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Master Curtis Mast is a Kukkiwon certified 5th degree black belt (Dan) and has been studying Taekwondo for over twenty years.
Master Mast’s background boasts a unique blend of both traditional and sport Taekwondo. He is the student of Grandmaster Moo Yong Lee (Kukkiwon 9th Dan and Moo Duk Kwan Dan Number 62), which allows him to trace his heritage directly back to the founder of Moo Duk Kwan Taekwondo. Moo Duk Kwan (the original Korean Martial Arts Academy) was founded in 1945 in Korea. Master Mast honors the traditions of this heritage in his classes everyday.
After moving to Atlanta, and visiting a number of schools in the metro area, Master Mast decided it was time to open his own school. He retained the name “United Tae Kwon Do” in the school name out of deep respect for his master, Grandmaster Moo Yong Lee.
Although he is recognized as a Master Instructor, Master Mast still considers himself a student of Taekwondo.
Master Mast has a strong history as competitor, at the state, national and international level, winning numerous local and state level championships in New England.
- 1991 Gold Medalist—Featherweight-US Cup Championships; East Hartford, CT
- 1992 Gold Medalist—Featherweight-US Cup Championships; East Hartford, CT
- 1994 Bronze Medalist—Featherweight US National Collegiate Championships; Aimes, IA
- 1999 Team Captain Team USA—World Taekwondo Festival; Seoul, Korea
Master Mast is very active with USA Taekwondo (USAT) the official governing body of Taekwondo in the USA, as a certified coach, referee and member of the USAT tournament staff.
Education
- 1990 Nationally Registered Paramedic—Springfield College; Springfield, MA
- 1991 BS -Emergency Medical Services Management—Springfield College; Springfield, MA
- 1999 MS - Emergency Medical Services Management/Public Health—New York Medical College; Valhalla, NY
Master Mast is the proud husband of Elaine, and even prouder father of Elias, Ethan and Evan. |
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What is Tae Kwon Do?
Tae Kwon Do is a Korean martial art and the national sport of Korea. Over the years, it has developed into is an internationally popular sport and art, and stands among the official games in the Olympics.
Tae means "to kick or destroy with the foot"; Kwon means "to punch with the fist"; and Do means "the way". Hence, Tae Kwon Do is loosely translated as "the art of kicking and punching" or "the way of the foot and the fist." Tae Kwon Do is renowned for its exceptional kicking and jumping techniques.
Tae Kwon Do has four major components:
- Patterns (Poomse)
- Sparring
- Self-defense
- Kicking, punching, blocking, and striking techniques
Tae Kwon Do allows an individual to enhance their inner spirit and life through training the body and mind. At ATLU TKD our curriculum is equally balanced between all these components as well as the mental /non-physical attributes of Tae Kwon Do.
Atlanta’s United Tae Kwon Do (ATLU TKD) is affiliated with USA Tae Kwon Do, as well as the World Tae Kwon Do Federation (WTF). This means that our students' rank certifications are nationally and internationally recognized and our promotional tests are conducted in accordance with these recognized standards.
Our teaching philosophy. At ATLU TKD we teach Tae Kwon Do with dignity and respect for all students regardless of age, belt rank, gender, race or culture. Learning is best in a positive, supportive environment. Students progress through the rank system learning that not only are positive efforts rewarded, but that added rewards also mean added responsibilities to themselves and others. Our instruction, mission and vision are all based on the five tenets of TKD: Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control, and Indomitable Spirit.
We teach a balanced curriculum. Our curriculum is equally balanced between conditioning and fitness, basic techniques, self-defense, poomse (forms), sparring and the mental /non-physical attributes of TKD.
Benefits of Training: Coordination, flexibility, weight loss, concentration, increased self-confidence, and leadership skills. No other form of physical activity can offer all these benefits like Tae Kwon Do. This art is designed to use speed and skill, not bulk strength, so all of us regardless of age or gender can participate together. Young students, teenager and adults will learn to focus their energy in positive ways that carry over outside the school. Children become more focused in their school studies, more at ease interacting with others, more out going, and self confident. Adults have a place to learn and train in an environment focused on developing both the physical and mental skills of the art. We place a great deal of emphasis on personal enrichment and achievement and are committed to helping students attain their maximum potential. And finally—everybody plays!! Unlike team sports where you compete even to play, everyone participates in every class.
We invite you to stop by any time and take a look at our school. If you like, try classes and see if Tae Kwon Do is right for you. We know that you will find that our school is a wonderful place to train.
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