Tae kwon Do means the art of punching and kicking and is a Korean martial art of self-defence. It is a free fighting sport that encompasses many aspects of the martial arts such as semi free sparring, self-defence and patterns. Although there is hardly a part of the body that cannot be used as a defensive weapon, it is probably the varied and powerful kicking techniques that are its most readily identifiable trademark of Tae kwon Do.
Classes are based around a basic theme of warm up and stretching, followed by a combination of basic and advanced (for higher grades), punching and kicking techniques. We will then move on to other aspects of training such as one step sparring, free sparring, self defence and patterns.
When you start training you only need to wear loose clothing, you don’t have to rush out and buy a suit for your first lesson. You will need a suit to grade though and when you do decide to buy a suit it must be white without any black trim.
For your first few lessons you have to take it at your own pace, concentrate on getting your balance and co-ordination, and understanding the format of the session. Your stamina and stretch will only improve over time and you can’t do that all in one go, so pace your improvement. If at any time you experience pain stop doing the exercise immediately and tell your instructor, the chances are you are doing the exercise wrong and you do not want to injure yourself.
When will I take my first grading?
You have to be training for at least three months before you can grade but must also have completed at least 18 lessons.
Why does everyone keep bowing?
There may seem that there is a lot of bowing going on but it is not that bad. It is done as a mark of respect, to a place of training, your instructor or your training partner. You will soon get the hang of it, but basically you bow when you first enter the training hall, when you finally leave, to other black belts in the class and to your instructor at the start and finish of a lesson.
As beginners all
sparring is all none contact, you are there to practice your
techniques and tactics against another opponent. This will
improve your skill, speed and stamina. You will only use full
power, on equipment like bags, air shields and focus pads. This
allows a safe yet effective way to learn.
How long does it take to learn TKD ?
You will learn the
basic skills and techniques after a few lessons and you will be
proficient after a few months but to completely master all the
techniques and knowledge will take several years, there is always
something to learn or improve on.
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