The TAO Program (Tenacity-Attitude-Optimism) promotes service to the community through subsidizing the participation of low-income families and youth at risk in their learning of traditional Taekwon Do. This Training allows them to grow inwardly and outwardly through character development, contributing to a positive environment and contributes to the well-being of our local community in the greater Ottawa/Gatineau area.

TAO: That in virtue of which all things happen or exist. The rational basis of human activity or conduct. A universal concept, regarded as an ideal attained to a greater or lesser degree by those embodying it. From Chinese TAO means “way, path, right way (of life), reason”

TAO = DO = Way of life!

When we look beyond the kicking and punching we see that Traditional Taekwon Do is much more. Its focus is on building the individual’s character regardless of religion, sex, or race. Therefore the physical aspect is only a small part of the individual being on the right path.

TENACITY – Persistent determination. Tenacity means to stick with something even when the going gets tough. Never give up. Never surrender!

Tenacity also means the quality or state of being.

ATTITUDE – The way a person views something or tends to behave towards it, often in an evaluative way. A complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways.

OPTIMISM – A disposition or tendency to look on the more favourable side of events or conditions and to expect the most favourable outcome. The belief that good ultimately predominates over evil in the world.