Taekwondo Meopham

Taekwondo is typically much more demanding physically than for example Tai Chi, so unless you're pretty fit and nimble you might prefer to partake in something a little gentler to improve your fitness in Meopham. Children and younger people are clearly the perfect participants for Taekwondo classes in Meopham, with lots of fast paced movements taking place and plenty of high kicking.

Based mostly around high-kicking moves and manoeuvres like head-height kicks, fast kicking methods and spinning/jumping kicks, Taekwondo was created from the techniques of different martial arts, by a number of Seoul martial arts experts in new schools called "Kwans" during the nineteen forties and fifties. These "Kwans" were given the names Songmu Kwan, Jido Kwan, Chungdo Kwan, Mooduk Kwan and Changmu Kwan.

The number of Taekwondo students globally, now exceeds 60 million. Since the Sydney Games (2000) Taekwondo has been an Olympic sport and if you want to have a bash, joining your local Meopham Taekwondo club or class is a great way to get involved. There isn't any reason why you can't reach an advanced standard in this thrilling sport, even if you don't have any desire to compete in the Olympics.

People in Meopham take up Taekwondo for many reasons but it is the self-defence aspect that appeals to most. And when you consider the high levels of violence in town and city centres these days, this is hardly surprising. The ability to defend yourself and at the same time exercising self-restraint and a respect for others is one of the key benefits of Taekwondo.

While its nice to know they are there if you need them, with a bit of luck you'll never have the need to use your newly perfected Taekwondo skills for defending yourself outside of your local club surroundings.

What to Expect From Your First Class

If you make your mind up to register for a Taekwondo class in Meopham, the very first thing you'll wish to know is what will happen on the very first class and just what will the tutor be expecting of you. Different Taekwondo masters in Meopham will devise differing routines for this initial introductory lesson but you can expect to do a 20 minute warm-up to loosen your muscles and get the blood flowing, learn some simple Poomse (forms, cover some practical training (kicks, hand attacks, blocking techniques and stances), do a certain amount of sparring, and last but not least, a warm-down.

Taekwondo also of course has got its own governing body, and in Great Britain it is British Taekwondo. Anyone wishing to sign up with a Taekwondo club in Meopham must become a member of this organisation. By viewing British Taekwondo's official website you will be able to obtain details on safe practices, news, coaching courses, members and clubs, coaches and referees, events, launching a new Taekwondo club, equality and safeguarding, first aid, and lots more Taekwondo related issues.

Taekwondo Belts (Ranking)

In terms of ranking, promotion and belts there isn't actually any real standardisation in Taekwondo, as there are various different styles of Taekwondo each of which has their own specific arrangement. There are however similarities and they usually consist of 2 groupings of belts "juniors" and "seniors" represented by coloured and black belts respectively. The senior levels generally have 9 ranks and the junior, between 8 and 12 grades.

Rankings in Taekwondo in the UK are symbolized by what are called "Kup". The highest rank is First Kup and the lowest (beginners) is Tenth Kup. As with most of the martial arts, the Taekwondo belt order is indicated by a range of different colours, so that the ranks can be easily identified. These colours are white, yellow, green, blue and red, with transitional belts with stripes in-between, 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. Beginner students of Taekwondo in Meopham will start out with the Tenth Kup (White Belt), and proceed through the different coloured belts until they attain the Red Belt With a Black Stripe (First Kup)

As soon as this training regime has been completed, Meopham Taekwondo trainees advance to "black belt candidates", and they then need to progress through a further 9 ranks or Dans if they're to become a Taekwondo "Black Belt", which of course is the consummate accolade. Therefore, to put it simply, there are 3 main sections in the Taekwondo belt order, that is Junior Belts, Senior Belts and Black Belts. The Taekwondo Belts in the Junior division comprise; 10th (White), 9th (White With Yellow Stripe), 8th (Yellow), and 7th (Yellow With Green Stripe). The Taekwondo Belts in the Senior division comprise; 6th (Green), 5th (Green With Blue Stripe), 4th (Blue), 3rd ( Blue With Red Stripe), 2nd (Red), and 1st (Red With Black Stripe). The Taekwondo Belts in the Black group range from 1st to 9th Dan, a process which will take a number of years. (Tags: Taekwondo Belt Order, Taekwondo Belts Meopham, Taekwondo Ranks Meopham, Order of Belts in Taekwondo).

Some Taekwondo Kicks

One of the main features of Taekwondo is kicking, listed here is a selection of the essential kicks: Axe Kick, Back Kick, Crescent Kick, Whip or Hook Kick, Front Kick, Roundhouse Kick, Side Kick, Push Kick. Taekwondo Blocks: To defend against and stop an incoming Taekwondo attack, "blocks" (called Makgi) are used. They are held in various positions and enlist the hands with sections of the arm. Specific attacks call for specified "blocks", but "blocks" can also be changed into counter-attacks by combining retaliatory punches or kicks. The most used "blocks" in Taekwondo include: Palm Block, Rising Block, Single Forearm Block, Double Forearm Block, Nine Block, Low Block, Upper Block, Knife Hand Block and Double Knife Hand Block.

Beginners Taekwondo Meopham

Even the best exponents of Taekwondo in Meopham set out as newbies, so it is no disgrace to be a complete beginner at Taekwondo, or any other activity for that matter. The goal of a Taekwondo beginners class is to provide just a few basics, boost confidence and develop a firm base moving forward. Most importantly of all is that it should be fun, trainees having a good time are going to learn quicker and be more committed.

Taekwondo Safety Gear

British Taekwondo matches call for specific safety equipment to be worn to protect contenders from getting injured due to the powerful kicking that takes place. These safety solutions include: a blue/red head protector, hand guards, forearm guards, shin guards, blue/red body armour (hogu), a gum shield and a groin protector.

The Many Benefits of Taekwondo

When you are getting involved in Taekwondo classes in Meopham you'll be hoping to get some benefits to make the entire thing worth the effort. And so let's look into some of the benefits that you could gain by practicing and learning Taekwondo. Reduced stress using advanced breath control, Toughen up your body and mind via improved physical coordination and mental discipline, Improve flexibility, agility and stamina by means of intense cardiovascular work-outs, Help with self-defence by helping you realize instances in which self-defence could be required, and allowing you to manipulate such situations to your advantage, Enhance your self-esteem by sharpening both mental and physical fitness, Develop discipline and willpower by exhaustively schooling your body and mind in the concepts and techniques of Taekwondo, Boost your confidence by encouraging you to succeed and to seize control of your life.