Taekwondo Stainforth

As Taekwondo has quite high physical requirements, it is perhaps more suited to the younger generation in Stainforth. That's not to say that the older generation can't take part in this popular activity, but just that there may be alternative martial arts which are more suited to the less agile of us. Tai Chi would be a perfect example.

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

At present an Olympic sport, Taekwondo has over 60 million practitioners all around the world, and although you may not have any aspirations to be an Olympic Games medalist, you are still able to join a Taekwondo club or class to learn what will no doubt turn out to be a rewarding and intriguing activity.

In these times of escalating violence, it is hardly surprising that individuals in areas like Stainforth are signing up for self-defence classes like Taekwondo to help them to feel safer and more secure in their everyday life. The self-defence aspect is one of the primary benefits of Taekwondo but at the same time it also promotes self-restraint and a respect for others around us, which are characteristics that are largely missing in modern day life.

There's a pretty decent chance that your newly learned Taekwondo skills will never have to be proven in your day to day life, but it will unquestionably give you a secure feeling knowing that they're there should you ever need them.

Your First Stainforth Taekwondo Class

If Taekwondo is not something that you have ever had a go at previously, you'll most likely be curious about what you should be expecting from your first lesson if you decide to sign up. Different Taekwondo schools in Stainforth have varying thoughts on this but roughly; you will participate in a 15-20 minute warm-up, you will do a bit of technical training, you will learn some patterns (forms), you'll practice sparring methods and last but not least you will do a warm-down to help your body get back into a relaxed state once again.

Everybody who is a registered member of a Taekwondo club in Stainforth or any place else in the UK, is also required to join British Taekwondo, which is the official governing body of the sport. You will be able to learn about equality and safeguarding, clubs and members, events, coaching courses, first aid, starting a new Taekwondo club, news, coaches and competition referees, safe practices, and more on the British Taekwondo website, and find out the latest news stories on their Twitter or Facebook page.

Taekwondo Tournaments

Taekwondo competitions are staged internationally in all the various styles. There is usually not a whole lot of hard contact but sparring, patterns (forms) and breaking. Olympic and WT (World Taekwondo) contests consist only of sparring, in International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) tournaments specific hand attacks are permitted to the head. Various other bodies stage multi-discipline contests.

Taekwondo Patterns (Forms)

Folks just starting their journey in Taekwondo don't have to stress too much about forms (Poomse, patterns) in the early days, but they'll have to get to grips with some important ones to start with and move forward to more difficult forms as they progress through the various belts (dans/grades). A "form" is signified by specified areas of Taekwondo including direction, technique and stance. Learning such techniques is a crucial part of perfecting Taekwondo.

The Many Benefits of Taekwondo

The benefits which can be acquired by participating in Taekwondo classes in Stainforth are numerous, among the most advantageous are: Help with self-defence tactics by helping you recognize situations in which self-defence could be required, and empowering you to manipulate these scenarios to your advantage, Improve flexibility, stamina and agility by way of intensive cardiovascular exertion, Better self-discipline by comprehensively schooling your body and mind in the doctrines and tactics of Taekwondo, Boost confidence by helping you to succeed and to seize control of your life, Lower anxiety with controlled breathing, Improve feelings of self-esteem by raising both physical and mental fitness, Strengthen your body and mind through increased physical coordination and mental discipline.

Some Taekwondo Kicks

There are lots of different Taekwondo kicks, here are just a selection of them: Front Kick (Ap Chagi), Crescent Kick (Bandal Chagi), Axe Kick (Naeryeo Chagi), Back Kick (Dwo Chagi), Roundhouse Kick (Dollyo Chagi), Side Kick (Yeop Chagi), Push Kick (Meereo Chagi), Whip or Hook Kick (Huryeo Chagi). Blocks: To stop and deflect an incoming Taekwondo attack, "blocks" (known as Makgi) are implemented. Held in diverse positions, they use the hands and different sections of the arm. Every "block" can be coupled with a kick or punch to produce a counter-attacking move, and each one is suitable for a particular attack. The main blocks include: Double Knife Hand Block, Rising Block, Single Forearm Block, Knife Hand Block, Double Forearm Block, Low Block, Upper Block, Nine Block and Palm Block.

Summary

We can't all be like Jade Jones or Lutalo Muhammad, and I guess that we wouldn't all want to be. Taekwondo isn't just about Olympic medals and National Championships. Most of us are content to improve our fitness levels, meet different people and make new friends, and that's how it ought to be. Yet, as with many things in life, what you get out of it will depend upon what you invest in it. Enjoy!