Yes Solar Solutions assists Jessica Stober - Black Belt Instructor and Project Manager for the 1st annual Johnson's TaeKwonDo "Where Does The Rain Go" Rain Water barrel auction!

Johnson's TaeKwonDo & Leadership Academy encourages its martial arts students in Cary to take their skills out of the dojang and into the world. Jessica Stober-16 year old Black Belt and Instructor has done just that. Jessica is leading 2 projects in one! She is busy organizing the "Run for Their Lives" Cary 5k race as well as the "Where does the rain go?" rain barrel auction to benefit the World Wildlife Federation on April 24th-2 days after Earth Day. Jessica has teamed Johnson's up with local businesses to accomplish her goals. 

 

The rain barrel donated by Yes! Solar Solutions was designed and painted by Yes! Project Manager Chad Colwell and his able assistant Rob Smith, also a Project Manager for Yes! Solar Solutions in Cary.  Here they are at their day job, installing a solar system on a home in Wake Forest.  Chad’s barrel design illustrates other  kinds of renewable resources like wind and solar, in addition to the barrel’s use to recycle rain water.  For more information on how Chad and Rob and the rest of the Yes! team help home and business owners find energy solutions please contact us.

410 Ledgestone Way in Stone Creek Village in Cary

459-4155      www.yessolarsolutionsnc.com

 

 

 

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Yes Solar Solutions of Cary assists with the “Where Does the Rain Go” Rain Barrel auction for the World Wildlife Federation.

Jessica Stober- black belt and instructor at Johnson's TaeKwonDo & Leadership Academy is taking her skills out of the dojang and putting them to use in the world. Jessica is the project manager for her "Where Does the Rain Go? rainwater barrel auction and the "Run for Their Lives" 5k in cary . Both events are to fully support the World Wildlife Federation on April 24th at Wake Med Soccer Park in Cary. This is one fine example of how Johnson's Cary TaeKwonDo students are manifesting the martial arts philosophy in their daily lives.



The rain barrel donated by Yes! Solar Solutions was designed and painted by Yes! Project Manager Chad Colwell and his able assistant Rob Smith, also a Project Manager for Yes! Solar Solutions in Cary.  Here they are at their day job, installing a solar system on a home in Wake Forest.  Chad’s barrel design illustrates other  kinds of renewable resources like wind and solar, in addition to the barrel’s use to recycle rain water.  For more information on how Chad and Rob and the rest of the Yes! team help home and business owners find energy solutions please contact us.



Go to www.yessolarsolutions.com for more information on this company.

“The history of Ho-Am Taekwondo" by Rita Lewitt - A Black Belt and Instructor from Johnson's TaeKwonDo in Cary

Taekwondo has a deep and rich history formally dating back 4000 years with traces of its roots going back as far as 10,000 years.  Historically this includes the migration of the Korean ancestors from Central Asia to the location of modern day Korea.  This lengthy time line provides a wealth of opportunities to mold Taekwondo into what it has become today.

Early on, historians believe the movements for Taekwondo were a re-enactment of past battles.  Through the retelling of the combats, the tribes would continually improve on the techniques, thereby developing a better, faster and more efficient form of fighting.   Around 4000 years ago, the formal development of Taekwondo took place and was fostered in the young warriors, Hwa-Rang-Do who protected the king. This development not only involved the training of hand foot combat, but also encouraged mental development making them scholars. 

Martial Arts as a whole is a popular form of mental and physical enrichment.  In the early 1900s, during the Yi Dynasty, these Martial Arts were banished.  As all things banished, it goes underground to be practiced in silence and secrecy.  These secret activities were taught by five Kwans.  Of these five, Chung Do Kwan, founded by Grand Master Lee Won-Kuk, was the largest and the only one recognized by the Korean army.

In the middle 1950s, the name Taekwondo was selected as the formal name for the National Martial Art of Korea.  So even in as early as the 1950s, we still see Taekwondo’s recent modernizations.  However, formulation of the techniques and the development of proficiency and focus on mind and body health dates back so much farther.  This merging of ancient history and modern emphasis provides for a dynamic and deeply impacting art form to be enjoyed by millions for many years to come.

 

Welcome to the New Way of Martial Arts in Cary, North Carolina!

Citizens of Cary who are members of other Karate, Martial Arts, and Taekwondo schools are often refreshingly surprised to see the way our school operates. I, Bryson Johnson, am a 5th Degree Black Belt. My wife, Melissa Johnson is a 4th Degree Senior Black Belt. Together, we have 36 years of combined experience. We also have a staff of 17 other instructors that assist us in providing the best student to intructor ratio in the Triangle area for a martial arts school. It is important to note that we teach the majority of our classes each week-unlike other Cary Karate schools where the owners simply collect your tuition payments. 

I whole-heartedly feel that our TaeKwonDo Academy in Cary, North Carolina provides some of the best Martial Arts instruction available today. On the mat, our students are challenged through every step of the way. We do not award belts without hard work. In today's age, when martial arts programs seem to be passing students along, Johnson's has high standards for their Tae Kwon Do students. The people of Apex, Cary, and Morrisville have voted. You can look at our Google reviews. No other karate program in Cary has the number of raving students as Johnson's TaeKwonDo Academy. Johnson's is one of Google's Favorite Places and is the highest-rated Karate or Martial Arts school in Cary, Apex, or Morrisville, NC.  

What about "Off the Mat?" Johnson's TaeKwonDo Academy of Cary has the best program that teaches students leadership. In every class, students are encouraged live by the principles of Black Belt Excellence or the 10 tenets of TaeKwonDo-Honor, Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control, Courage, Community, Strength, Humilty, and Knowledge. Students learn the value of hard work, character lessons, and important life skills.

Not only do students learn on the mat, they learn off the mat as well. Every Friday, Johnson's teaches its Leadership Hour to its students where they practice how to take their martial arts skills out of the dojang and to put them to use in the world. Martial Arts Students learn leadership by doing. We ask students to step up in their communities by leading their fellow students in community service projects that match their own interests. This way the student can manifest the Martial Arts philosphy in their daily lives. This is what is important to parents. This type of education is called Project-Based Leadership Training. This is why Johnson's TaeKwonDo Academy's training transcends the mat, and this is the new way of martial arts.

Proper Nutrition and its effects on Taekwondo Training by Joseph Spainhour - TaeKwonDo Blackbelt from Cary, NC

A car needs fuel to operate, so does the human body. The fuel that we use is called food and the way that food is broken down and used as energy is called nutrition. The following paragraphs will delve into the ideas behind proper nutrition and how it interacts with the students Taekwondo training. 

Nutrition, according to the American Heritage Dictionary, is the process of nourishing or being nourished, especially the process by which a living organism assimilates food and uses it for growth and for replacement of tissues. Proper Nutrition is the process by which we give our bodies all of the minerals and nutrients that it needs in order to operate at its highest level of functionality. Much like how a guitarist tunes his instrument before he plays, proper nutrition can let you get the most out of your body.

Determining your level of proper nutrition is a simple task. The United States Department of Agriculture has put together a system called the food pyramid that lets you see at a glance if your meals contain the proper combinations of food for healthy living.

According to their website www.mypyramid.com a healthy diet is one that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products; includes lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts; and is low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt (sodium), and added sugars.

Proper nutrition should be maintained at all times. This is difficult in the every day world where convenience sometimes takes the place of common sense. The Art of Ho-AM Taekwondo Student Manual has several good choices and tips for maintaining a healthy diet. See chapter 5 for more information. 

Now that we know what constitutes a health diet and how we can maintain proper nutrition, how will that aid us in our Taekwondo journey?  To start with, every time you move a muscle you are exerting a force. In order to exert that force your body has to have enough energy to perform the task.  Proper nutrition ensures that you will have enough energy when the time comes to move that muscle, to perform that block, or to break that board.

In conclusion, proper nutrition is very important to the Taekwondo student as well as any other athlete. It is the fuel which we burn in order to perform our wonderful art.

As martial artists we should strive to maintain a high level of energy, not only to perform in class, but out side of it as well.

 

 

 

 

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Stretching by Joseph Spainhour from Cary, NC

Part of being a martial artist is knowing how your body will perform in a given situation. Most of the time, this involves kicking and punching various parts of your opponents’ body. In order to be effective you should have a wide range of motion.  Keeping fit is only part of the solution, one must also stretch daily.

Stretching helps keep the muscle fibers elongated and reduces stress. Stretching also helps maintain a good range of motion and should be part of your daily routine.

Two types of stretching are dynamic and static. Dynamic stretching involves motion. Neck rotations and shoulder rotations are good examples of dynamic stretching. Static stretching involves holding a particular position for a period of time. Hurdler stretches are a good example of static stretches.

In general static stretches should be performed before dynamic stretches. This will allow the muscles to warm up.

Some of the benefits of stretching include:

• enhanced ability to learn and perform skilled movements


• increased mental and physical relaxation


• reduced muscular soreness


• enhanced physical fitness


• enhanced development of body awareness


• reduced risk of injury to joints, muscles, and tendons


• reduced muscular tension

A particular stretch should work only the muscles you are trying to stretch. By isolating the muscles worked by a given stretch you do not have to worry about having to overcome the resistance offered by more than one group of muscles. The fewer muscles you try to stretch, the better. In other words, you are better off trying to stretch one hamstring at a time than both hamstrings at once.

Care should be taken when stretching to minimize the possibility of injury. Over stretching can cause more damage than it helps and should be avoided. A simple way to minimize the risk is to stop stretching once pain is felt. 

In summary, being a good martial artist also entails a good stretching routine. Most often, this is part of the initial class warm-up. In order to maintain a full range of motion one should stretch daily.\

 

 

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Taekwondo sparring types and their differences by Joseph Spainhour

Sparring is an essential part of the Taekwondo students training. It teaches speed, accuracy, distance and technique flow.  The following paragraphs will discuss the three basic flavors of sparring: Testing, Championship and personal protection.    

Testing sparring is used to display what the student has learned during the time in their current rank. Light contact should be used during testing sparring and all techniques known to the student should be demonstrated. This allows the instructors to judge if the student has absorbed the proper skills needed to advance to the next rank. Students should work as a team in order to “show what they know” and avoid showboating or going for the point.

Championship sparring, in contrast to testing sparring, is about points. Students face each other in 2 minute rounds where the first person to reach 5 points wins. Points are awarded when a student successfully contacts an opponent with an approved technique. If a student hits with a non-approved technique, such as a punch to the head, then a strike is awarded. Students can disqualify themselves by receiving 3 strikes. Championship sparring is also set to a given arena size. If either opponent leaves the arena a strike is awarded.

Personal protection sparring has the single purpose of surviving an unsolicited attack.

There are no rules in personal protection other than those provided by the local city, state or federal governments. Personal protection sparring does not use light contact like testing or championship sparring. The idea here is to stun the attacker and then escape.

The student should concentrate on techniques that will maximize their percentage of success. An attacker is not going to wait for you to get into the proper stance and posture so techniques should be kept simple. Effectiveness is the key and the student should trust in their training.

To sum up, the various types of sparring have their own unique rules and purposes in Taekwondo training.

 

 

Challenger Martial Arts Supplies Offers martial arts uniforms, shoes, weapons, Sparring gear, floor mats and other high quality martial arts gear and supplies at a reasonable price.

TAEKWONDO ESSAY ON STRETCHING – Kaveen Chandra – Junior Black Belt in TaeKwonDo

Stretching is important because when you are going to do an athletic activity you should stretch before so you don’t accidentally pull or hurt a muscle.  Before I do an athletic activity I stretch so I don’t pull a muscle.  You should do a stretch for your hamstrings, shoulders, torso, quads and arm muscles. Before stretching you should do a few jumping jacks, pushups, or maybe sit-ups.  When you are stretching you shouldn’t stretch to the point of pain.  If you want to see improvement in flexibility it is definitely necessary to stretch the minimum of 3 times a week.  If your muscles got worked too much they will become less elastic.  Be considerate to your body and stretch on a daily basis and eventually your body will grow.  Proper breathing is required when stretching so your mind will be cleared and your body will be relaxed.                                      

Types of stretches you might want to do are neck, shoulder, and torso rotation.  Dynamic moon, chair, and sun are three other different types of stretches.  Sun salutations which are extended cat, plank, crocodile, and cobra are also another stretch. There are three different kinds of stretching. Dynamic stretching is when you increase in speed and or reach over time.  Active static is when you put your body in an active stretch position and keep it there.  The last type of stretch there is passive static.  Passive static is when you relax your body and keep your stretch there and hold your weight with the power of your leg muscles. 

I really think stretching is important because it warms up your muscles and cools them down when you worked them.  It also helps from causing injuries.  I especially think that stretching is important because it helps me avoid injuries and gain flexibility.

Back from the Taekwondo Championships in Augusta, Georgia

We are back now from the TaeKwonDo tournament in Augusta, Georgia this past weekend. The students from the Town of Cary had a wonderful time. We appreciate SM terry Newton for hosting a wonderful Augusta martial arts tournament. We witnessed the highest in sportsmanship and quality when it comes to the competitors, the spectators, and the judges. Everyone was great.

Thanks to all of those students who participated. We are looking forward to attending the Jackson, MS World tournament in July.

Some recent work in Project-Based Leadership training at our martial arts academy in Cary...

Jessica Stober is conducting her Run For the Animals 5k at the Wake Med Soccer Park on April 24th. Our first rain barrel for the "Where does the rain go?" rainwater barrel auction came back, and it looks great. Jessica will be interviewed for "Caring For My Carolina" on NBC17 on April 8th. It will air on April 13th. The radio station MIX 101.5 will be doing a PSA for the event. News 14 has contacted her as well. I am also talking with NBC 17 to get an interview with reporter Sharon Tazewell. This is all very exciting. She is doing a great job. Sign-up for the 5k on http://www.fsseries.com and sign-up to help with the event on the poster at the front window.

Taekwondo Cary, nc

I chose to highlight Amal & Vimal because they have really taken initiative on the leadershipstudents.com site-a site where Johnson's students can complete their martial arts leadership curriculum and start service projects that match their interests. They both have over their 20 points necessary to graduate with honors for their yellow belt in TaeKwonDo. They just need to come up with their service project. Way to go guys.

Amal

karate student cary, nc

Vimal

martial arts student cary, nc

I would like to recognize Jackie for stepping up to manage our first Leadership Hour Service Project! She is not done yet. We will all go to the Carolina House Retirement Home to pass out the crafts that we made and perform a martial arts demonstration for the residents.

Martial Arts Leadership Project Town of Cary, NC

Patrick will be conducting the Leadership Hour Project for March 12th, 2010. He is a yellow belt in our Taekwondo program in Cary, NC and is already showing black belt promise. Bring old towels, old t-shirts and craft supplies to the Leadership Hour Friday so that Patrick can show us how to make dog toys and bandanas for the SPCA animals who are up for adoption. We are looking forward to it. Patrick also shaved his head for St. Baldrick's. WOW.

Martial Arts and St Baldricks

We exceeded our goal of $1k and raised $1786 for St. Baldricks. Some star students who shaved their heads are Mr. Logan, Marissa Jenkins, Gavin, Patrick, Mike Suite, Matthew and Alex Merwin.

karate apex, nc

Amy and Evan have decided to step up for the Leadership Hour project on April 16th! They have some stepping stones laying around their yard and have decided that they would be put to good use at the academy. Evan figured that having the paving stones leading from the parking lot would prevent families from getting muddy when entering the academy. They will also go to the hardware store and ask for donations of mulch to make a walkway.

 

Wow! What have we started here? Guys, we are at about 10% here. Just imagine what we could do with a little practice. I am thrilled. We are unlike any karate school in cary, nc or on the planet.

 

 

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Local Martial Artists Dim The Lights And Lend Support For Earth Hour

 On April 22nd, 2010, Johnson's TaeKwonDo & Leadership Academy hosted a glow-in-the-dark escrima seminar for the World Wildlife Federation. All proceeds went to the charity as part of Jessica Stober's Leadership Project. Our martial arts students had a blast at the seminar in Cary.


The event was also part of Johnson's TaeKwonDo & Leadership Academy's participation in Earth Hour where for 1 hour, ctizens, communities, businesses, national, and world landmarks cut off the lights each year as they demonstrate awareness for the world's limited resources and the importance of limiting our excess use of energy.

Johnson's TaeKwonDo & Leadership Academy

TO DIM THE LIGHTS AND LEND SUPPORT

FOR EARTH HOUR AT 8:30 PM ON THURSDAY, APRIL 22

Joins the growing list of supporting businesses that are committing to take a stand by turning the lights out on pollution and creating a cleaner, safer and more secure future!

Cary, North Carolina - Johnson's TaeKwonDo & Leadership Academy, a martial arts school in cary announced today that they will turn off all non-essential lighting at their Cary location for Earth Hour, and encourage their employees to do the same.

Earth Hour, which takes place Thursday, April 22nd at 8:30 p.m. local time, is an event in which millions of Americans will turn out their lights for one hour in support of action on climate change and toward creating a cleaner, safer and more secure future. 2010 marks the third year of the event, which attracted more than 80 million participants in the U.S. last year, and nearly a billion people around the world, as lights dimmed on such global icons as the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Sydney's Opera House, the Great Pyramids of Gaza and New York's Empire State Building.

Johnson's TaeKwonDo & Leadership of Cary is committed to teaching its students skills far beyond the kick, the punch and the throw. The chief instructors- Bryson and Melissa Johnson teach their students the skills needed in order to manifest the martial arts philosophy into their daily lives. Johnson's hosts weekly Leadership Hour courses on Friday nights where young students are given the opportunity to lead others in community service projects that match their interests. The Johnsons believe that this is the best way to teach leadership to all karate students. Have them do something that engages others in a worthwhile project. Bryson Johnson said of his program, "It is our ultimate goal to teach and inspire our students to take their martial arts skills that they learn on the mat and to apply them in the world." That is Johnson's TaeKwonDo & Leadership Academy's mantra, "Out of the dojang, and into the world!"

Notable U.S. landmarks such as Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, St. Louis' Gateway Arch, Sea World in Orlando, the strip in Las Vegas, New York's Empire State Building, the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, Washington D.C.'s National Cathedral, California's Santa Monica Pier and the Space Needle in Seattle are among the hundreds of sites that will turn off non-essential lighting for the hour, in what is expected to be the largest-ever call to action on climate change.

I am shaving my head...

For the 3rd year in a row, the Johnson's TaeKwonDo & Leadership Academy students and instructors are going bald for a cause. Many of us are getting our heads shaved in solidarity with children who are stricken with cancer. We are accepting pledges online at http://www.stbaldricks.org/teams/mypage/teamid/66712. We have done ok so far. Our goal was $1k, and we have already raised $1418!!! There are still a couple of days left to donate.

The martial arts academy in Cary, North Carolina will have its students performing demonstrations at the Hibernian Pub on Kildaire Farm Rd Saturday March 7th, 2010. Afterwards, we will all be cheering on the few brave souls who will be getting their heads shaved.

This is just another fine example of how Johnson's TaeKwonDo & Leadership Academy is teaching its students to take their skills out of the dojang and to put them to use in the world!

Many of our martial arts students and instructors are getting their heads shaved for St. Baldricks...

  

 

 

I have been writing lately on my amazement when young people in our academy-Johnson's TaeKwonDo & Leadership Academy- step up to do good in their communities. This is just another fine example of that. Seven of our brave students have committed to shaving their heads to stand in solidairity with children who are stricken with cancer. The St. Baldricks Foundation  is an organization that provides millions of dollars each year for fellowships and research grants involving childhood cancer research. They are able to give funding through the acts of "brave" souls who vow to get their heads shaved in return for pledges to the foundation.

Johnson's TaeKwonDo Academy is consistently trying to get its students to take their skills out of the dojang and to put them to use in the world.

 

Our martial arts academy in Cary, North Carolina has 7 students and instructors that have committed to shaving their heads for childhood cancer research. We have some very young students who have signed up and also a teenage girl.

 

Marissa Jenkins is our only female to commit to the brave act of shaving her hair to support childhood cancer research. Marissa is a 3rd degree black belt in Taekwondo and also an instructor at Johnson's TaeKwonDo Academy including a teenage girl. Everyone shows a little courage in order to commit to this project, but for a female to do so is a noble feat. A teenage girl often identifies herself through her hair. It shows high self-confidence and a positive self-image.

 

 I am proud of all of the martial arts students that I have brought along on this journey. It is a very rewarding one indeed.

 

 

Johnson's TaeKwonDo Academy - beyond any karate school in Cary, Apex, Morrisville, or Raleigh that you have ever seen!  

Amazement at Amazing Kids in our Martial Arts Program...

I am often very suprised-to say the least-when young students approach me to step up for their communities. Mrs. Johnson, the other instrctors and I consistently challenge students to do good for others while taking their skills out of the dojang and putting them to good use in the world. These young martial arts community activists come in every age, shape, and size.

Jessica Stober, though she would not like me calling her a kid, is a 17 year old with a love for animals. Her Cary 5k race  and her rainwater barrel project has been a huge undertaking for someone of her age. She not only secured a million dollar insurance policy for the 5k race, but she organized the event and communicated effectively with town officials in order to hold the race at Wake Med Soccer Park.  She will also be organizing over 20 employees for the event that day. But, at Johson's TaeKwonDo & Leadership Academy, we do not limit our student's potential by age. We understand their level of potential.

We know that these days many things have gotten watered down. But, our families in our school are looking for deep and meaningful experiences in their martial arts programs. Johnson's TaeKwonDo & Leadership Academy has become very successful, but has stayed true to its principles of martial arts excellence.

Tejas Sundaresan is another young person that has stepped out of his comfort zone to help others in his community. Tejas is a star student and had already aced the math portion of his SAT while in middle school. After challenging the students to take their skills out of the dojang and into the world, Tejas Sundaresan decided that he could assist in his community best by helping others to hone their math and test-taking skills. He will be holdingweekly math clinics at our martial arts school. He is accepting 10 students at a time and will offer the clinics as long as their remains interest.

These are other fine examples of what you should be looking for in a Martial Arts Class. Take a look at our karate class schedule for Cary, NC. I am proud of these students!

It is not too uncommon for certain teens to show leadership skills these days. But, how do you get a young child to do the same. Jackie Stelmack, one of Johnson's yellow belts & a 7 year old student, came up to me regarding a potential project of her own. She decided, if ok with me, to gather the students together for our weekly Leadership Hour and create cards that could go to the residents of a local retirement home, Carolina House. She will be responsible for the management of this age-appropriate project and will contact Carolina House to see if we can have our young students perform for them and give them the cards. What a way to get young people involved.

At Johnson's, you are not only able to achieve rank in Martial Arts but also Leadership. This incentivized approach rewards students for doing good in their communities and for showing and growing their leadership skills. Tell us about your interest in a martial arts program.

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Inspired by my junior students and their incredible response to our new leadership curriculum...

How do you teach leadership to young students? At Johnson's TaeKwonDo Academy, we take a multi-pronged approach to achieve maximum results. First of all, we hold all of our students accountable-no matter what rank they are. Even white belts in our martial arts school in Cary have tasks that they are given to train new students. Wait a minute! Isn't a white belt a new student. Sure and that's why their tasks are relatively small at first. A white belt student that has been with me for a week, for instance, would know a few things that a NEWER student would not. A newer student does not know the basic stances. The white belt student with only a week of training does. A new student does not know how to pull their training card. A white belt student does. By involving the students early on in the leadership of others, we are able to build the student from the ground up.

Secondly, We have a leadership curriculum that involves weekly leadership courses where Taekwondo students will either lead others in their "age-appropriate" projects or assist the young martial arts project managers. How many 7 year olds do you know who are given opportunities on a consistent basis to grow or show their leadership abilities?

Thirdly, we have put our leadership curriculum online. We have an online system that offers a student a unique login and password that allows them to earn points-which translates to a "virtual rank" or leadership rank on the system. Karate Students can earn points for listing living heroes, acts of courage, acts of discipline, etc and for also conducting leadership projects. And by incentivizing the program by offering virtual ranks, students are encouraged to continue the leadersip curriculum. This is what you are looking for in a karate program in cary, nc!

In closing, we are so excited that are young students are showing so much initiative in completing their leadership curriculum. At Johnson's TaeKwonDo & Leadership Academy, that is what we are trying to do. We want to encourage the students to take their skills out of the dojang and to put them to use in the world. Our training transcends the mat. We are unlike any karate program in cary, apex, morrisville, raleigh and beyond!!!! Join Us!

This Week's Leadership Project by a 7 year old girl!!

Students are working away on crafts.

A young girl by the name of Jackie  came up to me and asked if she could lead the next Project-Based Leadership Project. I am always inspired and in awe when young martial arts students show the initiative to step up and do things that kids twice their age often don't even do. And as a martial arts instructor that strives to teach students how to take their skills out of the dojang and put them to good use in the world, I am thrilled when that initiative to help others is shown.

Tae Kwon Do Brothers

This week for our Leadership Hour at Johnson's TaeKwonDo Academy of Cary, our young students will be decorating cards for the Carolina House retirement home. See, each week, Johnson's TaeKwonDo has its leadership hour where students lead or assist the project manager on their own project-based leadership projects. Students will deliver the cards to the residents in the near future and will perform demonstrations for them. Too cute! Whenever we can get 7 year olds to step up in their communities, we can assess what we are doing as adults to help others in our communities. I hope that Jackie keeps up the good work in her martial arts training. Just imagine at 16 what she can accomplish!!! I can't wait. I will be there to help her reach her goals.

Excited about learning leadership!

That is why Johnson's TaekwonDo Academy is so much more than just your local karate school in cary, nc!

Back to White Belt

Alex Merwin - 2nd degree black belt instructor showing his humulity!

Johnson's TaeKwonDo & Leadership Academy teaches its students to walk the walk. The ten tenets of TaeKwonDo Honor, Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control, Courage, Community, Strength, Humility, and Knowledge are taught and stressed in each taekwondo lesson that the academy instructors teach. However, one tenet that is often overlooked in the martial arts industry is Humility.

Mathew Snyder - 3rd degree black belt instructor as a humble yellow belt!

Parents have gotten the wrong idea about martial arts lately as mixed martial arts (The UFC) has become more prevalent. For some reason, parents think that if I am a mixed martial artist, I am laden with tattoos, I fight in a cage, and am extremely arrogant and full of pride. While this may be what you watch on television, this is not the martial arts experience you seek for your children.

As a practicing martial artist now for just under 20 years, I have trained in several different martial arts such as Taekwondo (my specialty), Kick Boxing, Hapkido, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. In each style, there are always credible arguments for the effectiveness of any of these individual martial arts. I am not here to debate. A highly proficient martial artist in any form is very dangerous. To say that one art is "better" than another is useless. That is why a student should be well-rounded so that they feel comfortable in any life-threatening situation. Thus, mixed martial arts. I personally do not like the terminology, since mma has such a negative connotation to it these days-though I teach my students TaeKwonDo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Marissa Jenkins - 3rd degree black belt-working back through the ranks as a Green Belt

To continue, let me explain our leadership project for our instructors. First of all, as a show of humility to our students, beginning February 15th, 2010, all 18 of them went back to white belt. Every week, the instructors must practice the curriculum for that rank 100 times in order to advance. Over an 8-week period, the instructors will make their way back to black.

The humility project is just one more way that Johnson's TaeKwonDo & Leadership is teaching its students skills that transcend the mat. They are showing their students a commitment to learning at any rank or age. That is how Johnson's offers so much more than just your local cary, nc karate class experience for adults and children. Their martial arts students take their skills out of the dojang and put them to use in the world.

Instructor Humility Project 2010

At Johnson's TaeKwonDo Academy of Cary, the instructors have chosen to participate in a Humility Project where they truly "Walk the Talk!" Each of Johnson's 18 instructors have decided as a show of humility to their students that they start back at white belt. Each week, the TaeKwonDo instructors will be able to advance from one belt to the next only by practicing the curriculum requirements 100 times for that rank.

At Johnson's TaeKwonDo Academy of Cary, the instructors have done it all. Most of them have placed consistently at the world championships each year. They have led many of their martial arts students to do the same. Each have participated in Johnson's TaeKwonDo Academy of Cary's many charity and leadership projects throughout the years. The chief instructors, Bryson and Melissa Johnson were seeking something more-a different kind of experience for their fellow instructors.

The goal as a martial artist is not to win competitions. These are fun and exciting, and much can be learned by attending. However, the lessons that can be learned on a daily basis and through the consistent practice of the martial arts (i.e. karate or tae kwon do) are so much more invaluable to the personal growth of the student. The Martial Arts Humility Project exemplifies to each of their students that being a black belt implies a life-long commitment to learning. The journey never ends.

In a world where many of our martial artists have huge egos and mixed martial arts has come to the fore-front where the focus is on the inside of the cage, this project offers a much needed change for the martial arts world. This is another example of how Johnson's takes the training out of the dojang and puts it into the world! They offer so much more than just your local karate school in Cary, Apex, Morrisville, or Raleigh.