Happenings from 2024 and 2025
Guest Instructor: Grandmaster Richard Conceicao
A special session, "Elevated Basics", took place on Monday, March 18th, 2024, guest instructed by Grandmaster Richard Conceicao.
ELEVATED BASICS
People look at Tai-Chi and wonder how on earth this thing can ever work because it is so slow, forgetting that the name means Grand Ultimate Fist.
Therefore there must be a reason they do this. There is, they are learning the fundamentals of structure.
This session will look at the role this plays in your practice by working with the most basic things that you learned as a white belt, and show how to maximize their use with a minimum of muscle.
We will also work on the differences between the offensive and defensive applications of what you always called 'blocks.'
Finally, we will identify and use two acupuncture points that will demonstrate how those concepts have real world effects and use.
Southbury Taekwon-Do Spring 2024 Schedule
Registration has opened for the Spring 2024
semester of Taekwon-do.
All classes are held at the Parks and Recreation Building located at 561 Main Street
South, Southbury, CT on Mondays and Wednesdays:
- 6:00 pm - 6:45 pm Beginners (Ages 7 through Adult)
- 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm Advanced (Ages 7 through Adult)
Please note that certain safety precautions are still in effect. These include the following:
- Students are asked to not drink directly from the building's water fountains. Instead, you may use the water fountains to fill your water bottles.
- 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 attend classes 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, when possible.
Dr. James De Carli Recognized
Southbury Taekwon-do instructor James De Carli was recognized with "The Henry 'Mike' & Diane Boylan Everyday Hero Award" from Safe Haven of Greater Waterbury.
Safe Haven, which provides crisis and support services for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, presents this award in recognition of “an individual
or group who is constantly giving back and making a difference.” Along with the award, James was presented with "Special Congressional Recognitions" from United
States Representative Johana Hayes and United States Senator Richard Blumenthal.
James De Carli has provided more than 25 years of community service with various non-profit organizations dedicated to health and education. Over the years,
he has contributed in a variety of efforts, including fund-raising, conference planning, workshop presentations, and website development.
“It is a privilege to be with you tonight celebrating the importance of public service” Mr. De Carli said while accepting the award. “Specifically,
celebrating the important work done by Safe Haven of Greater Waterbury. It has been my honor to partner with them to help make our community a safer place for all.”
Partnering with Safe Haven and the Southbury, Connecticut Parks & Recreation Department, Mr. De Carli – a 4th degree black belt in Taekwon-do – regularly
conducts self-defense seminars to empower individuals and to raise funds for Safe Haven. The Parks & Recreation Department provides the space to conduct
the seminars while Safe Haven provides counselors for each self-defense seminar. Mr. De Carli explains “These counselors are present to assist anyone who
may be attending as a result of an earlier assault and finds that the seminar triggers them to relive that assault. Such on-site counseling is rare amongst
self-defense programs – making these seminars noteworthy.”
The presentations were made on April 18, 2024, during the "Out of the Shadows Dinner and Silent Auction", an annual event presented by Safe Haven of
Greater Waterbury. Hosted by “Chaz” of the WPLR radio show “Chaz & AJ in the Morning,” the event took place at the La Bella Vista at the Ponte Club in
Waterbury, Connecticut USA. You can watch a video of Mr. De Carl being announced and accepting the award online at: https://youtu.be/pubjwP_N5wo.
Congratulation to Ashley Sanders, Celeste Wood, and Walter Krauss, Jr.
Southbury Taekwon-Do is immensely proud to recognize Ashley Sanders, Celeste Wood, and Walter Krauss, Jr. as 1st degree black belts in Taekwon-Do.
On Wednesday, June 12th, 2024, Southbury Taekwon-do held a Black Belt Promotion Ceremony at the Southbury Parks & Recreations Building,
in Southbury, Connecticut. These Black Belt Ceremonies are quite rare as it typically takes 4 to 5 years of training to become eligible
to test for a black belt.
Testing includes demonstrating proper execution of dozens of offensive and defensive techniques. These demonstrations included the execution
of nine different patterns – which incorporate over 250 movements – as well as in various self-defense scenarios, sparring, and by breaking wood
boards. In addition to such physical demonstrations, each candidate must know the scientific concepts underlying power generation as well as moral,
ethical, and legal considerations in the use of Taekwon-Do. All adult Black Belt candidate must be Red Cross certified for First Aid and CPR.
Ashley, Celeste, and Walter have worked hard over many years to develop their art and becoming a black belt is evidence of their perseverance
and indomitable spirit. They have learned that the belt itself was not the objective. The years of training were not taken to earn a belt; it was
given in the service of becoming something more than they once were. The piece of fabric about their waist is simply a token to remind them of
what they have become – better citizens.
Guest Instructor: Grand Master Frank Shekosky
A special session, "Locking and Restraints", took place on Monday, June 17th, 2024, guest instructed by Grand Master Frank Shekosky.
About Grand Master Frank Shekosky:
Sensei Shekosky is the Founder and Head instructor of Cromwell Martial Arts. Sensei Shekosky is ranked 7th degree black belt in kenpo karate,
6th degree black belt in okinawan weapons, 9th degree black belt in Shaolin Kempo, and was named a senior student in Modern Arnis under legendary
Grand Master Remy A. Presas.
Sensei Shekosky is a certified Master Instructor, has been a certified personal fitness trainer with The National Academy Of Sports Medicine (NASM)
and he has earned his Bachelor of Science Degree at Charter Oak State College.
Sensei Shekosky was inducted into the Middletown Sports Hall of Fame in January 2020 and The International Modern Arnis Hall of Fame Foundation in
June 2015 at Villanova University. He has been inducted into The United States Martial Arts Hall Of Fame for Weapons Master of the year and into the
World Karate Union Hall Of Fame as Kenpo Karate Master Instructor Of The Year.
Promotions for Fall 2024
Congratulations go out to those students who received promotions at the December 15th, 2024 ceremonies.
Each student has worked hard developing their art so should be proud of their accomplishments. They have proved that such dedication
really pays off. We look forward to seeing even more great things from them.
Southbury Taekwon-Do Spring 2025 Schedule
Registration has opened for the Spring 2025
semester of Taekwon-do.
All classes are held on Mondays and Wednesdays at:
Parks and Recreation Building
561 Main Street South, Southbury, CT
- 6:00 pm - 6:45 pm Beginners (Ages 7 through Adult)
- 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm Advanced (Ages 7 through Adult)
Congratulation Renee Sanders
Congratulations to Renee Sanders for earning her 2nd degree black belt.
This was not the typical 2nd dan black belt test! Having previously earned her 1st degree black belt at another school, Renee had to meet all
of the requirements expected from Southbury Taekwon-Do for for a 1st degree black belt as well as for a 2nd degree black belt. This included demonstrating
her proficiency at patterns, sparring, breaking, theory, terminology (in both English and Korean) and self-defense.
Congratulations Renee. Well done.
Winter 2025 Promotions
Congratulations go out to new ranks.
The instructors recognize just hard each of these students have worked to make these promtion happen.
We are all very proud to see such dedication. Keep up the great work! Also, special thanks go out the parents and
other family members for their support – our students could not have done it without all of you!
Southbury Taekwon-Do Spring 2025 Schedule
Registration has opened for the Spring 2025
semester of Taekwon-do.
Semester begins April 7, 2025 and continues through June 18, 2025.
All classes are held on Mondays and Wednesdays at:
Parks and Recreation Building
561 Main Street South, Southbury, CT
- 6:00 pm - 6:45 pm Beginners (Ages 7 through Adult)
- 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm Advanced (Ages 7 through Adult)
Southbury Taekwon-Do Summer 2025 Schedule
Registration has opened for the Summer 2025
semester of Taekwon-do.
The Summer semester begins July 7, 2025 and continues through September 24, 2025.
All classes are held on Mondays and Wednesdays at:
Parks and Recreation Building
561 Main Street South, Southbury, CT
- 6:05 pm - 6:55 pm Beginners (Ages 7 through Adult)
- 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm Advanced (Ages 7 through Adult)
Please note the new times for the Beginners class. Also, there will be no classes held on Monday, September 1 in observance of the Labor Day holiday.
Special Stretching Seminar
On Sunday, September 14, 2025, Southbury Taekwon-do was honored to once again have Master Simon Scher conduct a special stretching seminar.
Master Scher -- an internationally known
flexibility instructor, 7th degree black belt, and chief instructor at Northampton Martial Arts in Northampton, Massachusetts -- explained the principles behind
flexibility in the human body and then guided the participants in a series of stretching activities. By the end of the session, every one of the participants
demonstrated increase extension and flexibility. A very worthwhile afternoon, indeed!
Southbury Taekwon-Do Fall 2025 Schedule
Registration has opened for the Fall 2025
semester of Taekwon-do.
The Fall semester runs from October 6 through December 17.
All classes are held on Mondays and Wednesdays at:
Parks and Recreation Building
561 Main Street South, Southbury, CT
- 6:05 pm - 6:55 pm Beginners (Ages 7 through Adult)
- 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm Advanced (Ages 7 through Adult)
Featured Article in HOONLYUN Magazine
The November 2025 edition of HOONLYUN:
The Journal of the United States Taekwondo Association has featured the article "A Case for Teaching Non-Violent Self-Defense,"
written by Southbury Taekwon-do Chief Instructor, James De Carli.
The premise of the article is that if violence is the option of last resort, what non-violent actions could be taken before that last resort.
Most self-defense instruction stresses situational awareness so potentially bad situations can avoidance but what if situational awarness
fails or emotions clouds your judgement? The article introduces a number of pre-attack indicators that may be used objectively to better
determine threat levels.
Promotions for Fall 2025
Congratulations go out to the students of Southbury Taekwon-do who received promotions.
Promotion ceremonies were conducted on December 17th, 2025 at the town's Parks & Recreations building. After the promotion ceremony,
students and their families enjoyed the "Family Chon-ji Challenge" – where family members are invited to perform the introductory
color belt pattern for the coveted Chon-ji Challenge trophy – followed by "Taekwon-do Jeopardy."