I wanted to update my review from 2 years ago. My daughter is still attending CTI. She is now a…read moregreen belt and has attended their 6 night camp in Granby two times without Mom and Dad. In addition to everything I previously mentioned, we have also found that CTI provides a safe environment for her to practice her social skills. Her peers are taught to be caring and patient. They exceed expectations and every CTI parent should be very proud of their CTI kids. The instructors provide guidance, but it's the students who rally around her and have helped her engage with them. 12/12/14-My daughter has autism and intellectual disabilities. A year ago her pediatrician recommended Taekwondo to help with her low muscle tone. I began my search for a place that would embrace her differences and allow her to have fun. I found Colorado Taekwondo Institute through a review that spoke highly of them with regard to working with special education children so I gave it a try. CTI has been her home away from home. She feels welcome and empowered. She has been going two days a week for an entire year. The instructors are patient, kind, and encouraging. She has also been mentored by a red belt who has been a godsend. The mentoring sessions are weekly and free. My daughter looks forward to her mentoring sessions. She comes home after class very happy. They also have an annual family review to discuss the positive aspects of having your child in class as well as discussing goals. This had such a profound and lasting effect on my daughter. She still has the butcher paper they wrote these items on hanging in her room. CTI treats my daughter with the same respect they offer to all the participants. They expect the same behavior and activities from her that they expect from all the participants. They understand her disabilities, but instead of focusing on her limitations, they let her tell them when she feels she can't do something. Surprisingly, she has never suggested that she couldn't do something. She trusts her instructors because they have shown themselves to be trustworthy. She sometimes needs a little convincing, but she has risen to the occasion and is now testing for her yellow belt. I have to say that the most impressive and surprising part of our CTI experience has been the impact it has had on me. I am acutely aware of my daughter's disabilities and have sworn never to limit her because of them or to use them as an excuse. CTI has shown me that I was in fact using her disabilities as a crutch. They have shown me that my daughter is capable of more than I had ever imagined. Will she ever be a rocket scientist? Before CTI, I would have said no. Now I say, if she works hard enough, she can do anything. Thanks CTI!

Great place for kids and adults to develop discipline and respect in a fun way as well as get into…read moreshape!!!

This place is fantastic! The instructors are so welcoming and knowledgeable and they make the…read moreclasses fun. No matter where you are starting, or where you are headed, these programs will help to get you there at a pace that is comfortable for you. Master Erik makes the classes fun and challenging, and I look forward to coming back every time! Thank you for being a part of my life!

I can't say enough good things about their program here. Master Erik is one of the most patient…read morepeople I have ever met and my 4 year old son loves it! I am really impressed with the structure they provide for the kids and the enjoyment the kids get out of it. Master Erik makes each class fun and does a great job "getting the wiggles" out of my youngest boy. Try it, you won't be disappointed!!

The instructors at Excel are great with children of all abilities and strive to instill a good work…read moreethic in all of their students. Belt promotion is based not only on demonstrating the ability to perform the exercises, but also homework such as showing respect, making their beds at home, studying and reading everyday, and not using electronics for three days. My eight year old son loves attending this school.

When I first started at Taekwondo I wasn't sure if i'd know anyone but after day 4 I knew a couple…read moreof the students and they were very nice and supportive. for me I feel like a whole new person my confidence went up 100% The instructors are all so nice and they all care about their hard-working students. I Generally think that its a great place to learn TKD. I took a self defense class when i was in the softmore year of college and i thought it was interesting to learn all the moves that was being taught. so after that i was getting into the groove and iv always wanted to join a karate class so ever since then i wanted to experience the class in general but now i really do like TDK it brought so much joy and its been a really great opportunity for me and i love the community and everyone around here. I am looking forward to getting my next belt in the next year or so.

My shy little guy has blossomed here. He looks forward to class and loves the teachers. Truly an…read moreamazing place.

Our two young sons, four and eight, have been going to this establishment for a year. In that…read moretime, we've come to know and love both the experience and the people. Very reasonable rates. This type of program is an investment in your children's future. They teach self control, before self defense. That means that your kids will learn that when the time comes, they will know how to handle conflict, not just how to kick butt...but kick butt they can...if it comes to that. Bullies beware.

Master Vic Teran is really an awesome teacher. He is super committed to the class and the…read morediscipline i.e. the Taekwondo way of life. More importantly, he is a very nice person! Master Vic Teran is very good with kids and make sures they have a great experience. He really knows how to motivate, inspire and rally the class to their goals and produce results. He really cares about the kids and their lives. They love him and respect him a lot (my son said last week that after # 1 mom and #2 dad, he loves #3 Master Vic in the whole wide world!). I have personally observed all the kids make immense progress with respect to their personalities. The kids, their parents and Master Vic have become a closely knit family and I am very proud to be a part of this family. We recently celebrated 4 birthdays together over the past 2 months and the kids and parents had a lot of fun! Personally, my son started showing a lot of confidence, focus, energy and has started to develop a very healthy attitude in a short span of 3 months. Mr Vic also infuses a lot of cardio exercises and strength training for the kids into the regimen. My 4 year old has increased his stamina and endurance, has grown taller! and his eating habits have also improved greatly. We recently did two 1.5 hour hikes on the weekend which he completed with ease. I have to say that this school is probably the best Taekwondo school in New Jersey!

Hands down, Jersey City's best kept secret. Master Vic Teran certainly has a gift for working with…read morechildren. We took both of our girls, one a very shy and reluctant 6 year old and our youngest and most rambunctious almost 4 year old to begin their Taekwondo tutelage under Mr. Teran. Needless to say, our oldest has certainly come out of her shell and surprised us all. This school is not just any ordinary Taekwondo studio, this is more like family. Each and every child is acknowledged, respected and given the opportunity to be their best self. Not only does he care about their progress in Taekwondo but he also makes sure to check their academic progress in school and reinforce the importance of education and discipline. I can't say enough good things about this place but more than kind words, what my kids have learned speaks for itself.

My daughter and husband have been students for many years. My daughter started in the 5-7 year old…read moreclass. We plan to enroll our next child in Maestas TKD when she's old enough. I recommend them to anyone looking at TKD for their kids. Not only has the instruction been excellent, the price is incredibly reasonable. There's a wide age range of students. Anyone is welcome to start or even return to TKD at Maestas. My husband returned after a many decade hiatus. They worked with him to bring him back up to speed and prepare him for his second degree black belt testing. In all, I love that we're part of the Maestas organization and encourage other people to give it a try.

Maestas teaches from the encyclopedias of Taekwon-do from General Choi Hong-Hi who founded…read moreTaekwon-do. The instructors are knowledgeable and well trained. They do an amazing job working with all age groups and ability levels. We have been taking these classes for several years and have learned a lot. I feel a lot safer knowing that my kids and I are learning these valuable skills.