Taekwondo Leatherhead

Taekwondo is typically 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 little gentler to boost your fitness in Leatherhead. Children and younger people are definitely the perfect participants for Taekwondo classes in Leatherhead, with a lot of fast movements taking place and a great deal of high kicking.

With its early beginnings in 1940's Korea, South-East Asia, Taekwondo is obviously one of the more recently formulated of the martial arts and involves mostly high-kicking movements such as rapid kicking methods, spinning/jumping kicks and head-height kicks. It started when schools called "kwans" were founded by a bunch of Korean martial arts specialists in Seoul, South Korea.

Ever since the Sydney Olympic Games in the year 2000, Taekwondo has been an Olympic sport. This has made it even more popular all over the world with some sixty million people or more regularly taking classes. And it's by joining a Taekwondo club or class that you are able to commence your journey of learning this fascinating activity.

The thing about Taekwondo that seems to most interest people in Leatherhead is the self-defence aspect of it. And its no surprise that this is high on people's list of priorities when you consider the rising incidence of violence seen these days in city and town centres throughout Britain. Being capable of defending yourself is a key factor of Taekwondo, but this is balanced by learning self-restraint and a respect for others.

Such self-defence techniques may at some time prove to be useful in your day to day life, although it's much more likely that you'll only be using them within a controlled class setting. However it is a reassuring feeling knowing that you can always defend yourself if you have to.

Your First Leatherhead Taekwondo Lesson

If you have decided to learn Taekwondo and are heading to your first lesson, you will be wondering what will happen. Most Taekwondo schools in Leatherhead follow a similar structure, but there might be variations to the following. An initial warm up lasting 15 to 20 minutes, some technical training covering some stances, kicks, blocks and hand attacks, learning some Poomse (or forms), a few tips on sparring including movement, timing and attack targeting, and to finish off a warm down with muscle stretching and relaxing.

The UK's regulating body of the sport is British Taekwondo and if you would like to sign up with a Taekwondo club in Leatherhead, you will also be required to become a member of this organization. You'll be able to read about safeguarding and equality, first aid, events, beginning a new Taekwondo club, news, referees and coaching, members and clubs, safe practices, coaching courses, and more on the British Taekwondo website, and get the latest news stories on their Facebook or Twitter page.

The Benefits of Taekwondo

When getting involved in Taekwondo classes in Leatherhead you'll be aiming to get a few benefits to make the whole adventure worth the effort. Therefore let's investigate some of the positive benefits that you may get through practicing and learning Taekwondo. Learn self-defence strategies by helping you to identify scenarios where self-defence might be required, and empowering you to manipulate such situations in your favour, Reduce anxiety by doing deep breathing exercises, Toughen up your body and mind thru improved physical coordination and mental discipline, Greater self-discipline by exhaustively educating your mind and body in the techniques and doctrines of Taekwondo, Increase flexibility, agility and stamina by means of strenuous cardiovascular exertion, Grow in your confidence by helping you to seize control of your life and succeed, Improve your self-esteem by intensifying both physical and mental powers.

Taekwondo Kicks

Taekwondo is possibly most recognized for its fast-moving kicks, here are a handful of the standard kicks you'll learn as a rookie: Front Kick, Push Kick, Back Kick, Hook or Whip Kick, Axe Kick, Side Kick, Crescent Kick, Roundhouse Kick. Taekwondo Blocks: Taekwondo "blocks", which are used to defend against the different attacking moves, are known as Makgi. Held in specific positions, they employ the hand and areas of the arm. Specific attacks necessitate specified "blocks", but blocks can also be changed into counter-attacks by the combination of reciprocal punches or kicks. The main blocks include: Low Block, Upper Block, Knife Hand Block, Palm Block, Nine Block, Double Knife Hand Block, Rising Block, Double Forearm Block and Single Forearm Block.

Tournaments and Competitions

A typical Taekwondo competition features breaking, sparring and patterns (forms), where the Olympics is concerned only sparring is involved. That being said there may also be a few unique categories in specific competitions such as team demonstrations and self-defence. WT competitions are purely soft-contact events, whilst International Taekwon-Do Federation competitions allow some hand attacks to be aimed at the head. There are also a number of multi-discipline tournaments.

Safety Gear

Matches governed by British Taekwondo rules require various items of protective equipment to be worn, these include: hand protectors, a groin guard, a blue/red head protector, forearm protectors, a gum shield, a red/blue trunk protector (hogu) and shin guards. This is important because of the formidable kicking movements being practiced.