FAQ

We believe everyone and every child should have an inclusive place to learn not only martial arts, but social skills. We value all humans and their abilities. We understand that not all physical disabilities can be seen and we know that there is a range of abilities for all types of people. We value what you CAN do, not what you cannot do (yet!). We would love to meet you and/or your child to see how we can best provide instruction. Our community is accepting and understands what it means to be a martial arts family. We are welcoming to all, we strive to ensure there will be no differences in the treatment of persons because of race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity.

TaeKwonDo is an official Olympic sport and there are many opportunities for all ages. Our school does compete. Form Competition: you'll go up against others on the performance of your patterns, much like a gymnastics event. You're judged individually on your accuracy, strength, balance, and coordination. It's highly competitive, beautiful, and inspiring to watch. People of all ages participate - from 3 to 90! Sparring Competition: there are many entry levels ranging from no contact to full-contact. There is continuous sparring as well as a point based system where participants stop and reset after each point earned. Tournaments are quite fun! You'll meet other students from different schools, all learning and training just like you. Friendships form because the martial arts community is a close-knit tribe.

We do promotion testing about every two (2) months for color belts and every six (6) months for Black belts. You must come to class often, display proficiency in forms, step sparring, and free sparring. You must also display your knowledge and have volunteered within the community to be eligible for testing day. We have a "pre-testing" event the week of promotion testing to help you prepare. Once you join, you'll have access to the Student Expectations and the Student Manuals. In the expectations, we outline all the requirements for testing.

You can try a FREE class before you decide to join our school. We love offering this option because it gives us a chance to get to know you, and you get to know us!

You can start at anytime! We do not go by sessions. We provide one on one instruction when a student needs it. You are welcome to observe a class or jump right in for your FREE trial class. Go to "JOIN" in the menu to find out more. We train all ages together, but each Martial Arts has a minimum age requirement. Taekwondo: 4 years old to adult KumDo: 12 years to adult Kali: 12 years to adult Kyudo: 16 years to adult Aikido: 18 years to adult

We believe everyone and every child should have an inclusive place to learn not only martial arts, but social skills. We value all humans and their different learning styles. We have many in our community that are autistic, have ADHD, anxiety, depression, and other neurodivergent traits. We would love to meet you and your child to see how we can best provide instruction. Our community is accepting and understands what it means to be a martial arts family. We are welcoming to all, we strive to ensure there will be no differences in the treatment of persons because of race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity.

It is different for every person. Each martial art has different skills and time-in-rank requirements, in addition to participating in tournaments, demonstrations, and teaching responsibilities. On average, for both Taekwondo and KumDo: it is possible to achieve a black belt in about 3-4 years, if one attends class frequently and consistently.

Yes!!! When the college board is reviewing your transcripts and application, martial arts will be unique and intriguing! Martial Arts such as Taekwondo and KumDo require discipline and consistency much like going out for a regular school sport. However, Taekwondo and KumDo are a way of life instead of a season sport, like a lot of the school sports. In that way, Taekwondo and KumDo show a greater consistency and commitment to the community. Plus, we do participate in tournaments! There are individual and team opportunities! Another benefit is that our school requires community volunteering between each promotion testing, which is a great addition to your college application. With testing being every two (2) months, you'll be volunteering a lot over the years!

Everyone is different. Read about Taekwondo, Kumdo, Aikido and Kyudo to see what meets your goals. Taekwondo has a minimum age of 4 years old. KumDo and Kali have a minimum age of 12 years old to join. Kyudo has a minimum age of 16 years old, but you must be a minimum of 5 feet tall due to the length of the bow. Aikido has a minimum age of 18 years old to join. Starting with Taekwondo at ages 11 and under is a great basis for all other martial arts.

It depends on how you sign up, but generally Taekwondo is $99/mo (parents train for free with their child) and KumDo, Kyudo Renmei*, and Aikido are $20/mo. *Please see the Kyudo class page For now, the Kali class is free, but we may add a monthly fee in 2025.

New members should wear comfortable athletic clothes such as workout pants and a t-shirt. We practice in bare feet. After you join, you'll get a uniform that is required to be worn for each class and during promotion testing.

It depends on which days you come. And we recommend at least 2, if not 3-4 days per week. In general, we bow in to class, then we stretch together. After that we work on techniques related to your belt level. This can include kicking technique, forms, step sparring, free sparring, and more. Each night the white board will have an outline of what we plan to work on for class.

Yes, Grandmaster Ms. Lonnie Matthews is a Master Instructor certified by the Kukkiwon. She is also able to process Kukkiwon certifications. Kukkiwon is the recognized governing organization for Olympic or WT style Taekwondo. When you recive a Kukkiwon Dan certificate is equates to international acceptance of Taekwondo skills.

Students arrive at the school (“Dojang” (Korean name martial art’s school)) 10-15 minutes prior to class time to stretch and practice forms. Students say hello to instructors by bowing and saying 단결 Dangyeol (meaning: Unity). Symbolizing unity amongst each other, unity with other martial arts students/schools, unity with the world as a whole.

Taekwondo is a way of life, and the philosophy is appealing to many. Taekwondo forms (called "poomsae") and techniques represent beauty, grace and power. Forms help to build mental concentration and confidence. Forms are the foundation of developing mental discipline. Each pattern represents a specific historical personage or philosophical concept. Learning Taekwondo forms is very educational, and is a culturally enlightening experience.

These classes are invite only based on a range of factors. Our Elite class is taught virtually by Master Kwok from Florida. We are very excited to have him as one of our virtual instructors. Our Demo Class is for those who help us with Demonstrations at parties, events, festivals, etc.

There are so many benefits to a regular martial arts practice. Some of the benefits we see in our students of ALL ages are: - Better focus, concentration, and organization - Learning respect for self and others - Increased self-esteem and self-confidence - Greater self-discipline and mental toughness - Improved strength, stamina, balance, and flexibility - Learning patience with self and others - Stress relief and increased energy - Personal safety and competency in self-defense - Giving back to the community

Generally, we honor rank from other clubs. You are welcome to practice with us. Please be ready to accept and learn our forms and techniques.

All Kum Do students wear a set of blue jacket and pants do-bok (martial arts uniform) and a colored dee (belt) due to their ranks. Advanced students also make use of protective armor (hogu) if they wish to participate in competitive matches.

Classes are divided into sword application and sparring classes. Sword application includes strong emphasis on basic sword technique, step sparring and forms. Students will begin with using a wooden sword for safety to learn how to block, strikes and slash. Step sparring teaches real sword techniques to defend and counter attack; the emphasis is on mental discipline and developing reflexes. Sparring classes include physical conditioning drills to improve health and speed and endurance as well as target practice to improve striking skills. All of this is combined into practice sparring matches, where students test their skills in competition. Advanced students practice live blade cutting with reed mats. KumDo is great for students who want to develop mental agility and improve their physical health. • KumDo is both physical and psychological training. • Kum (sword) with a sword one can practice to improve one’s physical ability by practicing various attacks and blocks.

In KumDo, Armor is called Hogu. Students do not need to buy armor right away. Hogu is usually not needed until a student is more advanced. **used equipment is sometimes available

Students will train various KumDo forms in classes. The main document for KumDo forms is Mu-ye-do-bo-tong-ji, which is the encyclopedia of 5000 years of Korean Martial Arts finished in Cho-Sun dynasty. The world’s oldest sword form (over 1500 years old), Bon-kuk-kum-bup will be trained in class for colored belt students.

You must be 12 years old or older to join Open Weapons class. We have people using hyup do, nunchuck, Bo staff, sai, two swords, and a single kumdo sword. Other options are available, and Master Cusmano will usually get other weapons out for participants to try. During class we'll also work on both traditional forms and building creative forms and basic and more advanced strikes. Open Weapons is more unstructured class than regular Taekwond or KumDo classes. When tournaments are near participants tend to focus on tournament forms.

Yes. Many different sword techniques and forms were used extensively in battles in medieval Korea. Generally, officers were equipped with multiple swords with a spear or a spear-length sword on the horse. Foot soldiers were equipped with one sword, double swords, or a spear due to different types of military division. Once firearms were introduced in Korea (mid-16th century), however, the sword declined in use and was practiced primarily by martial artists families for maintaining the heritage and by governmental institutes as a means of spiritual development among officers.

No. Same as other martial arts, just basic equipment is required to get started in Kum Do. Also, there is rentable equipment available for beginners for a nominal fee and at no cost for trial students.

Yes. Sabumnims (masters) wear a set of red colored do-bok, which is different from students.

Mok-dos and juk-dos vary in size due to the holder’s style. Basic regulated jang-dos are between 0.95 and 1.05 meters in length (37.5-41.5 inches). Adult size Jang-do juk-dos (long competition bamboo sword) are maximum 1.20 meters in length (47.3 inches) and weigh a minimum 500 grams (1.08 lbs). Hyup-do juk-dos are between 1.70 and 2.00 meters in length (67-78.8 inches) and weigh a minimum of 650 grams (1.4 lbs).

No. Experience in other martial arts, while it may be helpful, is not a prerequisite for studying KumDo.