Taekwondo East Malling

Taekwondo is generally a lot more physically demanding than for example Tai Chi, so unless you're pretty fit and nimble you may prefer to partake in something a bit gentler to boost your fitness levels in East Malling. Children are clearly an ideal participants for Taekwondo classes in East Malling, with lots of fast movements taking place and plenty of high kicking.

Based primarily around high-kicking manoeuvres like jumping/spinning kicks, head-height kicks and rapid kicking styles, Taekwondo was devised from the practices of various martial arts, by a group of Seoul martial arts experts in new schools known as "Kwans" during the nineteen forties and fifties. These "Kwans" had the names Chungdo Kwan, Jido Kwan, Songmu Kwan, Changmu Kwan and Mooduk Kwan.

With more than sixty million people engaged in Taekwondo sessions all around the globe, this has definitely become a popular pastime, and if you become really expert at this martial art you might even one day qualify for the Olympic Games, of which it's been an integral part since the 2000 Sydney Games.

A key element of Taekwondo is self-defence, and of course this is one of the principal reasons that folks in East Malling sign up to classes and take up the sport. There's been a disturbing escalation of violent behaviour in recent years and this is particularly rampant in city and town centres around Kent and the UK in general. The fantastic thing about Taekwondo though, is that it also teaches self-discipline and respect for other people, not such widespread qualities in East Malling these days.

Your newly learned Taekwondo skills will likely never need to be tested outside of a dedicated Taekwondo class, however being aware of the fact that you have them will give you peace of mind.

Your First Taekwondo Lesson

If you've never had a go at Taekwondo previously, you may be somewhat apprehensive as to what can be expected on your very first lesson. This will vary from club to club but will generally consist of some or all of these. A fifteen to twenty minute warm up to loosen up muscles and increase the heart rate, a little technical training including learning some kicks, hand attacks, blocks and stances, discovering some Poomse (forms), a quick introduction to sparring which will include attack timing, timing and movement, and finally a warm down to stretch and relax weary muscles.

Taekwondo of course also has got its own governing body, and in the United Kingdom it is British Taekwondo. Everyone wishing to sign up with a Taekwondo club in East Malling have to become members of this organisation. By viewing British Taekwondo's website you can find information about equality and safeguarding, news, events, safe practices, referees and coaching, beginning a new club, coaching courses, clubs and members, first aid, and many more Taekwondo related issues.

Taekwondo Forms

Newcomers just starting out Taekwondo do not need to worry excessively about forms (patterns, Poomse) at the outset, however they will learn some basic ones to start with and advance to more elaborate "forms" as they move up the belts (grades/dans). A form is denoted by specific areas of Taekwondo including direction, stance and technique. Getting to grips with such sequences is a vital part of perfecting Taekwondo.

Taekwondo Kicks

Taekwondo is perhaps most recognized for its spectacular kicks, listed here are a few of the standard kicks you'll learn as a beginner: Roundhouse Kick (Dollyo Chagi), Whip or Hook Kick (Huryeo Chagi), Side Kick (Yeop Chagi), Axe Kick (Naeryeo Chagi), Back Kick (Dwo Chagi), Push Kick (Meereo Chagi), Front Kick (Ap Chagi), Crescent Kick (Bandal Chagi). Blocks: To divert and stop an incoming Taekwondo attack, "blocks" (called Makgi) are implemented. Engaging the hands and parts of the arm, they are held in particular positions. Specific attacks require specified blocks, but "blocks" can also be turned into counter-attacking movements by the combination of reciprocal kicks or punches. The primary "blocks" include: Double Forearm Block, Double Knife Hand Block, Upper Block, Rising Block, Single Forearm Block, Knife Hand Block, Low Block, Palm Block and Nine Block.

Taekwondo Belts

When it comes to promotion, ranking and belts there is not actually any standardization in Taekwondo, because there are a number of styles of Taekwondo which each have their own specific arrangement. There are however similarities and they normally consist of 2 groupings of belts "juniors" and "seniors" symbolized by coloured and black belts respectively. The senior levels normally have nine levels and the junior, 8 to 12 levels.

Ranks in Taekwondo in the UK are depicted by what are known as "Kup". The top rank is 1st Kup and the lowest rank (beginners) is 10th Kup. The Taekwondo belt order, just like many of the martial arts is indicated by a range of colours, these colours are white, yellow, green, blue and red, with intermediary belts with stripes, specifically white with a yellow stripe, yellow with a green stripe, green with a blue stripe, blue with a red stripe and red with a black stripe. The 10th Kup (White Belt) is what Taekwondo rookies in East Malling will commence with, they will then advance through the coloured belts, finally attaining the Red With Black Stripe Belt (1st Kup), which will probably take about three to four years of dedication.

After successfully completing this challenge, Taekwondo students in East Malling are considered to be "black belt candidates" which requires them to proceed through a further 9 ranks (Dans) right up until they achieve the ultimate accolade of "Black Belt". Therefore, putting it simply, there are three main groupings in the Taekwondo belt order, that is Junior Belt, Senior Belt and Black Belt. The Junior group of Taekwondo Belts comprise; White (Tenth), White With a Yellow Stripe (Ninth), Yellow (Eighth), and Yellow With a Green Stripe (Seventh). The Senior division of Taekwondo Belts are; Green (Sixth), Green With a Blue Stripe (Fifth), Blue (Fourth), Blue With a Red Stripe (Third), Red (Second), and Red With a Black Stripe (First). The Black group of Taekwondo Belts comprise First to Ninth Dan rankings, and involves many years of dedication. (Tags: Taekwondo Belt Order, Taekwondo Rankings East Malling, Taekwondo Belts East Malling, Order of Belts in Taekwondo).

Taekwondo Competitions and Tournaments

There are a multitude of competitions and tournaments in Taekwondo involving all the diverse styles. They mainly comprise patterns, breaking and sparring with not much hard contact. ITF (International Taekwon-Do Federation) contests don't allow disproportionate contact but may allow hand attacks to the head. WT and Olympic contests only allow sparring. Multi-style tournaments also take place.

Taekwondo - The Benefits

When signing up for Taekwondo classes in East Malling you'll be intending to get a few benefits to make the entire project worthwhile. So let's look into some of the many benefits that you may get by doing and learning Taekwondo. Develop self-discipline by comprehensively schooling your body and mind in the concepts and strategies of Taekwondo, Help with self-defence by coaching you to identify situations where self-defence might be necessary, and allowing you to turn such situations to your advantage, Strengthen your body and mind by means of accelerated mental discipline and physical co-ordination, Turbocharge flexibility, stamina and agility by means of intensive cardiovascular work-outs, Build confidence by inspiring you to succeed and to take control of your life, Lessen anxiety with controlled breathing, Improve concentration and self-esteem by intensifying both physical and mental powers.