YOUTH TAEKWON-DO
TAUGHT BY MS. MARIA PATALINGHUG
A YOUTH-CENTRIC TAEKWON-DO PROGRAM THAT PROMOTES HEALTH, RESPECT, AND CONFIDENCE? WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED.
Elevate Your Child’s Journey to Excellence: Join Youth Taekwon-Do in Pasadena, Maryland today!
Our youth program is designed to inspire and instill the values of physical fitness, confidence, self-control, and self-defense mastery in your child or teen. Youth can expect to experience the dynamic world of Martial Arts through ITF Taekwon-Do, where the thrill of fast-paced martial arts meets character development and discipline to cultivate your child's behavior and manners.
CONFIDENCE.
Watch your child grow in confidence as they progress through our program! We focus on building your child's character through positive reinforcement grounded in the 5 tenets of Taekwon-Do: Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control, and Indomitable Spirit.
WORK ETHIC.
We teach the value of hard work, discipline, and perseverance. Every belt and advancement at GDD is earned, never given. Kids develop a strong work ethic that will serve them well in school and beyond!
SELF-DEFENSE.
Equip your child with essential self-defense skills to stay safe by enrolling them at GDD. Our program empowers kids to handle real-world situations with both confidence and clarity.
FRIENDSHIP.
Golden Dragon Defense is a supportive and inclusive place for kids to make friends that last! Golden Dragon Defense accepts children of ALL abilities and athletic backgrounds. Plus, our classes are designed to promote teamwork and cooperation. Kids work together on drills, exercises, and sparring, and also work together towards common goals like belt testings and tournaments!
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY.
Taekwon-Do keeps kids moving, improving their fitness and overall well-being! Taekwon-Do is a full-body workout that significantly improves fitness. Kids participate in dynamic movements, such as kicks, punches, and sparring, which elevate their heart rate and help to improve the cardiovascular system, muscle strength, and flexibility.
FUN!
Kids deserve to have fun, and we guarantee they will have a blast here! Discover the joy of learning martial arts in a playful, engaging, safe, and structured environment at Golden Dragon Defense.
FAQ
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If your child is just starting class, they may wear comfortable athletic attire until they receive their uniform. All GDD students are required to purchase an ITF-approved uniform (dobok), and sparring gear (once a yellow tip is achieved).
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The simple answer is yes. At GDD, we welcome kids of all abilities and athletic backgrounds! Taekwon-Do is an awesome way for your child to improve physical activity, gain confidence and self-control, and learn self-defense tactics.
We pride ourselves on our inclusivity and ability to modify Taekwon-Do to meet all children’s needs and capabilities. Come see the variety of abilities here by enrolling in a FREE trial class!
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Students progress over time – initially from a white belt – until they reach the level of a black belt. In order to earn these ITF Taekwon-Do belts, students must demonstrate their knowledge and technique by passing belt tests that can include patterns, kicks, strikes, sparring, and terminology.
BOOK A FREE TRIAL CLASS
OUR SCHEDULE, AT A GLANCE.
WE’RE AN ITF CERTIFIED SCHOOL. TRADITIONAL TECHNIQUES; WORLD-CLASS INSTRUCTION.
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Golden Dragon Defense is an ITF Certified School. ITF Taekwon-Do is a Martial Art with four distinct facets, as a sport, a martial art, a tool for social development and as a way of life. Competition highlights the Sport facet of ITF Taekwon-Do.
The International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) aims to promote and support Taekwon-Do according to the principles of its Founder, General Choi Hong-hi. It was founded in 1966 and has member associations in over 120 countries worldwide.
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Enrolling in an ITF Certified school means embracing an authentic martial arts style that is true to its roots. Our curriculum adheres to the original teachings of Taekwon-Do, as outlined in an Encyclopedia, written by founder General Choi Hong-hi.
ITF allows hand strikes, kicks, takedowns, blocks, and more. Students practice patterns, self defense, board breaking, and sparring.
ITF also opens the door for competitions, both nationally and internationally, where students can choose to take their martial arts journey to the next level!
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There are five tenets defined in the International Taekwondo Federation (ITF).
Courtesy ( 예의 ye-ui )
Showing courtesy to all, respecting others, having manners as well as maintaining the appropriate etiquette at all times, both within and outside the dojang (도장) (designated training area).
Integrity ( 염치 yeom-chi )
Although it may be similar, this form of integrity takes on a more wider role then defined in the common dictionary. In Taekwon-Do, integrity means not only to determine what is right or wrong but also having the conscience to feel guilt if one has done wrong and to have the integrity stand up for what is right.
Perseverance ( 인내 in-nae )
One will persevere time and time again until they have achieved a result which is adequate towards what one was trying to achieve.
Self-control ( 극기 geuk-gi )
This means to not only have control over one's physical acts, but also their mental thoughts and actions.
Indomitable Spirit ( 백절불굴 baekjul-boolgool )
To have indomitable spirit means to have the courage to stand up for what you believe in, no matter what odds you are up against, and to always give 100% effort in whatever you do.
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ITF Certified schools are eligible to enroll in plenty of competitions and tournaments of various scales throughout the year. Competitions allow students to evaluate and increase their abilities, set goals to achieve a higher level of training and accomplishment and to achieve success at local, regional, national and international level.
Golden Dragon Defense offers an Annual Dragon’s Eye Tournament where students from schools throughout the East Coast travel to compete in our hometown to compete each year!
Official Championships organised by the ITF are the ITF World Championships and ITF World Cups. However, other approved championships take place across the world such as Continental Championships and approved ITF Open Championships. Learn more here.