Short Story. The Mount Shasta Martial Arts Program is a 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation offering a unique, established training program (since 2001) that enriches lives by providing a dynamic and modern curriculum for taekwondo and yongmudo in a safe, fun learning environment to the residents of Mount Shasta and surrounding communities in Siskiyou County, California.
What we got. Participants learn really cool, valuable skills in a state-of-the-art training center. Children excel within our supportive environment: positive attitude and respectful behavior are priorities. Adults and teens enjoy great workouts developing powerful and effective techniques and self-defense strategies.
Connecting with the community. MSMAP works with local schools and community organizations helping to develop skills for success including Mount Shasta Elementary, Castle Rock Elementary, Sisson Middle, Golden Eagle Charter (MSMAP is an official vendor for GECS), Shady Creek Pre-School, Dunsmuir Community Center, Mount Shasta Recreation & Parks District, and Upward Bound (a national high-school program).
Learn more. Check out the following sections for more information about MSMAP and what it offers.
Master Chuck Buhs is the head instructor and Dr. Peter Halt is the founding instructor. Both Chuck and Peter graduated from U.C. Berkeley and received their black belts in taekwondo from the University of California Martial Arts Program (1987) under the direction of Dr. Ken Min. Chuck and Peter have many years teaching children, teens, and adults. Each is committed to providing a safe, educational, and fun training environment for all members.
Mr. Mark Coulter (6th gup taekwondo; 7th gup yongmudo) is the treasurer and teaching assistant.
MSMAP participants include children, teenagers, and adults from Mount Shasta, Dunsmuir, McCloud, and Weed. Some parents attend with their children and either participate in training or enjoying watching the training. We encourage more parents to join the training and experience the fun and rewards firsthand.
Yes, provided that you train consistently and well and pass all the requirements at each rank (belt) level. Our last member promoted to black belt in May 2014. The promotion authority for the Mount Shasta Martial Arts Program for both taekwondo and yongmudo is the University of California at Berkeley Martial Arts Program (UCMAP).
Good question. It’s certainly not for lack of trying on our part. In recent years, we expanded our advertising channels to reach more members of our community through this web site, flyers, paid print advertisements, articles in the local paper, demonstrations, and special activity programs at our local schools.
Go to: Selected MSMAP Milestones
Go to: 2018: Martial Arts Students were prepared for Open House & Holiday Food Drive (MS Area Newspapers)
Go to: 2018: Preparation Pays Off for Teens in Awarding of Taekwondo Black Belts (MS Area Newspapers)
Go to: 2018: Martial Artists Test Their Skills at UC Berkeley (MS Area Newspapers)
Go to: 2018: Packed House for Martial Arts Program Holiday Event (MS Area Newspapers)
Go to: 2017: Martial Artists Collect Mountain of Medals (MS Area Newspapers)
Go to: 2016: MSMAP Puts Words and Training into Action (MS Area Newspapers)
Go to: 2016: Local Participants See Benefits of Martial Arts Camp (MS Area Newspapers)
Go to: 2016: UC Open Taekwondo & Yongmudo Championships (MS Area Newspapers)
Go to: 2016: Visiting Martial Arts Instructor Emphasizes Lifelong Training (MS Area Newspapers)
Go to: 2014: Martial Arts Open House Includes Senior Nutrition Food Collection (MS Area Newspapers)
Go to: 2014: MSMAP Plans Open House and Food Drive (MS Area Newspapers)
Go to: 2014: Martial Artists Contribute to Senior Nutrition (MS Area Newspapers)
Go to: 2014: Mount Shasta Youth Earns Black Belt (MS Area Newspapers)
Go to: 2014: UC Open Competition Action (MS Area Newspapers)
Go to: 2014: Local Mother and 3 Children Take Taekwondo Exam (MS Area Newspapers)
Go to: 2013: Martial Arts Students Showed Their Stuff (MS Area Newspapers)
Go to: 2013: Martial Arts Celebration Benefits Senior Nutrition (MS Area Newspapers)
Go to: 2013: ‘Safe Dating’ Teaches Protective Techniques (MS Area Newspapers)
During the COVID-19 pandemic, MSMAP is offering online activities in a completely COVID-free environment. Contact us for more information.
No. Although our children’s program is always popular, our members also include teens and adults.
We offer excellent training for teens and adults two evenings each week at 5:30-7:00pm (Monday and Wednesday) in yongmudo. We especially encourage adults to join our yongmudo program as we provide an ideal means to develop a variety of skills and overall fitness geared to an aging body.
Teenage girls and their mothers may be interested in our specialized “Self-Defense for Teens” series offered periodically.
We offer several options for adults to really test themselves. Taekwondo offers light- to full-contact sparring with other adults in addition to forms (prearranged movements). Yongmudo offers a variety of sparring options from groundwork to standing throws to kicking/striking to “anything goes”.
Martial arts training is not just about aerobic, high-impact, really athletic movements—martial arts is also about being safe, healthy, and being truly invigorated by movement and techniques. We have options for adults to train, learn martial arts, and remain healthy without being broken-down from training.
Yongmudo (Mon/Wed, 5:30-7:00pm)—learn how to disable an opponent with minimal damage to yourself through joint-locks, throws, strikes, and kicks. Develop strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination.
Our periodic self-defense workshops complete the third component offered by MSMAP. These workshops differ from self-defense training in our taekwondo and yongmudo program in that we address specific topics for specific groups. For example, our first workshop, held in Summer 2008 for young women 13-years and older, was geared towards “Safe Dating 101”.
Yongmudo is a Korean martial art that combines elements of judo, taekwondo, wrestling, boxing, and more. It’s essence is using the attacker’s strength against themselves. The focus of yongmudo is on self-defense although it does include a new, competitive aspect as well. And, this competitive component of training allows for a great test of skills against each other. In other words, combat sparring.
The roots of yongmudo are from hapkido, a comprehensive martial art. The name yongmudo was decided upon in 1998 by the Martial Arts Research Insitute of Yong In University in Korea to develop an important self-defense discipline for the 21st Century.
Don’t be fixated on the name. Pay attention to the techniques and the type of training. If you want to learn how to stop others from hurting you, yongmudo offers a lot of ways to defend yourself.
Go to: Yongmudo Training Photo Gallery
Yes. People with all levels of experience — and even no experience — are welcome to join. Adults, teens, and children with absolutely no experience are especially encouraged to stop by and try the program and decide if martial arts is something that interests them. We exist so that our community has martial arts right here, right now. You don't need to travel an hour north and/or south for high-quality action.
MSMAP is pleased to offer something for all ages — pre-schoolers, youngsters, youth, teens, adults. Use the following outline to better determine which activities best fits your interests and schedule:
Pre-school |
“Run & Laugh” On Hiatus Big fun for tiny bodies. Fun and fast activity to generate big smiles as children joyfully explore their physical abilities through running, jumping, laughing, and more in the best rumpus room in Siskiyou County. |
Young Children |
Tiny Tigers: Martial Arts for Young Children Mon-Thu • 4:30-5:15pm Ideal activity for children ages 4-plus to have big fun developing coordination, strength, positive social skills, and good manners in a structured environment. |
Pre-Teens & Teens |
“Serious” Taekwondo Tue & Thu • 5:30-7:00pm For older and/or more serious children (ages 9 and older) very interested in accepting big challenges and developing advanced skills, “can do” attitude, and self-respect through more rigorous training. |
Teens & Adults |
Yongmudo Mon & Wed • 5:30-7:00pm Big training for big bodies. For teens and adults interested in learning very effective skills and developing strong, healthy bodies through very active training. |
For more information about our activities, see the following pages:
Go to: MSMAP Schedule
Go to: Children and Martial Arts
Go to: Choices for Adults
Go to: Yongmudo
The Tiny Tigers program is for young chilren to begin learning martial arts in a fun environment mixed in with a healthy dash of discipline. Since May 2009, these 45-minute workouts benefit children ages 4-years-old and up at a pace ideally geared to their attention spans and social skills. Children learn how to follow directions, display good manners, and participate within a very active and supportive group setting developing coordination and having fun.
Go to: Tiny Tigers
Go to: The 5 S’s
Go to: Children and Taekwondo
Go to: Tiny Tigers Photo Gallery (Action Photos!)
This is our gift to the community. Our “Run & Laugh” program is an incredibly positive activity session for pre-schoolers. This activity allows young children to joyfully explore their physical abilities through running, jumping, laughing, and more in the best rumpus room in Siskiyou County.
Go to: The 5 S’s
Go to: Children and Taekwondo
Go to: Tiny Tigers Photo Gallery (Action Photos!)
Since June 2009, MSMAP offers summer camps for children and teens. These training sessions offer a variety of activities to introduce participants to a variety of martial arts including judo and Japanese swordsmanship as well as taekwondo and yongmudo. These camps are a healthy activity in a safe environment. Since 2011, MSMAP partners with the Mount Shasta Recreation & Parks District to offer unique summer (and sometimes winter) activity programs.
Yes. Prospective members are welcome to watch and are encouraged to come train for a week before making a decision about whether they want to continue or not. Uniforms are not required during the FREE trial period; just wear clean t-shirts and sweatpants. The only cost during the trial period is time. NOTE: Everyone must complete a liability waiver prior to participating. Minors must have a parent or guardian sign. No fee is involved to try it out.
Our purpose is to build a better community by offering intelligent, comprehensive martial arts training to develop stronger minds and bodies. We ask that participants and/or their parents support our program using the following donation scale as a guide.
Larger Donations: We reward commitment and perseverence and help families have fun in these hard financial times.
This works out to be $4 — and less — per hour for an exceptional learning and training experience.
Uniform: All taekwondo and/or yongmudo participants are required to have a uniform, or dobok. Participants are welcome to obtain their equipment anywhere. MSMAP can help obtain the proper attire and equipment: V-neck pullover dobok for taekwondo and a cross-over green heavyweight dobok for yongmudo.
There is no “catch”. We ask for donations from the community to cover expenses to keep the doors open and people active. As a 501(c)(3) public benefit corporation, the Mount Shasta Martial Arts Program stresses quality instruction for the entire community. We personally enjoy training and the enriching experience martial arts offers; we encourage others to try the program and learn first-hand if martial arts is something worthwhile for you.
Could be. Whether your donations are tax-deductible or not all depends on your particular tax situation. MSMAP is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and donations to MSMAP might be deducted from the donor’s income taxes for that year if your particular tax situation allows. Check with your tax advisor for details.
Why might donations to MSMAP be “tax-deductible”?
MSMAP is an organization making a charitable contribution to the community — ultimately helping our community become a better place.
This isn’t us just giving out empty talk. MSMAP is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as a charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. tax code. This IRS recognition allows individuals and other organizations to make tax-deductible donations to MSMAP. This is correct: donations to MSMAP may be deductible from your tax returns for that tax year depending upon your tax situation. Check with your tax advisor for details.
Bottom line: MSMAP isn’t a for-profit business, and it certainly isn’t collecting money to put into someone’s pocket so they get rich. MSMAP puts its money to use fulfilling it’s exempt purpose: helping improve our community.
Only taekwonodo and yongmudo rank and uniforms are appropriate for those respective training sessions. Although the Mount Shasta Martial Arts Program does not offer “open” workouts where people show up and haphazardly practice whatever they feel like, MSMAP does provide “equivalency” exams allowing participants to put their previous training to use within the taekwondo or yongmudo system.
Each workout follows a lesson plan with the ultimate goal being learning all the requirements for the next promotion exam. With diligent, regular training, dedicated participants have the opportunity to take a rank promotion exam for taekwondo and yongmudo approximately every six months.
Yes, all members are required to have the proper uniform, or dobok for training in yongmudo and/or taekwondo. For taekwondo, the uniform is a white V-neck pullover top, pants, and belt. For yongmudo, the uniform is a green heavyweight crossover top, pants, and belt (although a heavyweight white, crossover uniform is also appropriate for yongmudo). With proper care, the uniforms will last a year or longer (depending on use).
MSMAP can help participants obtain uniforms and other equipment.
NOTE: For people trying out the workouts for a week, a uniform is not required. Prospective members should wear clean workout attire (i.e., t-shirt and sweat pants).
That’s great, but this isn’t your old school. MSMAP provides instructional workouts according to the taekwondo and yongmudo governing organizations. This means that the training follows a required curriculum and the respective protocol for both taekwondo and yongmudo which includes the proper uniform for each martial art. A uniform, or dobok, is required both for its durability as well as for good hygiene (provided it is washed on a regular basis and it is only used for martial arts workouts).
MSMAP celebrates diversity, but our training is our way:
• well-organized;
• progressive;
• challenging.
In addition to the dobok (uniform; white V-neck for taekwondo and green heavyweight cross-over for yongmudo), members should have their own protective athletic cup. Members of green belt rank and above should have their own sparring gear (headgear, mouthpiece, body protector, shin/forearm pads).
MSMAP can help participants obtain uniforms and other equipment. All uniforms and equipment must conform to our specific requirements (i.e., V-neck pullover for taekwondo; heavyweight cross-over uniform for yongmudo).
Our rules are geared to ensure the safety and health of all participants. Please ask if you have questions.
General Rules. You'll pick up most of our rules pretty quickly such as proper etiquette (bowing stepping on/off the mat; clean uniforms; etc.) and hygiene (wear slippers in the restroom - always).
Main Rules & Expectations. These are our main rules. Expect us to enforce them.
Be Polite and Respectful
Respect Others: Be Clean
No (non-medicinal) Metal Allowed on the Mat
Need more details? Download our “Rules & Expectations” sheet. It provides much more information.
You’re not alone: learning to tie the belt is a challenge. Here’s a couple of videos to help.
Excellent! Extra practice at home makes a postive difference in the studio. The following video playlist shows videos taken from the Kukkiwon DVD Series and are the official versions of the Taekwondo forms, or poomse.
Martial arts, athletics, and play are great ways for kids to stay healthy and gain important skills in leadership and teamwork. Unfortunately, concussions can occur in all sports and activities from any contact including bumps, blows or jolts to the head or body. It is crucial for instructors and parents to recognize the signs and symptoms of concussions, understand the potential consequences and prevent further injury.
MSMAP’s Concussion FAQ is designed to offer participants, parents, and instructors direction in the event of a possible concussion and encourage involvement by medical professionals in a step-by-step protocol for treatment and observation. Our number one goal is to promote and champion the safety and health of our participants.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or health care provider. We encourage you to discuss with your doctor any questions or concerns you may have.
For that matter, I don’t like fighting. Isn't martial arts all about fighting and violence?
What We Believe. We abhor senseless violence as well. For us, training in martial arts is not about learning to spread violence. It is about learning essential physical, mental, and emotional skills in order to MANAGE and AVOID (when possible) senseless violence. It’s about effectively managing challenges, adversity, and conflict in an intelligent manner.
The Power of Choices. Training in martial arts is much more than the physical skills; it is about choices such as choosing to respond with violence or not; to fight or not fight. With choice comes self-confidence. Through the development of self-confidence and self-respect, we encourage participants to become supportive members of our community who strive to achieve exciting, worthwhile goals.
Learn more. This page explains in much more depth about what we're all about including the benefits that are possible through martial arts training. Check it out!
