Taekwondo CLASSES

Taekwondo is the scientific use of the body in the method of self defence. A body that has gained the ultimate use of it’s facilities through intensive physical and mental training.

Translated from Korean TAE literally means to jump, kick or smash with the foot, KWON means to destroy with the hand or fist and DO means the art, way or method.

Therefore Taekwondo means foot, hand way. Korean martial arts began more than 2000 years ago and have evolved into what we know as Taekwondo.

Today, Taekwondo has millions of followers throughout the world. It is considered to be one of the most effective forms of self defence when correctly applied, and is also a highly effective way of providing both, mental and physical self development.

Taekwondo is more than just a set of physical exercises. It is more a way of life utilising the tenets of Taekwondo. These tenets help the student to cope with the stress and pressures of everyday life, as well as developing a strong moral code.

The Taekwondo network holds local, national and international tournaments all throughout the year for students of all abilities to test out their skills in the sporting arena, most tournaments are open to students who have attained a yellow stripe or higher, so you can start competing after approximately three months.

Most tournaments consist of the many Taekwondo disciplines including sparring, patterns, breaking, weapons musical forms and junior high kicking contests.

All divisions are made as fair as possible by separating all grades, weights and heights etc. The tournaments are great places to make and maintain friendships.

All the classes are taken by Master Malcolm Jones VII Degree and Mr Richard Winton VI Degree. With many years of teaching experience behind them, rest assured that they will help you to achieve your own personal goals.

Depending on the content, classes can run from 3/4 hr for the younger students up to 1-2 hrs for adults. Each class starts with a warm up, consisting of joint mobility exercises , followed by aerobic activity to raise the body temperature sufficiently enough to begin stretching exercises, which in turn, prepares you for the rest of the class which can consist of any of the following:

Sparring, line work, pad drills, pattern practise, self protection work, fitness drills and strategies. Sometimes the classes mix beginners with the more senior grades, everybody helps their fellow class mates to have an enjoyable session.

Gradings are the method of a students progression in Taekwondo, at first they take place every 3 months, until reaching blue belt, from there until black belt they take place every 6 months. If a student is competent enough, trains hard and takes all their gradings on time, then the period from start to black belt is approx 3 1/2 years.

We are lucky enough to have access to some of the best male and female examiners in the UK. These senior grades have been practising Taekwondo for well over twenty years, so rest assure you’re going to be tested by the best.

Once you have gained your black belt, you are known as a 1st Degree, but this does not mean you are an expert, indeed the first 3 black belt grades are known as ‘novice grades’ with 4th, 5th and 6th Degree’s being ‘expert grades’ you do not call yourself a ‘master until you have reached 7th Degree.