Taekwondo Cwmbran

Whilst not wanting to discourage any specific age group, it has to be said that Taekwondo is more suited to younger people in Cwmbran, being rather physically demanding. Its encouragement of self-discipline and respect for others make it especially appropriate for children. It can sometimes be too tough for seniors unless they are exceptionally fit and active. Continuing their Taekwondo experience through into older adulthood should not however be a problem for those who start when they're younger. Something a bit less demanding like Tai Chi might be more suitable for the less nimble of you.

The sport was first practiced in Korea in around 1945, though the name Taekwondo was not used until the 1950's. This combination of various martial arts techniques were practiced in some new schools in Seoul called "kwans", founded by a group of Korean martial artists. The emphasis of Taekwondo, as it eventually became known, is on kicking manoeuvres, especially jumping/spinning kicks, rapid kicking strategies and head kicks.

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 regularly attending classes. And it's by enrolling in a Taekwondo club or class that you can begin your quest of learning this remarkable martial art.

People in Cwmbran take up Taekwondo for many reasons but it is the self-defence aspect that appeals to most. And when you consider the high levels of violence in town and city centres these days, this is hardly surprising. The ability to defend yourself and at the same time exercising self-restraint and a respect for others is one of the key benefits of Taekwondo.

There is a very good likelihood that your eagerly mastered Taekwondo skills will never see the light of day in your day to day life, but it will certainly give you peace of mind knowing that they are sitting in the background should you ever need them.

What to Expect From Your First Class

If Taekwondo isn't an activity that you have ever done previously, you'll probably be wondering what you should expect from your initial class should you decide to join. Different Taekwondo schools in Cwmbran have varying ideas about this but roughly; you will participate in a 15-20 minute warm-up, you will do a certain amount of technical training, you'll learn some forms (patterns), you'll practice sparring techniques and lastly you'll perform a warm-down to help your body get back into a relaxed state once again.

Taekwondo also of course has got its own official regulating body, and in the British Isles it is British Taekwondo. Anyone wishing to join a Taekwondo club in Cwmbran must become a member of this organisation. You'll be able to learn about equality and safeguarding, health and safety, first aid, coaches and competition referees, launching a new club, clubs and members, coaching courses, news, events, and more on British Taekwondo's official website, and get the latest news stories on their Facebook or Twitter page.

Taekwondo Belts (Ranking)

The belt and ranking structure can get quite complicated in Taekwondo since there isn't any uniform system across the diverse Taekwondo styles. Likenesses do exist however, and normally there are two distinct belt groups, denoted as "juniors" (colours) and "seniors" (black dans). The number of ranks in the junior section varies over the disciplines but is commonly between eight and twelve belts, while the senior section usually has 9 belts or dans.

Taekwondo Competitions and Tournaments

There are an array of competitions and tournaments in Taekwondo involving all the different styles. They mostly include patterns, sparring and breaking with very little hard contact. ITF competitions do not permit disproportionate contact but may allow hand attacks aimed at the head. World Taekwondo and Olympic competitions only allow sparring. Multi-style contests are also held.

Beginners Classes

It doesn't matter who you are or what you're capable of in Taekwondo, at one stage you were a total novice, fearing failure and knowing nothing. We've all started out like this and are only able to learn and improve through practice. Beginner Taekwondo classes in Cwmbran are the right place to begin that learning process and to pick up the necessary basics so that you can build self-confidence and proceed with your exciting Taekwondo experience. The majority of beginner classes are created to be friendly and fun, providing a slow introduction to the fundamental Taekwondo principles and building a solid foundation for the future.

Safety Equipment

In all events, tournaments and contests being held under the supervision of British Taekwondo, safety gear such as a blue or red head protector, a mouth protector, a groin protector, a red or blue body protector (hogu), forearm guards, shin guards and hand protectors is mandatory. The kicking techniques employed in Taekwondo can cause injuries and this all helps to make this activity much safer for its competitors.