Taekwondo Hemel Hempstead

As Taekwondo has pretty high physical demands, it is perhaps more suitable for the younger generation in Hemel Hempstead. That's not to say that elderly people cannot be involved in this kind of activity, but just that there might be other martial arts that are more suited to the less nimble of us. Tai Chi is a perfect illustration.

Taekwondo is one of the more recently established of the martial arts, with its root beginnings in Korea, South-East Asia in 1945. A number of Korean martial arts specialists in Seoul founded some schools which they called "kwans", incorporating many different martial arts techniques. Taekwondo, which it ultimately became known as, primarily entails kicking manoeuvres, particularly jumping/turning kicks, rapid kicking methods and head kicks.

Since the Sydney Olympic Games in the year 2000, Taekwondo has been a competitive Olympic sport. This has added to its popularity all over the world with some sixty million people regularly taking part in classes. And it's by enrolling in a Taekwondo club or class that you are able to start your adventure of learning this unique martial art.

For many people in Hemel Hempstead, it is the self-defence aspect of Taekwondo that has the most appeal. This is not surprising when you consider the rising levels of violence seen in town and city centres these days. It is a key factor of Taekwondo that you can become confident in your ability to defend yourself and at the same time learn to respect others and learn self-restraint.

These self-defence techniques may in due course come in useful in your day to day life, though it is much more likely that you will only be putting them to the test within a monitored class environment. Nevertheless it is a reassuring feeling knowing that you'll always be in a position to defend yourself if you have to.

Your First Taekwondo Class

If you have booked your first lesson but haven't tried Taekwondo before, you may be wondering what to prepare for. There could be variations to the following, subject to which Hemel Hempstead Taekwondo school you attend, but you can more or less expect; A 15-20 minute warm up to loosen muscles and increase heart rate, a little technical training which will involve learning some kicks, hand attacks, stances and blocks, learning your first patterns or forms, a few ideas on sparring including good timing, movement and targeting attacks, and to round off a warm down to relax and stretch muscles.

The UK regulating body of the sport is British Taekwondo and if you want to sign up with a Taekwondo class in Hemel Hempstead, you will also be required to become a member of this respected organization. By heading to British Taekwondo's website you can discover information about beginning a new Taekwondo club, coaching courses, news, events, first aid, clubs and members, safe practices, equality and safeguarding, referees and coaching, and lots more Taekwondo related issues.

The Many Benefits of Taekwondo

When you are registering for Taekwondo classes in Hemel Hempstead you'll be hoping to get some benefits to make the whole thing worthwhile. Therefore why don't we consider some of the benefits that you could gain from practicing and learning Taekwondo. Enhance self-esteem and concentration by raising both mental and physical fitness, Build up your confidence by encouraging you to seize control of your life and succeed, Turbocharge flexibility, agility and stamina through extreme cardiovascular exertion, Reduce stress and anxiety by doing deep breathing exercises, More self-discipline by methodically training your mind and body in the principles and tactics of Taekwondo, Toughen up your body and mind via enhanced mental discipline and physical co-ordination, Learn self-defence by training you to recognise situations in which self-defence might be required, and allowing you to manipulate these types of scenarios in your favour.

Taekwondo Kicks

Taekwondo is famous for its formidable kicks, here are the important ones: Axe Kick (Naeryeo Chagi), Side Kick (Yeop Chagi), Back Kick (Dwo Chagi), Front Kick (Ap Chagi), Roundhouse Kick (Dollyo Chagi), Hook or Whip Kick (Huryeo Chagi), Push Kick (Meereo Chagi), Crescent Kick (Bandal Chagi). Taekwondo Blocks: To stop and deflect an incoming attack, blocks (called Makgi) are employed. Engaging the hand and different parts of the arm, they are held in particular positions. Each kind of attack calls for a particular style of block, counter-attacking movements can be created by combining a block with another kick or punch. The principal blocks (makgi) include: Single Forearm Block, Low Block, Double Forearm Block, Knife Hand Block, Upper Block, Double Knife Hand Block, Palm Block, Rising Block and Nine Block.

Taekwondo Belts (Promotion)

The belt and ranking system can get quite complicated in Taekwondo since there is no recognised system throughout the diverse Taekwondo disciplines. Similarities can be found however, and normally there are 2 distinct belt groups, represented as "seniors" (black dans) and "juniors" (colours). The number of levels in the junior section varies over the styles but is usually between 8 and 12 belts, while the senior's section typically has nine dans or belts.

Taekwondo Tournaments

Taekwondo tournaments are held across the globe in all of the diverse styles. There is generally not much hard contact but patterns, breaking and sparring. Olympic and World Taekwondo competitions consist only of sparring, in ITF (International Taekwon-Do Federation) competitions certain hand attacks are allowed to the head. Various other organisations hold multi-discipline contests.