Taekwondo Whitchurch

Due to its more physical aspects, Taekwondo is perhaps more suited to the younger generation in Whitchurch and is particularly suitable for children as it is great for developing self-discipline and respect for others. Older adults who are not all that fit and active might find it a tad too tough. Quite a few of the older adults who do Taekwondo in Whitchurch, started their adventure when they were younger. Something a bit softer like Tai Chi might be more suitable for the less nimble of you.

With its early beginnings in 1940's Korea, South-East Asia, Taekwondo is obviously one of the more recently introduced of the martial arts and involves primarily kicking movements such as jumping/turning kicks, fast kicking methods and head kicks. It began when schools known as "kwans" were set up by a group of Korean martial artists 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 around the world with some 60 million people or more regularly participating in classes. And it is by joining a Taekwondo club or class that you can begin your journey of mastering this fascinating martial art.

In these days of increasing violence, it's hardly surprising that folks in areas like Whitchurch are signing up for self-defence techniques like Taekwondo to help them feel safer and more secure in their local environment. The self-defence aspect is one of the key benefits of Taekwondo but at the same time it also encourages self-restraint and a respect for others around us, which are traits that are largely missing in this modern age.

These self-defence techniques may at some point come in handy in your everyday life, though it is more likely that you will only be using them within a monitored class setting. However it is a reassuring feeling knowing that you'll always be in a position to successfully defend yourself if you need to.

What to Expect From Your First Class

If you've never had a go at Taekwondo before, you could be a bit concerned as to what to expect on your first lesson. This can vary from school to school but will normally consist of all or some of the following. A 15-20 minute warm up to increase heart rate and loosen muscles, a little technical training involving learning some kicks, stances, blocks and hand attacks, learning a few Poomse (forms), an overview of sparring including attack timing, movement and timing, and lastly a warm down to stretch and relax tired muscles.

Taekwondo also of course has its own official governing body, and in Great Britain it is British Taekwondo. Everyone wishing to join a Taekwondo club in Whitchurch have to become registered members of this organisation. You can get a lot of facts about coaches and referees, safeguarding and equality, coaching courses, first aid, members and clubs, safe practices, news, events, beginning a new Taekwondo club, and more, by going to the official British Taekwondo website.

The Basic Taekwondo Kicks

Taekwondo is famous for its powerful kicks, here are the basic ones: Axe Kick, Back Kick, Roundhouse Kick, Crescent Kick, Front Kick, Whip or Hook Kick, Side Kick, Push Kick. Blocks: To defend against the many kicks and hand attacks there are a similarly diverse selection of "blocks". Held in various positions, they engage the hands and areas of the arm. Each and every block can be coupled with a punch or kick to produce a counter-attack, and each is suitable for a specific attack. The primary blocks (makgi) include: Double Knife Hand Block, Palm Block, Upper Block, Single Forearm Block, Double Forearm Block, Low Block, Knife Hand Block, Rising Block and Nine Block.

The Many Benefits of Taekwondo

The benefits that can be acquired by participating in Taekwondo classes in Whitchurch are numerous, among the most advantageous are: Develop self-discipline by comprehensively schooling your body and mind in the concepts and tactics of Taekwondo, Build up your confidence by helping you to succeed and to seize control of your life, Increase self-esteem and concentration by maximizing both physical and mental powers, Learn self-defence by training you to recognise circumstances in which self-defence may be needed, and allowing you to manipulate these types of circumstances in your favour, Increase agility, flexibility and stamina by way of intensive cardiovascular exertion, Lower stress and anxiety by doing deep breathing exercises, Empower your body and mind by means of improved mental discipline and physical co-ordination.

Taekwondo Belts (Promotion)

Since there are various different disciplines of Taekwondo there has never really been any standardized arrangement for assigning belts (ranks). What does exist however is relatively similar and is made up of a couple of belt groups "junior" and "senior" ("colour" and "black"), each one of these groups is split into grades, 8 to 12 colours for juniors and 9 for the seniors.

Ranks in Taekwondo in the UK are depicted by what generally known as "Kup". The top rank is First Kup and the lowest (beginners) is Tenth Kup. If you are eager to know the Taekwondo belt order, it is as follows, and is portrayed by a range of colours i.e. white, yellow, green, blue and red, with intermediary belts with stripes, namely 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. The 10th Kup (White Belt) is what Taekwondo newbies in Whitchurch will commence with, they will then proceed through the different colours, eventually attaining the Red Belt With a Black Stripe (1st Kup), which will probably take approximately three to four years of dedication.

Taekwondo trainees in Whitchurch become "black belt candidates" after they've worked their way through these rankings, and they'll then have to proceed through a further nine ranks (or Dans) if they wish to achieve the consummate distinction of "Black Belt" in Taekwondo. So, Junior Belts, Senior Belts and Black Belts are the 3 main groupings in the Taekwondo belt order in the UK. The Junior division Taekwondo Belts are; White (Tenth), White With a Yellow Stripe (Ninth), Yellow (Eighth), and Yellow With a Green Stripe (Seventh). The Senior group 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 involves many years of training and dedication. (Tags: Belt Order Taekwondo, Taekwondo Belts Whitchurch, Taekwondo Belt Order, Taekwondo Promotion Whitchurch).

Taekwondo Tournaments

There are a wide variety of competitions in Taekwondo associated with all the various styles. They mostly consist of patterns (forms), breaking and sparring with not much "hard contact". ITF competitions do not permit too much contact but do allow hand attacks towards the head. World Taekwondo and Olympic competitions allow only sparring. Multi-style competitions also take place.

Taekwondo Safety Equipment

Competitions governed by British Taekwondo rules require various pieces of protective equipment to be used, these include things like: red/blue trunk armour (hogu), a gum shield, forearm guards, shin pads, a groin protector, hand guards and a blue or red head guard. This is vital because of the forceful kicking moves being employed.

Beginners Taekwondo Whitchurch

It does not matter who you are or what you're capable of in Taekwondo, at one time you were a total novice, fearing failure and knowing absolutely nothing. We have all started at that point and are only able to learn and improve through practice. Beginner Taekwondo classes in Whitchurch are the right place get started on that learning process and to pick up the necessary basics so that you can build self-confidence and move forward in your exciting Taekwondo experience. The majority of beginner classes are created to be friendly and fun, delivering a gradual introduction to the fundamental Taekwondo principles and developing a solid foundation moving forward.