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Master Julian Vasquez Sr.
6th Degree Blackbelt Taekwondo
4th Degree Blackbelt, Haidong Gumdo |
Master Carol Vasquez
5th Degree Blackbelt |
Master
Julian Vasquez Jr.
4th Degree Blackbelt |
Why We Believe We are Among the Best Martial Arts
Schools
A. Comprehensive Curriculum - Three Belts In One
At VTA, our Taekwondo program is based on the full
white to black belt level curriculum of three
highly unique but complementary Korean Martial Arts
(Taekwondo, HapKiDo, and Tang So Do). Our focus is to provide a blend of the best
techniques from a common Korean foundation that
covers the full suite of martial arts techniques
(kicking, punching, grappling/ground, weapons), and
philosophies(traditional, modern, sport) to provide
one of the most comprehensive martial arts
curriculums available.
Martial Arts have grown over the centuries to
include a variety of techniques. Most martial arts
have a focus on just one of these techniques and the
others may be covered to a limited extent. We feel
our students need to get an equal grounding in each
of these areas so they can handle any situation that
arises.
- Weapons - we cover traditional weapons such as the
Staff or Bo, Sai, Long Club, and Knife. While other more modern weapons
exist, we have focused on these traditional weapons for their simplicity
and effectiveness, along with their long history in martial arts. We
also cover the sword art Haidong Gumdo as a separate belt program which
is 100% devoted to sword attacks. Many different types of swords are
used (long sword, short sword, admirals(two sided) sword, and others
(see below).
- Kicking - as the growth of mixed martial arts has
shown, kicking is not the only technique a martial artist must possess.
But, used properly, kicking can be devastating to an opponent. Whether
it is for providing attacks outside the range of distance of a punch, or
a knockout blow, kicks to the body, head, and legs are all very
effective, as are knee attacks. But, they are among the hardest martial
arts techniques to do well.
- Punching - This includes punches, knife hands,
ridge hands, elbow strikes, and many other forms of upper body attacks.
It also includes a large variety of blocks, grabs, and trapping
techniques. A common complaint about Taekwondo is that its fighters have
too great a reliance on kicks. We have included a heavy focus on these
upper body attacks and defenses to help provide effective techniques
when fighters are at close distances.
- Grappling & Ground Techniques - There is an old
saying in martial arts that most fights ultimately end up with someone
on the ground. We have therefore heavily leveraged over a hundred
techniques for grappling, throwing, choking, and submission techniques
to help our students defend themselves on the ground.
As there are different forms of techniques, there are also different
philosophies of martial arts. This is not related to religion, but rather to
the way the techniques are applied. A kick applied traditionally, modern, or
in a sport approach are quite different, but equally effective.
- Classical - Classical philosophies tend to dictate
heavily grounded stances, and direct linear attacks. Stances tend to be
deep, and very strong. And circular techniques are avoided. The shortest
distance between two points is a straight line, and these techniques
follow this principle to the letter. Kicks tend to be waist high,
linear, and strong. Punches have tremendous power and are executed with
heavy twists of the hips, and the opposite arm being drawn back to
increase force.
- Modern - As martial arts progressed, and as
scientific principles of physiology, and kinesiology were applied to
them, they changed. Stances became narrower to improve mobility The
focus of attacks became speed, not just power. Movements became more
fluid, and less focused on hard snaps on the joints. Kicks became very
fast, and often head high. Traditional martial arts were very focused on
preparing a warrior for battle, but not for a modern weekend warrior to
practice martial arts for a lifetime. So, the execution of some kicks
and upper body techniques were changed to reduce stress on the knee.
Modern martial artists do not pound Makiwara boards (boards with rope
round around them) to increase their knuckle bone densities as this can
lead to early arthritis. There are many changes that were made to
improve the techniques based on modern science to improve their
effectiveness and deal with the fact most martial arts practitioners
hope to spend decades perfecting them.
- Sport - Depending on who you talk to, sports have
either ruined or saved martial arts. However, their impact is
undeniable. Taekwondo is an Olympic sport, with a very stringent set of
rules. While these rules are not ever duplicated in a street fight, they
do give martial artists a full contact outlet for their art. Instead of
using their techniques to punch the air, they can get the feel for
kicking an opponent, and knowing what its like to take a hit and keep on
moving. Because of the rules of WTF taekwondo, many more head kicks are
thrown than you would normally use in a street fight, but these kicks
are still useful, and the athlete's fighting skills are much better for
using them. Plus, while this is optional at our school, many of our
students absolutely love the thrill of competitions, and the knowledge
they are training to become world class athletes who might one day earn
the respect of the world by wining a gold medal at the Olympics.
To fully, and equally support these four techniques
and three philosophers, we at Vasquez Taekwondo have
chosen to blend three very different, but
complimentary Korean martial arts into our
curriculum. We have designed our curriculum to
introduce them at different times so our students
are not confused by their different approaches. But,
by the time a student reaches 1st degree blackbelt,
they will have an equal education in all these
areas, and know when to use them appropriately. They
will have also covered the full white to black belt
material of each of the three arts. It is
why we consider our blackbelt in Taekwondo three
belts in one.
Our three Korean martial arts are as follows:
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1. Taekwondo -
Taekwondo is the modern Korean martial art that was
founded by combining the best attributes of Koreas
thousand year history of martial arts after the
expulsion of the Japanese occupation force after
World War II, and the forced introduction of
Japanese martial arts into Korea. After WWII,
Korea was looking to rediscover its history, but at
the same time, create a modern martial art that
would dominate the world.
Much has been written about
the nine original Korean Kwans, or schools, that
combined to ultimately form the World Taekwondo
Federation. The origins of Taekwondo were Tang So Do
(Korean Karate) that had been heavily modified over
time to include a much stronger emphasis on
kicking, especially jumping kicks, and head
kicks. The arts innovators looked to bring in
some of the techniques of
the ancient Korean foot fighting art called Taekkyeon to make it a
true Korean art.
The style that emerged had a heavy focus on fast kicking, and
aggressive attacks and was very unlike other
martial arts at the time. The introduction of
Taekwondo as a sport in the Olympics helped to
further focus the art's emphasis on kicking, and
enhanced its sports philosophy. But, non-Olympic
taekwondo is equally practiced at our school
that used the modern techniques, but relies less
on the rules of sparring.
The streamlining of the material taught in Taekwondo
into a modern art added much needed consistency
across all the WTF schools. However, lost in this
streamlining were the more traditional and classical
styles of martial arts. Also, with the focus on
kicking techniques, other aspects of martial arts
such as grappling, and punching as well as weapons
were not as prominent.
To help provide a broader program that addresses
some of these limitations, VTA has added the
full white to black belt material from two other
distinct marital arts described below.
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2. HapKiDo - HapKiDo is a Korean
grappling martial art that evolved in parallel to
Taekwondo but with a very different focus. HapKiDo
is a form of self defense where an attacker's energy
and movements are used against them through the use
of joint locks, pressure points, and throws. The
objective is to redirect force rather than use force
against force. The art
of HapKiDo uses techniques that are circular as well
as
linear. The
term HapKiDo can be translated to mean" the way of
coordinated energy or strength". Through HapKiDo practice
one learns to coordinate and harmonize his or her
own mind and body.
The origins of HapKiDo can
be traced to Japan in the early 1900's. The
recognized founder of HapKiDo, Master Choi, Yong-Sul
was a student of Daito Ryu Aiki-Jujutsu under Grand
Master Sokau Takeda . Master Choi lived in Japan
working as a man servant to and student of Master
Takeda for approximately thirty years (1912 -1943).
During some of this time Master Morihei Ueshiba was
also a student under Master Takeda. Master Ueshiba
was the founder of Aikido . Most of the similar
techniques and concepts in HapKiDo and Aikido have
their origins in Daito Ryu Aiki-Jujutsu .
Our HapKiDo program is focused on a series
of defenses from 120 different positions. We
have as part of the program joint locks and
maneuvers, grappling, trapping, foot sweeps,
throws, and ground techniques.
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3. Tang Soo Do - This style is a
very traditional and classical empty hand
martial art with an emphasis on strong rooted
stances, and direct linear attacks. Punching and
upper body blocks are the focus(60%), as well as
kicking
(40%). Often called Korean Karate, this art
evolved in Korea after the Japanese occupation
of the country in the early part of the century,
and the ban on Korean martial arts. Early
practitioners of Tang So Do were taught Japanese
Karate. Tang So Do literally translated means
"Way of the Chinese Fist", which is the same as
Karate in Japanese.
The
founders of post World War II Tang Soo Do were trained initially in
Shotokan Karate, and Kung Fu. Like Taekwondo, after WWII, they
learned some of the traditional Korean styles that
had long been hidden from the Japanese, like the art
Taekkyeon. They moved into one of the original Kwans
called the Moo Duk Kwan (which ultimately combined
to form Taekwondo). However, dissatisfied with
the new direction of Taekwondo with its heavy
emphasis on kicking in the 1950s, this
style split away from the Kwan to maintain its
traditional and classical roots.
Tang Soo Do today
is quite popular, but does not have a strong central
organization like the World Taekwondo Federation.
This has led to a variety of modifications and
changes to classical forms, and approaches, but at
their core, they are all very much alike, and quite
different than Taekwondo. The Tang Soo Do taught by
the school is very similar to the old classical Shotokan Karate
stylings of Gichin Funakoshi, except Korean
terms are used for the forms and techniques.
Also, the style has added a large number of
weapons techniques and forms added from
traditional Korean arts. At the school, we teach
engagement techniques and forms for the long
staff, long club, sai, and knife.
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B. Haidong Gumdo - The Korean Sword Art
Over the past 15 years, Master Vasquez has sought to
add a martial art to the school that was well suited
to older students, especially parents of children in
Taekwondo. Many parents over 30 were looking for
ways to get the fun and fitness of a martial art,
but without the full contact nature of empty hand
techniques. He noticed a new martial art that was
described as being for three generations of families
where children, parents and grand parents could
train together. This art was the traditional sword
art, Haidong Gumdo. Master Vasquez certified as a
4th Dan Master Instructor Blackbelt in Haidong Gumdo
now by the World Haidong Gumdo Federation, and he
has launched this program here in McKinney.
The history of Haidong Gumdo is much like that of
other Korean arts. A foundation in Korean history
going back a millennia, but roots in a Japanese art
that was forced on the Korean population. Haidong
Gumdo was formed when several members of the Korean
Kumdo association, or Japanese sword art, split away
to recreate a sword art based on traditional Korean
techniques. The founders had become frustrated that
Kumdo had become watered down and more of a sport.
They also believed that the focus of Kendo, and even KenJitsu - the traditional Japanese non-sport sword
art, being of a single killing blow, was not the
proper view, and that the art had to take the focus
of a battlefield engagement with multiple attackers.
Being able to attack and defend in multiple
directions at once became the new focus. The
founders began their investigation of traditional
Korean arts and spent many years learning from
masters who had kept their arts secret from the
Japanese occupiers. In the 1980s, they formed the
World Haidong Gumdo association, and now have
thousands of schools world wide. Haidong Gumdo has
become the fastest growing martial art in Korea, and
is now second only to Taekwondo in popularity.
The Haidong Gumdo program requires a different
uniform, and belt promotion path than Taekwondo. Its
focus is 100% on sword techniques, and all class
activities involve the use of the sword. While some
schools have incorporated the sword as one of many
weapons they teach, we have found that it is so
complex, intricate, and involved, it requires its
own discipline. There is an old saying that a true
swordsman does not learn how to cut in the 100th,
1000th, or even 1,000,000th cut. It can take a
lifetime of mastery and an unthinkable number of
cuts before the true approach is revealed. This is
hard to put into words, but it is very much at the
heart of our program.
Since it was instituted, students have been parents
of Taekwondo students, blackbelts in Taekwondo, or
simply young adults who were fascinated by the
mystique of the sword. But, there is no question
that its availability as a separate training path at
Vasquez Taekwondo makes our school unique.
For more information, click
here
.
C.
One of the Top Jr. Olympic Programs in the Country
While
taekwondo is a modern martial art influenced by its sport aspects, the vast
majority of its practitioners practice it without interest in tournaments,
or competitions. These students practice forms, techniques, kicks, and
sparring, but only in the confines of their school. For most students, it is
how they wish to train.
However, in 2000, Taekwondo sparring was
accepted as an Olympic sport. This, and the
inspiration of US Olympic gold medalist Steven Lopez
created a frenzy of interest in Taekwondo as a
highly competitive sport. Taekwondo as an Olympic
sport is governed by the AAU, or Amateur Athletic
Union. This governing body oversees competitions,
rules, and athletes. Competing in this sport
requires the advanced athletic training and
curriculum of any other Olympic event.
At VTA, we have successfully developed one of the
top programs in the US for creating Jr. Olympic
champions. Based on the foundations of the Blue
Victory System developed by Master Guy Poos, this
program uses modern training techniques to
supplement regular taekwondo activities. Our results
speak for themselves. Our athletes' have
earned over 200 state and regional champions, and
over 60 Junior Olympic champions within the past 5
years.
Our Olympic sparring program is taught through a
separate series of classes held 6 times a week
depending on a students age and belt rank. All
students are required to participate in our regular
taekwondo programs as well as our sparring classes.
Students get to travel within Texas, nationally, and
sometimes internationally to compete in the leading
taekwondo competitions.
Our motto is "Where National Champions Train." No
other school in North Dallas, and few in the
southern United States can match our training
program and success in helping our students achieve
Jr. Olympic medals.
For more information, click
here
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D. JiDo Kwan
Our school is a member of the Jido Kwan fraternal order
of Taekwondo Schools. The Jido Kwan was one of the 9
original Korean martial arts schools, or Kwans formed
after the Japanese occupation force were expelled from
Korea. Jido Kwan means "Way of Wisdom" and is an
association of Taekwondo Schools that fully supports the
World Taekwondo Federation, but provides a much stronger
community, common
philosophy and way of life.
The logo above shows the philosophy of Jido Kwan.
Flowers in general signify peace, love, nobility and
happiness. Eight flower pedals around the edges have
great meaning as well. The Jidokwan Spirit of eight
manners of justice are: See Rightly, Feel Rightly,
Think Rightly, Speak Rightly, Command Rightly, Serve
Rightly, Have Ability, and Conduct with Justice.
Also, the central figure - a roly-poly - signifies
persistence. There is a saying, "Seven times down,
eight times up." This spirit of standing upright in
all tribulations is very strong in the Jidokwan
community. Circles symbolize universe, sun, earth,
nation, Kwan, self. For more information, see the
attached
link from Grand Master Park, or on our site, click
here
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E.
School for Master Instructors
A
recent national study of martial artists had a sad statistic. It found that about 80% of blackbelt students stop training after recieving
their 1st dan blackbelt. We believe the blackbelt
dropout rate is a direct result of schools expecting
most blackbelts to dedicate their efforts to
teaching, and that few dedicated classes are offered
for blackbelt students.
At VTA, we have created a dedicated program to help
taekwondo blackbelts attain a 4th dan master
designation from the WTF Kukkiwon. We have over 14
dedicated classes per week just for blackbelts of
different ranks to help them learn their material,
and provide appropriate leadership. Our classes are
broken down into deputy blackbelt (students just
below blackbelt who need to focus on learning the
considerable material for the test), 1st dan
blackbelts, and advanced dan blackbelts (2nd and 3rd
degree).
We have also created a separate set of classes for
blackbelts from other schools who are looking for
dedicated master training, or have moved to the
McKinney area and wish to transfer to our school.
Our transfer blackbelt program is focused on helping
the students rapidly learn the core blackbelt
material of one-steps, breaking holds, and forms.
Because we teach three complete styles of martial
arts in our taekwondo program, even blackbelt
taekwondo students from other WTF schools have some
incremental material to learn.
For more information, please click
here
.
F.
Web e-Learning
The
national study mentioned above also had an
unfortunate
statistic on martial arts students achieving blackbelt. That number was closer to 1 in 100
students invest the 4+ years necessary to get a blackbelt in a martial art. We believe there are a
number of factors that influence this. Martial arts
is hard work and it
requires dedication and a lot of time in
the gym. And traditionally, martial arts is a solo
activity. It can be hard to make friends to give you
the support you need to get through a program, given the
focus on training and a lack of opportunity for
social interaction.
At VTA we have embarked on a grand experiment. We
have decided to use the web to help improve the
learning experience of our students and address some
of the issues mentioned above. We have built
out the most advanced web based e-learning system of
any martial arts school in the country, and perhaps
the world. We have now digitized over 400
instructional videos on all aspects of our
curriculum up to 4th dan blackbelt and have them
deployed in a web based system accessible from any
browser on any computer.
The system has the following features:
- Over 400 separate videos on our entire curriculum of kicks, punches,
blocks, forms, one-steps, breaking holds, forms, breaks, sparring, etc
up to 4th dan.
- Over 400 instructional step by step instructions with pictures on
that same curriculum
- A Korean language instruction system with audio instruction
- Kickbook - a social network similar to Facebook where all our
students can post photos, videos, and exchange posts and messages.
- See your detailed attendance by program (Olympic sparring, Haidong Gumdo,
takewondo), and see how many classes you have yet to take before
you achieve your minimum standards for testing
- Personalized schedule based on your belt rank
- Personalized testing material based on your belt rank
- On-line belt test report cards after each test
- Operates in any browser.
It is our hope that this system will help our students in memorizing the
material they need to learn, as well as help them make new friends and get
the support of a broader team of students to help them through their martial
arts journey. For more information click
here
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G. Family Run
We will shortly be celebrating our 15th anniversary in the
McKinney area. Few schools have had the same
longevity we have. We are not a chain. Our
instructors are senior master level blackbelts and
teach all the classes.
H. We Have Fun
Martial arts is a serious endeavor. It takes tremendous diligence to achieve
the highest ranks. However, through our Kickbook social network, through a
serious of organized social events, spirit team competitions, and a general
philosophy of showing respect to all, we do our best to ensure your experience
at Vasquez Taekwondo is an enjoyable one. Many of our senior students describe
VTA as an extended family. We hope you will consider joining that family.
The Bottom Line
We believe your choice in a martial arts school should be carefully thought
out. There are many schools around that will lock you into long term contracts,
and make outlandish claims of fast results. Their instructors may be recent 1st
dan blackbelts, affiliates of chain schools, or hold ranks from obscure
associations whose requirements for achievement are minimal at best. Or, they
may be senior instructors who have long ago given up active teaching, and
have delegated the work to junior staff.
At VTA, we belong to the top martial arts organizations. We are a World
Taekwondo Federation certified school, whose instructors have received their
Dan certificates from the Kukkiwon. Our Haidong Gumdo instructors also are
certified by the World Haidong Gumdo Association. We do not lock you into
contracts, and do not place an emphasis on making a profit over the quality
of your training. Our program is harder, and more comprehensive than any
other in our area. And, our three master instructors all teach classes
daily. The work is not delegated to junior blackbelts.
Should you choose Vasquez Taekwondo Academy as your martial arts school,
you will work harder and learn more than anywhere else in the North Dallas
area. But, in the end, you will be amazed at your personal transformation.
If you want more information about our school, please
click
here
. We look forward to seeing you soon.