Taekwondo Okehampton

Since Taekwondo has quite high physical demands, it's perhaps more suited to the younger people of Okehampton. That's not to say that older people cannot take part in this kind of activity, but just that there might be alternative martial arts that are more suitable for the less nimble among us. Tai Chi is the perfect example.

Taekwondo is one of the more recently introduced of the martial arts, with its origins in Korea in 1945. Some schools called "kwans" were established in Seoul by a group of Korean martial arts enthusiasts, blending a number of various martial arts techniques. Kicking movements, in particular rapid kicking techniques, head-height kicks and turning/jumping kicks are the main focus of Taekwondo, as it ultimately became known. Today Okehampton Taekwondo classes comply with this tradition.

Taekwondo has grown to become extremely popular in Okehampton and all over the world, with over sixty million participants worldwide. Signing up for a local Okehampton Taekwondo club or class is a good way to become involved in this sporting activity which has even featured in the Olympic Games ever since the Sydney Games in 2000. While you may not aspire to Olympic competition, there is certainly no reason why you shouldn't become a maestro of this enjoyable martial art and have a bit of fun along the way.

It is the self-defence aspect of Taekwondo that generally has the most appeal to people in Okehampton. And when you consider the high levels of violence in town and city centres these days, this is hardly surprising. Being able to defend yourself is a key factor of Taekwondo, but this is tempered by learning self-restraint and a respect for others.

There's a very good chance that your newly learned Taekwondo skills will never see the light of day in the outside world, but it will certainly give you a secure feeling knowing that they are sitting in the background should you ever be in need of them.

Your First Lesson

If you have just booked your very first Taekwondo lesson, you'll be wondering what to expect. This will vary from school to school but will usually involve some or all of the following. 15-20 minutes of warm up exercises to increase heart rate and loosen stiff muscles, a bit of technical training such as learning some blocking techniques, hand attacks, kicks and stances, an introduction to some forms, some tips on sparring including movement, timing and the targeting of attacks, and finally a warm down to loosen up and stretch muscles.

The UK's regulating body of the sport is British Taekwondo and if you would like to sign up with a Taekwondo club in Okehampton, you will also be required to become a member of this respected organization. By exploring the British Taekwondo website you'll be able to obtain facts about members and clubs, safe practices, first aid, equality and safeguarding, coaches and referees, beginning a new club, news, coaching courses, events, and a lot more Taekwondo related facts.

Taekwondo Safety Equipment

In all contests, competitions and events being staged under the patronage of British Taekwondo, safety equipment like forearm protectors, a groin protector, red or blue body armour, hand protectors, a gum shield, a red or blue head protector and shin pads is obligatory. The kicking movements which are part of Taekwondo could potentially cause injuries and this safety measure helps to make the sport less hazardous for its competitors.

Taekwondo Tournaments and Competitions

Contests are a significant aspect of the overall Taekwondo legacy, and all of the various styles across the world stage contests where Taekwondo exponents come together to compete. Hard contact is rarely allowed in any of these contests which primarily incorporate patterns (forms), sparring and breaking. Sparring only is permitted in Olympic and World Taekwondo tournaments, whilst some hand attacks are permitted in International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) events.

Taekwondo Forms (Patterns)

People just beginning their journey in Taekwondo do not need to worry excessively about forms (Poomse, patterns) at the outset, however they'll have to get to grips with some basic ones to begin with and progress to more intricate forms as they progress through the various belts (grades/dans). A form is indicated by specified elements of Taekwondo including direction, stance and technique. Getting to grips with such techniques is a crucial part of mastering Taekwondo.

Beginners Classes

Even the top exponents of Taekwondo in Okehampton began their journey as rookies, so there's no disgrace in being a beginner at Taekwondo, or for that matter any other activity. The goal of a Taekwondo beginners class is to provide a few basics, improve self-confidence and develop a solid foundation moving forward. Most importantly of all is that it should be fun, trainees having a great time are going to learn quicker and be more engaged.

Taekwondo - The Benefits

When signing up for Taekwondo classes in Okehampton you'll be hoping to get some benefits to make the entire venture worthwhile. And so why don't we look at some of the positive benefits that you might gain through practicing and learning Taekwondo. Develop discipline and willpower by methodically schooling your body and mind in the techniques and principles of Taekwondo, Improve flexibility, agility and stamina by means of extreme cardiovascular effort, Toughen up your body and mind thru improved mental discipline and physical co-ordination, Build your confidence by motivating you to succeed and to seize control of your life, Reduce anxiety with controlled breathing, Teach you self-defence by helping you recognize circumstances where self-defence could be necessary, and enabling you to control these types of situations to your advantage, Enhance self-esteem and concentration by maximizing your mental and physical health.