Why do Taekwon-do?
ITF Taekwon-do is a martial art and, as such, probably the primary purpose and most obvious benefit is that it provides proficiency in self-defence. Taekwon-do is a well-proven and very effective method of weaponless self-defence and we ensure that this fundamental purpose is at the heart of our training. As well as the 'core' techniques of Taekwon-do (i.e. kicking, striking and punching), we have adopted many of the teachings and principles of the brilliant 'Tactical Edge' self-defence system, developed and taught by Mr Mark Davies (see here for info). This system includes take-downs, releases from grabs and holds and numerous very effective techniques for defence against attacks both with and without weapons.
As well as self-defence, training in Taekwon-do has many additional benefits, which include physical fitness, confidence, flexibility and the promotion of moral values, including courtesy and respect. We also try and make sure that our training sessions are lots of fun and truly enjoyable, which helps to develop a sense of camaraderie and friendship. We also have social events to further enhance our friendships and team spirit.
Finally, there is a significant sport aspect to Taekwon-do. We attend several tournaments each year, at which we compete with other clubs and associations, both in our technical skills (through patterns competition) and in sparring. Our sparring competitions are semi-contact (light contact only), so rather than trying to knock each other out, we are trying to score points with our kicks and punches. This ensures that the competition is a test of skill, speed, agility and strategy rather than just brute force. Our tournaments are split into age, gender, weight and grade categories to ensure that everyone is paired with opponents of similar ability and stature. For those who show particular talent and enthusiasm, we have close links to our regional and national training squads, so there is no limit to what you can achieve in competition. We have had international medallists here in Chester and at our partner clubs in Manchester, one of our junior black belt members became both World and European champion in 2015!
If you have any additional questions about the content of our training sessions, the benefits of Taekwon-do, or anything else, please contact us either through this website, or by telephone. Our contact details are here.
As well as self-defence, training in Taekwon-do has many additional benefits, which include physical fitness, confidence, flexibility and the promotion of moral values, including courtesy and respect. We also try and make sure that our training sessions are lots of fun and truly enjoyable, which helps to develop a sense of camaraderie and friendship. We also have social events to further enhance our friendships and team spirit.
Finally, there is a significant sport aspect to Taekwon-do. We attend several tournaments each year, at which we compete with other clubs and associations, both in our technical skills (through patterns competition) and in sparring. Our sparring competitions are semi-contact (light contact only), so rather than trying to knock each other out, we are trying to score points with our kicks and punches. This ensures that the competition is a test of skill, speed, agility and strategy rather than just brute force. Our tournaments are split into age, gender, weight and grade categories to ensure that everyone is paired with opponents of similar ability and stature. For those who show particular talent and enthusiasm, we have close links to our regional and national training squads, so there is no limit to what you can achieve in competition. We have had international medallists here in Chester and at our partner clubs in Manchester, one of our junior black belt members became both World and European champion in 2015!
If you have any additional questions about the content of our training sessions, the benefits of Taekwon-do, or anything else, please contact us either through this website, or by telephone. Our contact details are here.
Why Should Kids do Taekwon-do?
Probably the majority of Taekwon-do practitioners in western countries nowadays are children. Our child members gain all the same benefits as our adult members, but clearly, young kids must be taught in a different way than adults and we certainly ensure that this is the case, to maximise and customise the benefits of training, for both our child and adult members. All of our instructors are DBS checked and have attended specific courses on how to teach young children. The ITF (our worldwide organisation) has developed a specific programme for teaching our youngest members (under 8 years old) and whilst we follow our own grading system for our younger kids, we follow many of the principles taught by the ITF. See here for more info.
Some of the benefits that Taekwon-do training provides are best learned over a period of time. For example, discipline is a part of our classes, but we also try to ensure that the training is enjoyable. Over time, our young members develop an instinctive respect for discipline through their own understanding of its benefits, rather than us forcing it on them, in which case they often come to resent it.
As our child members grow older (8 - 12 years), we introduce some aspects of the adult training syllabus, so that when they reach 13 years, they are ready to join the teen and adult classes. Our teenage members train with the adults, to provide maturity and realism in their training.
Some of the benefits that Taekwon-do training provides are best learned over a period of time. For example, discipline is a part of our classes, but we also try to ensure that the training is enjoyable. Over time, our young members develop an instinctive respect for discipline through their own understanding of its benefits, rather than us forcing it on them, in which case they often come to resent it.
As our child members grow older (8 - 12 years), we introduce some aspects of the adult training syllabus, so that when they reach 13 years, they are ready to join the teen and adult classes. Our teenage members train with the adults, to provide maturity and realism in their training.
A Parent's View
The following paragraphs were written by a parent, Mrs Lynette Johnson, whose young daughter has been training at one of our partner clubs (in our regional 'Trident' group) for a few years. Mrs Johnson wrote this (unprompted) during her daughter's preparations for her black belt grading test.
"As I’ve sat watching my little girl prepare for her impending Black Belt grading it’s been a time of reflection into why I as a parent initially pushed her to start and then as time progressed I have provided the support, encouragement to see her through the five years of training and a multitude of colour belt gradings. I often hear “Don’t cry like a girl, don’t throw like a girl, don’t run, punch and kick like a girl, girly screams” the list of “girly” traits is endless but phrases like these push me to raise my little girl, the girliest of girls to know she is equal to any boy. I believe TKD has helped encourage, support and determine her nine year old psyche in believing in herself and her own capabilities.
There are many invaluable life lessons to be learnt in the dojang which complement the physical and mental benefits of learning the actual martial art.
Hard work, accomplishment and achievement; all too often do we witness a natural sense of entitlement in children. However, with TaeKwon Do nothing is just given. The grading syllabus is the same whether it’s an adult or a child grading (with the exception of breaking and set sparring). You can only attempt to perfect the techniques by doing, practising, correcting and re-doing – repeatedly. There are no short cuts to attempting to perfect a technique, pattern or drill. For some children and adults this comes easily, others have to put extra effort to get to the same level of accomplishment. To witness the reward and realisation that she is capable after the sweat, frustration and determination to master the technique is amazing.
Another big issue for me as a parent to try and encourage is positive body image. From a young age girls are fully emerged in a world that is obsessed with the perfect body, the perfect shape, the perfect weight. It’s difficult to reinforce a positive body image and steer away from the ideals of the perfect body (I’ve already faced questions from her why she has “fat legs” compared to some children in her class). I want her to learn how strong and powerful her body is, TaeKwon Do is instrumental in this. She has felt the weakness and wobble from physical exertion and hopefully has come to realise her body’s capabilities. As she grows I want her to be confident and empowered in its strength. In the dojang (training hall) no make-up, jewellery, no fancy clothes are worn; doboks (our training uniform), sweat and effort is all that’s required – perfect!
In the playground at school then later on at college or out in the big world there are situations and/or people who will intentionally want to knock you down. How do we teach our children how to get back up and face their fears, face their adversaries? TaeKwon Do for me helps with this. I have held her close and wiped her tears from the pain of a kick or punch and witnessed her bravery in returning to a sparring bout. I have witnessed her shake her opponents hand after a tough spar and lose graciously in competitions. Nerve wrecking and character building, absolutely! I’m so proud of seeing her confidence blossom whilst being respectful of peoples’ differences, seniority and rank; a trait which will stand her in good stead for her journey ahead.
The above is not an exhaustive list; in fact I’m just reflecting and selecting a few which are pertinent to me and my daughter. It’s only as I’ve sat considering the benefits for my little princess have I realised the actual changes in her and how far she has come. Probably in part due to the changes being too subtle and gradual to notice day to day, week to week or even each grading to the next grading. I do know though that Black Belt pass or fail I couldn’t be any prouder.
Thank you to her instructors and the association for encouraging and supporting all students on their journeys.
Xx"
"As I’ve sat watching my little girl prepare for her impending Black Belt grading it’s been a time of reflection into why I as a parent initially pushed her to start and then as time progressed I have provided the support, encouragement to see her through the five years of training and a multitude of colour belt gradings. I often hear “Don’t cry like a girl, don’t throw like a girl, don’t run, punch and kick like a girl, girly screams” the list of “girly” traits is endless but phrases like these push me to raise my little girl, the girliest of girls to know she is equal to any boy. I believe TKD has helped encourage, support and determine her nine year old psyche in believing in herself and her own capabilities.
There are many invaluable life lessons to be learnt in the dojang which complement the physical and mental benefits of learning the actual martial art.
Hard work, accomplishment and achievement; all too often do we witness a natural sense of entitlement in children. However, with TaeKwon Do nothing is just given. The grading syllabus is the same whether it’s an adult or a child grading (with the exception of breaking and set sparring). You can only attempt to perfect the techniques by doing, practising, correcting and re-doing – repeatedly. There are no short cuts to attempting to perfect a technique, pattern or drill. For some children and adults this comes easily, others have to put extra effort to get to the same level of accomplishment. To witness the reward and realisation that she is capable after the sweat, frustration and determination to master the technique is amazing.
Another big issue for me as a parent to try and encourage is positive body image. From a young age girls are fully emerged in a world that is obsessed with the perfect body, the perfect shape, the perfect weight. It’s difficult to reinforce a positive body image and steer away from the ideals of the perfect body (I’ve already faced questions from her why she has “fat legs” compared to some children in her class). I want her to learn how strong and powerful her body is, TaeKwon Do is instrumental in this. She has felt the weakness and wobble from physical exertion and hopefully has come to realise her body’s capabilities. As she grows I want her to be confident and empowered in its strength. In the dojang (training hall) no make-up, jewellery, no fancy clothes are worn; doboks (our training uniform), sweat and effort is all that’s required – perfect!
In the playground at school then later on at college or out in the big world there are situations and/or people who will intentionally want to knock you down. How do we teach our children how to get back up and face their fears, face their adversaries? TaeKwon Do for me helps with this. I have held her close and wiped her tears from the pain of a kick or punch and witnessed her bravery in returning to a sparring bout. I have witnessed her shake her opponents hand after a tough spar and lose graciously in competitions. Nerve wrecking and character building, absolutely! I’m so proud of seeing her confidence blossom whilst being respectful of peoples’ differences, seniority and rank; a trait which will stand her in good stead for her journey ahead.
The above is not an exhaustive list; in fact I’m just reflecting and selecting a few which are pertinent to me and my daughter. It’s only as I’ve sat considering the benefits for my little princess have I realised the actual changes in her and how far she has come. Probably in part due to the changes being too subtle and gradual to notice day to day, week to week or even each grading to the next grading. I do know though that Black Belt pass or fail I couldn’t be any prouder.
Thank you to her instructors and the association for encouraging and supporting all students on their journeys.
Xx"