Category Archives: Taekwondo

Back to school time!

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Back to school time!

I know it’s hard to believe the summer is coming to an end, but in just a few short weeks school starts again. Whether you’re about to start your academic year or you’re long done with formal schooling but still get that “back to school” urge, here’s a special coupon to help you make martial arts a part of your routine!

Good for any registrations before October 31st our “back to school” deal is $399 for three full months of instruction and unlimited attendance. Included in this back to school package is the taekwondo uniform ($55 value) and all introductory private lessons. Bring this coupon or just mention the “back to school” special when you come to observe a class and visit our school! Call 617-492-5070 to pick a time to see the school and meet our instructors.

summer flyer

Winter and Indomitable Spirit

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One of the tenets of taekwondo is indomitable spirit. Put simply, this is the value of never giving up. This winter is now officially the snowiest on record for the city of Boston, and also the coldest. In the past 30 days over 100 inches of snow have fallen in Cambridge and the arctic temperatures have meant no melt. The city’s transit system is struggling and everyone is having difficulties with ice, roof and house damage, and nowhere to put their cars streets that are clogged with six-foot high snowbanks.

But the people of this area never give up. Here near Porter Square, neighbors have helped each other dig out the sidewalks. I was having trouble freeing my car from blocks of plowed-in ice and a man with a metal shovel appeared, scraped the hard frozen areas free that my plastic snow shovel couldn’t do, and then he went on his way.

General Choi used to say that working out in the snow would help build tenacity in students. I don’t think this was quite what he had in mind, though.

It is a difficult time, but we will get through it. I try to look on the bright side: at least shoveling snow is a good upper body and cardio workout. Spring will eventually come. Until then, don’t give up!

Dojang Etiquette

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Dojang Etiquette

Because of the Winter Storm Juno, the promotion test that was scheduled for 6:30 January 27th has been rescheduled for February 3rd, giving everyone who was planning to test that day an extra week to brush up on forms and one-steps. Another important part of testing is observing proper dojang etiquette. Here are some things to remember:

  • Always wear a clean uniform with your name tag and school patch applied properly.
  • When your name is called for your turn to test, say “yes, sir!” (or “yes, ma’am” if the instructor calling your name is female) and run to your spot. If you are the first person in a group, take the place in the first row to the right as you face the judges. (Second person takes the lefthand place in the first row. Third person starts the second row on the right, and so on.)
  • While you are waiting for your turn to test, sit quietly to the side with your legs crossed. Never lie on the floor. Groups who have been waiting a long time will usually be given a minute or two to stretch and warm up before their test begins.
  • Remember that the test is an opportunity to demonstrate for everyone, your instructors and your fellow students, how awesome you have become at your techniques! So kick hard, make your blocks sharp, and make sure your punches snap. You’ll make your instructors proud and you’ll propel yourself to the next level!

New Weekly Schedule

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The new schedule is out and ready for everyone. The two main changes are the stretching class and BB program seminars have swapped places, and we have added a competition training seminar twice a week that is open to Black Belt program members.

Download the PDF of the schedule to print at home:
tkd_schedule_2013.pdf

2013_tkd_schedule

Taekwondo at the Olympics and at home

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The summer Olympic Games in London will be starting soon and you may be hearing about taekwondo as an Olympic sport. Did you know the United States is one of the top countries in taekwondo? Since taekwondo was admitted to the Olympics in 1988, South Korea leads the medal count with 12, Chinese Taipei has 7, and the USA is next with 6 medals. 64 countries competed in taekwondo in the Olympics in 2008. 

 

Olympic competition represents the fighting spirit of taekwondo and the constant striving for self-improvement that is part of the art. Olympic-style sparring is only one piece of the art. Self-defense is a separate skill from the sport that is sparring. Forms–their performance and perfection–is another aspect. Union of mind and body in health and confidence is another. When you practice your kicks and punches, though, it’s fun to dream of gold medals.

A great martial art for women and men

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Taekwon-do is a versatile martial art that allows for success of different body types and different physiques. Many women in particular find they take to the kicking aspect of the art quickly, as women tend to have hip flexibility and thigh strength when they walk in the door. Men have a tendency toward more upper body strength, and there are hand techniques in taekwon-do that utilize that strength as well. Ultimately it is the combination of hand and foot techniques though, that creates the beauty and effectiveness of taekwon-do, which literally translates as “the way of foot and fist.”

Quality Instruction Is The Difference

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The City of Cambridge brings together people from all over the world. Our school unites people from age 5 to 75, from Brazil, Korea, China, Mexico, India, Japan, Morocco, France, Ireland, and more, as well as folks from all over the United States and Massachusetts. They train together as one big family with many goals. Taekwon-do is great for mental and physical health. It improves cardio-vascular health, muscle strength and flexibility, reflexes, agility, and balance. It is great stress relief and builds confidence and inner strength. The martial arts bring body and mind together in a way that just running on the treadmill doesn’t. Many students report their ability to focus is improved. On top of all that, when learning taekwon-do, one is learning a self-defense skill.