National Autism Month

April is National Autism Awareness Month. The goal of the month is to educate and build awareness about autism. Autism-society.org notes that as of 2014, more than 3.5 million Americans live with an autism spectrum disorder. And the severity of symptoms can vary greatly along that spectrum. Having a month of national awareness can highlight the difficulties and challenges many people with autism face, in hopes of creating ways to help. One of the ways can be Tae Kwon Do.

• Tae Kwon Do helps to nurture social skills. As children are learning new skills and trying them out, they are often partnered with another child in class. The comradery of practicing, taking part in the same activity, can help children feel more comfortable in sharing with others.
• It can also foster confidence. Any child can experience a surge in self-esteem, especially when learning to conquer new moves.
• Tae Kwon Do contains a lot of repetitive behaviors, which can also be the case with children on the autism spectrum. It can be beneficial for the child to have that trait work to his or her advantage.
• Motor skills can be greatly developed while practicing Tae Kwon Do. Learning the specific movements necessary to participate in the sport can enhance those skills greatly.

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles did it. So did Michael Jai White and Ralph Macchio. You can also include Jaden Smith, along with Po, a giant animated Panda. What great feat was their accomplishment? They starred in a movie that included martial arts.
It’s fun to watch this art of grace, strength, determination and agility play out on screen. Whether it’s Tae Kwon Do, Kung Fu, or Karate, the action and adventure manage to intrigue and delight audiences.

In honor of the fact that we live in the Hollywood of South, we’d love to know, what is your favorite martial arts film? Tell us, and a prize could be waiting for you!

The rules are simple.
- “Like” our Facebook page. (https://www.facebook.com/MasterShimsWCTKD/)
- Comment on this post on Facebook, with your favorite martial arts film.
- Get friends to “Like” your post.
- The post with the most “Likes” by Saturday, April 28th, will win a prize!

Final decisions are at the sole discretion of Master Shim’s World Class Tae Kwon Do. Can’t wait to hear from you!

Hello February! Along with the lingering potential for snow, cold weather, warm fires and hot chocolate, February also brings … Valentine’s Day. And with the holiday can come pressure to find a gift that is memorable. Flowers and candy are the traditional tried and true options. But how about something unique? Something different? Something exciting? How about an activity where you can both have fun, with the added bonus of it being good for you? I’m talking about sharing the gift that keeps on giving … the gift of Tae Kwon Do!

Master Shim’s makes the gift of health, vitality, activity and fun an easy one to share. Here are just a few reasons why Tae Kwon Do classes are a great way to show someone you care:

- Instead of giving something sugary and fattening, you’re providing a gift that benefits the mind, body and spirit.
- It’s a great activity for couples, as well as the whole family. Family night classes provide an opportunity to enrich your time together.
- The practical component of learning self-defense techniques really lets someone know you are concerned about their safety and well-being.
- You can save money and try it for free. It’s the perfect way to know if it’s right for you. Sign up for a free trial at: https://atlantatkd.com/beginners-martial-arts-classes-program/

Also a special treat . . . if you’re a student, bring someone to the Special Friend Classes February 14-17. And if you know someone who’s always talking about what a fantastic time they have at Tae Kwon Do, let them know you want to check it out!

Show your love this holiday with this unique gift.

Tae Kwon Do is an exciting sport of skill, forms and techniques. While there are other forms of martial arts, Tae Kwon Do is unique in it origins, and the rewarding experience it offers. Here are a few interesting and historical facts about this engaging sport:

-Tae Kwon Do originiated in Korea, and is the national sport of South Korea.
-The literal translation of "Tae Kwon Do" is "way of the hand and foot."
-It is an Olympic sport! Tae Kwon Do was introduced as a sports event in the Olympics in 1976, by the International Military Sports Council.
-South Korea has been the most successful nation in Olympic Tae Kwon Do.
-In 2016, the Olympic catefories for both men and women included: Flyweight, Featherweight, Middleweight, and Heavyweight.
-World Taekwondo (WT) is the largest tournament organization in the world. It is based in South Korea.
-The oldest governing body for Tae Kwon Do is the Korea Taekwondo Association (KTA).
-There are six general belt colors in Tae Kwon Do - white, yellow, green, blue, red, and black.
-Tae Kwon Do commands are typically given in the Korean language.
-Ranks in Tae Kwon Do typically include junior, senior or student, teacher.

“Faith is taking the first step, even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”

• Martin Luther King Jr.

What first step have you taken in 2018? Are you writing that book? Mending a broken friendship? Planning an international trip? Taking up a new hobby?

Maybe it’s time … time to see yourself as you never have before. Time to pursue an interest, learn a new sport, challenge yourself. New year, new focus, new you!

Tae Kwon Do can bring that new excitement you’re seeking in 2018. In addition to tackling something new physically, Tae Kwon Do teaches and reinforces several valuable tenets for life:

• Courtesy (Ye Ui)
• Integrity (Yom Chi)
• Perseverance (In Nae)
• Self-Control (Guk Gi)
• Indomitable Spirit (Baekjul Boolgool)

Just a reminder that you can still take advantage of a free Tae Kwon Do trial at: https://atlantatkd.com/beginners-martial-arts-classes-program/

Start a new adventure today.

Mr. Kim has been doing Tae Kwon Do for over a decade; the last 6-7 years have been as an instructor. His desire to get involved with martial arts, and wanting to be more involved with his heritage, led him to Tae Kwon Do. It has helped build him up mentally, and physically. “It is one of the best exercises for me, because it does everything from cardio to building muscles,” he states.

Here’s a look at January’s featured instructor, Mr. David Kim.

At which location are you an instructor? 

I am an instructor at the Peachtree City location.

What is your belt level?

I am a 3rd dan black belt.

What issues has Tae Kwon Do helped you overcome?

The biggest thing it helped me with was a confidence issue, and self-esteem.

What has Tae Kwon Do done for your confidence and self-esteem?

It has helped it by a ton and made me able to express myself better.

What are some of your Tae Kwon Do accomplishments and things you have achieved?

I have been a part of the demo team and I am now the coach for demo team. I was a part of the first black belt testing group.

What changes have you seen in students who take Tae Kwon Do? Why would you recommend it to others?

I see a greater self-confidence and more focus overall from most of the kids. I would recommend it for those reasons.

Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines self-defense as “the act of defending oneself, one’s property, or a close relative.” Protection is an obvious benefit to being able to guard and defend yourself in a time of trouble. But personal safety isn’t the only benefit. Your health can improve with the exercise and rigors of self-defense, which are offered with Tae Kwon Do.

You can improve your balance. Standing on one leg, kicking and punching at the same time, takes skill. And practice. The sheer act of repetitively working on these motions, and not falling over, can help your body control and coordination.

Physical conditioning inevitably gets better. When you are working different areas of your body, they will get stronger. This can include everything from toned muscles to endurance.

Your self-awareness and reflexes are heightened. Your instincts become sharpened, as you work to anticipate your sparring partner’s next move. This preparatory skill is especially important if you ever find yourself in a fight-or-flight situation.

Self-defense isn’t just for one gender. It’s not just for one race. Self-defense is for everyone who wants the enjoyment of physical activity and all of its benefits, along with the security of knowing they can protect themselves should the need arise.

Happy New Year!  Welcome, 2018.  After the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it's refreshing to start over - with a clean slate.  The new year seems to usher in that feeling.  In fact, it contains an underlying excitement of sorts.  What will the new year hold?  What intriguing things will happen?  What goals will you accomplish?

Often one of those goals is to become a more physically fit, in-shape version of ourselves.  If trimming down and toning up are high on your to-do list, you're not alone.  Losing weight and healthier eating topped the 2017 New Year's resolution list, with 21.4% of respondents noting it as their top goal, according to Statistic Brain Research Institute.

Instead of joining a pricey gym with the same equipment, little interaction, and scare opportunities for advancement, why not take a look at Tae Kwon Do?

-There is always room for advancement levels, even through Black Belt!

-Age is never an issue.  From 4 years and up, there's a program for you.

-You are constantly learning new skills.

-Instructors engage, instruct, and encourage you, one-on-one.

-Besides the benefits of healthy exercise, you are also learning self-defense techniques.

-And perhaps the best, most cost-effective part of all. . .

You can sign up for a FREE trial! Visit https://atlantatkd.com/beginners-martial-arts-classes-program

We'd LOVE to see you. Sign up today and see if it's right for you!

Attention All Parents!! Do you need a night out after the Thanksgiving Holiday?  We have you covered with an all-inclusive Parent's Night Out!  Let you children join us for games, projects, TKD, dinner and a movie.  We plan all the fun - you enjoy the evening.  Sign up now by calling

(770)460-3356

and reserve your place now!

Master Shim's World Class Tae Kwon Do masters, instructors, competitors and their families headed to Greensboro, North Carolina over the weekend of July 21-22, 2017 to compete in an amazing international tournament along with over 1000 other competitors.  Yong In University is the alma mater of our very own Master Shim where he was an esteemed member of the world recognized traveling Yong In University Demonstration Team.  We got to see this year's team as they impressed us with their hit flying techniques and board breaking as well as their synchronized forms. Thank you to all who supported this great event!