Taekwondo Ashton-in-Makerfield

Because Taekwondo has fairly high physical demands, it's possibly more suited to the younger generation in Ashton-in-Makerfield. That is not to say that elderly people cannot participate in this kind of activity, but just that there might be alternative martial arts which are more suited to the less nimble among us. Tai Chi is a perfect example.

Based largely around kicking moves and manoeuvres like turning/jumping kicks, rapid kicking strategies and head-height kicks, Taekwondo was formulated from the techniques of various diverse martial arts, by a number of Seoul martial arts experts in new schools known as "Kwans" during the 1940's and 1950's. These "Kwans" had the names Songmu Kwan, Jido Kwan, Chungdo Kwan, Changmu Kwan and Mooduk Kwan.

Since the Sydney Olympic Games in the year 2000, Taekwondo has been a competitive Olympic sport. This has made it even more popular around the world with some 60 million people or more routinely attending classes. And it is by signing up to a Taekwondo class or club that you are able to begin your quest of learning this fascinating activity.

In these times of escalating violence, it's hardly surprising that folks in places like Ashton-in-Makerfield are attending self-defence training like Taekwondo to help them to feel safer in their local environment. The self-defence aspect is one of the key benefits of Taekwondo but it also encourages self-restraint and a respect for those around us, which are characteristics that are often lacking in modern day life.

Although it will instill you with self-confidence knowing that you have such self-defence skills in your locker, the odds are you'll never be required to use them outside the controlled setting of an organized Taekwondo class.

What to Expect From Your First Class

If you have just booked your very first Taekwondo class, you will be wondering what to expect. This may vary depending on which Ashton-in-Makerfield school you go to, but will usually involve the following. A fifteen to twenty minute warm up, some technical training covering some kicks, blocks, hand attacks and stances, learning some forms (or Poomse), a few ideas on sparring including good timing, movement and targeting attacks, and lastly a warm down with muscle stretching and relaxing.

The official body regulating Taekwondo in the UK is British Taekwondo and anybody wanting to join a Taekwondo class in Ashton-in-Makerfield has to also register with British Taekwondo. You'll be able to learn about referees and coaching, clubs and members, events, beginning a new Taekwondo club, equality and safeguarding, first aid, safe practices, coaching courses, news, and more on the British Taekwondo website, or find out the latest news on their Facebook or Twitter page.

The Benefits of Taekwondo

When you're enrolling in Taekwondo classes in Ashton-in-Makerfield you'll be looking to get some benefits to make the entire undertaking worthwhile. And so let us investigate a few of the many positive benefits that you could acquire through learning and doing Taekwondo. Learn self-defence strategies by helping you to recognise scenarios where self-defence might be needed, and empowering you to control these scenarios to your advantage, Reduced anxiety by doing deep breathing exercises, Improve self-esteem and concentration by maximizing your physical and mental health, Toughen up your mind and body by way of accelerated physical coordination and mental discipline, Develop discipline by thoroughly educating your body and mind in the doctrines and strategies of Taekwondo, Build confidence by pushing you to succeed and to seize control of your life, Increase flexibility, agility and stamina through intensive cardiovascular work-outs.

The Eight Basic Taekwondo Kicks

In the realm of martial arts, Taekwondo stands out as the one with the most kicking techniques. These are just some fundamental ones: Push Kick (Meereo Chagi), Axe Kick (Naeryeo Chagi), Whip or Hook Kick (Huryeo Chagi), Back Kick (Dwo Chagi), Roundhouse Kick (Dollyo Chagi), Crescent Kick (Bandal Chagi), Front Kick (Ap Chagi), Side Kick (Yeop Chagi). Blocks: To repulse the many hand attacks and kicks there are an equally diverse assortment of blocks. Held in various positions, they employ the hands and sections of the arm. Specific attacks necessitate specified "blocks", but "blocks" can also be turned into counter-attacks by linking retaliatory punches or kicks. The key blocks used in Taekwondo include: Knife Hand Block, Rising Block, Nine Block, Single Forearm Block, Low Block, Palm Block, Double Knife Hand Block, Upper Block and Double Forearm Block.

Taekwondo Patterns (Forms)

People just starting out Taekwondo do not have to fret too much about forms (Poomse, patterns) in the early days, but they will have to learn some basic ones for starters and advance to more challenging forms as they move through the various belts (dans/grades). A form is signified by certain elements of Taekwondo including direction, stance and technique. Learning these sequences is a vital part of mastering Taekwondo.

Taekwondo Belts

With there being various types of Taekwondo there's never been any standard system for allocating belts (ranks). What exists however is relatively similar and consists of two belt groups "junior" and "senior" ("colour" and "black"), each of these groupings is split into grades, eight to twelve colours in the case of juniors and nine for the seniors.

Safety Gear

Contests regulated by British Taekwondo guidelines demand that specific items of protective gear be used, these include: a blue/red head guard, a groin guard, a gum shield, forearm guards, blue/red trunk armour (hogu), shin protectors and hand protectors. This is crucial owing to the vigorous kicking actions being employed.