Fort Bend Taekwondo

Strength.  Focus.  Confidence.

The air cracks with 20 simultaneous hand chops and the collective sound of hiya! These warriors in training are in complete accordance with their sensei’s commands.  As the sweat beads down their foreheads, the students finish today’s training session with a series of high kicks and a feeling of satisfaction, knowing they are one step closer to achieving their goal of the next color belt.  A final command is called out to split into two groups, run to opposing sides of the dojang and square off for one last round of combat…a game of dodgeball.

At Fort Bend Taekwondo there is a bit of a twist to the classic image of martial artists in training.  These are pint-sized pugilists, and their instructors Carol Anatrella and her daughter Ellie have been operating their studio here in Katy since the fall of 2009.

Experienced Instructors

Fort Bend Taekwondo offers classes ranging from beginner to expert, and all skill levels in between, from age three to adults.  They are the Houston area’s first Taekwondo America affiliated academy, meaning they adhere to the guidelines and procedures set by the most prestigious taekwondo community in the United States.  Taekwondo America members maintain the highest standards in teaching, promotions in rank and consistency from school to school.

While some potential customers have entered and been surprised to see a female instructor, Carol views this as a strength of her studio.

“What makes us unique is that I am a female and a mom,Carol says.  We bring a special level of positive energy and caring to each of the students.”

But make no mistake, Carol can kick some butt.  She is a forth-degree black belt, has been a senior level certified instructor for more than six years, and has 14 years of taekwondo experience.  While leading a class of students she is in complete command, keeping a large group of small children responsive, motivated and disciplined.

A Family Owned and Operated Taekwondo School

Another unique aspect to Fort Bend Taekwondo is that it is a family owned and operated local business, as is demonstrated by her daughter and assistant instructor Ellie.  Though still in high school, Ellie has been practicing taekwondo for nine years, and is already a third-degree black belt and certified junior level instructor.  Carol’s husband Lou, a first-degree black belt rounds out the family business helping run the operational side.

Why should you enroll your children or yourself at Fort Bend Taekwondo? Strength, focus and confidence.

Children at Fort Bend Taekwondo gain coordination, flexibility and an appreciation for fitness that can build the foundation for staying active or preparing for team sports.  They also build metal cognition as they must react instantly to commands.

Focus, Discipline & Self Control

Carol stresses the importance of children learning focus, discipline and self control.  Observing a room full of young children demonstrating compliance and obedience during her lessons showcases the level of discipline her students possess.  This carries over to outside the studio as her young students learn their first lesson that these skills are for self-defense only.

For special needs children, taekwondo offers a unique opportunity to learn such skills.

“As a proud mother of a special needs child, I believe this is a great way for those with special needs to learn self-control and exercise their bodies.  Taekwondo is much better for them than team sports, Carol says.

The confidence gained by taekwondo is perhaps the most important lesson that can be applied to other areas of life.  Kids learn to prevent bullying.  Many become more outgoing in developing friendships with others (and that does not even include the friends they make in class).

As they walk into the sparring circle against a friendly opponent towards the end of a daily lesson, each student moved confidently and without fear, knowing that the skills they have learned will keep them safe and able to defend themselves.

As one parent stated, Fort Bend Taekwondo has been a blessing to my son.  The teachers have inspired confidence and courage in him.”

Martial Arts for All Ages

Teens and adults gain similar levels of strength, focus and confidence. Aside from learning to master a martial art, many older clients join Fort Bend Taekwondo for the excellent fitness experience.

“Our adult customers build on their fitness level by doing a challenging cardio routine based on a lot of body weight exercises,Carol says.  Everyone works at their own level, but we still challenge them and target their bodies in ways they can’t get at a regular gym.”

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