Day One
I was intimidated to walk through the doors and step out on the floor that first day.
“I’m not a martial artist,” I thought. “How are they going to treat me?”
But, I was welcomed from day one with smiles and encouragement. My wife and my two children belong to this school as well and we’ve all felt the same way. We’re no different than anyone else. We all have bad days at work and school. But, when you walk through the doors, it all washes away. It is amazing.
Belonging
Being a student and now an instructor at Master Gorino’s , the concept of “belonging” has been redefined for me and my family.
This school has become an extension of that family, and it is because Master Gorino is much more than just an instructor and mentor, he is a true leader.
We have over 300 students of all nationalities, creeds, likes, dislikes, etc. I think there are 19 different countries represented here. I have never once heard anyone say a foul word about anybody. I have never heard any gossip. I only hear people encouraging and building each other up.
Master Gorino would never allow it, and he does not waver on that.
Encouragement
That culture of encouragement is the ingredient that sets this school apart. It’s such a simple, straight-forward concept that, as Master Gorino insists, I carry into my life outside of the dojang as well. I pass it along to my children, and will raise them to pass it along to their children, and theirs, and so on.
I often joke that if Master Gorino ran this country that two things would happen. First, we’d all do a lot more push-ups! And second, you would see people band together with the same camaraderie, love, and respect that happens within these walls. It would make the world a beautiful place.
This school is healing people every single day. And now, as an instructor, I get to be a part of it. I have become the best I could possibly be, and that keeps getting better and better. Now I’m helping others become that as well. Belonging to this school has become the most enjoyable thing I have ever done in my life.
Yes, you will become a martial artist. But I’m a firm believer that if you come to this school, you “leave everything at the shoe rack” as Master Gorino says, you step out on the floor, and you allow Master Gorino and the instructors to teach you and mold you, you will find that you become so much more
Master Gorino’s Tae Kwon-Do offers a trial program for individuals and families in Buffalo, NY and the surrounding areas that allows you to get a feel for the different classes, meet our instructors, and experience our dojang. It’s a great way to see if Tae Kwon-Do is right for you. To learn more or to sign up, register online or call (716) 836-KICK (5425) and a member of our team will follow up with you on next steps. We look forward to helping you achieve your goals. Pil-Sung!
