Tae Kwon Do Programs at Ko Mu Do Kwan


Master Instructor Background

Ko Mu Do Kwan is a very unique physical and mental conditioning center specializing in the ancient Korean martial art of Tae Kwon Do. Under the expert instruction of Master Dr. Gar Won Ko, his students strive toward self-improvement and ways to live more productive and satisfying lives. Tae Kwon Do, or "the art of punching and kicking", involves practice and dedication in order to reap its more valuable benefits. Headmaster of the Kwan, Master Dr. Ko, is a living example of the health rewards to be gained through training in Tae Kwon Do and the Martial Arts.

Master Dr. Ko taught Tae Kwon Do during a four year period (Spring 1996 to Summer 2000) for the Physical Education Department (Kinesiology and Sport Studies) at Wichita State University.

Master Ko has been training for over 30 years and holds the 6th DAN "Degree" Black Belt from the Central Gymnasium in Seoul, Korea of the Tae Kwon Do Han Moo Kwan. He also holds the 6th DAN "Degree" Black Belt in Traditional Tae Kwon Do from the Moo Duk Kwan Society (Moo Duk Hae) in Seoul, Korea. In addition, he holds the 5th DAN "Degree" Black Belt in Modern Taekwondo from the Kukkiwon, the World Headquarters for Tae Kwon Do in Seoul, Korea.

Master Mike Coconis, Dr. Ko's son, holds the 5th DAN "Degree" Black Belt from the Central Gymnasium of the Tae Kwon Do Han Moo Kwan, a 5th DAN "Degree" Black Belt in Traditional Tae Kwon Do from the Moo Duk Kwan Society (Moo Duk Hae), and a 4th DAN Black Belt in Modern Taekwondo from the Kukkiwon, World Headquarters for Tae Kwon Do, in Seoul, Korea.

Both Master Ko and Master Coconis being both a father and son team, are both National Medalists in the sport competition aspect of Tae Kwon Do. Master Ko holds 11 National medals and his son, Master Coconis holds 6 National medals. The Ko Mu Do Kwan has produced 18 other National Medalists in 12 short years.

Both Master Ko and Master Coconis know a very large number of Tae Kwon Do Instructors who teach, coach and own their schools. Many of them are Masters and Grandmasters. Detailed research into their backgrounds reveal that they have never even competed themselves. Many will claim being 'Champions' in their Yellow Page ads, but in fact, they do not know what it is like to be a 'true' athletic competitor let alone a champion. How then can they train, guide, and coach others in their schools?

Master Ko and Master Coconis have the 'TRUE' experience of experiencing the 'moment of truth' both inside the competition ring and outside in the street.

Their combined knowledge, experience, and philosophy has truly touched the lives of many and they continue to strive to help those in need, whether it be physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual.

Compared to other sports and fitness programs, Tae Kwon Do has numerous advantages. For example, there is more equalized conditioning of all body areas with development of balance, posture, and coordination. While learning self-defense, practitioners of Tae Kwon Do keep in good shape, gain self-respect and confidence, and learn respect for others. Here at Ko Mu Do Kwan, we keep the 'ART' in martial arts.

Children and Tae Kwon Do

Children who practice Tae Kwon Do learn how to set goals and attain them. They learn self-control, respect, and self-discipline. They gain abilities in concentration and focus not found in other types of sport activities. Tae Kwon Do has been recognized by educators and doctors to be very beneficial in helping children increase self-concept, whereby they gain self-control in many important areas of their lives. From the discipline of training and being taught the 5 tenets of Tae Kwon Do by Master Ko which are: 1) Courtesy 2) Integrity 3) Perseverence 4) Self-Control and 5) Indomitable-Spirit, the young people are taught to respect their parents and grandparents, school teachers, and figures of high authority. The average age of the beginning student is 8 years of age, however, it depends largely on the maturity of the child. Master Ko has started children as young as 3 years of age and generally can start them at age 5. Again, it depends on their maturity.


One of Master Ko's Junior Black Belts at his 14th Birthday Party


General Health Benefits from Tae Kwon Do Training

Common to both children and adults, the training in the martial arts and Tae Kwon Do lowers blood pressure and keeps it regulated. Master Ko teaches the ancient Korean art of Dan-Jon Ho-Hup or proper healthful breathing techniques which has helped many of his students to reduce their asthmatic symptoms. Tae Kwon Do training improves blood circulation in the limbs, brain, lungs, vital organs, and throughout entire body. From the proper teaching methods of Master Ko and his explicit explanations of techniques and his attention to detail, this martial art guarantees a strengthening of the joints, tendons, ligaments, and muscles. Master Ko emphasizes the traditional training methods of stance training and correct posturing through proper body alignment and weight distribution. Dynamic tension training is taught for proper conditioning of the entire body. Lungs and Heart are strengthened from the cardio-respiratory workout in Master Ko's classes. Surefootedness is assured through Master Ko's proper footwork training. Master Ko encourages the philosophy that to train properly is to develop a Sound Mind inside of a Sound Body. The Ancient use of the martial art training always assured a unified mind, body, and spirit to prolong life and to achieve happiness. The quality of life is greatly improved through a dedicated training regimen in the martial arts.

Be it known by these presents that the Ko Mu Do Kwan is NOT a buy-your-belt-mill. Master Ko's students EARN their belt rank and it certainly shows in their martial knowledge, skill level, attitude, and performance both inside and outside the dojang as well as both inside and outside the competition ring. The exams given by Master Ko are quite significant to test the skills of the student. The standards are very high at the Ko Mu Do Kwan and quality assurance is constantly checked by Master Dr. Ko, its Headmaster.

Programs

There are several levels in Tae Kwon Do through which one will pass from beginner to advanced student. The programs available at Ko Mu Do Kwan allow one to make a choice based on his or her needs or desires. For those who are unsure of their needs, it is recommended that one or two classes be observed before a decision is made on which program is best. A student who attends class an average of three times a week or more can generally attain the level of Black Belt in about 36 months. Even though you agree to pay for a certain program (6, 12, 24, or 36 months) through the signing of a membership agreement, this does not guarantee that you get that belt rank. It still has to be earned the traditional way through a dedicated training regimen, serious/sincere hard work, and a GPA of at least 3.0 and higher on each of the 12 examination levels given. NOTE....The initial minimum sign-up period is 3-months and upon expiration must be converted to one of the four (4) sign-up options listed below. See also Fees and Schedules.

Six-Month Program

In six months one can advance through to the yellow belt level. The beginning student, at the white and yellow belt level, learns basic techniques which develop flexibility, coordination, muscle tone, and concentration. A person who is uncertain of their desire to practice martial arts, or who has a physical handicap, may want to start with a six-month program. Silver-leaf certificates are earned and awarded through rigorous examinations from the U.S. Central Taekwondo Association.

Twelve-Month Program

The twelve-month program is for the student who is sure of their desire to learn martial arts and wants to achieve greater self-defense abilities, as well as self-control and enhanced fitness/conditioning. This program allows one to advance to the green belt level. When the student reaches this level, a wide range of techniques are learned and concentration is developed to a more beneficial level. Silver-leaf certificates are earned and awarded through rigorous examinations from the U.S. Central Taekwondo Association.

Twenty-Four-Month Program

The twenty-four-month program is for the student who is quite certain of their desire to learn martial arts and wants to further their training time and expand their continued knowledge in self-defense and advanced applications. This program allows one to advance to the red belt level, an advanced training regimen is achieved and a wider range of advanced techniques are learned and concentration is developed to a much higher degree. It is in the stages of red belt that a student usually develops the strong desire to continue their training to the Black Belt level. At the Black Belt level one truly has the ability to defend oneself and greater focus in life is achieved. Silver-leaf certificates are earned and awarded through rigorous examinations from the U.S. Central Taekwondo Association.

Black Belt Course

The Black Belt course is a 36-month program which provides everything needed to attain the level of Black Belt. The benefits of attaining the level of Black Belt are too numerous to name, however, a healthier, more mentally and physically positive lifestyle is achieved and realized. There is a unique quality of improved self-esteem found at this level. Black Belts can optionally earn and receive certification from the Kukkiwon in Seoul, Korea through the recommendation of Master Ko and are recognized world wide. Black Belt DAN Certifications are also achievable through Master Ko's recommendation from the U.S. Central Taekwondo Association and the Han Moo Kwan Central Gymnasium located in Seoul, Korea.

Class Times for Tae Kwon Do

There are class times available in the mornings and evenings at the Ko Mu Do Kwan. For the morning, Tae Kwon Do classes are offered at 10 to 11 a.m. on Monday and Wednesday. In the evening, Tae Kwon Do classes are held at 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Monday and Wednesday. For a comprehensive view of the Class Days and Times click on the following link Class Days and Times

Modern Ranking

There are 12 levels to Black Belt. The student is permitted to take a rank promotion examination when he/she has shown Master Ko that they know the material for their level and can demonstrate the required techniques for their level to him. There is an exam fee for each of the 12 levels examined. All examinations are in accordance with the testing regulations and guidelines handed down through the U.S. Han Moo Kwan Federation and the U.S. Central Taekwondo Association. Silver-leaf USCTA Certificates are issued for each Gup (grade) level passed by the student. All exam papers are handed back to the student upon completion and final grading to allow him or her to academically learn from the comments written by the examiner. A GPA of at least 3.0 is required for the student to pass the exam for promotion to the next rank. The Kukkiwon certification is optionally earned by Black Belt candidates and requires recommendation by Master Dr. Ko.

Traditional Ranking

Traditional training, testing, and rankings in Tae Kwon Do Moo Duk Kwan are also available through additional traditional requirements trained by Master Ko and his further recommendation to Grandmaster Shin. There are separate examination fees associated with this traditional ranking of Moo Duk Kwan. Under-Black-Belt or Gup level certificates are applied for to the United States Tae Kwon-Do Moo Duk Kwan Federation and the Black Belt DAN Certificates are applied for to the Korea Tae Kwon Do Moo Duk Hae in Seoul, Korea.

Competitions

Competition is NOT mandatory at the Ko Mu Do Kwan for promotion. Master Ko believes that if a student wants to compete then they most certainly can and he will prepare them through rigorous training. Master Ko does encourage his students to test their skills attained through hard work and diligent training methods at area tournaments, but its all about CHOICE.