What you need to know before taking Taekwondo classes.

Taekwondo has become VERY popular over the last decade or so. It is the martial art that most kids go into and it is also an official Olympic sport! Those two reasons are enough to make it worth your while to want to train in it! But is it the right martial art for you? Or is it just a bunch of hype? Let's look into the history and see just exactly what taekwondo really is : Taekwondo (also spelled tae kwon do or taekwon-do) is a martial art originating in Korea. An amalgamation of Chinese, Japanese, and traditional Korean fighting styles, taekwondo has become the world's most commonly practiced martial art, and is the national sport of Korea...

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How to tie your Taekwondo Belt

It is very important for Taekwondo students to know "How to tie Taekwondo belt" properly. Taekwondo students should have pride and respect for their Dobok(suit) as they have for all areas of Taekwondo. How to tie Taekwondo belt: If you have to wrap your belt around your waist more than once,then follow the diagrams from start to finish. If your belt only needs to go around your waist once, start at diagram 5 to the end. Finally......

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The Taekwondo Belt Ranking System

There are traditionally ten color belt levels. They are called gup (or kup) ranks. The nine black belt levels are called degree or dan ranks. Each color of belt, namely white, yellow, green, blue, red, black, have a particular meaning. For example, white signifies innocence; it signifies the student who is just starting with no previous knowledge of taekwondo. The International Taekwondo Federation (ITF) uses a system of 10 kup ranks and nine dan ranks. The colour belt ranks run from 10th kup to 1st kup. The black belt ranks run from 1st dan to 9th dan. The 1st to 3rd dan have the title of Assistant Instructor (Boo-Sabum). The 4th...

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The Strategic Science In Taekwondo Sparring

Looking from the outside, taekwondo sparring may look like random kicks and punches thrown ruthlessly with the objective of injuring the opponent. But from the inside, a sparring match is like a chess game. In chess, you cannot win a game by unthinkingly moving around the pieces anymore than one could win a sparring match by involuntarily throwing techniques. Strategy. The prerequisite to chess as well as to taekwondo sparring! Taekondo sparring strategy comes in two main forms: Macro or Overall Strategy. Macro strategy is composed of overall and generalized aspects about any sparring match that will make you spar one person one way...

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What Is Taekwondo Class Got to Do With It ?

The ultimate goal of every taekwondo class is to input the teachings and principles behind taekwondo. Not to mention, realizing every students’ dream of having that black belt. How do taekwondo classes go about teaching the sport? Some merely require the display of techniques learned since last testing. Others mandate the testing of cumulative knowledge. Testing might necessitate performance in sparring, self defense or do the taegeuk movement own their own time. Some schools test the students on their staying power, requiring many physical activities over prolonged periods of time. Image by A. Dawson via Flickr The amount of time and level...

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Taekwondo Shoes You Wish You Have

Each taekwondo shoe is a three part deal; the upper, midsole and outsole. While all three components contribute to the overall performance of the shoe, the midsole is probably the most crucial. Why is this so? Simply because it is the cushion between your foot and the cold, hard and unforgiving floor. If you skimp on the midsole your knees, shins, ankles, feet pick up the tab. Wearing specially-designed taekwondo shoes help a student in a number of different ways. Most martial arts students make the mistake of practicing at home or at the gym using regular workout shoes that have thick soles. These practically force the foot into an improper...

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Karate vs Taekwondo - Which one to choose ?

The two most common martial arts being practiced in the US are taekwondo and karate. Ever since, people have been wondering on what is the difference between these two. This poses a problem especially for those who are just looking around for a martial art school or studio. The fact that both karate and taekwondo seem to be wearing the same style of uniforms with different belt colors does not make help either. The development of Karate. Modern traditional karate was developed in the islands of Okinawa in Japan after some influences from Chinese martial arts. In fact, there are different styles of karate but they are all commonly considered...

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Taekwondo is Not Taekwondo Without Its Kicks

You have probably heard this over and over again but you are going to hear it again now - Taekwondo is known for its kicks. The kicks used in Taekwondo sparring are more striking than in any other martial art. Even though the kicks in poomse are simpler than the ones used in sparring, they can be equally as impressive if executed properly. Also, a good, solid front kick is more impressive than an impromptu tornado or double roundhouse kick. What is it that makes a great taekwondo kick? Image via Wikipedia 1. Balance Balance may not be seem as obvious as you think. And balance is more than just not ending up on the floor. It is a matter...

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Working That Taekwondo Technique

Some of the Taekwondo techniques and how they work: 1.Build-up technique. This works in a circle of at least four. One person begins with any single Taekwondo technique, normally intended for at the person on the immediate left or right. This technique travels around the circle, with each person accomplishing the move, until it returns to the originator of the move. When that person repeats the move, the next person in the circle does the first technique and adds another to it. Now the two-move combination travels around the circle until it is added-to by the next person along. This continues until the combination of moves becomes long...

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Taekwondo : What's there to know..

Every school has a different way of testing/grading. In some schools, being invited to the test means you've already earned the next belt and the test is just a formality. In others, they're deciding during the test whether or not you've earned your next rank. One school may have a set order of events during a test and another may vary on the instructor's whim. Hydration It's a rookie mistake – during your first test, since you don't always need a drink during the brief break in class, you don't bother to bring a bottle of water. This can wind up not being serious, if you have access to a water fountain or a bathroom sink. However, if you don't,...

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Flaunt Those Taekwondo Belt Colors

Most of the time, the colored belt around a Taekwondo practitioner’s waist seems to hold many presumptions for people. Those who see someone with a yellow belt, think that the bearer of the belt lacks ability. This is not true. On the same note, many believe that a black belt is the ultimate in martial art achievement. In reality, it is just another step in the learning process. Taekwondo belt colors were only implemented after the martial arts developed. There is even a myth behind the origin of the colored Taekwondo belts. Some say that originally, students would begin with a white belt, as is common today, but they are not given new colored...

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The 4 Key Styles of Taekwondo Training

Taekwondo is considered by many to be an ideal workout as it combines most elements sought after in a balanced fitness program. Many people understand that there are various styles of martial arts but they do not realize that within a style like Taekwondo, there are also various styles. Tang Soo Do: Image via Wikipedia Tang soo do is an extremely popular martial art that evolved from the kicking arts of taekyon and subak. It is similar to tae kwon do and maintains its heritage as a traditional way of promoting the values of self-control, respect, and discipline in the pursuit of self-improvement. Important characteristics that underpin the...

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Sparring Drills Are A Vital Part Of The Learning Experience In Taekwondo

Image via WikipediaMy instructor was lecturing me about the importance of our Taekwondo sparring drills. I enjoyed the drills just as much as everyone else in the dojo, but I was not sure where my instructor was going with this particular lecture. Her large, attentive eyes made contact with mine as they always do. She was just a little shorter than me (and I'm short), but she was an experienced black belt with a lot of skill in Taekwondo. I always enjoyed listening to her lectures, especially when she was speaking to only me. She continued to tell me about her first competition and how she felt a little anxious about how the competition would...

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Taekwondo Training For All Ages

Taekwondo is a martial art originating from Korea. Taekwondo translated means "the way of the hand and foot", consequently, the emphasis of Taekwondo is on discipline with hand and foot movements and techniques. People begin taking Taekwondo classes for various reasons. This martial art has many applications and benefits, such as physical conditioning, mental and physical discipline, self defense, and more. It provides the opportunity to engage with others in a fun, challenging and beneficial activity. Beginning Taekwondo training can at first be intimidating. Some fear that they are out of shape, too old, not athletic enough, and a plethora...

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A Guide to Taekwondo Belt Colors

The belts and their colors that are used with Taekwondo aren't just a random assortment of colors that are used to separate the ranks in the martial art. In Taekwondo, each belt color has a meaning that lets fighters known about their advancement and increasing knowledge. Belts are also great for the stylist, as they let the stylist know just how far they have progressed. The colors of the belts found in Taekwondo vary, as they represent the advancement of rank, as well as the growth of the student. It can take a long time for students to move up the ranks, all depending on their knowledge and how quite they adapt to the techniques and forms...

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A to Z of Taekwondo

A.... is for Attentive. Taekwondo kids are very attentive. For them to learn complicated taekwondo kicks and moves. They must concentrate hard. By being attentive and focus, their attention span gets longer. And longer. They learn to be still. And really listen. And of course their school teachers welcome the change! B.... is for Behavior. Good Behavior. Kids in taekwondo learn great taekwondo principles. Like courtesy,respect the eldest and self-control. They learn to behave well in the taekwondo dojang. And in life too. C.... is for Confident. Kids training in taekwondo become confident. Image by Taekwondo Kids Store via Amazon As they...

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Taekwondo Taegeuk 1 Video

Taegeuk 1 Video : The Beginnin...

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Taekwondo Taegeuk 2 Video

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Taekwondo Taegeuk 3 Video

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Taekwondo Taegeuk 4 Video

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Taekwondo Kicks - Is Relaxation the Key to Your Kicking Success?

Have you ever watched top taekwondo players kick? I always notice how relaxed they are. Their shoulders are down and back. Their arms are loose. And their legs seem to work totally independently of their bodies. It appears to take top Masters no effort at all to power through a thick breaking boards. And top sparring competitors look like they are taking a walk in the park! Can you relax in taekwondo when you first start out? Image via Wikipedia Of course it's very hard for beginners to not tense up. The last thing you feel as a martial arts white belt is relaxed! Everything is new. The techniques are tough and alien to you. And chances are...

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Taekwondo Taegeuk 5 Video

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Taekwondo Taegeuk 6 Video

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Taekwondo Taegeuk 7 Video

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Taekwondo Taegeuk 8 Video

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Taekwondo - A General Background

Image by familymwr via FlickrTaekwondo is derived from several martial arts with the main influence being tae-kyon - Korean kick fighting. "Tae" means to kick. "Kwon" means to strike using the hand, in most cases the fist. "Do" refers to the way of the art, like in the examples of Hapkido, Karate-do, Ninjado etc. Thus, the foundation of the art is the use of the hands and feet to overcome an attacker swiftly. History: Taekwondo was originally developed in Korea in the 1950s, when a group of leading martial arts exponents came together to unify their respective disciplines under a single fighting system. The inauguration took place in South...

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Taekwondo Kid : Little Masters

According to General Choi, Hong-Hi, the discipline and techniques of Taekwondo establish a sense of justice, fortitude, humility and resolve in all true practitioners. He should know, as he founded Taekwondo. Principles such as those General Choi mentions are exactly the kind of principles we should aim to instill in our children, to ensure that they become compassionate and responsible adults. It's no surprise then, to learn that Taekwondo has one of the highest rates of childhood enrollment. Physically, Taekwondo can play a key role in the development of motor control and coordination. It helps children to become comfortable in their bodies,...

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