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In Tae Kwon-do, we recognise that
each person has a unique level of ability, talent and knowledge,
and that those levels change with time and training. The aim is
to improve the student in terms of physical strength, agility and
fitness, as well as expertise in the Art. In the process the student
will gain improved self-esteem and confidence, better health and
long-term wellbeing.
Being a Beginner
Many people who are interested in learning a martial art are put
off because they're intimidated about entering an environment where
everyone but them knows (apparently) what they're doing. While this
might seem to be the case, in Tae Kwon-do, every single student
who attends a Dojang (Tae Kwon-do training hall), whatever their
grade, age or ability, is being challenged to learn or perfect something
new. Each of those students, even black-belts, had to start at the
beginning once - at a point where their knowledge of Tae Kwon-do
was zero. Rather than deride or criticise a newcomer, senior grades
will help them, offering encouragement and advice.
A new student is not expected to know anything about the Art, or
be Olympian athletes when they turn up for their first session.
There is no upper age limit, and disabled are welcomed. In fact,
anyone and everyone who wants to learn Tae Kwon-do will be greeted
warmly, and with consideration for their individual circumstances.
Self Defence
A common reason why people wish to learn a martial art is because
they feel a need to equip themselves against the physical violence
that is becoming more widespread in our society. Tae Kwon-do is
a good way to answer that need.
Although there are many Self-Defence courses a person could take,
these usually only last for a few weeks, cover a limited number
of possible types of attack, and, once completed, the techniques
learned are seldom practiced, so become rusty or forgotten.
By contrast, through training in Tae Kwon-do, a student is taught
to cope with a huge range of dangerous situations.
Not only do they learn how to execute defence and
counter-attack techniques, they are drilled so thoroughly that,
even years later, they can be performed instinctively if the situation
demands it. The dynamic nature of Tae Kwon-do means that a student
learns how to quickly assess threats or dangers that are approaching
them, and can choose from a wide range of techniques and combinations
how to avoid, block or counter that attack.
Psychologically, this gives a person an enormous
sense of self-confidence and peace of mind. It can make a significant
difference to their lives, influencing their attitude towards various
situations, not just those involving physical violence. A person
who knows they can deal with dangerous situations is more likely
to stand up for their own rights, and for the rights of others.
They will be more self-assertive and less prone to stress.
These benefits will enhance the life of anyone
who tends to be, or is, the victim of bullies, whether it be at
work or school.
Considerations Before Starting
Tae Kwon-do can be very physically demanding.
Anyone who has not done any form of regular exercise
for some time, or has a known medical condition that might be affected
by a sudden increase in physical exertion, should consult their
GP before commencing training.
Health Benefits
Being slimmer, fitter and more flexible not only does wonders for
your self esteem, it is well recognised that to avoid complaints
such as heart disease, osteoperosis, arthritis and other age-related
illnesses in later life, it is important to take regular exercise,
and to do so as part of your ongoing lifestyle.
Weight Control
If you're looking for a way to lose weight through exercise that's
not boring or repetitive, if you would like to tone every single
muscle in your body without making yourself look like a steroid-munching
body-builder, then Tae Kwon-do fits the bill. Like other forms of
exercise, you can only take out of it what you are willing to put
in, but during training, you hardly notice how hard you're working-out,
anyway!
Fitness
Tae Kwon-do does not expect a person to be fit or to have any previous
knowledge before they begin. Through practising the patterns and
techniques and developing sparring ability, a student automatically
becomes progressively fitter. The training programme is designed
to fashion a complete newcomer into a skilled, precision-engineered
expert. Although becoming a black-belt takes a number of years,
the acquisition of a high level of fitness takes only a matter of
weeks, depending, of course, on the amount of effort the individual
puts in.
Because it is progressive, it doesn't matter at what level of fitness
you start training at - you simply have to make an earnest effort
during training, while not pushing yourself beyond sensible limits,
and before long you will see a positive difference in your agility,
strength and fitness.
Flexibility
To enable a student to successfully execute some
of the more advanced techniques, such as high-section
kicks, or airborne attacks, they need to become
extremely flexible. Again, no assumptions are
made when a student begins training; more often
than not we cannot make those high kicks without
lots of stretching exercises!
Being flexible for Tae Kwon-do also means that you will be more
flexible and agile in general. This has long term health benefits,
as well as making a difference to how you live your life now. The
stretching exercises help to tone your muscles, as well as lengthen
them, so that a student eventually develops a long, lean muscle
profile.
Co-ordination
Tae Kwon-do training requires a student to execute
moves that increase in complexity as they become more adept. While
this can be challenging for a new beginner, all it really takes
is practice! Once a person has mastered a technique that they once
found impossible, they experience an enormous sense of satisfaction.
Satisfaction is not all a person can gain from this. The relationship
between mind and body is something we often ignore in our society,
but can lead to great benefits that we don't appreciate until it
begins to improve.
This improvement in our co-ordination means that
we have greater spacial-awareness, more poise and better inner and
physical balance. We are able to cope better with life in general
because we're in tune with our immediate surroundings.
Character
Learning Tae Kwon-do is a challenge. It requires dedication and
commitment, and often involves a person delving deep within themselves
to tap their inner reserves. At times they will reach what they
believe are the limits of their endurance or ability, only to discover
that they are stronger and more able than they think.
Reaching new discoveries about themselves, they
begin to get a better picture of who they really are, and can take
that new-found knowledge, that new perception of themselves, out
into the world of their everyday lives.
This deepening of self-awareness is often referred
to as 'character'. With its emergence and development come other
qualities - a nobility of the spirit which is so rare to find in
the materialistic environment we exist in.
A strong character gives someone the courage to
stand up to injustice, the mindfulness to be aware of how our actions
can or will influence and affect others, and the integrity to know
when we are being honest with ourselves.
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