Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tae Kwon-Do?
Tae Kwon-Do is the Korean Art of Self Defence, officially released to the world in 1955 after decades of scientific research which merged ancient martial arts practices with modern biological and physiological knowledge. It is now the most widely practised martial art in the world. Tae Kwon-Do has the widest range of kicking techniques of all the martial arts.
This section details some frequently asked questions about the art.
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Who is Tae Kwon-Do suitable for?
Tae Kwon-Do training is geared around the individual and age and ability are taken into account. This means that no-one is excluded.
Tae Kwon-Do training can begin as early as 5 and continue for an entire lifetime. As an aging student slows physically, their greater wisdom and lifestyle experience counter-balances this and their involvement in Tae Kwon-Do does not decrease. Many students begin training in the 50s or 60s and still reap tremendous rewards from Tae Kwon-Do.
Because Tae Kwon-Do relies on speed and technique, rather than strength, it is as equally suitable for females and males of smaller lighter builds and larger males alike. It is noticable that Tae Kwon-Do students are generally less muscle bound than students of many other martial arts, with long dense muscles for speed.
In Cornwall Tae Kwon-Do we maintain an equal opportunity and diversity policy and strive to include all students irrespective of age, gender, ability and lifestyle preference.
What are the benefits of Tae Kwon-Do
There are an enormous range of benefits that can be gained through Tae Kwon-Do training. These include:
- Improved confidence in oneself and one's abilties
- Greater self-esteem leading to improvements in one's social, family and work life
- Increased fitness and general health as Tae Kwon-Do improves circulation, helps to fight off common ailments, develops muscle strength and tone and releases endorphins which also lead to greater self-esteem and confidence
- Improvements in dealing with difficult situations, whether work or social. For example, children that learn Tae Kwon-Do are more able to recognise signs that bullying may occur and avoid those sort of situations. Adults may gain the confidence to stand up for themselves in social and work situations, leading to better relationships with others and enhanced career prospects
- Better weight control for those people that struggle with managing their body weight and shape. Tae Kwon-Do students generally find it easier to keep weight off and stay slimmer
- Enhanced speed, flexibilty and strength which can aid a student in their everyday lives
- Developing discipline, especially self-discipline, which leads to respect, treating others with fairness and equality
- An enhanced CV and the associated benefits that come with a professional vocation such as Tae Kwon-Do, helping our students to get into college or get better jobs
What will I do during a Tae Kwon-Do lesson?
There are a number of activities during lessons, not all of which are compulsory or part of the traditional syllabus but Instructors try to give students the widest range possible. A lesson may include:
- Linework: working alone to develop Tae Kwon-Do techniques at the Instructor's command.
- Patterns: working alone on set routines. There are 24 patterns in total, with between 19 and 72 moves plus eight optional patterns. Students learn one per grade up to black belt then three per grade from black belt upwards. Patterns are set sequences of movements that simulate self-defence situations, and are part of all traditional martial arts.
- Sparring: working with a partner to develop body shifting, balance, co-ordination, blocking, defence and attacking moves. This includes set routines and free sparring.
- Padwork: focussing punches, strikes and kicks onto focus mitts and kickshields.
- Self-Defence: working with a partner to learn streetwise self defence moves, including locks, restraints, take downs, knife defence and groundwork.
- Fitness and stretching: dedicated fitness, strength, stamina and flexibility training.
- Outdoors training: training on grass or on beaches (sometimes in the sea) developing better balance and awareness of one's surroundings.
- Competition training: students may elect to enter both Tae Kwon-Do and Open martial arts competitions, in sparring or traditional patterns categories.
How will I progress in Tae Kwon-Do?
Students begin at white belt, beginner level (black belts of a closely related martial art like Shotokan Karate may sometimes enter at a slightly higher level). There are then 18 different grades, 9 up to black belt and 9 beyond.
From white belt to black belt 6th dan, a student will grade in front of an examiner (or a number of examiners). After succesfully completing a grading, a student is promoted and receives a new belt.
The time between gradings varies depending on ability and the amount of training put in. It generally takes between 3 and 5 years to achieve black belt.
Alongside the normal grading syllabus, Kernow Tae Kwon-Do Aca
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demy of Excellence operates a '9 Steps to Black Belt' programme, ensuring that all students can display 9 key disciplines in Tae Kwon-Do, and they are rewarded at each step with a certificate.
Is Tae Kwon-Do safe?
As with any sport, there's always the risk of accidental injury but our Instructor's protect students through:
1. Maintaining an advanced Health & Safety Policy with detailed risk assessments and emergency plans. All Instructors are fully insured and trained to deal with any problems that may occur.
2. Maintaining a comprehensive child protection policy with all Instructors having current background checks and being trained to manage children in a correct and safe manner.
3. Ensuring that all Instructors are first aid certificated.
4. Ensuring that Instructors have at least 3 years training before they are elligible to take an Instructors course.
5. Making sure that Instructors are fully aware of the physical limitations of their students and adapting moves to take into consideration any injuries or disabilities that a student may have.
What style of Tae Kwon-Do do you teach?
Cornwall Tae Kwon-Do follows the original International Tae Kwon-Do Federation (ITF) style, using the Chang-Hon patterns set, created by the founder of Tae Kwon-Do, Major General Choi Hong Hi in 1955. Students are graded to ITF standard. There is no sine-wave in this traditional ITF style, which is how Tae Kwon-Do was originally intended to be. There are 24 traditional Tae Kwon-Do patterns that the students will be expected to learn as they progress up to 6th Degree Black Belt. There are also a number of optional patterns including those from the World Tae Kwon-Do Federation (WTF) and the official ITF pattern Juche.
Cornwall Tae Kwon-Do is unique, in that the Instructors have been taught both the ITF and WTF syllabus. Many of the techniques, patterns and kicking routines available to the students come from the WTF, which makes us the only organisation in Cornwall to teach both styles of Tae Kwon-Do.
How much will it cost me?
Cornwall Tae Kwon-Do has strived to keep costs at a minimum and every student receives their first month as a free trial period.
None of the Instructors are 'professional' so they do not rely on Tae Kwon-Do as their living. This means that students pay a minimal amount to cover hall hire and any other costs.
All martial artists are required by law to be licenced so an annual licence is purchased for a token amount.
Students will then pay monthly subs to their school, which work out at around a 3rd of what most Yoga classes are charging (averaging less than £2 per person per session). By paying subs in one school, a student is entitled to train for free in any other GTI school in Cornwall or throughout the UK. A student is able to train 5 days a week in Cornwall should they choose to.
Will I feel or look silly?
A martial art does not come naturally. Like learning to swim, continuous perseverence brings improved results. Everyone has to start somewhere and although Tae Kwon-Do may feel unusual to begin with, within a few sessions you will have picked up the basic commands. And no student would ever think you looked silly, as they had to start in exactly the same way, and they are also well aware of the massive benefits you will soon gain from Tae Kwon-Do training!