new Taekwon-Do school serving Jarvie, alberta and surrounding area!
Sokownin's Taekwon-Do is affiliated with the International Taekwon-do Federation. Taekwon-do is a Korean martial art specializing in patterns, sparring and most importantly, self-defence.
After 23 years of teaching in Southern Alberta, Mr. Sokownin has relocated with his wife and family to the area and is excited to start a new school.
To become a great leader you must become a great follower, a great follower had a great leader. Students train like their instructors.
Who we are
Sokownin's Taekwon-Do is affliated with the worldwide international Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) and adheres to its standards, belt levels and patterns. Competitions are held provincially, regionally, nationally, and worldly each year. Our Taekwon-Do school provides instruction for the whole family, with children starting as young as grade one. You can expect to recieve instruction on Taekwon-Do techniques, patterns, sparring, and endurance - all with a special emphasis on self-defence.
Meet the Instructor
Mr. Dennis Sokownin, 5th Degree Black Belt, started teaching Taekwon-Do in Pincher Creek in 1998. At that time he operated as a branch school off of Murphy's Taekwon-Do located in Lethbridge. In 2007, it became independently owned as a Sokownin's Taekwon-Do when Mr. Sokownin achieved his 4th degree and now holds an International Instructors Certificate. Mr. Sokownin is now training for his 6th degree!
Mr. Sokownin is an energetic and charismatic leader, who not only focuses on the physical elements of the martial art but aims to implement morals and values that our students have taken throughout their lives. At Sokownin's Taekwon-Do the goal is not simply just to make great athletes or fighters, but to understand what the martial art is truly about.
Benefits of Taekwon-Do
The mind and body benefits of this martial art are remarkable and all encompassing. Improved muscle tone, strength and stamina, along with flexibility, agility and reflexes are all achieved through this full body workout. It's great for stress relief, building confidence and self esteem as well as self discipline and developing leadership skills. We have been recommended by health care professionals as well as teachers in the school system to help their patients and students in various ways. In addition, the RCMP detachment and EMS have benefited from our self defence seminars in order to further their de-escalation training.
Our History
Taekwon-Do was founded by General Choi Hong Hi in 1955 and was ultimately used by the Korean military forces. This Korean Martial art was used for self defence in a morally corrupt, materialistic and selfish society, as well as violent times when people felt they needed to protect themselves.
General Choi Hong Hi had previously acquired a black belt in Japanese Karate, but as he began teaching Karate to his soldiers, he decided to develop a martial art native to his own country, Korea, that would be superior in both spirit and technique to Japanese Karate. On April 11th, 1955, Taekwon-Do became the new martial art for Korea. with its own fundamental theories and principles that are completely different from any other martial art in the world.
Our Methodology
At Sokownin's Taekwon-Do we seek to create great athletes and fighters as well as teach them life lessons/skills that help result in our students being strong and upstanding citizens. Take a look below at some of the methodologies we here at Sokownin's Taekwon-Do value and teach.
Patterns
A major focus in ITF Taekwon-Do is pattern training. Patterns aim to teach students to identify either attack or defence techniques but they also enable a student to acquire certain special techniques, "which cannot be obtained from either fundamental exercises or sparring. In short, a pattern can be compared with a unit tactic or a word, if fundamental movement is an individual soldier's training or alphabet. Accordingly, pattern, the ledger of every movement, is a series of sparring, power, feats, and characteristic beauty. Though sparring may merely indicate that an opponent is more or less advanced, patterns are a more critical barometer in evaluating an individual's technique." (Taken from 'Taekwondo' written by Gen. Choi Hong Hi, page 524)
Here at Sokownin's Taekwon-Do we like to work on stances, SINE wave movement, total power or energy, practicing the total application of movement, visualization and memorization, developing power by practicing weaker movements, and physical conditioning. Through the practice of all of these it results in our students having a better understanding, which results in better execution.
Sparring / Self-defence
We base our concept for free sparing off of the image of a tree.
The roots represent fitness, endurance, stamina, strong muscles, flexibility, reflex, mental preparation, nutrition, rest, and weight control.
The trunk represent knowing the rules of ITF tournaments, free sparing position, footwork, blocking and dodging, strategy and coaching.
The leaves represent accuracy, techniques, distance, timing, and speed.
Tournaments
Tournaments are an optional element of Sokownin's Taekwon-Do. Tournaments bring experience to the school and the fighter regardless of the outcome.
The Respect of Martial Arts
We observe the following Tenets of Taekwon-Do and the Oath of Taekwon-Do created by ITF.
The Five Tenets are courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, and an indomitable spirit. At Sokownin's Taekwon-Do we value these Tenets at the core of who we are and how we seek to teach our students. They shape every aspect of our approach.
We also teach the Oath of Taekwon-Do which is as follows,
"I shall observe the tenets of Taekwon-Do.
I shall respect my Instructors and Seniors.
I shall never misuse Taekwon-Do.
I shall be a champion of freedom and justice.
I shall build a more peaceful world."
Our services
We are now currently serving Jarvie Alberta and the surrounding areas, we are so excited to welcome you and your children!
All ages 6+ and skill levels are welcome
SOKOWNIN'S TAEKWON-DO
FREE Trial class and registration TUESDAY, September 19, 2023 from 6;00-7:00 PM
Classes will be held on TUESDAY And THURSDAY evenings from 6:00-7:00 PM weekly.
See our posts, photos, and more on our Facebook
We hope to see you soon!
