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12 - The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday August 26, 2006 www.oakvillebeaver.com ADVERTORIAL There has never been a better time to surround yourself or your child in an environment of success Discipline, self-respect, and a renewed outlook on a life where anything is possible. For more than 18 years Mike Morningstar has been proud to bring to Oakville a sense of true accomplishment and community minded positivitey in the form of Morningstar's Taekwon-do. The only school in Oakville certified to represent the tenants and traditions of the International Taekwondo Federation, or ITF, Morningstar Taekwondo remains dedicated not just to superior athletic achievement, but also in creating a very real benefit to the world that surrounds it. Morningstar explains, "The ITF was founded by the creator of Taekwon-do, General Choi Hong Hi to ensure that what he had developed would remain intact and true for generations to come." Inducted into the Oakville Sports Hall of Fame in 1995 for both his athletic achievements and his charity minded initiatives in business, Mike Morningstar has, in his time, been recognized as a Champion on both National and International stages. A five time champion, three time member of the National Delegation, 1992 Japan Heavyweight Champion, and even the Coach of the National Team which competed in Russia in 1997, Morningstar's greatest passion may still be in passing on the lessons of Taekwon-do that have shaped his life in their original form to a new generation of practitioners that will work keep the art alive. "Teaching is a passion of mine, it's something I do for the love of it," he says. "That's why it was such an honour to join the founder of Taekwon-do himself in teaching ITF approved Taekwon-do in locations from the Czech Republic, to Sweden and Denmark, Japan, Austria, and even the United Kingdom." Since 1988, that same level of dedicated training has also been available much closer to home, right here in Oakville. Says Mike, "I always work to instill a positive atmosphere within my own school. We teach through positive reinforcement, where negatives are minimized and eliminated and successful behavior becomes second nature." Long recommended by doctors, the Martial Arts can provide a host of very real benefits beyond just selfdefense. Says Morningstar, "For children, TKD builds self-confidence in every walk of life. The positive reinforcement of structure, discipline and success that they will find here will rapidly translate into other areas of life like home and school." He continues, "Like Children, Adults involved in TKD soon find very real benefits in lowered blood pressure, strengthened heart and lungs and just being in better shape. We like to say that we're like a fitness club that offers you more. Many of our adult students have found themselves more confident in their daily routines and in life, and this confidence keeps them coming back." Being able to successfully and accurately pass on the traditions of Taekwon-do to a new generation of instructors is something that Morningstar treats with the utmost respect. Says Morningstar, "From the first day you come to us, you receive a training curriculum. At every stage there are standards to reach, levels to achieve and time to invest to make sure that what you learn from us remains at the highest level you could expect." Today, with some 60 black belt instructors in the club, they work to make sure that each class, each lesson and every grading is conducted by the same curriculum, and to the same exacting standards. Morningstar's approach is certainly working as Morningstar Taekwon-do currently boasts a roster of National and International Team Members and Champions, as well as having the honour of sending 18 of their students to South Korea as part of the National Team's delegation in 2003. Still, Morningstar's greatest success may be in the ability to help those in need. Actively involved in charities like the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Morningstar's annual Break-a-thon has become a must see event for many in town. By breaking thousands of boards while pledges look on, Morningstar is able to raise much needed funds for charity, while at the same time creating awareness for both the cause and the dedication of the taekwon-do community to provide real solutions. Still, it is his work with individual students that continues to provide motivation. "Something that is relatively new, but already has been a huge success is our weekly Saturday morning family class. Fathers, Mothers, Children; all have the chance to come and to take part in something positive together." He says. There has never been a better time to surround yourself or your child in an environment of success than right now. As part of their Back-to-School Special, a new membership at Morningstar Taekwon-do is now just $99 for your first 6 months. With classes for children and adults, six days a week, your membership not only entitles you to the best in qualified instruction, but also covers a free uniform, as well as the opportunity to take part in as many classes a week as you wish. As we all get ready to head back to school, take advantage of this opportunity to get out, get active, and get involved in a hobby that, as Mike Morningstar explains, "can easily become a lifelong passion." Morningstar Taekwon-do is located at 1410 Speers Road, Unit 5 in Oakville. For more information, call 905-847-8955, or visit them online at www.mstartkd.com for a comprehensive history of the art, instructor bios, and current news and events including charity occasions and demonstrations where you can see the team first hand. TAEKWON-DO 6 MONTHS $ NEW MEMBERS ONLY Expires Sept. 9/06. MORNINGSTAR 99 00 FREE Uniform SELECTED DIAMOND WINNER 5 YEARS IN A ROW!! "BACK TO SCHOOL SPECIAL" "Our children's program emphasizes building Focus, SelfDiscipline, Confidence, Co-ordination, Self-Esteem and Respect." MIKE MORNINGSTAR WORLD CHAMPION "Our Adult classes are a great way to get into shape, reduce stress and lower the risk of future health problems!" PURSUE ONE'S OWN GOAL 905.847.8955 www.mstartkd.com 1410 SPEERS RD. #5, OAKVILLE (just east of 3rd Line)