Taekwondo Ravenshead

Most people in Ravenshead would imagine that the high kicking, fast punching movements demanded by Taekwondo are more appropriate for younger children. While the younger generation should find the physical demands of Taekwondo easier to cope with, there's nothing to stop people of every age group taking part. However, in order to fully enjoy all the complexities of Taekwondo, it helps to be relatively fit.

Taekwondo is one of the more recently formulated of the martial arts, with its root beginnings in Korea in 1945. A number of Korean martial artists in Seoul established some schools known as "kwans", combining a variety of martial arts practices. Taekwondo, which it eventually became known as, primarily entails high-kicking manoeuvres, especially jumping/turning kicks, fast kicking styles and head-height kicks.

With over sixty million fitness enthusiasts taking part in Taekwondo sessions all around the globe, this has unquestionably become an extremely popular activity, and if you really master the sport you may even one day be eligible for the Olympic Games, of which it's been a part ever since the 2000 Sydney Games.

In these modern times of escalating violence, it's hardly surprising that folks in areas like Ravenshead are attending self-defence training such as Taekwondo to enable them to feel safer in their everyday life. The self-defence aspect is one of the primary factors of Taekwondo but it also promotes self-restraint and a deep respect for others around us, which are characteristics that are largely lacking in this modern age.

There's a fairly decent likelihood that your newly mastered Taekwondo skills will never have to be proved in the outside world, but it will undoubtedly give you reassurance knowing that they are there should you need them.

Your First Ravenshead Taekwondo Lesson

If you have never done Taekwondo before, you may be a bit anxious as to what can be expected on your first class. This will be different from school to school but will normally involve some or all of these. A 15-20 minute warm up to increase heart rate and loosen muscles, some technical training including learning some stances, hand attacks, kicks and blocking techniques, learning a few forms, an overview of sparring including the timing of attacks, timing and movement, and lastly a warm down to stretch and relax weary muscles.

If you wish to join a Taekwondo class in Ravenshead, you will also have to register with the sport's governing body, namely British Taekwondo. You'll be able to find out about equality and safeguarding, first aid, starting a new Taekwondo club, members and clubs, referees and coaching, events, coaching courses, news, safe practices, and more on British Taekwondo's website, or get the latest news on their Facebook or Twitter page.

Taekwondo Belts (Rank)

Since there are various disciplines of Taekwondo there's never really been any standardized system for allocating belts (promotion). What does exist is however pretty similar and comprises a couple of belt groups "junior" and "senior" ("colour" and "black"), each one of these groups is divided into grades, eight to twelve colours in the case of juniors and nine "blacks" for the seniors.

In the UK Taekwondo has a set of ranks that are generally known as "Kup", these ranks range from 10th (lowest) to 1st (highest). If you're interested in the Taekwondo belt order, it is as follows, and is indicated by a number of different colours i.e. 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. Beginner students of Taekwondo in Ravenshead will commence with the Tenth Kup (White Belt), and proceed through the different coloured belts until they attain the First Kup (Red Belt With Black Stripe)

After this training regime has been accomplished, Ravenshead Taekwondo students become "black belt candidates", and they then have to earn an additional 9 Dans (ranks) if they're to achieve the Taekwondo "Black Belt", which is the ultimate distinction in this sport. Therefore, the Taekwondo belt order can be put into three groupings; 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 division of Taekwondo Belts comprise First to Ninth Dan rankings, and demands many years of dedication. (Tags: Taekwondo Belts Ravenshead, Taekwondo Belt Order, Belt Order Taekwondo, Taekwondo Ranks Ravenshead).

The Main Taekwondo Kicks

Taekwondo is recognized for its dynamic kicks, listed here are the important ones: Side Kick (Yeop Chagi), Roundhouse Kick (Dollyo Chagi), Push Kick (Meereo Chagi), Crescent Kick (Bandal Chagi), Axe Kick (Naeryeo Chagi), Front Kick (Ap Chagi), Back Kick (Dwo Chagi), Whip or Hook Kick (Huryeo Chagi). Blocks: To stop and avert an inbound Taekwondo attack, "blocks" (known as Makgi) are implemented. Using the hands and sections of the arm, they are held in particular positions. Each type of attack calls for a particular style of block, counter-attacks can be produced by integrating a block with a retaliatory punch or kick. The main Taekwondo blocks include: Knife Hand Block, Nine Block, Single Forearm Block, Upper Block, Double Knife Hand Block, Double Forearm Block, Palm Block, Rising Block and Low Block.

Final Thoughts

So, what are you hoping to get from Taekwondo? Well, that's a great question, and the answer to that will vary for different people. Most participants will simply look to improve their levels of fitness, meet new people and gain more self-confidence. We're definitely not all going to reach the heights of Jade Jones or Lutalo Muhammad, although maybe you will, you never know? 👊