Taekwondo is a dynamic martial art that derived from ancient fighting styles. Taekwondo itself is a relatively new martial art, as it was formed in the 1950’s. In development, elements of Taekwondo were drawn from Karate, Taekkyon, Tangsoodo as well as hundreds of years of Korean fighting heritage. As Taekwondo progressed, instructors broke away from the source and created their own version of Taekwondo. The most well-known separation is with Grandmaster General Choi who broke off from the main structure of Taekwondo to begin the International Taekwondo Federation. Others formed their own interpretations and schools of thought known as the Kwans.
      There are 10 Kwans and they are: Chung Do Kwan, Moo Duk Kwan, Jido Kwan, Song Moo Kwan, Chang Moo Kwan, Kang Duk Won, Jung Do Kwan, Oh Do Kwan, Han Moo Kwan and Kwan li Kwan. Each Kwan holds its sovereignty today while honoring and respecting the leadership of Kukkiwon. Kukkiwon is World Taekwondo Headquarters. Kukkiwon holds the international poom/dan ranking (black belt certificate) accreditation for Taekwondo. Kukkiwon is the forefront for the development, education, and promotion of the highest standard of Taekwondo. Currently there are 7,005 legitimate dojangs (Taekwondo Schools/programs) around the world, with 3,076 right here in the United States.
      Here in Pennsylvania, there are 41. In order to be a legitimate Taekwondo School, the owner must be at least a 4th Dan or higher Kukkiwon certificate holder with their 3rd class or higher Kukkiwon master/test examiner. This esteemed program provides the availability for students to obtain International black belt recognition and access to international competition. At the time of this article, there are currently 10,790,509 black belts world wide, with 412,727 in the United States. It has been addressed in other articles what Taekwondo is not. Feel free to read through these on what to watch out for and avoid when considering a martial arts school.
      Previously mentioned, is the break off of instructors from the source. As mentioned, the ITF is by far the largest shoot off of Kukkiwon (World Taekwondo Headquarters). A serious and worth mentioning break off is the ATA, (American Taekwondo Association). Unlike the ITF which form and style resembles Karate and is rigid and structured, the ATA is a watered-down off shoot from the ITF. The ATA claims competitions, state, national and even internationally. These are solely within the ATA and hold no value accept to the false achievement of the practitioner.
      For a true sense of competition, World Taekwondo (WT), formerly World Taekwondo Federation (WTF), is the governing body of international Taekwondo Competition, including the Olympics. That’s right! Taekwondo is an Olympic sport! It was first introduced in the olympics in 1988, in Seoul, Korea, and became an official medaling event in 2000, at the Sydney Summer Olympics. Here in the United States, USATKD (United States of America Taekwondo) is the only pipeline to international and Olympic competition. Each year, USATKD has state, National, Team Trials, and other events for competitors. States can see anywhere from a couple hundred to 500 some competitors while nationals there can be well over 4,000 competitors. It is worth mentioning the standard of competition. WT sets the standard of competition and holds its officials, IR’s (International Referees) to the highest standard. These same standards continue with USATKD with yearly seminars and training along with excellent competitions. Surely, with all of these standards there are still students who slide by and individuals who monopolize on this system to make a profit. However, Kukkiwon and World Taekwondo, along with USATKD, remain the highest standard of Taekwondo. 
      Master Reilly’s Family Martial Arts, LLC, is one of only three Kukkiwon Dojangs in Western Pennsylvania. In 2020, we had seven students achieve international black belt. Competition was difficult for 2020, as the Covid-19 pandemic caused all competition to be canceled, including the summer Olympics.
      However, last year three of our students qualified for nationals along with Master Reilly, through USATKD. Master Reilly also achieved the highest level of national poomsae (form/pattern) judge. Master Reilly is also a National sparring referee and is Vice-president of Pennsylvania Taekwondo; the official governing council for PATKD competition for USATKD.
      Taekwondo is about standard. Yes, there is sparring, kicking, punching, striking, and flying awesomeness. Yes, there is confidence and character building. There is the form of Taekwondo. Taekwondo form is full encompassing of all things Taekwondo, but so much more. It incorporates Korean culture, language, virtue, and tradition. To interpret Taekwondo form separate from the source is to lose all guidelines and standard, all understanding and method of Taekwondo. Kukkiwon is Taekwondo and anything outside of this is a counterfeit. To claim Taekwondo without standard, governance, education, development, competition and achievement is absurd. Watch out for the imitations, the frauds. Those that over compensate and use “filler”. Kukkiwon is Taekwondo, and Taekwondo is Kukkiwon. If your program is not Kukkiwon and offering you a real chance, or taking you to legitimate competitions, you are being lied to. It’s not about opinions, there are plenty of opinions across the vast internet. The history and legitimacy of competition in Taekwondo stands with Kukkiwon, WT, and USATKD. 
    If you would like to know more about Kukkiwon, feel free to click here. If you want to know more about World Taekwondo, click here. If you want to know more about USATKD click here. If you want to know more about PATKD click here. Feel free to also read through our other articles in our education blog. 

~Master Reilly

   In the martial arts it is imperative that balance is exercised throughout training. Too much and the practitioner will strain and overexert themselves. Too little, and no improvement is made and training is rather useless. Centuries of martial arts have produced time tested well balanced training regiments, curriculums, theories and teachings. In contrast, modern mixed styles and students who disregard physiology and the research put into hundreds of years of martial arts training take one side or another. The following will be a discourse of the leanings by which many skew. 
    The lack of balance is not only in physical training, but also in mental training as well. The balance of mind must be present for the martial art practitioner for their success and well-being. Many are drawn to the martial arts for the competition, and many who join the martial arts already have strong personalities. The so-called type-A personalities who are goal crushers excel in the martial arts and often are the ones seen at the front of every tournament argument. If these individuals do not have respect, honor, courtesy, integrity, and morals drilled into them, chaos would ensue, and it has. Thirty, forty years ago, it would not be startling to see a chair flying at a tournament because a coach lost their temper or a parent wasn’t happy. Things have become much more balanced as the Taekwondo way has been accepted as the standard etiquette. There is a set of morals and to breach these morals would mean expulsion. The tenants of Taekwondo along with the character taught in class has done much to balance what could be an aggressive martial art. 
    Martial arts are after all quite aggressive. The martial artist is trying to defend themselves or another, to attack, or to compete. All of this training is aggressive and must be matched with a gentle spirit. When a need should arise for a heightened state, the martial artist can utilize at ease. In the realm of Jiu-jitsu and MMA, many of the practitioners know nothing of tradition and  the character or morals to balance out the aggressive nature of martial arts. They are in a heightened state from the onslaught. Several arrive to their class from a pre-workout already teaming with adrenaline, ready to fight. This is not the spirit of training, it is the spirit to get hurt and to hurt. The lifespan of such training is lessened. There is no balance or wisdom in a skewed mindset. 
    In contrast, if one claims to be a martial art but then states, “No Contact”, it is not a real martial art.  For one, there is no such thing. You cannot be a martial art and be no contact. You certainly cannot be Taekwondo and be no contact… This mindset goes for all Americanized, franchise, garbage programs. Whatever these programs allege to call themselves, they produce the weakest fantasy instructors and students in martial arts. Whether it is kung fu, taekwondo, karate or the like, passing a student to the next rank based on attendance in irresponsible. You don’t give points for trying and missing! Ranking in cardio kick boxing, having a color belt or less than master, rank students is also irresponsible! Tangent subsides… The unbalance here is, these programs have no application whatsoever. There is no aggression, no testing, no pressure of skill, and frankly, no skill at that! 
    Therefore, what must the balance be? In the martial arts, there must be a balance between a moral character and aggressive training that is tested and pressured for its skill. The practitioner must train these equally, always growing, learning, ever striving to be better. Remember, “for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” 1 Timothy 4:8

    Know what you are paying for before signing up. Martial arts are not merely a hobby, a sport, or an exercise routine. Do your research before choosing the program you join. 
    Are the Instructors certified in their respective field? This does not mean that someone knows someone else, or that someone passed gave a certificate to someone else. Would you trust a doctor who claimed their MD/DO came from another individual over an accredited university? 
    Is the Instructor experienced? For Taekwondo, An instructor would be at least a couple degrees of black belt and have at least five or more years experience to draw from. 
    Additionally, no instructor, assistant instructor, coach, black belt or lower rank should have the disrespect of promoting a student. This should only be done by a certified master instructor. 
    Does this program align with its respective  style, competition, theory? Taekwondo is an olympic sport along with being a dynamic martial art. Its certification must be in the Kukkiwon foremost, and/or if not in the respective Kwans. To be certified in a program is to only exist within that entity and holds no external ranking. 
    The facility should be safe, clean and in professional condition. Equipment should be up to date with all regulation to the martial art and cleaned and sanitized regularly. 
    All staff, must be CPR FIRST AID certified, along with all black belts having accreditation. 
    Experience is hugely important as long as it is peer and seeking from a continued education. Many claim years of experience and yet stopped studying only a few years in. They get settled in their ways and are often full of errors in their understanding of martial arts. They spend years solidifying their position, instead of growing and learning.    This is not the martial art way, and yet it is often the condition of the martial arts, to be prideful, boastful and exaggerate. In full integrity and humility, we must tell you the truth. There are irresponsible, selfish and dangerous so called “instructors” out there. 

    Here at Master Reilly’s Family Martial Arts, LLC, we have the only accredited martial arts program in the surrounding counties! Our Master Instructor is a Kukkiwon Certified Master and test examiner! He has 25 years of continued education along with being a national referee/ form judge with USATKD, vice president of PA Taekwondo and training under the best Taekwondo Grandmasters worldwide! Not only does our program align, our students excel in competition at local, states, and even nationals! Our facility is top of the line with two full size olympic sparring rings, clean, updated equipment and it is kept clean and sanitized regularly. All of our staff is CPR AED FIRST AID certified and are black belts are are fully accredited through Kukkiwon. Each of our Instructors meet regular requirements of continued education and assessment to the highest standard. Our Instructors meet the requirements and go beyond, because we believe in having the highest standard. 
    Here at Master Reilly’s Family Martial Arts, LLC we meet the criteria for a safe, experienced, accredited, family friendly, fun, excellent martial school.

    Let’s begin with sovereignty. To be sovereign, one stands on their own. This is autonomy, ultimate authority and supremacy. In contrast, accreditation is collaborated documentation of an assessment by experienced peers. To sum this up, one is self qualified, the other is officially qualified through the recognized experienced authorities. 
    This relates in many facets of life of course, but we are going to focus on only a few. I am sure you can relate your own personal experiences to this discussion. 
    To start, there is the correspondence college or college that is set up by do gooders who’s intention is to spread their impression and ideal on others. However, for one reason or another, they refuse to, or are refused accreditation by a reputable qualifying committee. What is the result for this decision of sovereignty? Those recognized will likely not accept the education, efforts and time put in because it was not done so through the proper channels. 
    What is the mentality for autonomy? Is it: ignorance, selfishness, laziness, incompetence, or pride? I spoke to a couple of attenders to an unaccredited college. One dropped out after a few years and none of his credits would transfer to Liberty University. The other graduated and the “diploma” printed by the college was not accept by any establishment, except for the specific denomination this college was established in. Likewise, a couple others began comprehensive courses. One graduated, the other realized that the program she paid for was a complete sham. The one who graduated spent thousands of dollars and her degree was completely worthless. She had to go back to school and start over to earn a reputable degree in an accredited university. 
    In a very relatable way, martial arts has those who are accredited and those who claim sovereignty. Again, first for sovereign practitioners. To speak plainly, unless you are an originator, you cannot be the authority, ultimate, or be in autonomy in a style. To claim or use a martial arts style name without being united to the root of that style is the same as stealing. There are plenty of self-ranking phonies who create their own federations, organizations and programs to establish themselves sovereign. I have communicated with several of these individuals and it is a mix of pride, laziness, and selfishness that  keeps them from taking the proper steps to becoming accredited. I had one individual come to my school who said he was very near black belt from an unaccredited program asking me to help him get his black belt. His concern was in starting over. 
    Currently, I am helping out a whole school and a gentleman get accredited who earned his black belt twelve years ago. I offer this accreditation because I believe in doing things the right way. I believe a true instructor tries their very best to give their students the best. The ones who don’t are liars, selfish and low-lifes. They do not deserve to be called a teacher, much less master/grand-master. 
    What about those that have accreditation and don’t teach or train to that standard? I can only speak for me and my program. It is a requirement that I and my instructors participate in yearly seminars to keep our skills sharp. Continued education and comparing skills and practice at tournaments at state and national levels aid in this as well. It is not enough to merely tell your student to kick and punch, but to understand the anatomy, the physiology and psychology of processing as you teach. We train in natural movements taught through the accredited authority. This is in contrast to the contortionist movements found in the fringe programs who lie and risk injuring, and worse, the unknowing participants. 
    I cannot stress enough to the participants that you research the establishment and instructor. Their rank should be registered and their program should be up to legal code. The instructors must have their clearances and CPR certifications. They should have teaching experience and a legitimate ranking/experience in what they are teaching. They must be connected to the root of the art, or it is just a stolen term. Too many programs steal Taekwondo. There is no such thing as “No-contact Taekwondo”. Most of the programs are a watered down version of ITF, or even worse, American Karate… It looks like something, but it doesn’t measure up. 
    Do your research, because if you are serious, you will be training for years, possibly spending thousands at this program, and I would hate to see you waste your money, and get injured because of the selfishness and negligence of these so called instructors. 
    ​

​     To follow up on the Integrity In The Martial Arts post, I want to discuss deeper the trend of instructors who are diluted either by a simplistic mind, or a combination of the misleadings of an instructor before. These instructors will self promote, identify with the best, but look nothing like the best and will avoid competitions with the best because they cannot compare to the best. As the adage goes, “How can you spot a fake? Hold it next to the real thing.” They stay clear from the real thing. Yet they will tell you over and over again that they are legitimate, that somehow they are better. They will claim certification, yet have no proof. If supplying proof, it is fake. Then to perpetuate these lies to their students who trust them and only know as much as they are taught. Did you know you can look up your instructor’s record? You can see if your instructor is really the rank they claim? You can also look up the rank they claim you are paying such a hefty price for… 
    For over twenty years now, I have come to the understanding and have taught my students to know more than you are taught. Yes, I want them to trust me and follow my instructions. However, I want them to take responsibility for what they apply to their lives, to their knowledge and to their path. I do not want them to be dependent on me for everything, I want them to be leaders and, trusting that they can make decisions and come to me for advice and support. As their instructor, it is not my job to control them, to micromanage them and run their training where they wait for every word and move. No, I lead in step, as a guide, sometimes walking beside them, sometimes hand over hand, sometimes in demonstration, mirroring. But you have to let them try on their own, give them direction and let them try again. Always in humility. Likewise, if you cannot be humble about your rank, then what are you to your students? 
Perhaps though, you are not lying, you are testing, and you are going to high level competitions, performing well and your students rank high in their divisions. But, for some reason or another, when you search your black belt, it doesn’t come up? How strange is this? The certificate you were given and that you give your students somehow are forgeries? How upsetting this could be, and all you can offer your students is, well, at least we know our worth. Do you start over and find a program to help you out, or do you continue the facade? Do you face the music, or continue the lie? Pride or humility? This is what it comes down to. The strong will and personalities of the martial arts often side with continuing the lie rather than facing the truth and rather difficult road of working hard and catching their rank up. There has to be a quick and easy way, right? While so many are searching for this easy way to catch up, beginners are getting their first, second and third degree black belts, even fourth degree black belts legitimately. And those who were lied to, are left with no accreditation at all. Martial arts is hard work, sometimes this work repeats itself. Life isn’t fair, sometimes you lose and we, as instructors need to demonstrate to our students how to conduct ourselves when life isn’t fair and when we lose. For those lied to, get up, work hard and earn it again! For those lying, stop, teach your students integrity, teach your students that it’s worth giving it your all, that a job worth doing, is worth do well! Don’t be lazy! Don’t be selfish! Give your students everything, even if they choose not to go for it, at least you gave them the chance! Open the doors of success for your students!

​I recently spoke with a grand master I befriended in Chicago about promoting and day to day business of our programs. He often messages me to ask how my program is doing and offers advice on how I can improve my school. 
    Something he said, really stood out to me. He said, in Korea, You cannot open a dojang (martial arts school) until you are 5th, or 6th degree black belt. This is with an accredited degree. Not some random, so and so hands you a certificate, but a Kukkiwon, and or Kwon certificate.
    Here in the states and in other parts of the world, it is not so well regulated. Anyone, trained or not can open a gym and deceive. Thus, when their student goes to another gym, they must re-start, re-learn as their instructor has lied to them because of their selfishness and ignorance. My questions are, why is there no state inspection for the safety of instructors who open their doors? Who is questioning their credentials? Did you research the instructor before paying for class? There is a common phrase used in the martial arts community to describe programs that are not legitimate. These are called Mcdojo’s. These programs will be elaborated on below, along with their instructors. Please understand that I do not mean to demonize these instructors. It has been my effort to help these programs become accredited and do things the proper way. It is a disservice to the students to not give them our very best, to not offer them the very best and then charge them the most…
    I put together a list of programs to avoid in considering a martial arts school. 

1. “Non-Contact”?|
2. “Registered hands and feet as deadly weapons”?
3. Instructor is incapable of performing the skills they are teaching because they are overweight, lack the discipline and strength. (Age and Physical limitations do apply. Respect and Honor to Grandmasters and those who overcome adversity.)
   
   

     4. Promotion based on classes alone. 
     5. You wear more than 5 patches on your uniform.
     6. Average students are awarded black belt in 1-2 years. 
     7. No option to try free class.
     8. Master before 18 and Grand master before 40.
     9. The master will not spar with the students.
    10. The master will not let the students spar with a visiting challenger/black belt.
     11. No cross-training/outsider participation.
     12. No spectators.
     13. Instructor does not know applications to moves.
     14.If taught application they never work except when your master does them.
    15. Program has students who went to “States” “Nationals” in their own program… and are awarded for having the best        kiyap (yell).
     16. There is a sign that says “Guaranteed Black Belt”.
     17. There are 11th dan, 12th dan, 13th dan or even higher ranks.
     18. Your Master has one of those higher ranks.
     19. “Your style was created by your sensei, yet it’s still “traditional” – and it has several “special advantages” over all other styles. Oh, and most likely, the name of the style is absurdly long.” ~ Karate by Jesse (Wrong about Taekwondo).
     20. There are camouflage belts.
    21. There are more than ten color belts.
     22. Testings are fifteen minutes long.
     23. Nobody ever fails at testings.
    24. The school sign has the words ‘traditional’, ‘commando’, ‘classical’, ‘effective’, ‘100%’, ‘original’, ‘Okinawan’, ‘dragon’, ‘Japanese’, ‘secret’ and ‘elite’ in the same sentence.
     25. You can promote online.
     26. The program does not compete.
     27. Competition is mandatory.
     28. You are often/always doing forms/pattens to music.
    29. If you use weapons, they glow in the dark and weigh a maximum of 3 oz.
    30. The instructor uses students as punching bags.
    31. The instructor refuses to teach you certain techniques, because they are “too deadly”.
     32. Kids’ classes are more games and chaos than actual instruction. 
     33. Your schools website doesn’t say anything about the actual style of martial arts, nor the instructor’s credentials. 
     34. There is no proof of the instructor’s rank/credentials, nothing to back it up, but their word and their aggressive attitude.
     35. Weapons are taught with instructor having no formal training. 
     36. Disarming of weapons is taught with a lack of understanding. 
     37. Self defense is completely impractical.
     38. Self defense requires that you step into the attack to defend yourself. 
     39. Take downs are not effective.
     40. Attitude of martial arts is present, but spirit is missing <-


    ^What does that last one mean? It means that for a good number of programs, they know how to act like a martial arts school. They can put on a face, be tough, and carry a heavy fist. However, this is not the way of the pure martial art. Martial arts is grounded, flowing and confident. It strives to work as one, not to be a force in aggression, but in unity. How these fake misleading instructors carry themselves is top heavy. They lack the foundation to stand on. They are too puffed up in the chest and proud in the attitude that the gentle unifying spirit of the martial art cannot work in them. They rarely dare to be exposed to pure martial arts for fear of starting over, that their training, or lack there of would be in vain. But, this would be the path of a true martial artist. This is integrity. It doesn’t matter where we start, or where we fall. Get up and keep going. Just don’t pull others down with you. Don’t lie to others, don’t charge others for something that isn’t your best. Give them this courtesy. Persevere and do your best. This is your integrity on the line. It will take self-control and indomitable spirit. You can do it! We are leaders! Be a leader worth following!