| Many people, because
of what they have seen on television or in the movies, have a preconceived
idea that Taekwondo is all about fighting. Nothing could be further
from the truth. Taekwondo offers a multitude of benefits including
physical, mental and social development, in addition to self-defense.
Today more children are enticed to spend their free time watching
TV, playing video games, talking on the phone or chatting on the
computer rather than exercising. According to the American Council
on Exercise, “by the time a teen reaches high school, 63%
are no longer physically active. Physically active children have
fewer chronic health problems than kids who are sedentary”.
Physically speaking Taekwondo develops cardiovascular fitness and
increases muscle strength. Practitioners have a heightened sense
of balance and are often able to avoid injury by employing specific
skills, such as falling properly (from a bike, while running or
off skates, etc.) Team Players Taekwondo Center is one of only a
handful of schools who teach Judo techniques (falling, rolling,
etc.). Students also increase their energy levels, improve their
coordination and motor skills, heighten their sense of balance and
flexibility, and improve their muscle development, toning and enhancement.
Taekwondo is more than physical. It also offers mental focus. Students
learn to concentrate under pressure while directing their energy
in a positive manner. Carefully planned instructional techniques,
utilizing repetition, lead to memorization skills for the muscles
and the mind, increasing a student’s ability to learn. By
increasing a student’s ability to learn a student is empowered
mentally, leaving them with a more positive self-image and personal
gratification. This increases self-esteem, generating more capable,
able and confident students. It often carries over outside the training
center, creating more receptive students academically. It is for
this reason that many pediatricians encourage children with ADD
and ADHD to enroll in martial arts.
In Taekwondo the student comes to understand that anything worth
having is worth working hard for. With this mind-set, students are
able to set goals and achieved them. While the ultimate goal is
earning a Black Belt, along the way the student masters the values
of patience, self-discipline and dedication. They also discover
the true meaning of camaraderie. Training together week after week
brings students (and parents) together, which tends to form strong,
lasting genuine relationships. You soon feel a sense of family.
And just the same as with a successful loving family, respect is
the key. Respect is something that is earned. Students quickly recognize
and respond accordingly to those who earn their respect.
As the standard for what is shown on TV, in the movies, on the
news, in video games and even in the music we and our children are
subjected to, drops each year, the need for teaching and learning
effective self-defense skills is essential. In Taekwondo the first
line of defense is always avoidance. Students are taught to be aware,
to escape potentially dangerous places and situations and to deter
violence whenever possible. They learn methods to evade, block and
move out of the way quickly, allowing them the utmost control over
an opponent. Taekwondo students are taught to fight back as a last
resort. Self-defense training allows the student to learn and to
practice in a controlled and safe environment, skills and tools
to defend themselves when necessary. Equipping students with this
knowledge gives them peace of mind, making them more capable of
avoiding, evaluating and dealing with threatening situations.
Taekwondo is also a sport. In 2000 it became the only martial art
to be included in the Olympic Games. Children and adults are able
to compete locally or on a national level in forms and/or sparring.
With all that Taekwondo has to offer it isn’t surprising
that it is the fastest growing sport in the world today. Getting
started is easy. Just give us a call to schedule a month of free
classes. There is no obligation to join, nothing to buy and no hidden
costs.
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