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Is Tae Kwon Do a safe place to leave my child? Is Tae Kwon Do a very popular martial art? How long will it take me to learn Tae Kwon Do? Will I be the only beginner in class? Should I be in shape, or have previous martial arts skills? Do I have to demonstrate my skills in front of the class? What is the timing of your classes? Do I have to be there the first class? What is the hardest thing to learn in Tae Kwon Do? Why do people bow when they come in the door to class? What are the Tenets of Tae Kwon Do all about? |
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Is Tae Kwon Do a safe place to leave my child? Above all, your child's safety is of the utmost importance to our club, instructors and the Tae Kwon Do Alliance of Alberta. We at the Swan Hills Club work very hard to instill our tenets in all our classes. Discipline is very important to ensure no students are at risk of serious injury (the odd bump or bruise is not inconceivable, however). We supply and insist that all protective equipment is worn during class. All Black belts in the Alliance are required to have a police record search to ensure the safety of all students and preserve the integrity of our organization. Is Tae Kwon Do a very popular martial art? Yes, it is the LARGEST organized SPORT in the world today and has become one of the latest official Olympic sports. How long will it take me to learn Tae Kwon Do? It takes time to become proficient at Tae Kwon Do and really depends on your own abilities and how much you practice. As a general rule, you should start to feel the proficiency start to happen in 6 to 12 months of training. To reach a black belt level takes anywhere from 3 to 5 years. Will I be the only beginner in class? If you are, consider yourself lucky - you will get all the instruction you can handle. But to ensure you are not, get a buddy to join with you. We have belts of all colors at any given session. Should I be in shape, or have previous martial arts skills? No, not at all - we all start from the beginning, and our classes will either get you in shape, or get you in better shape. It is highly recommended that you spar. We are learning an art that requires contact with others and it's a good way of practicing. Sparring is done light contact, fully supervised (we supply all protective equipment) so chances of minor injury is very, very small. Do I have to demonstrate my skills in front of the class? No, this is why we have started the informal program. We want you to have fun and learn Tae Kwon Do, not be preoccupied by the worry of being the center of attention. Having said this, though, a little stress is good to develop your abilities and skills. What is the timing of your classes? Our sessions start the beginning of September and run to the end of June. You can join at any time, and the rates will be adjusted accordingly.
Monday and Wednesday at the school's large gym Refer to the Club Info page for more information.
Do I have to be there the first class?
No, you can join at any time during the year.
What is the hardest thing to learn in Tae Kwon Do?
Perseverance, coming out when you just do not feel like it, when you're sore and you don't think you can kick one more time and when others around you try to get you to skip just one class. Stick with it, the rewards are priceless.
We run a non-profit club, all who instruct or help out with the club do so for the love of the sport. Companies in town have donated money so we were able to purchase all the equipment needed to run an effective club. This in turn keeps our rates the lowest anywhere!! Rates vary from $60 to $93. Refer to the Club Info page for more information.
All you really need are sweats and bare feet. You will find, though, that over time a uniform will compliment your newfound skills, and we do sell these at a very reasonable price. We supply all the other training equipment needed in class at no cost to you.
Why do people bow when they come in the door to class?
In Asian cultures (from where TKD comes), bowing is a sign of respect to the school. We want to preserve a lot of the customs as they have made Tae Kwon Do what it is today.
What are the Tenets of Tae Kwon Do all about?
The tenets are a belief or principle that makes Tae Kwon Do what it is intended to be. All who practice Tae Kwon Do need a set of principles to follow, to make this martial art honorable. The tenets are as follows - courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control and indomitable spirit. These are the ingredients that will build a great reputation and way of life for individuals and the organization as a whole.
How many belt levels are there in Tae Kwon Do?
There are 5 color levels and each of these have a stripe of the next color level, for a total of 10 levels; there are also 10 black belt levels. Color levels are as follows: white, yellow stripe, yellow, green stripe, green, blue stripe, blue, red stripe, red, black stripe. Normal progression is 1 session per level (there is a lot to be taught). Black belt from 1st Dan to 10th Dan, if you work hard and are very active in the whole Tae Kwon Do organization is only 55 years.
Who can I contact to get more information and sign up?
You can call our club info line at 333-8626, or e-mail us. Our website it www.swanhillstaekwondo.com. |