Full Circle Dojang

My boys 3 & 6 both attend and what a difference in both! Mr Jackson asked at the very first class what we wished each child to accomplish. One child needed more self control and the other needed more confidence. During class you can witness the slightly different approaches for each child and the results are amazing! My older has shown such dramatic impulse control while my younger is becoming more self confident. It really is a great environment for kids and the staff is awesome. Each session of Little Dragons is ended with a game, such as freeze tag and it really just helps the kids enjoy coming while learning. I have visited several Martial Arts studios and witnessed their child programs. Many are very intense for children, Full Circle Dojang is a perfect balance of fun and learning.

Last year I had a desk job, smoked a pack of cigarettes a day and hadn’t worked out since I was 18 (I’m 44 now). I had chronic back and shoulder pains since my twenties and stress was affecting my stomach. The doctor told me I was developing an ulcer and also diagnosed me with asthma and early stages of emphysema. My brother-​in-​law had just died (at 40) and I decided I needed a change.
My sons (7 and 9) were already Full Circle members and I decided to try out a family class, where the parents can workout together with the kids. I hadn’t had so much fun in a long time! I signed up and pretty soon I was going to class 4 – 5 times a week.
I actually quit smoking and martial arts has helped me two ways. 1) I can release my got-​to-​have-​a-​cigarette stress at the DoJang. 2) I want to become better at Tae Kwon Do, and you need to be in great shape or you won’t last very long.
The first few months I was exhausted 5 minutes into a class. I couldn’t breathe, my muscles hurt, I was sweating hard… I’m still sweating hard, but after having done it for over a year now, I feel great. I reached the point where I can keep up with an entire class, which I’m very proud of, considering that the instructors push us very hard!
I haven’t caught up with some of the other adult students yet, but it’s the best shape I’ve ever been in. I’m doing better than the doctor thought I would, since emphysema is not curable and after 33 years of smoking my lungs are damaged quite a bit. But every day I work out, I feel stronger and last longer and there’s no end in sight!
I’ve surpassed my own expectations by miles and I couldn’t have done it without the instructors at Full Circle DoJang, who constantly push us to improve, not only physically but also mentally, and in new ways — so it’s never boring.
I still love taking the family class on Saturday morning with my sons. I love what Tae Kwon Do does for them. My oldest son is studying to become an instructor now! I love the family atmosphere at Full Circle. I love the instructors and fellow students and I’m proud to be one of them. I’m loving life!
I never thought I could turn my life around, but I did it with the help of the people at Full Circle DoJang, and so can you! Stop by Saturday morning around 9:00 and come see us. I’m the tall, goofy looking one with the big smile on his face :-)
–Enno Derksen