About Us
Qualified Instructors
Our instructors have all been studying Taekwon-Do for years and are focused on passing that experience on to all our students. We also have the benefit of an excellent mentor, Seventh Dan, Master Chris Howes, who has been training and teaching Taekwon-Do for years.
Our Senior Instructor - Mrs. Keri Gardner-Volk
Mrs. Gardner-Volk has been training in ITF Taekwon-Do since 2006. She earned her 4th Dan on June 22, 2024 and continues to train and learn as she teaches our exceptional students. Mrs. Gardner-Volk has been certified as an assistant instructor and as a judge. She has also successfully competed in several tournaments in Alberta and Saskatchewan, and attended technical seminars in Alberta and Ontario. Mrs. Gardner-Volk is very excited to be able to teach as she also continues her own journey of learning.
Mrs. Gardner-Volk successfully completed all the elements for her 4th Dan on June 22, 2024. She has worked, and continues to work, very hard through all of her training. We recognize that to be a 4th Dan you should be running your own school and spreading the art. This is something Mrs. Gardner-Volk takes very seriously as she loves learning while she teaches students of all ranks.
Our Assistant Instructor - Mr. Cal Volk
Mr. Volk has been training in the art of Taekwon-Do since 2010 beginning at the age of 45. Though starting at an older age definitely has it's own challenges, his focus and determination has allowed him to reach the rank of 2nd Dan. Mr. Volk is also excited to be able to work with all of the artists that come to our dojang as he also expands his own knowledge and application of the art.
Our Mentors - Master Chris Howes & Mrs. Sonya Howes
Master Chris Howes & Mrs. Sonya Howes
We are honoured and humbled that Master Howes and Mrs. Howes have agreed to work with us in this journey. They will be mentoring our senior students, heading our panel in testing, and will be teaching seminars regularly to help us all in our growth.
Our Mentor - Master Chris Howes
Master Howes
Master Chris Howes reached the level of 7th Degree Black Belt on June 4, 2023. He has spent his entire life training in the traditional style of Taekwon-Do. He has had the tremendous privilege to be a personal assistant to Grandmaster Choi, Jung Hwa; the son of the founder of the art of Taekwon-Do for several years and attend him at Seminars around the world, including Moscow, Russia, Rio De Janero, Brazil, Bochum, Germany and Buenos Ares, Argentina. Mr. Howes has also been featured on the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) Master's Class DVD featuring many prominent instructors of Taekwon-Do. He has had the pleasure to train under such Pioneers of the Martial Arts as General Choi Hong Hi himself, the founder of Taekwon-Do, First Grand Master Rhee Ki Ha, Grand Master Kong Young Il, Grand Master Park Jong Soo, and Grandmaster C.S Lim; who conducted a seminar at LFMA in 2013. Mr. Howes also served a tenure as the Head Coach for the Canadian ITF Taekwon-Do Team for both the 2004 World Championships held in Daejon, South Korea and in 2006 in Geelong, Australia. Mr. and Mrs. Howes attended the World Cup in Italy in 2007 with a Delegation consisting exclusively of their students.
Our Mentor - Mrs. Sonya Howes
Mrs. Howes
Mrs. Sonya Howes successfully reached the level of 6th Degree Black Belt on June 4, 2023. She has been training for all of her adult life. Mrs. Howes showed a flair for the martial arts from the moment she began training, reaching her Black Belt level early in her career, she was quickly named to the International Taekwon-Do Federation Canadian Team and went on to compete at the World Championships in Daejon, South Korea with her husband, Mr. Howes as her coach where she received numerous medals in all divisions, with the highlight being a Silver Medal in the Womens Black Belt Patterns Division. Mrs. Howes also competed in the World Cup in Italy where she took the Silver Medal in Womens Patterns as well as acting as coach to her and Mr. Howes' students. Sonya has also been the driving force in the clubs fitness training component. She developing her own Kickboxing style workout which has been a tremendous success with many men and women over the years as well as producing and releasing her own Fitness DVD in 2006 entitiled "Howes Heartpumper"; a Taekwon-Do style aerobic workout featuring Sonya and several of her top aerobic students. Sonya handles the day to day administration of the club and teaches Taekwon-Do classes alongside her husband.
Modern Dojang
Our dojang is a well-equipped, modern, single use facility in Southeast Calgary. We will ensure that our facility is disinfected before every class and cleaned regularly for the safety of our instructors and students.
Our Philosophy
Lightning ITF Taekwon-Do is a member of the ITF-TAO Canada Federation (International Taekwon-Do Federation). Lightning teaches the traditional art following the tenants of Taekwon-do which are Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverence, Self-Control, and Indomitable Spirit. We believe that martial arts are an excellent tool for self-improvement, for better health, and a great way to broaden our social network. Through training and encouragement we can find strength that we never knew we had. We believe that Taekwon-Do is an art for all ages and welcome everybody over three years of age.
Member of
We are members of the ITF-TAO Canada Federation. For information on them visit: http://www.itf-tao.com/