Nov. 1, 2009
Contact: Peter Jones
Director
Traditional TaeKwon-Do of Virginia
Phone: 540-414-3113
E-mail: tradtkd@gmail.com
NEW TAEKWON-DO SCHOOL OPENS IN STAUNTON
NON-CONTACT KOREAN MARTIAL ART SUITS STUDENTS FROM 6 TO 60
Peter Jones, a black belt in TaeKwon-Do since 2002, has opened a new school teaching the Korean martial art in downtown Staunton. Located on the second floor of 19 West Beverley St., Traditional TaeKwon-Do of Virginia currently offers training every day after school, Monday through Friday.
The weekly class schedule can be found on the school’s Web site at trad-tkd.com.
TaeKwon-Do is a martial art similar to other types of unarmed self-defense that originated in Asia — Karate in Japan and Kung Fu in China. While modernized martial arts have taken on a sports orientation that emphasizes interpersonal competition, traditional martial arts focus on personal growth.
The non-contact style of Korean martial arts, which suits students aged 6 to 60 and beyond, incorporates a set of hand and foot techniques — such as blocks, kicks, punches, strikes, jumps and spins — that enhance physical fitness as well as self-confidence. The self-defense techniques are taught in patterns, or forms, in addition to one-on-one sparring. Literally, TaeKwon-Do means “The Way or Path of the Foot and Hand.”
Traditional TaeKwon-Do differs from modernized forms of TaeKwon-Do and other martial arts in several important ways:
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The emphasis is on each student’s self-improvement rather than on competition with others.
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It is more aerobic than other styles.
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No physical contact is allowed in free sparring.
Traditional TaeKwon-Do of Virginia emphasizes the non-physical tenets of TaeKwon-Do: Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control and Indomitable Spirit. These are the most important lessons to be learned in the studio or dojang.
Children are taught that the ultimate strength is in being able to resolve conflict without violence. Being able to yell their loudest and kick their hardest in TaeKwon-Do class helps children relieve stress in a disciplined, appropriate way. They must work hard to improve their technique, which helps them develop mental strength and self-control.
TaeKwon-Do is the national sport of South Korea. A full-contact, modernized version of TaeKwon-Do sparring has been a medal event at the Summer Olympics since 2000. It is estimated that more than 30 million people in 123 countries currently practice a form of TaeKwon-Do.
Master Kwon
Master Kwon, Jae-Hwa (1937–), who is based in New York, N.Y., is a master teacher who has devoted his life to the art and practice of TaeKwon-Do. Unlike many other martial art masters in modern times who have long since retired, Master Kwon continues, at age 72, to teach a multitude of students every day. He is a living link between the masters of old and the practitioners of modern times. He is the last living martial art master of his generation.
Because of Master Kwon’s superior abilities and intangible qualities, he was chosen in 1965 by General Choi — Choi, Hong Hi (1918–2002), a South Korean army general and martial artist widely considered the founder of TaeKwon-Do — to be one of the master instructors to introduce TaeKwon-Do to Europe, Asia and the Middle East. After completing his mission, Master Kwon remained in Germany where he single-handedly built an International Federation of Traditional TaeKwon-Do schools. He later came to New York City and introduced Traditional TaeKwon-Do to the United States. Among his students were the late James Hamrick and his wife, Virginia, the founders of the International Black Belt Center in Charlottesville, Va.
Peter Jones
Peter Jones began his TaeKwon-Do training with the Hamricks in 1996 at the International Black Belt Center in Charlottesville, which was a member school of the Kwon, Jae-Hwa federation. In addition to his daily training at the Charlottesville school, Jones also traveled frequently to Master Kwon’s dojangs in New York, N.Y., and Portland, Oregon, for special programs. He also spent several months between 1997 and 2007 training and teaching at many of the schools within Master Kwon’s federation in Germany and Austria, as well as in Charlottesville and Richmond, Va. Master Kwon conducted and certified all of Jones’ black belt tests.
When not at his school in Staunton, Jones produces an internationally syndicated children’s radio program, “Tell Us A Tale,” heard on stations in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Taiwan. He also works as a professional storyteller in the U.S. and Europe, and has performed in German in the Austrian Alps.
With Master Kwon’s encouragement, Jones opened Traditional TaeKwon-Do of Virginia in downtown Staunton in August.
Traditional TaeKwon-Do of Virginia
At Traditional TaeKwon-Do of Virginia in Staunton, four levels of classes are offered: Children (6-8), Youth (9-11), Adult (12 and above), and Senior (50 and above). All classes are traditional, meaning that sparring is non-contact. And all students are welcome to arrive 15 minutes before the start of classes for individual practice and warm-up.
Children: For students 6-8 years old, this program introduces basic TaeKwon-Do techniques in an atmosphere that combines playfulness with discipline. The classes are 45 minutes long. $60/month
Youth: For students 9-11 years old, this program works to improve students’ techniques and helps them set goals, as well as develop their self-control. The classes are 45 minutes long. $65/month
Adult: For students 12 years old and up, this program offers highly aerobic, strength-building workouts that develop fitness, coordination, speed and flexibility, along with improving focus and concentration. The classes are 60 minutes long. $75/month
Senior: For students 50 years and up, this program is designed for adults of all fitness levels who may not be physically ready to train in the regular adult program. Both adult programs teach the same TaeKwon-Do techniques and forms, but this one is joint-friendly (has no jumping) and runs at a slower pace. The classes are 45 minutes long. $55/month
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For more information, visit our Web site at trad-tkd.com, send us an e-mail at tradtkd@gmail.com, or call us at 540-414-3113.
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