Our Mission

At Cornerstone Martial Arts & Leadership Academy the emphasis is on “Leadership!”

By focusing on the fundamentals of leadership training in everything we do, we emphasize the growth of the whole person.

Our approach is based on the knowledge that attitude is more important than aptitude, and that action is more important than education, alone. We develop leaders for our community, our society, and our future through time-tested traditional martial arts instruction and state-of-the-art Leadership training curriculum designed to develop every individual to his or her fullest potential.

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Our Curriculum

All of the curriculum at Cornerstone Martial Arts and Leadership Academy is based upon the three pillars of successful leadership training:

- Learn
- Grow
- Lead!

We use traditional Martial Arts training techniques that have been passed down for generations, while implementing modern leadership curriculums to develop Black Belt Leaders for tomorrow!

For Children and Teens
This means better grades, sincere respect for peers and elders, and higher levels of commitment to learning.

For Adults
This means more successful working relationships, better multitasking capability, and higher-quality leadership attitude

For Families
This means successful nurturing of family relationships, better communication, and higher satisfaction

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The Cornerstone Student Creed

We use every class to nurture the fundamentals of excellent Black Belt Leadership from our students. This promise is embodied in the Cornerstone Student Creed:

“I intend to develop myself in a positive manner, and to avoid anything that might reduce my mental growth or my physical strength or ability."

"I intend to develop self-discipline and an active mind in order to bring out the best in myself and in others."

"I intend to use what I learn at Cornerstone constructively and defensively, to help myself and others, and to never be abusive or offensive."

"I intend to actively look for opportunities to lead, and to develop leadership potential in myself and others.”

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The Five Codes

We emphasize the Five Codes in every class, and use them, constructively, to build our Black Belt Leaders!

- Loyalty to Country
- Obedience to Parents or Elders
- Honor Friendship
- No Retreat in Battle
- In Fighting or Conflict, Choose with Sense & Honor

Leading by example is a fundamental element of being a great leader. We structure every class and every organized event to take advantage of leadership opportunities for each and every student.

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Our Martial Arts

At Cornerstone we teach a traditional Korean Martial Art called Tang Soo Do. Tang Soo Do is an ancient Martial Art with a history that dates back thousands of years, and is rich with a curriculum that benefits modern students of all ages and skill levels.

Tang Soo Do, sometimes called "Korean Karate," is known for having a balanced approach to physical training, emphasizing that all parts of the body (hands, arms, legs, & feet) are tools of the Martial Arts. Tang Soo Do is also known for being an excellent Martial Art for self-defense application, and for its practical approach to applying techniques.

DID YOU KNOW? Some of the biggest names in Martial Arts, such as Billy Blanks and Chuck Norris, got their start in Tang Soo Do?

As a classical art, Tang Soo Do incorporates empty-hand techniques like punches and open-hand strikes, kicks, body mechanics (such as joint manipulation), and weapons, as a whole, well-rounded art.

From a physical perspective, the Tang Soo Do practitioner would seek to stop an attacker with strikes as quickly as possible to prevent harm. That said, the philosophy behind Tang Soo Do is, like many other martial arts styles, one of peaceful confidence, and students are taught that the skills developed in Tang Soo Do training are only to be used to defend one's self and others, and are never to be used offensively or to aggress another person.  

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The "Whole Person" Concept

Tang Soo Do focuses on teaching the 3 pillars of self-development and self-improvement:

- Mind
- Body
- Spirit

The purpose of training in Tang Soo Do is to develop the whole person, including the emotional self, and can best be described as a personal-development program that includes character development through structured and disciplined training.

- Self-Development is nurtured using structured leadership-based curriculum to help students achieve the best versions of themselves
- Self-Defense is taught using time-honored traditional training methods to prepare students for the worst-case scenario
- Better Health and Fitness is achieved through a regimen of active physical training appropriate for all ages and fitness levels combined with structured learning curriculum about exercise and diet

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Key Concepts

The eight key concepts of Tang Soo Do are the pillars upon which we build all of our curriculum at Cornerstone Martial Arts and Leadership Academy. These concepts are:

Regardless of your age, skill level, or ability, these eight key concepts will help you grow to your fullest potential on your road to self-improvement and personal development.

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Inclusivity

We believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to experience a Martial Arts education! 

Whether it's our Kids Karate Program, our Family Martial Arts Program, our Black Belt Program, or our Adults Only Martial Arts Program, we encourage a nurturing and inclusive atmosphere of learning that's open to all races, genders, and orientations. 

Cornerstone Martial Arts & Leadership Academy is a Safe Space for LGBTQ and their allies.

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Affiliation

Cornerstone Martial Arts and Leadership Academy is a fully-accredited school, certified by the prestigious, international organization “The Atlantic-Pacific Tang Soo Do Federation.” The Atlantic-Pacific Tang Soo Do Federation is a world-wide organization recognized internationally for its achievements in promoting self-development through traditional Martial Arts training and certification. The Atlantic-Pacific Tang Soo Do Federation’s mission is to promote traditional martial arts for the 21st Century.

Cornerstone students have the benefit of international rank recognition, backed by the full faith of the Atlantic-Pacific Tang Soo Do Federation, as well as specific privileges of affiliation including access to Master Instructors, participation privileges in regional, national, and international invitation-only events, and the potential for certification to instructor-rank and beyond!

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