If you ask Master Paul Edwards how his day is going, he will most likely respond with an enthusiastic, “Outstanding!” That’s because the martial arts guru says a positive outlook promotes positive actions—a mindset he teaches his students atExceptional Tae Kwon Do in White Plains.

“Enthusiasm pulls everything together and training is about confidence,” said the Cortlandt Manor resident. “You have to do the best you can.”

Edwards trains all levels of Tae Kwon Do, with students ranging in age from 4 to 64. His after-school program is separate from his other classes and meets from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.  Other afternoon classes for kids start at 4:10 p.m. These sessions are especially beneficial because they raise self-esteem and keep them active.

“You can’t be lazy in martial arts,” he said. “It requires a lot of physical aptitude to jump, kick, and stretch.”

And the windows in the waiting room are no accident. Edwards says one way he helps his students develop confidence is by making it clear to them that they are being seen by others.

Edwards adds that a central point of martial arts is learning to strategize. That’s why even though each student has different physical capabilities, he reminds them there are other ways to excel.

“I always say to my kids, ‘I’m not made up of my failures, I’m made up of how I overcome them. If someone else is stronger, you have to be faster.”

Edwards points out that a lot of women come to class hoping to learn self-defense through Tae Kwon Do. He says the physical strength they develop is only a small part of the training because they must defend themselves by learning to stand strong, make eye contact and speak clearly.

“The first step to defending yourself is becoming someone of self-confidence and being the best you can be,” he added.

It is clear that Tae Kwon Do has stayed in the Edwards family. His wife Jennifer is a third degree black belt, twins Kiah and Kylie are both yellow belts and daughter Natasha is a high blue belt.