Archive for the ‘Martial Arts’ Category

Respect for the Black Belt comes from experience

Friday, September 24th, 2010

Prior to becoming a World Class Tae Kwon Do student, martial arts had never fascinated me or appealed to me. I never recognized what it took to be a martial arts master, and the martial arts movies with Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris and everybody never interested me. I did enjoy Karate Kid but not because of the martial arts, rather the story in general. Within a few months of starting my training here at World Class Tae Kwon Do however, this began to change.

Today, about 20 months later, my attitude is different and I have the utmost respect for anyone with a Black Belt because I know what it required of them to earn it. I am highly motivated to obtain my own Black Belt because I know what I have put in to being where I am today as a Red Belt.

When you first begin Taekwondo at World Class Tae Kwon Do and you see all the belts up on the wall and the chart that shows the curriculum requirements for each belt and their paces, you see Red Belt as one only step away from Black Belt. But this is deceiving because it’s not that way at all.

Think of a mountain where starting from the base you go up a little while and it sort of levels off, but then the mountain peak begins and it is much steeper and in some instances even higher than from the base to the that point. You may have reached this point within a few hours but then to scale the peak you would need to be at it for more than a day or two, if it’s even scalable. This to me is like going from Red Belt to Black Belt which in between actually consists of two more belts, Black Stripe and Double Black Stripe, so you actually have three more phases to accomplish to go from Red to Black.

By the time you reach Red Belt you begin to feel comfortable and confident with everything and with learning new curriculum. You know what to look for when executing your moves and you know how to make adjustments. But as a Red Belt you also begin to consider what it is going to take to reach Black Belt. You might be only two more belts away from Black, but realistically you are may be just more than half way to Black. This is humbling, to say the least.

You know that you have to work out those subtle imbalances and those minute details such as how you angle your foot on a side kick, or how you time your hands and feet on a take down, or how you must include that final pop with your foot in a spin kick as you hit the target. These are the details that the untrained I won’t notice consciously but that will be apparent to them if not delivered by you correctly. There is a lot more riding on your shoulders at this point.

Needless to say, my respect for the Black Belt only continues to grow the closer I get to it. At this stage, it’s like having a tool belt on your waist with all the tools and you have been trained how to use them all, but now you actually have to put them to use and build something. What you build, I am learning, is your style, your voice, your expression. Without respect, which comes from experience, you will have a difficult time doing this I imagine.

Keeping your child motivated during the summer months

Friday, June 11th, 2010

Parents often come to me when summer approaches wanting to know how to keep their child excited about their training in the months to come. Summer can be tricky for families to keep on track with their Tae Kwon Do training because without school everybody’s routines and schedules change as we pick up different activities and commitments.

I would first say that it is important to recognize that children in Tae Kwon Do or in any activity could have some ups or downs. It is natural to feel this way about most pursuits at one time or another.

The first thing is to know this could happen and that it doesn’t mean that your child is not interested at all but that they might be facing a plateau. I have seen this many times in the past and in the hot, summer months when kids are out of a routine schedule and thoughts of the shore, pools, and just hanging out are in their minds, these feelings can be accentuated.

The best way to keep the energy for Tae Kwon Do going is to make sure that your child trains consistently a couple of times a week. This will keep them grounded in their training and consistency brings advancement in the belts which yields more motivation and the benefits of our program. If your child trains consistently and works hard, I am confident that most of them will be able to belt test at some point this summer. That will let them see that their hard work and effort gets rewarded.

In addition, getting your kids involved in our special events is a great way to build more momentum in their training as well as develop friendships that can have a great impact on spiriting your kids through any plateau. Of course, you may always speak to myself or any one of my staff and we would be happy to talk with your child or even do some private booster classes.

I am a firm believer that our Tae Kwon Do kids will learn about perseverance by persevering through challenges. Whether these challenges are learning a form, breaking a board, or coming to class on a 90 degree sunny day, they are all part of building a happy, healthy, confident TKD kid.

Success takes a team effort and I am very thankful for the parents and the instructors I work along with. I know that when we partner together, we will help our kids attain great things.

Martial Arts Classes for Kids in West Chester

Sunday, May 23rd, 2010

As summer is fast approaching, are you looking for activities for your kids? Activities that promote a positive atmosphere, allow for flexible schedule, and with world class facilities? If so, Master P’s Little Tigers program might be exactly what you’re looking for.

Tae Kwon Do for kids in West Chester PAThe Little Tigers program is specially designed for preschool and kindergarten age children (4 and 5-year-olds). Our Little Tigers instructors are friendly and encouraging. They will teach your child the focus to learn Tae Kwon Do, which will carry over to home and school as well.

At Master P’s World Class Tae Kwon Do in West Chester, PA, the flexible class schedule allows parents to bring your child to classes at times convenient for you. We understand how little time you have on a daily basis, and we want to make sure that we make it as easy as possible for all of our members to participate. If you simply want to try out a few classes before joining full-time, we offer a Quick Start program for less than $20.

Just like our regular kids’ Tae Kwon Do classes, our Little Tigers classes have a low student-instructor ratio. You can be assured that your child will receive personal step-by-step instruction from our patient and enthusiastic staff. If you’d like to speak to the parents of other Little Tigers members, we encourage you to stop by the Master P’s World Class Tae Kwon Do Facebook page, as there are many members and parents who discuss all things Tae Kwon Do and Master P’s, on our Facebook page. They should be able to give you a great perspective on what you can expect from our Little Tigers program. We hope to see you, and your Little Tigers, very soon at Master P’s World Class Tae Kwon Do in Chester County, PA.

Bring a Friend to Master P’s Dojang

Monday, April 12th, 2010

Spring is here and Master P’s World Class Tae Kwon Do is celebrating by running the Spring Into Action program. Spring Into Action is a two week trial program that helps you get to know the program, the Dojang, and other students. For $19.95, you receive two free weeks of Tae Kwon Do training and a uniform. It’s that time of the year, when we all need to come out of hibernation, and get active again. What better way to do that than by getting fit while learning a new skill?

Martial Arts West Chester PA

If you’re considering the Spring Into Action program, but would like a completely free peek at what you can expect from Master P’s World Class Tae Kwon Do in West Chester, PA, then you should consider attending our upcoming Bring a Friend Day. We are allowing all of our current students to bring someone with them to Tae Kwon Do class.

Students can share the enjoyment and benefits of Tae Kwon Do by bringing their family members, friends, neighbors, or anybody who wants to give Tae Kwon Do a try to a special class. Class times are to be announced and students who bring a guest will have a chance to do a demonstration, including breaking a board! The special class takes place this Saturday, April 17th, from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm at Master P’s Tae Kwon Do in West Chester, PA. So, if you know someone who takes classes at Master P’s, let him or her know that you want to attend the Bring a Friend Event this weekend. We hope to see you there!

Master P’s on Facebook

Tae Kwon Do in West Chester PAIf you’re interested in attending the Bring a Friend Day, but you don’t know anyone who is currently a student of Master P’s, then you can try to connect with someone on the Master P’s Facebook Fan Page. Simply go to our page, write on our Facebook Wall that you’d like to attend Bring a Friend Day this Saturday, and ask if any current students would be willing to bring you along with them. We can’t wait to see you this Saturday, April 17th.

Martial Arts Is Fun for the Entire Family

Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010

Tae Kwon Do West Chester PAMaster P’s World Class Tae Kwon Do offers martial arts training for families. If you’ve been looking for a healthy activity that you and your family can participate in together, Tae Kwon Do Classes in West Chester, PA might be exactly what you’re looking for. At Master P’s Tae Kwon Do, families can train in self defense together, providing you with shared goals, quality family time, and an opportunity to meet a great group of friendly people.

There are a numerous benefits to participating in family-style martial arts classes:

  • A way to bring your family closer together
  • A rewarding activity your whole family will enjoy
  • A way to find exercise time for both you and your children
  • A positive environment surrounded by motivated goal-setters

Master P’s offers families flexible class schedules, allowing you to bring your child to classes at times convenient for you. There are a number of special events throughout the year that Tae Kwon Do families can take advantage of. If you’re interested in finding a family activity, definitely take some time to learn more about family martial arts classes in West Chester. By providing a place to exercise, socialize, and network, Tae Kwon Do can be a valuable resource to you and your family. We hope you’ll consider joining us and other West Chester families in the very near future.

Master P’s on Facebook

Tae Kwon Do in West Chester PAMaster P’s World Class Tae Kwon Do is on Facebook. If you want to connect with us and other local martial arts advocates, please consider becoming a fan of the Master P’s Facebook Fan Page.

Martial Arts Moves Helps You Get in Shape

Tuesday, February 16th, 2010

tae kwon doOne of the main reasons some people get into the martial arts is because of the fitness factor. Learning the moves in martial arts, such as the kicks in Tae Kwon Do, helps the body stay loose and limber while helping you burn calories at the same time.

For instance, the Roundhouse Kick is one of the most common Tae Kwon Do kicks for keeping in shape. You can perform the Roundhouse Kick by placing your hands up and lifting the knee of the leg that you are going to use for kicking. Next, make your leg snap to one side and bring it back to the starting position. Keep your toes pointed and use the top of your foot for kicking. Do two sets of 10 Roundhouse Kicks with each leg. By the end of the routine, you will feel your legs and thighs becoming tone.

When you are done with the routine, be sure to drink eight ounces of water to get rehydrated and refreshed. We will discuss other martial arts and Tae Kwon Do exercises you can do to tone up and feel better in the weeks to come.

A Brief History of Tae Kwon Do: The Conclusion

Tuesday, February 9th, 2010

tae kwon doAs we have seen the last couple weeks, Tae Kwon Do has an interesting history. Today we are concluding our description of its history and how it came to be known as it is today. If you missed the first or second installment of this History of Tae Kwon Do Series, check out part one and part two.

Following World War II and Korea’s independence, many forms of martial art came about. Chi Do Kwan, Song Moo Kwan and others are just a few of them. These martial arts became united in 1955 as Tae Soo Do. By 1957, the term “Taekwondo” was the accepted word among Korean martial arts masters for this art. They liked this word because it sounded like Tae Kyon.

The first Taekwondo students were Korean soldiers. Other authorities in the country had to learn Taekwondo as well, including the air force and police. In 1962, the Korean Amateur Sports Association acknowledged the Korean Taekwondo Union. By 1973, the World Taekwondo Federation was in its beginning stages by producing demonstrations. In 1980, the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) was recognized by the International Olympic Committee and the martial art made its debut as an official Olympic sport in 2000.

Now that you know a brief history of Tae Kwon Do, why not take Tae Kwon Do classes and learn what made it so popular?

More about the History of Tae Kwon Do, Part II

Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010

tae kwon doLast week, we started discussing the history of Tae Kwon Do within the martial arts. We told you about the kingdom Silla and the noblemen of the HwaRang which arose after wars with other regions.

Following the wars that united the kingdom Silla, there was a time of peace. During this time, the HwaRang began switching their focus from being a military organization to one that focused on music and poetry. In 936 A.D., Wang Kon founded the Koryo Dynasty, which eventually turned into Korea.

During this time, Soo Bakh Do was a major sport used for training military people. The military training stopped when the Joseon Dynasty took power and Confucianism replaced Buddhism as the state’s official religion. Confucianism placed a greater emphasis on poems and music while stating that martial arts was for the common man.

As for Tae Kwon Do, this art has influences from a number of other martial arts. It has its basis in Japanese Karate because Korea was dominated by Japan from 1910 until the end of World War II. During the war, many Korean soldiers received training in Japan. The Japanese tried to get rid of any traces of Korean culture during this time. As a result, there are many Japanese influences in Tae Kwon Do.

Next week we will conclude our discussion of the modern form of Tae Kwon Do.

A Brief History of Tae Kwon Do, Part I

Monday, January 25th, 2010

martial artsThe martial art of Tae Kwon Do has a long and storied history. In fact, the earliest known records that show refer to the martial arts dates all the way back to 50 B.C. in Korea. These pieces of evidence referring to martial arts and Tae Kwon Do were found on wall paintings inside tombs. These paintings depict two men in a fighting stance.

In order to understand the history of Tae Kwon Do and the martial arts, we must discuss the history of three kingdoms in the region throughout early history. The Silla Kingdom, which ruled from 37 B.C. to 668 A.D., unified the kingdoms of the time after being victorious in the wars against the Paekje and the Koguryo. The Hwa Rang Do was an elite group of noblemen that focused on training their minds and bodies for service to the Silla. These men had an honor code and they practiced a variety of the martial arts, including Soo Bakh Do and Taekyon. Their philosophical background is the basis for modern Tae Kwon Do.

That’s just the beginning of the history of this important martial art. Read more about the History of Tae Kwon Do from Part 2 of this series.

Free Tae Kwon Do Classes in West Chester, PA

Monday, January 11th, 2010

Master P’s Tae Kwon Do in West Chester, PA offers one of the best martial arts programs in the Northeast. In order to open the program up to more interested customers, Master P is offering a great trial program. Simply pay $19.95 for your uniform and get the rest for free! You get 2 individual One-on-One Lessons and as many Group Lessons as you can make it to.

From children to adults, everyone is eligible for this great program. It allows those who want to see just how interested they are in martial arts, check it out, and it gives Master P a chance to work with even more local residents. It’s a win, win situation.

Master P’s Quick Start Offer is perfect for beginners, with no prior experience necessary. The Quick Start Program includes both private and group instruction. This allows both children and adults to learn at their own pace and to try it out in a comfortable and encouraging environment. You will have a chance to observe classes, speak with the instructors, and learn about the benefits of Tae Kwon Do training.

To get started, simply click here to fill out the registration form. You’ll need to provide the following information:

  • Your Name
  • Gender
  • Age
  • Email Address
  • Street Address
  • Best Contact Time
  • Any Comments You Have

It’s as simple as that. Once you submit your information, someone from Master P’s World Class Tae Kwon Do will contact you within a business day or two.

Training at Master P’s offers life-long benefits and the first step is up to you… Get Started Today!