| Northwest Tae Kwon Do (NWTKD) was originally founded in 1966 by
Grand Master Sun Do Chung in Tacoma, Washington. The association was
started to further the development of outstanding technique in the art
of Tae Kwon Do.
Master Ric Gordon is now the leader of NWTKD and is
known in the martial arts community for producing some of the nation's
top amateur athletes. Master Gordon teaches Tae guk, Palgwe, ITF Hyungs,
Tang Soo Do, Ship Pal Gae and Song Moo Sool patterns. Additionally, the
program instructs Olympic style sparring, Point, (light or non contact)
sparring as well as pressure points, Hapkido and Tu Kong Moo Sool style
self defense. These varied styles provide his students with a large and
diverse repertoire of martial arts knowledge.
NWTKD is a non-profit
organization that recognizes the value in offering Tae Kwon Do to the
widest range of students possible. When you join NWTKD you are not just
taking lessons, you are becoming part of a larger family that supports
and encourages personal growth and physical well being within our
martial arts community.
NWTKD has branch schools in Spanaway, Lakewood, Tacoma, Vancouver, Federal Way,
Washington. The current organization maintains
our headquarters in Spanaway, Washington with a board of directors as
instructors. The NWTKD Association is the Representative of the Pacific
Northwest AAU TKD Association. The Chair for the PNWTKD is Mr. Ric
Gordon; Mr. Paul Ingles is the Vice Chair |
Principles and Objectives of Martial Arts Training:
- Courtesy: respect for others
- Integrity: honesty, moral character
- Perseverance: patience
- Self-control: turning our weaknesses into
strengths
- Indomitable Spirit: courage in the face of
trial or danger
- Community Service: helping others
Love: humility, selflessness
The above are taught in some form with each
class session and are reinforced to students throughout their martial
art training, regardless of rank.
The objective of the Northwest Tae Kwon Do
Association is not to train fighters, but to create an opportunity for
people to become more productive members of their community. Anyone,
regardless of age or ability, can achieve personal fulfillment and
satisfaction. In the pursuit of self satisfaction and fulfillment, our
students have demonstrated personal excellence by achieving over thirty
national champions in the past three years. |
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Benefits of Martial
Arts:
| The students at Northwest Tae Kwon Do
Association are very diverse, consisting of various ages and abilities.
Adults will find that training will keep them fit, help improve their
cardiovascular (circulatory) systems, and give them the needed skills
and confidence to reduce stress and help maintain better control of
their lives outside the dojang.
Women will especially enjoy the
benefits of increased self-esteem and confidence by learning to
recognize danger and feel comfortable in being able to defend
themselves.
Special attention is always given to
children and their parents. Children acquire self-esteem and learn basic
values such as mutual respect and sportsmanship, as well as safety and
how to watch out for and avoid danger.
Social, educational, and
friendly
competitive events are offered to promote a community spirit and family
atmosphere.
Special seminars conducted by guest
martial artists give students an opportunity to expand their interests
and learn new techniques from other martial art styles, and offer new
areas for personal growth.
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Additional Benefits of Training:
- Weight control
- Increased flexibility
- Improved lung capacity (amount of oxygen
carried in the lungs)
- Improved blood circulation
- Physical and mental growth
- Self-defense / coordination
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