Happenings from 2020 and 2021
Taekwon-do and Bowing
A new article from Jim De Carli has been published in the May 2021 edition of HOONLYUN:
The Journal of the United States Taekwondo Association.
The article, "Taekwon-do and Bowing: Promoting Respect, Justice, and Self-Determination",
discusses the history of the bow, its religeous and social connections, as well as how that simple act carries with it a deep meaning. When bowing to an instructor,
a training partner or a competitor, the Taekwon-do bow imparts gratitude for help in becoming a better martial artist, which, in turn, facilitates building 'a more peaceful world.'
Southbury Taekwon-do Formally Resumes Operations
We are delighted to announce that registration has formally opened for the summer semester of Taekwon-do classes. The summer semester starts July 7 and runs until September 22, 2021.
Registration is available at https://southburyct.myrec.com/.
The decision to resume Taekwon-do classes was made after consultations with the administrators at the town’s Parks & Recreation Department.
We feel that we can conduct classes safely if certain precautions are implemented. These include the following:
- The Parks & Recreations Department requires everyone to wear a mask at all times while inside the building; This requirement applies to everyone regardless of vaccination status.
- As much as possible, we will hold classes on the lawn outside the building to further limit exposure.
- The Senior Center side of the building will be off limits. We may use the P&R lavatories located off the mat room.
- Students must bring their own water to class since the water fountains in the building have been turned off.
- Although students may drink water, they are not allowed to eat anything while in the building.
- 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.
- Sparring equipment no longer will be loaned out for the evening.
- Class times have been rescheduled so that there is a 15-minute period between classes to help minimize the number of people in the building at any one time.
- Until further notice, classes for students under the age of 7 have been cancelled.
We recommend that students bring with them a towel to help remove perspiration. Also, we ask that students use hand sanitizer on their hands and feet before the start of class. 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.
Although some of these precautions are admittedly burdensome, they are needed. No vaccine is 100% effective and some people – such as the very young and those with certain medical conditions – may not have the option to vaccinate. Also consider that the most-effective vaccine is only about 95% effective, which means that 1 in 20 fully vaccinated people could contract and spread the virus.
While we whole-heartedly support these new safety protocols, we will re-evaluate them as conditions change. In the meantime, we expect everyone to adhere to these new policies.
Taekwon-do and the Law
At the invitation of Grandmaster Doug Cook, Master De Carli has written an article for the May 2021 edition of HOONLYUN:
The Journal of the United States Taekwondo Association. The article, "Taekwon-do and the Law: When You are a Deadly Weapon", discusses how martial artists
could be treated differently than the typical civilian in the eyes of the law.
Official Certification Earned for Umpiring
Congratulations go out to Southbury Taekwon-do Chief Instructor James De Carli for earning his credentials as a Certified International Taekwon-do Umpire
from the International Taekwon-do Federation.
In-Depth Article on Motion
The March 2021 issue of Totally TaekwonDo magazine includes another article from Sabum Jim De Carli. The article,
"Slip Slidin' Away" is an in-depth examination of the various -- and specific -- terms used for different ways of moving in Taekwon-do.
"When trying to learn a pattern, it is common to look to the Encyclopedia of Taekwon-do for guidance. At a minimum, a reading of what the official instructions are for
that pattern can be very helpful. Unfortunately, the encyclopedia can seem a bit unclear at times – especially when it comes to the motion of the feet. In some instructions,
we are told to slip while at others we are expected to slide or shift. But what do these terms mean beyond “move?” General Choi was very exacting when he wrote the encyclopedia,
so if he used a particular term or phrase then there was a good reason."
Okan Uludag Promoted to Blue Belt
Congratulations go out to Mr. Okan Uludag for his promotion to Blue Belt.
Mr. Uludag has been a noteworthy example of perseverance by continuing his training throughout
the pandemic. For almost every Saturday this past year, Mr. Uludag could be found training outside at Settler's Park. He trained outside during the summer heat as well
as outside during the coldest days of winter.
Well done, sir!
Sine Wave Article Published
Included in the February 2021 issue of Totally TaekwonDo magazine is the latest article by Southbury Taekwon-Do's Chief instructor, Jim De Carli.
In this featured article, Dr. De Carli discussed some misconceptions about the physics used to describe the Sine Wave.
All Instructors Receive Abuse Awareness Training
We are proud to announce that all of the instructors at Southbury Taekwon-do have completed Sexual Abuse
Awareness Training for youth sports programs and have passed the certification examination for the training.
Although there has never been an issue of abuse with the Taekwon-do program, all of the instructors agreed that
participating in the training and earning certification was important to the safety and wellbeing of our
students.
'OODA Loop' Article Published
The November 2020 issue of Totally TaekwonDo magazine includes an article from Chief Instructor Jim De Carli
titled "Using the 'OODA Loop' to Fight Like a Fighter Pilot."
The article discusses the pioneering research conducted by Ace figher pilot, Lt. Colonel Boyd, who revolutionize modern military strategy
around the world with the concept of the 'OODA Loop'. In addition to military applications, Boyd's thinking has been applied to a wide range of subjects
that deal with competition or conflict, geo-politics, economics, business, finance, and sports. Master De Carli describes this research, which is based upon
the four-step process the human mind goes
through when making decisions, and then applies this research to Taekwon-do. One Taekwon-do Master who reviewed this article wrote
"If you only read one article this year, this is the article to read."
COVID Safe Martial Arts Instructor Training
Recognizing that the COVID pandemic may not pass for some time, we are pleased to announce that Chief Instructor Jim De Carli has
completed "COVID Safe Martial Arts Instructor Training". This training is part of a program that was developed and administered by the Martial Arts Industry Association.
The certification program helps ensures that instructors, practitioners and parents are aware of the most up to date information on the cause of the spread or infection
of the COVID 19 virus. It identifies and empowers those enlightened and certified to take the appropriate safety measures when conducting or practicing their respective training in their classes.
Self-Defense Seminar Raises Money For Shelter
On Saturday, January 11, 2020, Southbury Taekwon-do Chief Instructor James De Carli, with the assistance from Peggy Bovaird and Rob De Carli,
conducted a seminar on 'Safety and Self-Defense.' In attendance were over twenty people, ranging in age from mid-teens to mid-seventies.
The seminar did more than teach approaches for avoiding violent encounters and some basic techniques for defending yourself, it also raised
funds for Safe Haven of Greater Waterbury, Inc. Safe Haven is a non-profit organization that provides emergency shelter and free comprehensive
support services to victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. The registration fee for each student taking the seminar is
enough to pay for dinner for 8 women and 7 children at the emergency shelter or a birthday party for a shelter child.
Safe Haven relies heavily on support from our community. While 65% of their funding comes from state and federal sources, 35% is raised through
contributions from United Ways, foundation grants, donations, and fundraising events such as this seminar. If anyone 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.
Registration for Winter Semester Open
Registration is now open for the Winter semester of Taekwon-do. The new semester begins January 6 and runs through March 25th. You may register using the town's online registration portal or in-person at the Parks & Recreation Office.
The Winter promotion test is tentatively scheduled for March 18th.