Values
- Courtesy
- Self-Control
- Integrity
- Perseverance
- Indomitable Spirit
TKD Wellness | Olympic Sport Taekwondo for Kids, Teens & Adults in Tucson
Dr. Yoendry Torres is a licensed clinical psychologist and 4th dan black belt in Taekwondo (TKD) and an USA Taekwondo Associate Coach. Dr. Torres developed TKD Wellness as a merging of two arts, martial arts and psychotherapy. TKD Wellness’ purpose is to improve the health and joy in our community. To that end, the curriculum at TKD Wellness is focused on fun, fitness and empowerment.
Dr. Torres has been the head coach for TKD Wellness Programs since 2008 when it was first implemented at Illinois Masonic Medical Center Behavioral Health Department during his clinical psychology internship and then at Mount Sinai Hospital Child & Adolescent Department during his post doctorate in Chicago, Illinois. TKD Wellness restarted at Intuition Wellness Center as a therapeutic group in 2016; however, in 2018 due to the restrictive nature of therapy groups only allowing individuals who meet diagnostic criteria to participate and the higher costs for therapy, TKD Wellness split off from Intuition Wellness Center, becoming it own independent martial arts school.
This transition into a martial arts school (instead of a clinical therapy group) allowed TKD Wellness to begin to train more students with or without mental health problems and to participate in Olympic Sport Taekwondo competitions. TKD Wellness students now get the best of both worlds, the mental skills from the art of psychology and the confidence, fitness and discipline that is acquired through training and competing in the Olympic sport Taekwondo.
Dr. Torres also co-founded Intuition Wellness Center, PLLC in Tucson, AZ in 2013 where he also provides individual and family counseling services. Dr. Torres earned a doctoral degree in clinical psychology (Psy.D.) with a specialization in family therapy in 2009. Prior to that Dr. Torres earned a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Psychology with Magna Cum Laude from Florida International University in 2003 and an Associate in Arts Degree with Highest Honors with Distinction from Miami-Dade Community College in 2001.
Dr. Torres martial arts training history dates back to when he was a teenager living in Miami, FL training in an American Taekwondo Association (ATA) school where he earn his deputy black belt under Grandmaster Andy Silva. Dr. Torres later trained for a couple of years in Shaolin Kung Fu before having to pause his martial arts training while attending college. Dr. Torres later returned to Taekwondo during his last year (2008-2009) of graduate school in clinical psychology while living in Chicago, IL where he began to consider the idea of merging his interest for martial arts and psychology. Dr. Torres trained under Grandmaster Rodriguez in Chicago, IL until his 3rd Dan before moving to Tucson, AZ in 2013. Upon moving to Tucson, Dr. Torres began training with Grandmaster Jae Kim, earning his 4th Dan, and later trained with Grandmaster Dong Hoon Kim at Tucson Tae Kwon Do Chung Do Kwan before they both retired. Dr. Torres, currently competes in sport poomsae and is pursuing higher level coaching skills as well as sharing his knowledge about sport psychology to give athletes the edge they need to outperform their competition.
“I Believe That You Already Have The Answers to Unlock Your Potential.”
Taekwondo Awards & Accomplishments
Master Lee is a 5th degree black belt and teaches our cardio kickboxing classes. Master Lee has been training in various types of Taekwondo for over 40 years, including International Taekwondo Federation (ITF), Chung Do Kwan Taekwondo and Kukkiwon Taekwondo in addition to kickboxing and Karate.
Dion is a 2nd degree black belt and coach who is passionate about sparring. Dion has competed at state, national and international Olympic Sport Taekwondo tournaments. His passion for sparring has brought him several accomplishments and his journey is only just beginning.
Chris is a 1st degree black belt and coach, specializing in olympic sport sparring. Chris has been training in Taekwondo for about 2 years but coaching his son, Dion for over 5 years. He has been a member of the Arizona Pride, the state Taekwondo team, and also was Arizona State Champion in his weight class in 2020.
Colin is a 1st dan black belt and a coach who teaches our FitKids classes as well as other Taekwondo classes.
Mylo is a 1st Poom black belt and an assistant coach.