Chosun Taekwondo Academy and Hath Yoga Center celebrates 20 years

WARWICK — The Chosun Taekwondo Academy & Hath Yoga Center, located at 60 Galloway Road in Warwick, is currently celebrating its 20th year of continuous, professional operation.
On Tuesday, Nov. 28, Town of Warwick Supervisor Michael Sweeton, Mayor Michael Newhard and members of the Warwick Valley Chamber of Commerce joined Grandmaster Doug Cook and his wife, Patty, along with instructors and students to celebrate the occasion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Founded in 1997 by Cook, a senior student of the late Grandmaster Richard Chun, it is the mission of the institute to provide authentic martial arts instruction to children, teens and adults at an affordable price in a safe and encouraging environment.
Appealing to adults as well as childrenCook explained that the Chosun curriculum, taught by qualified, adult black belt instructors, highlights the self-defense, physical fitness and self-enrichment components of the art, thus promoting the concept of Taekwondo as a martial way or a path to enlightenment rather than merely a sport or form of entertainment.
Subsequently, this unique teaching methodology attracts an unusually high percentage of adults unlike the vast majority of martial arts schools that cater primarily to children.
The Chosun Taekwondo Academy is a member of the prestigious United States Taekwondo Association and offers students worldwide accreditation through the Kukkiwon in Seoul, South Korea.
He added that Chosun students are not required to sign annual membership contracts and classes are unlimited, varying between those for children, mixed classes largely attended by families, and classes exclusively dedicated to teens and adults midday and in the evening. Sunrise classes allow early-risers to begin their day with a period of mediation and qigong exercises.
Hatha yogaThe popular hatha yoga program, taught continuously in Warwick since 1998 by certified instructor Patty Cook, caters mainly to adults and features mindful postures intended to enhance core strength, fitness and a general sense of well-being. All participants receive personal attention.
There is no charge for a student's first class.
For additional information call 986-2288 or visit www.chosuntkd.com.
- Roger Gavan