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Black Belts with recently Promoted Students
 
Tae Kwon Do… the Way of the Hand and Foot

By Christy L. Riley

Tae Kwon Do is more than being able to break boards and say “Hi-yah!” It is a way of life and an alternative to fighting with one’s fists or feet.

Jackie Chan once said, “Do not let circumstances control you; you change your circumstances.”

A good martial artist knows that you have to pick and choose your own battles. Tae Kwon Do means “the way of the hand and foot”. Tae means “to kick or smash with the feet”, Kwon means “to punch or destroy with the hand or fist”, and Do means “way or method”.

In 1955, Korea declared Tae Kwon Do to be its national Martial Art. Before that, there were various names for Martial Arts practiced in Korea. Tae Kwon Do like any Martial Art developed as a means to protect and defend oneself. A Tae Kwon Do class has its own structure.

When class begins, everyone lines up according to belt ranks and everyone bows to show respect to the dojo, training place. A student or a black belt leads warm-ups, which helps prepare students for the blocking, kicking, punching and other aspects of class. Following warm-ups, a black belt or student leads basic techniques that are taught to beginners. Next, students separate into groups in accordance to belt ranks, which are taught by black belts. Classes are always open for anyone wishing to check out the action.

For anyone wishing to be in a Tae Kwon Do class, it is always open to anyone wanting to observe. Tae Kwon Do at the Greenville YMCA is available, and parents are encouraged to take the class with their children. Many families are already in Tae Kwon Do; in fact, some have even become black belts!

Anyone who is interested may contact the Greenville YMCA. In addition, you can check out the class on Facebook. Classes are on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Parents, friends, and family watch classes; you too can be a part of class.

For some students in the Darke County YMCA Tae Kwon Do Club, being a Martial Artist is a family affair. When asked the greatest benefits for their children in the Martial Arts, parents said:

•    It helps me to pay more attention to my son’s activities;
•    It increased respect, discipline, and self-confidence;
•    It helped to improve balance and gave my 7-year-son something to look forward to;
•    It has helped to build strength, balance, and ability to concentrate;
•    It has not only helped to improve my 10-year-old son’s ability to defend himself but also taught him respect; and
•    It has helped my 9-year-old son understand control, an alternative to fighting, and not to be a bully.

Those parents polled unanimously agreed they would recommend Tae Kwon Do to anyone. Tae Kwon Do not only helps children to become better and more well-rounded individuals, but it also helps adults and teens to gain a better understanding of life and gain other character building traits. Of course, it is up to you to decide if Tae Kwon Do is for you.

You have to decide if this class is a right fit or not.

“[Being] a black belt [has helped me to be able] to think and react in a way that is appropriate to [almost] all aspects of my life. I use my knowledge… for living in a manner which makes me proud of who I am and how I handle life’s stresses that come before me,” said a black belt who has been in Tae Kwon for 2 ½ decades.

All the black belts polled said that being a martial artist is not just a twice a week thing set aside for an hour and a half; it is a way of life. A good martial artist knows that learning never ends, even after you receive your black belt.

The greatest reward about being a black belt is seeing those students you taught promoted to the next belt rank.

“Knowing I became strong enough to overcome such a task that I set forth for myself,” replied a black belt. It is also, a life-long commitment to bettering oneself by never being afraid to learn something new. For anyone wanting to be a martial artist, know that the benefits go beyond the physical; it becomes a way of life and a chance to make the world better one person at a time.

Read a detailed article on Tae Kwon Do Here

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Students who were Just Promoted
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Beginners “Holding Up the Wall”
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Now That’s How You Block
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White Belt Yellow Tips doing Basic Knife Hand
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Caught Your Kick
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Don’t Have Your Kick Caught
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Green Belts Doing Front Kicks
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Punch, Don’t Forget to Block
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Yellow Belts throwing Each Other

 
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