lasts for approximately 1 hour. Students in this class conform to the official Tae Kwon Do belt system.

Tuition and Payment Options

Registration
Student Registration Fee - (includes uniform and patches) : $50
WMAA Membership -
All students are required to pay a yearly World Martial Arts Association membership fee to be eligible for promotional tests, tournaments, trips and special events. $40

Tuition Options
Please inquire about tuition options.

Family Discounts
If more than one member of your household would like to practice Tae Kwon Do, you may be eligible for our family discounts. Discounts are applied to total tuition for all family members and does not apply to registration fees.

2 family members practicing : 10 % off
3 family members practicing : 15 % off
4 family members practicing : 20 % off

Additional Services

Private Lessons - Inquire about scheduling private lessons at Mission Martial Arts. Have a one-on-one or bring a friend or two and split the cost.

Children’s Birthday Parties - Have your child be the one to introduce his friends to the art of Tae Kwon Do. Kids will have a blast eating cake and breaking boards while they learn some Tae Kwon Do and when it should and should NOT be used.