Taekwon-Do
- About Kou's Taekwon-Do School
- Student Oath
- Belt Ranks
- System of Rank
- Theory of Power
- Training Secrets of Taekwon-Do
- Physical Fitness
- Head Instructor - Master Iat Chio Kou
About Kou's Taekwon-Do School
| Welcome to the Exciting World of Martial Arts! | From our pre-school programs to our martial arts fitness programs, our instructors are dedicated to helping you and/or your family achieve your individual goals. |
| Why are Martial Arts so Popular? | Martial arts are so popular because no other activity can provide the same results as martial arts for each individual participant. Whether your goals are self-confidence, self-defense, personal development, fitness, flexibility or to earn a black belt, our school will take you there. |
| Martial Arts are Great for Children | Parents today are recognizing that the public school system is not enough. Millions of parents are bringing martial arts, as we teach here, into their children’s lives to supplement their education. Carleton University, in a study reported in Psychology Today (January 1985), found that children in martial arts have a lower level of anxiety; an increased sense of responsibility; a decrease in the willingness to take foolish risks; a higher sense of self-esteem; higher level of social intelligence; and were less likely to be radical. |
| Our reward system improves children's self-esteem. | Martial arts are not like team sports because the emphasis is on developing the individual's self-esteem not the team's winning record. The belt system is the key. When kids earn their belts it gives them a great sense of accomplishment that really improves the way they feel about themselves. |
| Our program teaches children discipline. | One of the things parents appreciate most about our classes is the improvement in their child's self-discipline. We have a wonderful staff of patient instructors who love to work with children, but are also very clear about limits. We enforce good rules of behavior in class, and we expect the same good behavior at home and in school. |
| Our activities channel children's aggression. | Many doctors actually prescribed our school for treatment because of the positive outlet it gives the kids for all their energy. |
| Our confidence classes enhance children's self-esteem. | We believe confidence is one of the most important things we can give kids. That’s why every class we teach has confidence-building drills included. |
| Our program teaches children essential self-defense skills. | Our program teaches practical, proven self-defense methods. We also teach the kids that the moves they learn in class will work, so they don’t go home and try them on their sister, or neighbor. |
| Martial Arts is a Fun, Fulfilling Workout for Adults. | Our adult students really appreciate the differences between martial arts training and standard exercise programs. |
| Our workouts are a great way to get in shape. | Martial arts like an exercise program with a bonus! You learn to defend yourself while you get in shape. |
| Our classes relieve stress. | Martial arts are well known for its stress relieving benefits. The emphasis on mind-body training goes far beyond the benefits of standard, health club type exercise programs. |
| Our classroom practice sessions give you confidence. | I think the confidence building part of our program is what students appreciate the most. Nothing can take the place of the security in knowing that you can defend yourself, if you have to. |
| What we teach you could save your life. | At our school, everything we teach is reality based. Our instructors work very hard to insure that most any situation you might encounter is covered in the classroom under very safe learning conditions, so you will be prepared. |
| Our program is a lot of fun. | The reason our program is so successful is because we make the classes fun and exciting. We learned a long time ago that if people are having fun, they learn much faster. |
| Our Programs | We a have number of different programs to offer even the busiest students. From our martial arts for children and pre-school classes to our martial arts fitness, and black belt programs we have a program for everyone. |
| Our Instructors | Rather than tell you about our championships and black belt rankings, we prefer to focus on our students. Certainly, we’re proud of our instructor’s accomplishments. But, we’re more proud of the achievements of our students. Our instructors understand that the student’s individual progress is the most important focus of their attention. That’s why our instructors continue to be students themselves. They take classes, attend seminars and continually work to improve their ability to help our students reach their goals. |
Student Oath
I shall observe the tenets of Taekwon-Do
Courtesy - Integrity - Perseverance - Self-Control - Indomitable
Spirit
I shall respect the instructors and seniors
I shall never misuse Taekwon-Do
I shall be a champion of freedom and justice
I shall build a more peaceful world
Belt Ranks
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White Signifies innocence, as that of a beginning student who has no previous knowledge of Tae Kwon Do. |
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Yellow Signifies Earth, from which a plant sprouts and takes root as Tae Kwon Do foundation is being laid. |
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Green Signifies the plant's growth as the Tae Kwon Do skill begins to develop. |
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Blue Signifies the Heaven towards which the plant matures into a towering tree as training in Tae Kwon Do progresses. |
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Red Signifies danger, cautioning the student to exercise control and warning the opponent to stay away. |
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Black Opposite of white, therefore, signifying the maturity and proficiency in Tae Kwon Do. Black also indicates the wearer's imperviousness to darkness and fear. |
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System of Rank
In Taekwon-Do, character development, fortitude, tenacity, and technique are graded as well as individual capacity. The promotional scale is divided into nineteen ranks - 10 grades (Gups) and nine degrees (Dans.) The former begins with 10th grade (Gup) the lowest and ends at first grade. Degrees begin with the first degree (Dan) and end with the ultimate, ninth degree.
First through third degree is considered the novice stages of black belt. Students are still merely beginners in comparison to the higher degrees. At fourth degree, the student crosses the threshold of puberty and enters the expert class. Seventh through ninth is composed of Taekwon-Do masters - the elite who fully understand all the particulars of Taekwon-Do, mental and physical.
Back to TopTheory of Power
"How does one obtain great power through the training of Taekwon-Do?" The average person utilizes only about 10 to 20 percent of their potential. With training in Taekwon-Do, anyone, regardless of size, age, or sex, can condition themselves to use 100 percent of their potential, and therefore obtain great power. However, despite providing a superb level of physical and mental fitness, it will not necessarily result in obtaining extraordinary stamina or superhuman strength. As a Taekwon-Do student matures, they will learn the Theory of Power, which introduces the aspects of reaction force, concentration, balance, breathing control, mass, and speed. These are the factors that will result in a high degree of physical strength.
| Reaction Force | By Newton's Law, every force has an equal and opposite force. An automobile that crashes into a wall will deliver a force of 2000 pounds, and in return, the wall will deliver a force of 2000 pounds onto the car. By understanding reaction force, a student will be able to acquire an impressive amount of power with very little strength due to the combination of forces. An example of this in Taekwon-Do is pulling your left arm backwards while executing a punch with the right hand. |
| Concentration | The smaller the target area, the larger the force of your attack. The strikes in Taekwon-Do are often concentrated on certain areas of the body to deliver more devastating attacks. The force must be concentrated on one spot to give a powerful blow. |
| Balance | Balance is especially important in Taekwon-Do. By keeping the body in equilibrium, a blow can become more effective and oftentimes deadly. An unbalanced opponent is easily toppled. The stance one must take must be stable yet flexible, accomodating for both offensive and defensive movements. To maintain good balance, the centre of gravity of the stance must fall on a straight line between both legs. |
| Breathing Control | Breathing affects one's stamina and speed. Not only this, an experienced Taekwon-Do practitioner can diminish the impact of a blow with the effective use of breathing. Exhaling at the critical moment when a blow lands prevents the loss of consciousness and pain. Students must also practice the use of disguised breathing to conceal any signs of fatigue for the opponent. |
| Mass | Mass is the energy obtained from body weight and speed, and it is important that the body weight be increased during the execution of a movement to increase power. Rotating the hip and the use of bending the knees adds body momentum for attacks. |
| Speed | Speed is the most essential factor of power. Force is generated by multiplying mass by acceleration. In order to stop an oncoming attack or to deliver a powerful strike, speed must be obtained effectively. Many of the other theories of power help to produce adequate speed for Taekwon-Do movements. |
Training Secrets of Taekwon-Do
- To study the theory of power thoroughly.
- To understand the purpose and method of each movement clearly.
- To bring the action of eyes, hands, feet and breath into one single coordinated action.
- To choose the appropriate attacking tool for each vital spot.
- To become familiar with the correct angle and distance for attack and defence.
- Keep both the arms and legs bent slightly while movement is in motion.
- All movements must begin with a backward motion with very few exceptions. However, once the movement is in motion it should not be stopped before reaching the target.
- To create a sine wave during the movement by utilizing the knee spring properly.
- To exhale briefly at the moment of each blow excepting a connecting motion.
Physical Fitness
The study of Taekwon-Do offers several unique advantages to the physical fitness of the student. No doubt one of life's most treasured assets is good health. Therefore, one of the great cardinal sins of mankind is his abuse of this asset. Incidentally, he who does not abuse or hurt his own body, including the hair, is defined as obedient to his parents; so described in Oriental philosophy.
The emphasis in twisting the trunk in executing the kicking movements and in counterbalancing the hand movements builds a fim, well-muscled abdomen. The high leg raise preceeding most of the kicks in Taekwon-Do also develops the side of the trunk and inner thigh muscles. The study of Taekwon-Do is particularly recommended for women because of its development of the lower abdomen, hips and inner thighs; areas which produce a youthful feminine figure for women of all ages.
After childbirth in particular, these areas are stretched and weakened; Taekwon-Do training is ideal to restore muscle tone for healh as well as appearance.
The typical training regimen, involving extensive movements of the entire body, raises the pulse rate and oxygen characteristics of the hearth and lungs over an extended period. This increased ventilation is termed an aerobic effect and provides the following benefits:
- Helps the lungs operate more efficiently.
- Enlarges the blood vessels, making them more pliable and reducing the resistance to blood flow, thus lowering the blood pressure.
- Increases the blood supply, especially red blood cells and hemoglobin.
- It makes the body tissue healthier in supplying it with more oxygen.
- It conditions the heart, providing more reserve for emergencies.
- It promotes better sleep and waste elimination.
Head Instructor - Master Iat Chio Kou
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Background InformationProfessional Achievements in Taekwon-DoInternational ITF QualificationsAccomplishmentsAdditional Training |
