Introduction
About Grand Master Soengkono
Endorsements
Our Goals
Frequently Asked Questions
Benefits of Tae Kwon Do
Beginner Class Schedule

Welcome to the family of Song Tae Kwon Do.  Tae Kwon Do is a traditional Korean martial art which originated approximately 2000 years ago, and is currently being taught in over 140 countries and enjoyed by more then 30 million students.  Tae Kwon Do's (World Tae Kwon Do Federation) widespread popularity has caused it to be chosen as one of the official Olympic sports in the games of the 27th Olympiad in Sydney, Australia for the year 2000.

Our school's instructors are among the finest Black Belts in Canada and are trained in the latest and most advanced methods of instruction and self-defence.  Furthermore, our school is certified by the Ontario Tae Kwon Do Association, the WTF Canada Tae Kwon Do Association and the Korea Tae Kwon Do Moo Duk Hae.

No matter whether you are seeking self defense, better health, physical fitness, or self discipline, our school can meet your goals.

Discover Your Children!

One of the best gifts you can provide your child is the opportunity to develop the attributes of a successful life.  What are these attributes?  Patience, Concentration, Humility, Self-Discipline, Self-Control, Self-Confidence, and a Strong, Healthy Body with Good Co-Ordination.  Our Olympic Tae Kwon Do style is unique in athletics -- it's not  just a form of "self-defence", but a Total Learning and Improvement Activity.

Are your children picked on by others?  Are their school studies getting worse?  Do they need a new attitude to replace a negative one?  Are they lacking self-confidence?  If you have any of these problems with your children, now is the time to send them to our school.  After a few months of training, each child will show dramatic changes: a lower level of anxiety and an increased sense of self-esteem.  Most importantly, there will be an improvement, both at home and in their school studies.  The training at our school could be the priceless gift of starting your children off properly on their long road to a happy and successful life.

Our system encourages children as young as 5 years to start - Discover Your Children!

Our former blue and red belts have been given black belts and a former 1st Dan was even given a 2nd Dan (2nd degree black belt) in less than a few months of joining another school.

Our training is about integrity, excellence, and quality in martial arts; we do not sell-out the honorable art of Taekwondo by quickly promoting students or selling the Kukkiwon certificate.

Grand Master Song’s black belts earn their degrees properly, honestly, and traditionally (a process that takes years of dedication, not months or weeks). Above are just a few of the many certified black belts Grand Master Song has trained over the years. From left to right: Robbie Hubie (9), Angie Grover (2), Justin Sillman (11), Long Phan (11), Waldemar Biedrzycki (15), David Deluce (11), Kurtis Kostamo (16), Tom Hunt (11).

About Master Soengkono

The Master, Mr. Soengkono (Song, Yung Ren), received his 8th Dan Black Belt in Korea in 2004.  He is among the few individuals to have received this distinction and is qualified as an International Master Instructor in the art and science of Tae Kwon Do (Certificate of Master Certification #95207).  This certification is officially approved by the governing body of Tae Kwon Do Organization and Certification in Korea.

The Canada Tae Kwon Do Association selected him as coach/trainer for the Canada National Team to the SNK Cup Japan Tae Kwon Do Championships held in Osaka, Japan in 1995.  Furthermore, Grand Master Soengkono is also a 6th Dan Black Belt in Aikido and Jujitsu from Japan, a master in painting and drawing, an engineer, and a graduate in Business Administration who is presently finishing his Business Administration doctoral program.

Grandmaster Soengkono is also the former Canadian and Indonesian Champion and was special instructor to the Indonesian Army and Riot Police Force.  He has 34 years teaching experience and is the president of the Northwestern Ontario Tae Kwon Do Association, an organization he founded in 1987.

Endorsements

The advanced physical and mental training in Tae Kwon Do have made the difference in our child's confidence, concentration, performance, and achievement levels with a notable improvement communicating and interacting with people of all ages.  I believe Grandmaster Song has the recipe to help our children enjoy a healthy, active youth and become respected, responsible adults through honesty and fair play.
Ken Sillman (parent)

Highly respected and recommended school, developing and challenging the students strengths and abilities both mentally and physically.  Builds self-confidence, discipline, concentration, and fitness, while promoting modesty and self-respect.  The students' dedication, enthusiasm, and zeal are a reflection of Grandmaster Song's gift as an instructor and motivator.
Leena Hubie (parent)

Grandmaster Song has the ability to catch and hold the attention of a room full of active children.  He does it with humour, concentration, and by example.  He uses the concept of respect to teach his classes, not only the physical components, but also the attitudinal components of Tae Kwon Do:  patience, control, humility, and concentration.  Frequently, the parents observing learn as much as the participants.  I would recommend this school to anyone considering taking up martial arts.
Dr. Dan Gleeson (parent)

For almost 14 years, I have had the opportunity to learn under a very positive, highly competent Master whom I can identify with and look up to as a mentor in life.  Grandmaster Song has empowered me and has brought out the best in me as well.  I encourage others to seek and learn from him, and discover a Tae Kwon Do that gives students the opportunity to grow spiritually, emotionally, and physically.  It's an activity that is unmatched by any other activity I know.
Kurtis Kostamo (3rd Dan): 1997-2000 Ontario Gold Medallist
1999 Canadian National Bronze Medal Champion
2000 Canadian National Gold Medal Champion

Our Goals In Teaching Martial Arts to You and Your Community

• To teach the community the value of maintaining a balance of knowledge, honesty, and strength in one's life and to assist in developing the habit of goal setting in these areas.

• To strengthen the family unit within our community by providing an activity and a service where the entire family can work together towards common goals.

• To provide a facility where students and their families can feel confident that proper family values and attitudes are being taught.

• To enhance our community and its members though the positive personal development skills of martial arts training.

• To reverse the destructive effects of negative peer pressure among our young and to inspire personal excellence through our example as black belts in and out of the Tae Kwon Do school.

• To provide a safe haven of positive energy and support for our students' mental and physical health.

• To ensure the long-term growth of the school and its excellent reputation by providing legendary student service.

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

	Are Tae Kwon Do Classes Safe?
	All Song Tae Kwon Do classes are taught with your safety in mind.  We have a "no-contact" rule for beginners so that full control of punches and kicks can be taught safely and gradually.  Classmates are partners, not enemies.  Students interested in contact training for sports competition may do so at special classes, under the supervision of Grandmaster Song and using proper safety equipment.
	Could Tae Kwon Do influence my child to become more aggressive?
	At Song Tae Kwon Do, children and parents learn that martial arts are not to be used in aggression but rather to defend oneself in problematic situations.  Aggressive behaviour is channeled into assertiveness to increase the individual's self-esteem and self discipline as well as to build character.  Our program also helps the shy child to develop self-confidence and become more assertive.
	Will there be other beginners in my class?
	Yes, at Song Tae Kwon Do, you can expect to be grouped with students of similar rank and skill level.  There is, however, a mixed class where students are mixed with others at different skill levels.  This way, new students continue to learn their material while at the same time benefiting from observing and learning from more experienced students.
	How can I choose the right martial arts school for myself or my children?
	Choosing the right school is a very important decision.  Not everyone can teach you or your loved ones.  First, we recommend that you visit the school and interview the instructors or staff members, then observe a class or attend a trial class.  Check the credentials of the school and the head instructor to decide whether or not that school and program is right for you.

The Benefits of Tae Kwon Do

Since our two boys began training, I have attended the majority of their classes and the quality of the instruction they receive is outstanding.  The teaching staff have a great deal of skill and talent which they are able to successfully impart to the students.  Of equal, if not more importance, I noted the emphasis that you and your instructors place upon self discipline and respect both inside and outside the dojang.  Appropriate, if not exceptional behaviour is expected at home and at school.  My children are receiving training in how to be successful, not only in martial arts, but in life.  The skills they are learning promote high values, high standards, and high personal goals.  They are encouraged to be the best people they can possibly be.  Their talents and hard work are always rewarded and praised and their shortcomings are never ridiculed.  Soengkono Martial Arts School has significantly raised the self-esteem of both our children and is setting the groundwork for an approach to life that can only result in success.  Grandmaster Song instills a great desire to excel in all aspects of life, and has a true talent for motivating his students.  He is approachable, supportive, generous, and a lethal weapon.  The best part of all is that he makes learning so much fun.
Constable Craig Town and Family (parents)

As parents, we have watched our children grow by following the principals of Tae Kwon Do -- self-control, self-confidence, self-esteem, respect for others both young and old, concentration, commitment and responsibility -- all potent components to produce productive and decent members of any society.  In our case, we have witnessed our children strive for, attain, and maintain academic excellence.  Grandmaster Song's unique personality has a magic touch and charisma to instill all the necessary elements to be successful in life.
Akhtar and Irene LalDin (parents)

We would highly recommend Grandmaster Song's martial arts school to any parent contemplating martial arts training for their child.  We have been very impressed with the atmosphere of mutual respect and support that Grandmaster Song has been able to create in his school.  Not only do the students respect their martial arts master, but Grandmaster Song also respects his students highly.  As a result, the students feel comfortable enough to try new things and to take the risk of making mistakes for they know they will be admired for having done so and will improve with time.  Students learn the value of tradition but the school also supports each student's individuality in terms of the personal style they imprint on the various martial arts patterns and moves and their individual pace of learning.

Our child has been taking Tae Kwon Do lessons since she was six and the benefits we feel are multifold.  They include better health, knowledge of self-defense, and a stronger emotional and spiritual self.  We very much appreciate also Grandmaster Song's positive approach to his teaching such that students are never fearful about making mistakes.  The result is that students feel committed to their chosen martial art and the enjoyment level is enhanced.  One unusual and highly beneficial aspect of Grandmaster Song's school is the fact that it offers a range of martial arts training.  There are very few martial artists who are experts in both Tae Kwon Do and other martial arts such as Aikido and Tai Chi as is Grandmaster Song.  We also appreciate the fact that Grandmaster Song is accomplished as an individual outside the realm of martial arts, being a talented artist and someone who has several post-secondary qualifications.  He instills in his students commitment not only to the physical, but also the intellectual pursuits.  Finally, as with all good martial arts schools, the focus is on determination, integrity and courage.  These are the values the school strives to encourage and these values the school teaches can be incorporated successfully into the lives of all the students of the school, regardless of ethnicity, gender, age, disability, religion or any other such difference which under other circumstances unfortunately divides people.
Dr. Sonya and Roshan Grover (parents)

My ten year old son has been in Tae Kwon Do for three years.  He took an immediate liking to it and his enthusiasm has not waned.  I have had the chance to observe some of the sessions myself, and have learned a great deal.  Clearly, Tae Kwon Do teaches the students much more than the required physical skills.  It teaches, amongst other things, the importance of concentration, discipline, self-control, patience, and respect for oneself and others.  The children respond well to the structure of the group and the ritualistic aspects of the experience.  Often these elements seem to be lacking in today's rapidly changing and sometimes incoherent society.  The children are always treated with respect and are taught and guided with a firm but compassionate approach.  Criticism is always constructive.  This process encourages learning, develops self-motivation, and builds self-confidence.  The Tae Kwon Do instructors are excellent role models for their students.  Overall, Tae Kwon Do has been a very positive experience for us and I would recommend it highly.
Dr. Robert R. Sheppard (parent)

Come by for a visit...

We'd love to explain to you the life-long physical and mental benefits of Tae Kwon Do and show you the school's spacious modern facilities.

We take great pride in giving personal attention and encouragement to each and every student.  Our staff is positive, friendly, and caring.  The classes are both fun and challenging, and allow students to progress at their own speed. 

During the past 14 years, thousands of students from ages 5 to 65 have studied in the martial arts of Tae Kwon Do and Aikido under Master Soengkono.  Many of his top students have become nationally ranked competitors and top Tae Kwon Do instructors...but what's most important to us is that our students learn to live as winners!  We're looking forward to meeting you!

Take the first step towards a better, healthier life, call us!