Taekwondo Derby

Taekwondo is typically far more physically demanding than for instance Tai Chi, so unless you are pretty fit and nimble you may prefer to partake in something a bit gentler to improve your fitness in Derby. Children are definitely the perfect participants for Taekwondo classes in Derby, with lots of fast paced movements taking place and a great deal of high kicking.

Taekwondo is a martial art that mainly comprises high-kicking manoeuvres, in particular rapid kicking strategies, head kicks and jumping/turning kicks. It started in Seoul, in southern Korea during the 1940's, when a number of martial arts specialists established schools known as "kwans", which blended a number of martial arts practices.

The total number of Taekwondo enthusiasts worldwide, now exceeds sixty million. Heading along to a local Derby Taekwondo class or club is a good way to get involved in this sport which has even been in the Olympic Games since the 2000 Sydney Games. Whilst the chances of you reaching Olympic standard are fairly slim, there's no reason at all why you can't master this exhilarating martial art.

A key aspect of Taekwondo is self-defence, and undoubtedly this is one of the main reasons that individuals in Derby get involved in classes and take up the sport. There has been a disturbing escalation of violent conduct over the last few years and this is especially prevalent in city and town centres around Derbyshire and Great Britain as a whole. The good thing about Taekwondo though, is that it also encourages self-discipline and a deep respect for other people, not such widespread characteristics in Derby these days.

While its great to know that you can defend yourself whenever you need to, it is hoped that you never need to do this outside of your local Taekwondo club environment.

Your First Class

If Taekwondo is not an activity that you have ever had a go at before, you will likely be wondering what you should be expecting from your first lesson if you make up your mind to sign up. Different Taekwondo schools in Derby have varying ideas about this but roughly; you'll participate in a fifteen to twenty minute warm-up, you'll do some technical training, you will learn some patterns (forms), you are going to practice sparring tactics and finally you'll warm-down to help your body get back into a relaxed state again.

The official body regulating Taekwondo in Great Britain is British Taekwondo and anybody wishing to join a Taekwondo club in Derby has to also become a member of British Taekwondo. You will be able to get lots of information about coaches and referees, members and clubs, equality and safeguarding, events, health and safety, news, first aid, coaching courses, establishing a new club, and more, by checking out British Taekwondo's official website.

The Many Benefits of Taekwondo

When you're registering for Taekwondo classes in Derby you'll be aiming to get some benefits to make the whole enterprise worthwhile. Therefore why don't we examine some of the benefits that you could get from doing and learning Taekwondo. Boost your confidence by pushing you to succeed and to take control of your life, Increase self-esteem by sharpening both mental and physical powers, Develop discipline and willpower by extensively training your mind and body in the tactics and principles of Taekwondo, Empower your body and mind via improved physical coordination and mental discipline, Reduce stress by doing deep breathing exercises, Learn self-defence techniques by helping you to recognise situations where self-defence might be required, and allowing you to manipulate these circumstances to your advantage, Improve agility, flexibility and stamina by way of strenuous cardiovascular exertion.

Safety Gear

Safety gear such as shin guards, a blue/red head guard, a mouth guard, hand protectors, forearm guards, a groin protector and red or blue trunk armour (hogu) must be worn in all contests controlled by British Taekwondo. Protection from injuries is imperative because of the formidable kicking that is part and parcel of this activity.

Taekwondo Beginners Classes

Trainees setting out on their Taekwondo adventure in Derby will initially register for a beginners class. Beginners classes are awesome, since there are no rigid demands and everything is done at a slow, relaxed pace. Learning and having fun are the main aims at first and trainees who are having a good time have a tendency to learn a lot quicker and absorb more of what they're being told. Even Taekwondo masters started out as clueless newbies, so take that first step and who knows where you'll end up!

The Popular Taekwondo Kicks

There are plenty of different kicking movements that are used in Taekwondo. Listed here are just a few of the most widely known: Front Kick (Ap Chagi), Back Kick (Dwo Chagi), Push Kick (Meereo Chagi), Roundhouse Kick (Dollyo Chagi), Crescent Kick (Bandal Chagi), Hook or Whip Kick (Huryeo Chagi), Axe Kick (Naeryeo Chagi), Side Kick (Yeop Chagi). Taekwondo Blocks: Taekwondo "blocks", that are used to defend against the different attacks, are known as Makgi. Held in diverse positions, they involve the hands and parts of the arm. Each type of attack necessitates a specific style of block, counter-attacks can be produced by combining a block with another punch or kick. The key Taekwondo blocks (makgi) include: Knife Hand Block, Low Block, Rising Block, Double Forearm Block, Double Knife Hand Block, Single Forearm Block, Palm Block, Nine Block and Upper Block.

Taekwondo Competitions and Tournaments

Competitions are a significant element of the Taekwondo legacy, and all of the various styles around the world hold tournaments and competitions where Taekwondo exponents come together to compete. Hard contact is hardly ever permitted in any of these competitive events which mainly incorporate sparring, patterns and breaking. Sparring only is allowed in Olympic and WT (World Taekwondo) tournaments, while specified hand attacks are permitted in International Taekwon-Do Federation events.

Conclusion

We can't all be like Jade Jones or Lutalo Muhammad, and I guess that we don't all want to be. Taekwondo is not just about Olympic titles and National Championships. Most of us are happy to improve our fitness, make new friends and meet different people, and that's how it should be. However, as with many matters in life, what you get out of it will depend upon what you invest in it. Enjoy!