Children, teens, adults and families can now visit Park's Martial Arts Federation located at 15517 N.W. 67 Avenue in Miami Lakes, to sign up for various Taekwon-Do classes and special events. The Miami Lakes location is the the eighth addition to the federation's many centers in South Florida.
The Park's Martial Arts Federation began in 1965 when Grand Master, Jung Soo Park, began teaching in South Korea following his years of experience with the sport. He received the title of Grand Master, meaning he is certified through the South Korean Government as a 9th degree black belt.
After being a body guard for the South Korean president and captain of the Rok Navy, Grand Master Park and his family immigrated to the U.S. where the Park family brought their talents and opened a school for martial arts in the 1970's.
Since then, the Grand Master's children Master Cheong Park and Master Shick Park have continued their father's legacy, having practiced martial arts for over 35 years.
Success runs in the Park family. Taekwon-Do and Judo are the only martial arts to be inducted into the Olympic sports and Shick Park was a part of the United States Olympic Committee for Taekwon-Do. He and other committee members hosted junior nationals and senior nationals all over major cities in USA. The tournaments would draw up to 8,000 competitors at a time.
Various state and national champions were once taught by the Parks including Catherine Basham, Christopher Sams, Whitney Glassberg, Richard Acosta, Jade Acosta, and Heather Hochnick. The Park brothers and their sister, Master Cheong Me Park, were also state and national champions.
The centers are open for those who wish to be challenged in the art of Taekwon-Do and develop important life skills. The motto for the federation is "We build black belts with character." All ages and belt levels are welcome for group classes, private lessons, and fitness MMA classes for those who wish to increase muscle tone, flexibility and coordination while learning defensive skills.
"Our focus in our schools is character development and life skills. We teach this through time-tested martial arts self defense curriculums that challenge our students physically and mentally," said Shick Park. "It's not just about kicking and punching. Every student is different and we want to bring out their best. Through the martial arts program they gain proper discipline and self confidence to excel in life."
All instructors are certified through Park's Martial Arts Federation "Instructor Certification" and World Taekwon-Do Federation "Ku Ki Won" in Seoul, Korea which is the official instructor certification for Taekwon-Do throughout the world.
The art of Taekwon-Do is something the Parks take seriously, not only as a curriculum but as a way of life. Shick Park continues to practice martial arts every day and meets with his team of black belt instructors once a week for training. Students are sure to receive top-notch martial arts training at Park's Martial Arts Federation.
For more information visit www.KickAtParks.com or call 305-362-1818.