Information about our karate center

Our Taekwondo Academy and karate center here in Lexington, Kentucky, was established in 2001 by Master Instructor Mr. Sid Nelson, 7th degree black belt, who has been actively involved in martial arts for over 30 years.

When we first opened our Academy we made a strong commitment to support and empower the communities we serve.

Our Academy belongs to Taekwondo America Organization. Taekwondo America (TA) is a national organization with member schools across the United States. All the schools adhere to the same principles, standards, and procedures which guide the way the schools teach, promote students in rank, and project their image and reputation within the community.

We are proud to teach the traditional form of Taekwondo (Korean Karate) "Chang-Hun" which means "Blue Cottage", a Korean martial art whose origins and evolution may be traced back through 2,000 years in history. Chang-Hun was General Choi Hong Hi's pen name. General Choi Hong Hi is considered the father of modern Taekwondo.

The Taekwondo America National Board of Examiners developed and certified a comprehensive training and fitness program for instructors and students to follow. This enables children and adults to progress at their own pace and ensures that TA schools are able to meet the needs of all students.

The Taekwondo America karate program is especially strong in the area of children. The structured classes, discipline, and respect that are reinforced each day give younger students tools that they can use throughout life, regardless of their technical skill. The children's program has produced positive results, such as longer attention span, greater focus, increased respect for others, improved physical fitness, and general behavioral improvement.

Over the years, Taekwondo America has built a reputation based upon maintenance of high standards, excellence and distinction. The organization has strict training and promotion standards and does not allow any negative, aggressive behavior, or any misuse of Taekwondo in any manner.

Taekwondo America was formed in 1993 after its founders split from the United States Taekwondo Alliance (USTA) now the International Taekwondo Alliance (ITA), due to operational and financial conflicts. Since its formation, Taekwondo America has attracted some of the finest Taekwondo instructors in the United States.

If you are ever in a city where another Taekwondo America school is located, you may attend free of charge just by being an active member at our center!

Mr. Sid Nelson
Master Instructor, 7th Degree Black Belt

Mr. Nelson has been actively involved in martial arts for over 30 years. He traveled around the US and abroad giving and promoting seminars and demonstrations to ensure and preserve the  quality of Taekwondo and has competed on a national and world level. He takes very sincere, caring and direct approach in teaching Taekwondo to his students, and he believes that as a beginner slow practice equals fast progress in the martial art.

While a student goes through many emotional experiences ranging from fears, struggles and achievements - these invaluable insights helps the student to grow as a person and also as a martial artist. These are qualities and inner strengths which will last a life time. Now the student has won. Then Mr. Nelson says: "When a student wins, I win."

Mr. Nelson recognizes and thinks highly of traditional values as respect, good attitude, courage and positive approach.

His teaching is goal orientated, centered on increasing self-esteem and experience. His students get the right sense of achievements through hard work. "Opportunity and hard work equals achievement", are the Master's words.

He also teaches most classes from children 4yrs old to adults. Children look up to him because he as a parent himself understands the importance of motivation and encouragement in one's early age. He further involves in our community by leading summer camps and instructional black belt camps.

Taekwondo tenets are the guides on his journey through life and his motto is: "Although life is not always easy, rather hard, the one who keeps trying and brings himself to work will succeed."

Mr. Adam Spicar & Ms. Lucie Stolkova

Visit us at www.powerofkarate.com

Assistant Instructors

Mr. Louis Taylor - 2nd Degree Black Belt

Hi! Thanks for checking us out on our great web site. I have a BA from Michigan State University in Hospitality Business. I like to read, travel, watch movies and play/watch sports (of course). I also lived in Japan for two years and speak conversational Japanese.

I was a National Champion in 2004 in both forms and sparring, and have placed in every tournament I have entered. I feel a great satisfaction knowing that our school is helping mold our world's future leaders by instilling the values of our Tenets (courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self control, indomitable spirit) and our Student Oath. We as a school take pride knowing that our students take these Tenets and apply them everyday.

Master Nelson teaches what we must never forget where we started and always go back and help the people that are just starting, because doing so, we will help reinforce all the lessons we have learned and provide a stronger bond between all of the students. For with this bond we create a stronger school and stronger friendship, but more importantly, a stronger community.

I am proud to be a student of Master Nelson and I am proud to be his assistant.

I look forward to seeing you in class!

Mr. Perrin Taylor - 2nd Degree Black Belt - Junior Instructor

Miss Chelsea Satterfield - 1st Degree Black Belt - Junior Instructor