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About Our Instructors |
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Name: Stefee Knudsen
Rank: Fourth Dan (Degree)
How long have you been doing Taekwondo: 16 yrs.
Have you worked out at other schools: Yes. I started in college
at Cornell University, earning my first dan there. After returning to Portland,
I worked out at several schools on the west side of Portland in the first
two years I was here. Finally, I found Master Ha!
Why did you pick Yong-In Taekwondo: I picked Yong-In Taekwondo because
I could see that Master Ha was passionate about Taekwondo. He wants this
to be a successful dojang, as well as a successful profession. In the time
I've been with Master Ha, he has also proven to be a person of integrity
and respect.
Favorite thing about tkd: It depends on when you ask me! I love
doing poomses because it's like meditation to me. But sometimes, I just love
kicking targets and doing target sparring. Mostly, though, it's the community
of people that I like the most.
Available for private lessons: Yes. On weekends.
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Name: Don Moote
Rank: 3rd Dan
How long been doing tkd: 6 years continuously (some prior training
on and off)
Have you worked out at other schools?: Some ITF training
Why did you pick Yong In Taekwondo?: Enjoyed the environment (family
oriented and good student teacher rapport)
Favorite thing about tkd: Development of mind and body as a unit, Self Defense
Are you available to teach private lessons? Yes, Week-ends
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Name: Sue Moote
Rank: 3rd Dan
How long been doing tkd: 6 years
Have you worked out at other schools?: Some ITF training in Detroit
MI
Why did you pick Yong In Taekwondo?: good balance between mind and
body (didn't hurt that its 5 min from my house), Master Ha works very well
with children
Favorite thing about tkd: ability to participate as a family
Are you available to teach private lessons? Not generally
Anything else you want to say about Taekwondo, Yong-In Taekwondo,
or yourself?:
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Name: Krystyna Owens
Rank: 3rd Degree
How long been doing tkd: 6 years
Have you worked out at other schools?: yes, for the state Junior
Elite Team at Master Choi's
Why did you pick Yong In Taekwondo?: It was close to my home and
had friends that really liked Yong In.
Favorite thing about tkd: Sparring. Even though it can be painful, it's fun if you can get
over the fear.
Are you available to teach private lessons? Yes, Saturdays and Monday,
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday (not Thursday) after 3:00
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Name: Jihan Lee
Rank: 3rd Degree
How long been doing tkd: 5 Years
Have you worked out at other schools?: Yes
Why did you pick Yong In Taekwondo?: I picked this school because
it was right next to my neighborhood
Favorite things about tkd: Sparring and Tournaments
Are you available to teach private lessons? Yes, I am available
after 3:15 Monday through Thursday.
Anything else you want to say about Taekwondo, Yong-In Taekwondo, or
yourself?: Taekwondo is the best sport I have ever done. Hopefully I
continue Taekwondo until at least 80.
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Name: Paul Polratana
Rank: 3rd Dan WTF (and 2nd Dan ITF)
How long been doing tkd: Since 1982
Have you worked out at other schools?: Kim's Tae Kwon-Do, US West
Coast, Choi's Martial Arts, Portland State TKD Club, Dacascos Kung-Fu Academy
Why did you pick Yong In Taekwondo?: After watching many shows on
Kung Fu Theater I bugged my mother for years to put me in martial arts. She
finally took me to the only martial arts school in Astoria. I ended up doing
my first intro class in my Boy Scout uniform.
Favorite thing about tkd: My favorite thing about TKD is forms.
Forms allows a person to take his or her time to perfect. So much can be demonstrated
and viewed. I broke it down to be: Focus, Power, Technique, and Balance.
Discipline above all empowers one to tie all four together.
Are you available to teach private lessons? Yes, only during the
weekends.
Anything else you want to say about Taekwondo, Yong-In Taekwondo, or
yourself?: I'll hear the question pop up every once in a while, "What
is the best form of martial arts or style?" I tell them to keep in mind
that it's not all about self-defense. To me it is more about challenging
one self, mentally and physically. It helps me build and strengthen self-discipline
and confidence to take on challenges whether short-term or long-term. Also,
the word 'art' to me means self-expression. Therefore, there are a couple
things a person needs to look for when they want to begin training. One is,
a form or style they feel comfortable with and two is an instructor who is
challenging and inspiring. Master Ha upholds all that I believe Tae Kwon-Do
represents. He is a true leader through and through!
This is why I find Yong-In TKD to be the perfect school for me and one
that I can be proud of.
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Name: Jack Walsh
Rank: Third Degree
How long have you been doing Taekwondo: 7 yrs.
Have you worked out at other schools: Yes
Favorite thing about tkd: Studying curriculum and assisting. It’s
fun to get to know the kids and teach them.
Available for private lessons: Yes, mostly Sundays (11 AM) and Thursdays (After 3:00 PM)
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Name: Heidi Lewis
Rank: Second Degree
How long have you been doing Taekwondo: 9 yrs.
Have you worked out at other schools: No but I have assisted many
testings and tournaments with other schools.
Why did you pick Yong-In Taekwondo: I picked Taekwondo because of
all the schools Master Ha's looked the safest and friendliest and Master
Ha was so incredibly nice.
Favorite thing about tkd: My favorite thing is assisting classes
and helping other people.
Available for private lessons: Yes
Anything else?: Master Ha is a great role model and teacher I'm
very thankful for him and many other black belts.
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Name: Gretchen McNeely
Rank: 2nd degree black belt
How long been doing tkd: 4 years, two months
Have you worked out at other schools?: No
Why did you pick Yong In Taekwondo?: Location, and Master Ha was
recommended to me by a first-degree black belt I knew who had trained there.
Favorite thing about tkd: Increased physical fitness. I also like learning forms!
Are you available to teach private lessons? No
Anything else you want to say about Taekwondo, Yong-In Taekwondo, or
yourself?: TKD has been a great learning experience. I pick up something
new every day. I still get frustrated sometimes, but I look to Master Ha
and the higher black belts to help keep me on track.
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Name: Zachary Fowler
Rank: Second Dan (Degree)
How long have you been doing Taekwondo: about 8 yrs (since I was
4 years old)
Have you worked out at other schools: No.
Favorite thing about tkd: Mostly sparring & competitions. I
like assisting too, to watch people improve because I taught them something.
Available for private lessons: No.
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Name: Kelly G. Burns
Rank: 1st Dan Black Belt
How long been doing tkd: I will have been doing tkd 6 years in July
Have you worked out at other schools: Yong-in is the only school
I have attended
Why did you pick Yong In Taekwondo?: I picked Yong-in because my
friend Pat O'Hollaren started tkd, and I decided to start also
Favorite thing about tkd: My favorite thing about tkd is sparring and the chance to teach
younger students.
Are you available to teach private lessons? No
Anything else you want to say about Taekwondo, Yong-In Taekwondo, or
yourself: I think that tkd is so important a program, especially for
school age children. Tkd teaches children confidence, focus, self confidence,
and discipline. I believe these qualities are so important for the youth
that the martial art aspect and learning of self defense is like icing on
the cake.
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Name: Catherine Fields
Rank: First Dan
How long been doing tkd: About three and a half years
Have you worked out at other schools?: No
Why did you pick Yong In Taekwondo?: Because I knew some people
that were doing Taekwondo and loved it, so I decided to give it a try, and
ended up loving it.
Favorite thing about tkd: I think my favorite things about Taekwondo are the people and tournaments.
Are you available to teach private lessons? No
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