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Our Martial Arts StyleAllstar Martial Arts Academy offers students an opportunity to train in and achieve rank in the most popular martial art of Taekwondo. Upcoming seminars at the Academy will include instruction in wrestling, karate, grappling, and much more.
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2. What are a few physical elements of Taekwondo training?
3. What are some HUGE benefits of Taekwondo training?
4. What are the TOP TEN reasons to learn Taekwondo?
“Martial Arts” is a term used to describe all fighting systems whether for sport or strictly self-defense. The martial art our school focuses on is the Korean art of self-defense known as Taekwondo. Taekwondo is a martial art form that EVERYONE can learn and achieve the rank of black belt, if you commit yourself. Taekwondo originated in 1955 when several schools of modern Korean martial arts decided to unify. In 1961, the schools finally created a name for themselves and formally became one. The union was called the Korean Taekwondo Association. General Hong-Hi Choi was elected its president. Taekwondo is the most widely practiced form of martial art practiced in the world today. The values and discipline learned in Taekwondo are a big reason for its popularity. Taekwondo is roughly translated to “the art of the hand and foot.” “Tae” refers to the hand or fist, “kwon” refers to the foot or kick, and “do” means “way” or “the way of.” So it follows that Taekwondo involves hand and foot techniques, kicks, punches, and blocks. The philosophy of Taekwondo involves a great discipline of the mind, body, and spirit. This philosophy is learned through a training system that allows the individual to proceed at his or her own pace, which encourages competition with oneself. This is a valuable tool that helps to bring out self-confidence and increase the self-esteem of many who practice Taekwondo. 2. What are a few physical elements of Taekwondo training?
Forms One of the key elements of Taekwondo is its forms or “poomse” (Korean). Forms are organized patterns of movements using precise kicking and punching techniques against an imaginary opponent. Practicing forms helps the student to gain increased coordination and provides the student with increased understanding of how offensive and defensive techniques are properly executed. Forms are practiced regularly until the student is able to perform them naturally, without thought. Each belt has a different form and students must learn each form to pass their belt rank test. The forms begin fairly easy at the white belt level and increase in difficulty with each rank promotion. SparringA favorite of students during Taekwondo class is sparring (fighting). Sparring is the outlet for the students’ cumulative knowledge of kicks, punches, combinations, blocks, etc. Sparring gives the student a chance to actually apply the techniques he or she has been learning in class. All sparring is SUPERVISED VERY CLOSELY BY THE CLASSROOM INSTRUCTORS. STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO FOLLOW SPARRING RULES AT ALL TIMES. One-step sparring is practiced in the early ranks. One step involves partner taking turns performing 2 or 3 step combinations (kicks, punches, blocks) with absolutely NO contact with one another. This type of sparring is meant to prepare the student for what is to come later in contact sparring. The students will learn how to execute movements with self-control and where to execute their moves on their opponents target areas. No contact sparring is the next level of sparring practice, wherein partners spar with enough distance between them so that there is no contact with one another. No contact prepares the student for contact sparring, in that they are getting used to how to move with their opponent. They are getting the feel of when to strike, when to block, when to move, etc. It is not until the student has proven himself/herself to be mentally, emotionally, and physically prepared, that he/she is allowed to participate in contact sparring. The safety of our students is our number one concern and we want to make sure our students are fully prepared for sparring when the time comes. This is why we do not allow them to contact spar until they are light green belts, which is usually about 9 months into their training. Sparring is probably the most fulfilling part of Taekwondo training. Most students will tell you this is their absolute FAVORITE part of their training. Students get to spar with opponents under strict supervision, as they showcase everything they have learned in their martial arts lessons. Students find that they instinctively (after 9 months of training) know when to block a kick from their opponent, or when to jab their opponent, when sparring for the first time. Contact sparring is the ultimate practice of all the kicks, punches, and blocks a student has learned. Board breakingThis is another favorite of Taekwondo students. Board breaking is fun and rewarding. Through practice during class on proper kicking techniques and proper punching, striking techniques, a student will be able to perform a board break at their rank testing. This feat shows a great deal of focus, self-control, and inner/outer strength. Students are often amazed at themselves and what they are able to accomplish when it comes to breaking boards. 3. What are some HUGE benefits of Taekwondo training?
4. What are the TOP TEN reasons to learn Taekwondo?
The martial arts are the best sport to teach self-defense. You will learn techniques to defend yourself and you will sharpen your reflexes so that self-defense comes naturally. You will, also, gain the confidence to fight back if you are ever in a situation where you would have to defend yourself. We instill in our students the knowledge and techniques that will enable them to defend themselves; but we always teach that should a “situation” arise, your first line of defense is to run away and get out of the “situation.” You will gain a tremendous amount of self-confidence as your progress and advance through the techniques and testings. Positive encouragement from the instructors helps you to become more self-assured. Achieving each new belt rank is the best promoter of self confidence, as the student knows he/she has passed a test and earned a new belt rank all on their own. The increase in self-confidence is found to affect all areas of a student’s life – academically, socially, emotionally, etc. To see increased self-confidence in a student, whom previously did not show much self-esteem, is truly a wonderful experience. The student will be changed forever. 3. RespectAlong with the self-discipline comes RESPECT. Students learn, very quickly, that they are to be respectful to one another, their parents, their instructors, etc. Students know that showing a lack of respect in the class has its consequences. Each student knows he/she is held accountable for his/her own actions, so respecting one another will avoid any unnecessary “consequences.” The student learns to control all movements, whether sparring with an opponent or performing self-defense combinations with a partner. The student learns the appropriate amount of power and strength to put into each move, according to the level of their partner/opponent. The student learns to control their emotions, also, through their martial arts training. Through the class rules and repetition, students learn a great deal of self-discipline. Students must bow to show respect when they enter the “dojang.” They must answer “Yes Sir!” or “Yes Ma’am!” when spoken to. The various rules and rituals are repeated every time they enter the class and help the student to harness their individual self-discipline. The students learn right from the start that if he/she works hard, he/she will be able to advance all the way to the ultimate goal of BLACK BELT. Students are never compared to one another. Individual students work at their own pace and level. Students are encouraged and motivated every time they enter the class; it is the driving force behind the martial arts philosophy. Our motto is: Never quit! Martial arts classes build students’ cardio strength, increase overall muscle strength and toning, increase agility and flexibility, and increase mental awareness. The student is in constant movement getting exercise without it “feeling” like exercise. In martial arts, unlike in many other team sports, the student never “sits out.” The student is active and involved in the class 100% of the time. The student’s own ambition and abilities are what carries him/her ahead in the belt ranks. There isn’t a team involved, wherein maybe that one “not so good” player causes the whole team to lose, in turn causing a child to dislike that particular sport. The martial arts student won’t be disappointed by other team members – there is no scapegoat – the martial arts student is solely responsible his/her actions. The student’s achievements are his/her own. In martial arts, boys and girls “play” together. This is not a “boy” or “girl” sport. Males and females are on the same playing field. Brothers and sisters can practice together. (What better way to get out a little sibling aggression?). Competition is a great way for students to test their skills and showcase their progress. At tournaments, students compete with others, their same age and rank, by performing their forms and sparring with opponents. These competitions instill accountability in students and are a great motivator.
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