Dear Student/Parent: Welcome to Chung s Martial Arts Academy. Getting involved in a martial arts school can be very overwhelming at first (I remember). We hope that in the next three weeks you will come to better understand how this academy operates and how to become a successful martial arts student. The purpose of this packet is to familiarize you with the things you need to know when getting started. Please feel free to ask questions at any time. Membership Tuition What is a course? A course is different from the membership contracts used by most martial arts schools. When students sign up for a course they pay a fee based on the minimum number of months it would take them to earn a certain rank. Once the course is paid off no further payments will be owed until the student has earned the rank of their chosen course. Since most people take longer than the minimum number of months to reach a certain rank, this option will save money for members (these courses are good for life, students can pause and come back at will). In the beginning, after initially selecting a course, students will have a one month window to upgrade if they wish. Course Benefits: 1. Lower prices. (Longer courses have more benefits, see other pages) 2. Free equipment. 3. Go at your own pace, easy to take time for another sport. 4. Gives students concrete goals to work toward. 5. Allows the academy to train more advanced students.
Starting From White Belt Tips on selecting a course: * Decide your long term plan for training. Those who are unsure of their future in the martial arts should choose a shorter course. Those who know they would like to be long term students should choose a longer course. *Longer courses are a big commitment but have many advantages over shorter courses, be sure to look at the advantages that come with each course. Green Belt Course 8 Months 1 Person: $105 per month 2 People: $165 per month 3 People: $190 per month Brown Belt Course 16 Months 1 Person: $100 per month 2 People: $150 per month 3 People: $185 per month Course Includes: Beginner Textbook and Spare Uniform Red Belt Course 28 Months 1 Person: $95 per month 2 People: $145 per month 3 People: $175 per month Course Includes: Beginner and Advanced Textbook, High End Embroidered Uniform and BudoCode App Black Belt Course 46 Months 1 Person: $92 per month 2 People: $142 per month 3 People: $170 per month Course Includes: Beginner and Advanced Textbook, High End Embroidered Uniform, BudoCode App, Full Sparring Gear Set, Staff and Nunchaku
Renewing After Green Belt Course Completes Brown Belt Course 8-14 Months 1 Person: $105 per month 2 People: $165 per month 3 People: $190 per month Red Belt Course 20-26 Months 1 Person: $100 per month 2 People: $150 per month 3 People: $175 per month Course Includes: Advanced Textbook and Spare Uniform Black Belt Course 34-40 Months 1 Person: $95 per month 2 People: $145 per month 3 People: $165 per month Course Includes: Advanced Textbook, Full Sparring Gear Set
How do the belts work? Students who begin training at this academy start with the rank of white belt. As they come to class they will be taught the necessary requirements that allow them to test for the next rank (yellow belt). This process is repeated into the black belt ranks. Students will need to learn the following material in order to qualify for the next rank (varies depending on age and rank): -Poomsae (pre-arranged set of basic movements that have been used to pass the art down over time) -One-Step Sparring (the first way to begin applying motions for self defense) -Free Sparring -Demonstration Of Basic Motions -Grabbing Self-Defense -Korean Terminology -Textbook Memorization Children who have adequately learned their one-step sparring techniques receive a green stripe of tape for their belt. They also receive a blue stripe for adequate poomsae. Once they have earned both tape colors they will be ready for their belt test. We hold promotional belt tests every month and can also schedule makeup tests for those who cannot be present. Testing from white belt up to green belt requires a minimum of two months of practice between each rank. Testing from blue to brown requires a minimum of four months between ranks. Testing from brown/white to black belt requires a minimum of six months between ranks. Students should set testing goals and be properly prepared for the desired test date so that they do not fall behind. *All of the terminology, required movements and memorization are contained in the Moo Sool Do textbooks. Textbooks are $40 (free with most courses) and become essential once students have progressed past white belt.
*Free videos of forms and one-steps are available on our website, www.chungsmaa.com. Use the following to gain access to the videos: Username: ChungStudent Password: Nevergiveup (case sensitive) Testing under Grandmaster Chung: When opening this school I felt it important to affiliate with Grandmaster Chung because of his extremely high standing in the martial arts community. He holds a 9 th degree black belt in the arts of Tae Kwon Do, Tang Soo Do and Hapkido and has received numerous awards throughout his life. He is also highly recognized at the Kukkiwon (Tae Kwon Do Headquarters) and personally certifies Dan ranking students with them. The type of certification he offers through testing is comparable to getting your degree from a high standing university. It comes down to a lot more than just getting a belt. Being awarded rank by a martial artist like Grandmaster Chung is a rare privilege. Testing Fees:
Newsletters and Facebook Page Each month Chung s Martial Arts Academy puts out a newsletter detailing upcoming events, highlights of past events and other important information for students and parents. Newsletters are emailed and printed copies are also available at the school. Chung s also posts newsletters along with all other important updates to the facebook page. We will try to promptly inform you via facebook and email if classes need to be canceled for weather or other emergency related reasons (extremely rare). Sparring At Chung s we practice what is called Olympic Sparring which is game where competitors attempt to score blows to the opponents helmet and chest guard, usually with the feet. This game is very popular both locally and internationally (Olympic event) giving young competitive students a chance to excel. Olympic sparring is not your typical point style karate sparring; it is continuous and full contact (full contact to the head is for black belts in a tournament setting only). Because this form of sparring is full contact students are required to wear a full set of safety equipment when competing. It should also be noted that within the class setting sparring must be practiced with proper control so that no student is injured. We will never ask a student to engage in activities that are beyond their skill level. Full sets of safety equipment can be purchased through the academy for $200 (free with some courses) or from another martial arts supplier. Make sure any gear purchased outside of the academy meets the World Taekwondo Federation guidelines or it will likely not be allowed in tournaments or will not offer adequate protection in class. Students who spar should have their own safety equipment by green belt so that they can practice with the appropriate level of intensity.
Tournaments Our academy typically competes in 4-6 local Michigan/Indiana/Illinois taekwondo tournaments each year. Tournaments are a great way for students to grow and test their abilities under stress. Students can typically compete in Olympic sparring, poomsae or board breaking. Students can choose to specialize in one type of competition or compete in all the events. We believe tournaments are extremely important for a student s growth and require that students compete at least six times in outside tournaments before earning their black belt. Warrior Fitness Warrior Fitness pulls the best self defense techniques from arts such as taekwondo, karate, aikido and target focus training. These techniques have been synthesized into an easy to learn system that is then drilled in a reality based way. Nothing you do in Warrior Fitness is for art or sport, everything is about getting the job done quickly. This class does not contain the cultural formality, memorization or etiquette that is present in our normal martial arts program. Warrior Fitness is free to adult martial arts students or can be practiced as an individual program for the fees listed below: 6 Months: $75 per month 1 Year: $65 per month Class Protocol 1. Upon entering the training hall, students shall salute the flags and bow to the instructor. Do not wait for the instructor s acknowledgement if he is busy. 2. Be on the training floor as quickly as possible, it is good to come at least 10 minutes before class to ensure enough time to change and prepare. 3. When Class begins, students line up according to rank - highest ranking members to the right side. The highest ranking member calls the commands: Attention; Turn to flags; Salute flags; etc. 4. When the Master instructor enters the training hall, the instructor or the highest ranking belt on the floor should call the class to attention and have the
class bow. After respect has been paid, the class should return immediately to training. 5. When a student comes to class late, he should wait until he/she is recognized by the instructor, then approach him, bow, and get permission to join the class. 6. When a student must leave during training, he/she should first receive permission from the instructor unless other instructions were given at the start of the class. It is necessary to receive permission to leave the floor even if you are ill. 7. During the class, proper respect and discipline must be maintained at all times and Moo Sool Do ritual must be followed in a uniform manner. When in a given position, do not move, wipe perspiration or hair, look about, etc. Maintain good eye control, ignore discomfort and employ a good effort. When at ease you may straighten the uniform, wipe your brow, rub your muscles, etc. You are not allowed to walk around, talk or practice techniques. This is primarily a rest period which you will need if you have been exercising properly. 8. Respect is essential to our training and should be shown to all others at all times. Moo Sool Do training is not confined to the class. All conflicts are to be left outside the training hall. 9. There should be no unnecessary noise. Students seated on the sidelines should remain still so as not to disturb those on the floor. This is an action sport not a bull session. No smoking or chewing gum. Consider the training place as a sacred area. 10. While seated on the floor, students should keep the proper posture conducive to health. Hands should be placed on the knees, the back should be straight, and the legs should be crossed in front with the feet tucked beneath the thighs. 11. Students should exercise care to keep their uniforms clean and pressed at all times. It is important to give a good impression of this art, and a neat, uniform appearance is important in this respect. Students should take care to pay respect to their bodies and keep themselves clean. Fingernails and toenails should be kept short to prevent injury to oneself and to others while practicing. No metal of any sort, except eye glasses, should be worn in class.
12. Uniforms are to be worn only for training, competitions or demonstrations. Do not wear to class or carry on a hanger. Uniforms must be treated with respect. Clean and neat when worn, hung or folded properly when not. The patches are to shown in a certain way and additional changes are not to be made to the uniform unless specified by the instructor. The jacket is a symbol of your art and the belt is a badge of your rank and training. 13. Before and after exercises or contests, the participants should turn around, adjust their uniforms, and make a correct salutation to their opponents or their instructor. 14. Free sparring is to be with good technique, precision, and control. There is no competition in class. It is a learning experience. Contact is to be appropriate and consideration is always given to the junior partner. 15. During one-step, talking is to be at a minimum. Verbal corrections between students should be made only when a major mistake is made. The time must be used for physical repetition with a partner. Key word, repetition! 16. The Martial Arts are traditional, therefore, use Korean Terms whenever possible. This applies to club affiliations only. 17. Warming up exercises must be practiced by every participant before and after training to prepare the body and mind. An unprepared body could be strained under the rigorous Moo Sool exercises. When training is terminated, students should relax themselves in a series of exercises to help themselves return to a calm and normal state. IT IS ABSOULTELY ESSENTIAL THAT EVERY MEMBER ATTENDS CLASSES CONSISTENTLY. GOOD EXCUSES DO NOT PRODUCE GOOD RESULTS! Rules and Regulations 1. Bow to the instructor and to the flag when entering and leaving. 2. At anytime and place, when the instructor arrives you must stand at attention and bow. In class the first person to notice the Instructor s presence must alert the others by clapping his/her hands, then the highest ranking member present calls the commands Charut (attention) and Kung Yea (bow). 3. Always address other instructors or senior ranking members as Sir/Mme.
4. When given permission, upper ranks are responsible for instructing lower ranks in discipline, manners, techniques, terminology, rules and general information regarding the Academy. 5. Do not teach other martial art techniques or higher rank techniques to lower ranks without permission from the instructor. 6. When at the Do Jang, do not practice any techniques that have not been shown to you by the Instructor or class leader. 7. Do not face the instructor, other students or the flag when adjusting your Do Bak and belt. 8. Korean terminology is to be used during class time. 9. Injuries are to be reported to the instructor or the class leader immediately. 10. While participating in the class, should you receive a visitor or become weak or ill, you must ask permission of the instructor before lying down or leaving the Do Jang. 11. No personal business is to be conducted during class time. 12. Permission from the instructor must be obtained if you wish to participate in any outside tournaments or demonstrations. 13. Children should always respect their parents by obeying them and obtaining permission for certain activities. Never talk back to your parents disrespectfully. 14. Students must attend at least two classes per week. 15. Profanity, idle chattering and horseplay are prohibited in the Academy. 16. Smoking, eating, drinking, gum chewing, wearing shoes or jewelry are prohibited in the Academy. 17. Any damaged equipment must be paid for by the person or persons responsible. 18. Anyone discovered to be currently a drug abuser, alcoholic, or member of an undesirable group (such as gangs, immoral or criminal clubs) will be expelled, as this sort of conduct reflects the Academy.
19. Remember basic manners such as covering your mouth when you yawn, cough, or sneeze. 20. Keep your Do Bak clean at all times. 21. Keeping the school clean and returning equipment to its proper place is part of martial arts discipline. All students are expected to do their share without being told. 22. Any student tempting another into breaking the rules, or slandering the instructor, another student or the Academy will be expelled. 23. Only members may use the Do Jang. 24. Payments must be current. 25. Parents should not communicate with their children during class. This insures fairness to other students and keeps everyone focused. 26. Memorize all the rules and regulations and make them part of your daily conduct.