Thank you for visiting Hathaway's TaeKwon-Do online. You are invited to come to our school in person to see our top of the line facilities, watch a class, and meet someone from our professional staff who can answer all your questions and start you on the path to BlackBelt. Contact Us today to schedule your free introduction and consultation.
Adults are provided with a variety of class times to choose from. Beginners should attend at least 2 classes each week. Adult evening classes are at 6:30 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Morning classes are at 9:00 am Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.... 10:00 am on Saturday.
Classes specifically for novice children ages 5-12 are conducted on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 5:30 pm. Also available are mixed-kids classes where the novice and advanced-kids classes train together; mixed-kids classes are held on Monday and Wednesday evenings at 5:30 pm, and Saturday mornings at 10:00 am.
To assist you as quickly as possible, answers to some of the most commonly asked questions are provided below...
What is Taekwon-do, and how can it benefit me or my child?
Taekwon-do is a Korean art of self-defense, and far more. The words translated literally mean kicking, punching, and the "way".
We say it is the way to improve yourself through practicing kicking and punching (in a particular way).
The traditional Taekwon-do that we teach includes a multitude of hand techniques, a vast array of kicks, and no-nonsense self-defense.
The benefits received from proper education and practice of Taekwon-do are numerous, these are a few...
- Exercising of the entire body promotes good health, cardiovascular fitness, muscular strength, balance, flexibility, and the dextarity needed to preform advanced techniques. New students often notice their body-weight decrease and see unwanted fat transformed into muscle. A fit body is less likely to sustain injuries in daily activities, work, and athletics. We teach traditional and modern drills that are proven to produce positive results safely and effectively. You can feel better about yourself.
- Exercising the mind promotes good health, mental strength and agility, better memory, and improved cognative function. Our system of Taekwon-do is extremely deep in information, all based on scientific principals. Even the most dedicated students can continue to learn for a lifetime.
- Exercising the spirit is just as important as doing so for the body and mind. Everyone wants to be happy. Our minds and physical health are greatly affected by our emotional states. At Hathaway's TaeKwon-Do we have a two-fold approach... first we teach students to position themselves as optimists ("good-finders" as Zig Ziggler says). Then we literally exercise the spirit in class to build students up and make them internally stronger.
- Practical self-defense skills increase confidence and safety.
- A person with a strong mind, body, spirit, and self-defense skills is poised to excel in anything they choose to do.
- Children and teens involved in our program preform above average in the public school system, with improved focus and grades. Every one of our students of the proper age graduates high-school and goes on to excel at college and beyond.
What is a BlackBelt?
At Hathaway's TaeKwon-Do, a BlackBelt is someone who...
- studied and practiced Taekwon-do in a structured environment from qualified instructors for at least 3 years
- demonstrated solid knowledge of all the required material through both oral and written exams
- demonstrates perseverance, dedication, and fortitude by training consistently through life's ups and downs
- demonstrated their fitness, self-defense skills, Taekwon-do techniques, and indomitable-spirit at a physical testing
- continues to practice the 5 tenets of Taekwon-do in all aspects of life
More about Being a BlackBelt from the HTKD BlackBelt Degree Courses website
Is Hathaway's Taekwon-do the right BlackBelt academy for me?
We have been in Essex Junction since 1994. Our club is mature, with over a dozen qualified instructors including seven Master Instructors. We have a solid reputation as a professional academy and are fully integrated in the community; participating in the parade, school events, block-party, etc. We teach all of the Taekwon-do programs for the Essex Junction Parks and Recreation Department. We have repeatedly been written about in local papers in a positive light, and have been on TV several times including an episode produced by National Geographic.
Over 100 students have successfully graduated from our BlackBelt degree program. Most have gone on to earn advanced degrees such as 2nd, 3rd, or even 4th Degree BlackBelt and Master certification. Our students are male, female, adults, and children of all sizes and types... the common thread is the desire to be a BlackBelt.
You are invited to visit our HTKD BlackBelt Courses website for a more in depth look at Hathaway's TaeKwon-Do including pictures, videos, and more information.
What are classes like?
Most classes are one hour long. Students arrive already in uniform or change into their uniform at the club before class starts. Some students congregate in the lobby or seating area, some wash up, others enter the training area and begin to stretch and prepare for class.
Classes are taught by qualified BlackBelt instructors with advanced degrees and years of experience. Assistant instructors help with larger classes and most kids classes. Assistant instructors are trained to teach and to leaders as part of their curriculum.
Classes begin with an official call to form up into straight lines. Formalities are followed to show our respect for our country, parents, the instructor, and the instructor to the students.
Warm-ups are preformed at the beginning of class to prepare the body and mind for advanced activity. Instruction includes traditional drills and modern information in areas such as preparing the body for exercise, increasing flexibility, and strength building.
Each class includes practice, better understanding, and development of students in regards to the 5 Tenets of Taekwon-do:
- Courtesy
- Integrity
- Perseverance
- Self Control
- Indomitable-Spirit
Students are polite and respectful to each other and the instructor, even bowing to each other when working together. The instructors are positive, enthusiastic, and motivational.
Classes are rigorous. We work hard, sweat, and push ourselves to our limits understanding that this is how we grow and overcome those limits. Students are expected to enthusiastically approach each exercise and try their very best. When they do, we can guarantee their success.
Many drills are done individually, some are done with partners. The practice of many techniques is enhanced by use of training equipment such as targets.... like heavy bags, shields, or kicking paddles. Some drills require no equipment whatsoever and can be practiced additionally at home.
We practice kicks, blocks, punches, strikes, grappling, self-defense, and other topics under the subject of Taekwon-do. Verbal instruction and direction is given during and in between drills.
Adult classes end with a cool-down exercise or drill and stretching.
Kids classes are taught with an added element of fun and humor while maintaining the integrity of the information and atmosphere. We have special equipment and drills developed specifically to provide children the very best results. Kids class usually ends with a "Final Challenge", which is a useful drill that they find fun enough to consider a game. In challenging others to preform at their best, we find others challenging us to be our best. We become better together.
Can you make friends at Taekwon-do?
Countless friendships are formed at Hathaway's Taekwon-do. Children interact and learn with a variety of other children that have similar positive ambitions and goals, good families, and the desire to become a BlackBelt. Our adult students congregate and support each other both at and beyond the school. Students of ours who trained together fifteen years ago are still the best of friends now.
When are classes?
Adults are provided with a variety of class times to choose from. Beginners should attend at least 2 classes each week. Adult evening classes are at 6:30 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Morning classes are at 9:00 am Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.... 10:00 am on Saturday.
Classes specifically for novice children ages 5-12 are conducted on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 5:30 pm. Also available are mixed-kids classes where the novice and advanced-kids classes train together; mixed-kids classes are held on Monday and Wednesday evenings at 5:30 pm, and Saturday mornings at 10:00 am.
How much does it cost?
Achieving a BlackBelt costs years of hard work, hundreds of classes, thousands of hours of practice, sweat, pain, etc... priceless, as they say.
Tuition rates to be enrolled in an HTKD BlackBelt Degree program vary depending on the specific membership selected and applicable discounts. The standard rate for new students joining in 2011 is $1299 annually. This includes unlimited classes, a uniform, a student manual, a sport bag, protective equipment, a school patch, an attendance card, and the testing and promotion ceremony to High-White belt.
Testing, certification, and promotion ceremonies require a modest fee. Novice students can expect to encounter one of these events every 3 to 5 months. The first is provided at no charge with their membership, after which the fee collected is $25 per. Optional costs that can be incurred would include attending special events such as seminars or tournaments (around $20-$50 per event).
We are extremely proud to be able to provide all that we do for such an incredibly reasonable price for our students and larger community ... far less than what it costs to enroll in a course at any other full-time academy or college around. We keep a teacher student ratio of 1:10 or greater to ensure individual attention and progress. We provide a flexible schedule that enables members to attend and progress 12 months each year rather than being limited to 2 four month long semesters. There are no required books to buy. Our club is professional; with air conditioning, mirrors, and every piece of training equipment needed including a specially designed martial-arts floor that reduces shock and improves safety in training. We fully believe we provide the very best instruction, curriculum, classes, facilities, and training environment possible at the lowest possible cost to our students.
Cost Comparison
Estimates of tuition costs to participate in a degree program, broken down to represent one class with 3 hours of instruction per week. Estimates are generated using information provided by each institution named. (links located below)
How do I get started?
The best way to start is to take the first step.... Contact Us Today to schedule your free introduction and consultation.