December 9, 2010

The seminar started with an extensive warm-up followed by an hour long focus on proper kicking drills. Sabum Nim Morningstar as always introduced a new way to keep training fresh.  One drill in particular followed the Chon-Ji diagram with kicks in place of hand techniques.  This spin gave an entire new perspective on how to combine kicking drills while still practicing the tuls diagram.  After a short break Sabum Nim  led the group in all the patterns from Chon-Ji to Moon Moo.  This was a great time for Mr. Rick Windsor, Mr. Sean Sutton, Mr. Fran Ott and many other students as it is the last time they will be able to have their patterns critiqued by their instructor before promotions in Oakville, Ontario at the Techinal Seminar in January. 

Bringing the event to a close was a demonstration by Sabum Nim. He demonstrated Moon-Moo followed by a barrage of hand a foot breaks including a blindfolded 180* Jumping Back Kick and a 5 board knifehand strike. It was a great day for all that attended and inspired everyone to get back in the Do-Jang as soon as possible. 

Submitted by Mr. Fran Ott 4th Dan

December 6, 2010

The International Taekwon-Do Academy (ITA) is proud to join TAO.  The ITA Dojang is located in Phoenix, AZ, under Head Instructor 6th Dan Mr. Lee Benson.  For over 20 years, Mr. Benson has focused on Traditional Taekwon-Do, per the General, in his training and instruction.  The ITA focuses on students leaving the world in a better place than when they came into it.   This is based on Mr. Benson’s philosophy toward self and world improvement.  The ITA may be small in number, but what it lacks in numbers it makes up for in students who strive to live the tenets of Taekwon-Do on a daily basis.  If you find yourself in the Phoenix area, please feel free to come and train; the door is open!

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November 24, 2010

On November 19th to 22nd  TAO Technical Director Mike Morningstar conducted the 9th annual seminar for all students of Cabot Taekwon-Do in St. John’s, Newfoundland.  Saturday morning consisted of a 3 hour-long seminar from white belt to black belt after which Mr. Morningstar did a short demonstration.  That was followed by Black Belt training that covered patterns Kwang-Gae up to Moon-Moo.  Mr. Morningstar also did some one-on-one training with Mr. Winsor.

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In the evening on Saturday, Mr. Winsor organised a dinner banquet for the black belts to celebrate the 9th annual seminar.   Mr. Winsor presented Mr. Morningstar with a beautiful painting of Cabot Tower, personally engraved to Mr. Morningstar comemorating his visit.  Sunday was a day of sightseeing visiting such famous spots as Cabot Tower, Signal Hill and Cape Spear, the most easterly point in North America.  Congratulations to Cabot Taekwon-Do and Mr. Winsor in doing a fantastic job promotiong the true Taekwon-Do of General Choi in the Province of Newfoundland.

November 6, 2010

This past weekend, November 6^th and 7^th, Johnson’s Taekwon Do hosted a 8-hour technical seminar taught by Mr. Mike Morningstar. The seminar on November 6^th began with an intense warm-up followed by fundamental exercises, kicking drills, patterns, 3-step sparring and finally self-defense. Saturday was for yellow-stripe and above and was thoroughly enjoyed by all. The seminar was well attended with over 30 students.  Sunday, November 7^th was exclusively black-belt training which included a warm-up and critical breakdown of both red belt and black belt patterns.

Special thanks to those who attended.  Mr. Denis Alvey from Chon-Ji Martial Arts in Hamilton and to Mr. Morningstar and his students who came from Oakville to attend. We look forward to the next opportunity to have Mr. Morningstar share with us his extensive knowledge of Taekwon Do.

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October 28, 2010

Fifteen Oakridge Taekwon-Do students from Yellow Stripe to Red Stripe recently attempted and were successful in their quest for new ranks.  The test was conducted bt TAO Technical Director Mr. Mike Morningstar and assisted by Oakridge Taekwon-Do head instructor Mrs. Cathy Hadubiak.  Congratulations on your promotions and good work promoting Taekwon-Do in the City of London.

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October 21, 2010

The TAO Promotion Committee has been recently selected and is comprised of six individuals (as specified in the TAO By-Laws) ranking 5th Dan and above with official qualifications as Instructors, Examiners and Judges.  

They are as follows:

Master Vincent Affatigato (Chairman), 7th Dan, Mr. Charles McGinnis, 6th Dan, Mr. Lee Benson, 6th Dan, Mr. Rudy Johnson, 5th Dan, Mr. Mike Morningstar, 5th Dan & Mr. Craig Myers, 5th Dan.

The purpose of the TAO Promotion Committee is to follow General Choi Hong Hi’s principles in keeping Technical perfection at the forefront of all TAO developments.  They are responsible for all technical matters with regards to Gup and Dan exam standardization, and to ensure that the teachings of the Founder are kept Traditional, Authentic and Original for future generations. 

This group of individuals is as diverse as TAO and is comprised of members from the USA and Canada.  They represent all of the members of the TAO and strive to maintain the integrity and tradition of Chang Hun Taekwon-Do while at the same time assuring that TAO continually grows and moves forward into the mainstream.

October 6, 2010

The TAO “AGM & Annual Technical Conference� is scheduled for Friday, Saturday and Sunday January 21-23, 2011.  This training is open to all Red Belts and Black Belts and will cover from Chon-Ji to Tong-Il. 

There is no cost for this training.

The Annual General Meeting will be on the Friday evening at 7:00pm in the Argus Meeting room of the Holiday Inn Oakville Center.  The Saturday portion of the training will take place in the Trafalgar Ball Room of the Holiday Inn Oakville Center and will begin at 9:00am and run through until 5:00pm.  Sundays training will be at the Main Dojang of Morningstar Taekwon-Do in Oakville, just minutes from the Holiday Inn.  Sundays training will be from 9:00am to Noon and will be for 3rd Dan and higher. 

This training is limited to the first 100 participants.  Deadline for registration is January 10, 2011.  Rooms have been reserved at the Holiday Inn for those who need to stay a few nights.  Please mention the “Taekwon-Do Technical Conference�  to benefit from the special event room rate of $104.00/night based on 4 people per room.  The room release date is December 15, 2010.

Information packages have been sent out complete with registration forms, schedule of events and posters.  If you have not received the package please contact TAO Technical Director Mr. Morningstar.

September 27, 2010

Albuquerque Taekwon-Do had its third of four gup testing’s last Saturday September 25, 2010.  These are pictures of the first hour and a half white and yellow belt kids testing.  During the last two hours white through red belt adults and teens were tested.

72 students were tested in all.

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September 9, 2010

During the Labour Day weekend on Sunday September 4th Master Affatigato conducted a Red Belt & Up training.  The training was held at Master Affatigato’s Dojang in Brooklyn, New York.  Training started with cardio and conditioning then through various kicking drills, self defence and weapon self defence.

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August 12, 2010

With our recent change in direction, we have  made some additions to the Board of Directors.   Mr. Johnson has moved from Vice-President to Senior Vice President and two new board positions were created. 

Mr. Rick Winsor (4th Dan) of St. John’s Newfoundland has been appointed as the Vice-President for Canada and Mr. Lee Benson (6th Dan) of Phoenix, Arizona has been appointed as the Vice-President for the USA.  Both gentlemen bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the Board of Directors of TAO.  Congatulations!