Southbury Taekwon-do SOUTHBURY​ TAEKWON-DO Taekwon-do International
A PART OF THE SOUTHBURY COMMUNITY FOR 35 YEARS
(860) 880-0034 • info@SouthburyTKD.com

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Why Southbury Taekwon-do?

Southbury Taekwon-do teaches Taekwon-do, a Korean unarmed art of self-defense that is similar to Karate, which provides the student many physical benefits at an affordable price.

Participants learn sparring techniques, blocking and striking, age-appropriate self-defense, situational awareness, and much more. For kids, Taekwon-do helps them learn respect for themselves and for others, heightens concentration, and increases self-discipline and self-restraint. Adults gain improved health, better balance and flexibility, and personal protection. Southbury Taekwon-do offers different levels of classes to provide the most-appropriate lessons for every student: one class for beginner students, one for advanced students, and a special class for very young children.

Classes are offered though the Southbury Parks & Recreation department by award-winning black belts. As a town program, using the town's facilities and resources, students pay only $145 a semester for the first family member and $120 for each additional family member — about 1/3 of some private martial arts schools.

Getting Started

It is very easy to get started with the program.

First of all, register for the class use the town's online registration portal or in-person at the Parks & Recreation Office. Taekwon-do classes are listed under 'Sports & Fitness'.

Next, order a uniform and protective gear. The equipment page offers a number of recommendations for where to get these. Everyone should get a uniform, mouthguard, gloves, and foot pads. If you are still waiting for these items to arrive by the time classes start, just come in loose, comfortable clothes, such as a t-shirt and sweats.

If you have a Facebook account, like our page so you can more-easily get notices and other helpful information.

Show up! At your first class, one of our instructors will give an introduction and walk through how classes take place.


 


Latest Happenings

New Promotions for Winter 2023
New Promotions for Winter 2023

New Promotions for Winter 2023

Southbury Taekwon-do held its latest color belt promotions on March 22 at the Southbury Parks & Recreation Building in Southbury.

Promotions were in recognition of successful testing performed a week earlier before Master James De Carli and a panel of distinguished black belts. Students demonstrated their skills in fundamental techniques – such as hand techniques, kicking, and blocking – as well as forms, sparring, age-appropriate self-defense, and board breaking. All-in-all, sixteen students advanced one step closer to earning black belt honors.

Southbury Taekwon-do Spring 2023 Schedule
Southbury Taekwon-do Spring 2023 Schedule

Southbury Taekwon-do Spring Schedule

Registration has opened for the Spring 2023 semester of Taekwon-do. Due to the Memorial Day holiday, there will be no classes on Monday, May 29 although there is a tradition that the school marches in the town's Memorial Day Parade.

Due to the ongoing COVID endemic, certain safety precautions are still in effect. These include the following:

  • Mask use is optional although recommended.
  • Students must bring their own water to class since the water fountains in the building have been turned off.
  • The Senior Center side of the building will be off limits. We may use the P&R lavatories located off the mat room.
  • No one is allowed to participate in class or even enter the building if they exhibit any symptoms of any illness. This includes parents and other family members.
  • Students must sanitize their sparring equipment prior to use in class.

We recommend that students bring with them a towel to help remove perspiration. Parents are asked to minimize the number of non-participants that they bring with them and to wait outside the building or in the mat room, when possible.

While we whole-heartedly support these safety protocols, we will re-evaluate them as conditions change. In the meantime, we expect everyone to adhere to these new policies.

Hall of Honors Award for James De Carli
Excellence in Publishing in the Martial Arts

Master De Carli Inducted into Hall of Honors

On Saturday, January 28, 2023, Southbury Taekwon-do instructor, James De Carli, was inducted into Action Martial Arts Magazine's Hall of Honors during a ceremony in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Master De Carli was recognized for "Excellence in Publishing in the Martial Arts" for his numerous contributions to such noteworthy publications such as HOONLYUN: The Journal of the United States Taekwondo Association and Totally TaekwonDo magazine.

Safety & Self-Defense Seminar Raises Money For Shelter
Seminar Raises Money For Shelter

Seminar Raises Money For Shelter

On Saturday, January 7, 2023, the current and former instructors of Southbury Taekwon-do conducted another seminar on 'Safety and Self-Defense'. The participants, who ranged in age from teens to mid-seventies, learned about topics such as:

• Recognizing and avoiding dangerous situations
• Using safety devices such as pepper sprays and personal alarms
• Utilizing escapes from grabs and holds
• Legal concerns and 'Stand Your Ground' laws
• What to do after a violent encounter

The seminar also raised money for Safe Haven of Greater Waterbury, Inc., a non-profit organization that provides emergency shelter and free comprehensive support services to victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Safe Haven relies heavily on support from our community. If you would like to make a donation, please make Checks payable to:

Safe Haven of Greater Waterbury
P.O. Box 1503
Waterbury, CT 06721


You can make donations online using Safe Haven's website, SafeHavenGW.org.

Southbury Taekwon-do Resumes Operations
Southbury Taekwon-do Winter Schedule

Southbury Taekwon-do Winter Schedule

Registration has opened for the Winter 2023 semester of Taekwon-do. Due to New Year's Day being observed on Monday, January 2, the first class of this semester will start Wednesday, January 4.

Due to the ongoing COVID endemic, certain safety precautions are still in effect. These include the following:

  • Students must bring their own water to class since the water fountains in the building have been turned off.
  • The Senior Center side of the building will be off limits. We may use the P&R lavatories located off the mat room.
  • No one is allowed to participate in class or even enter the building if they exhibit any symptoms of any illness. This includes parents and other family members.
  • Students must sanitize their sparring equipment prior to use in class.

We recommend that students bring with them a towel to help remove perspiration. Parents are asked to minimize the number of non-participants that they bring with them and to wait outside the building or in the mat room, when possible.

While we whole-heartedly support these safety protocols, we will re-evaluate them as conditions change. In the meantime, we expect everyone to adhere to these new policies.

New Registration Website for Southbury Park & Rec
New Registration Website for Southbury Park & Rec

New Registration Website for Southbury Park & Rec

Please note that the Southbury Park & Recreation department has started using a new online registration system so links to the previous system will no longer work. To register for Taekwon-do classes, you must first create a new profile. Taekwon-do classes are in the 'Sports and Fitness' section.

New Promotions for Fall 2022
Fall 2022 Promotions

New Promotions for Fall 2022

Congratulations to all of our amazing students who earned promotions at the December 2022 test week. Well done!

New Promotions for Fall 2022
Fall 2022 Promotions
Moss Takes Gold!
Moss Takes Gold!

Moss Takes Gold!

Congratulations goes out to Demetric Moss, who took a home the gold sparring and a silver medal in forms at the 6th annual CMA Founder's Championship in Fairfield, NJ. Well done, sir!

Taekwon-Do and Science Frogs, Joe Rogan, and the Left-Handed
Featured Article in HOONLYUN Magazine

Featured Article in HOONLYUN Magazine

The November 2021 edition of HOONLYUN: The Journal of the United States Taekwondo Association has featured an article written by Southbury Taekwon-do Chief Instructor, James De Carli. The article, "Taekwon-Do and Science: Frogs, Joe Rogan, and the Left-Handed", discusses the misinformation and dogma we as martial artists must face when looking for answers in our art.

Birthday Wishes for GM Kim
Birthday Wishes for Grandmaster Kim

Birthday Wishes for GM Kim

Happiest of birthday wishes to Grandmaster Suk Jun Kim from all of us at Southbury Taekwon-do!

New Promotions for Spring 2022
Spring 2022 Promotions

New Promotions for Spring 2022

Congratulations go out to the students who received promotions after the June test. Your hard work and perseverance have paid off. Well done, all!

New Promotions for Spring 2022
Spring 2022 Promotions


      "Don’t hit at all if it is honorably possible to avoid hitting; but never hit softly." - Theodore Roosevelt

Southbury Parks & Recreation Department
www.Southbury-CT.org/ParkRec     (203) 262-0633