There is no age limit as long as any person is able to perform physical movements for exercises understand and follow in a training session. Our classes cater for children from 6 years upwards to adults well in their 70’s. One of our mottos is “you are never too old to learn”, only too young.
You will learn physical skills for defence and attack such as kicking and hand skills for combat fighting and sport; self-defence including grappling, twists and locks, throws and take downs; exercises for strength, flexibility, stability, balance and composure; discipline and self-confidence gained from knowledge learnt and ability to perform skills and practice martial art values such as the 5 tenets of courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control and indomitable spirit.
Taekwondo originated from Korea. The name is Korean and translated literally means the kicking (tae) and fist attacking (kwon) art (do). It is a global martial art and sport activity practiced for recreational, sports and serious martial arts by over 200 member countries throughout the Olympics world.
The belt ranking system starts from the 10th gup (grade) which is the beginner white belt. It then progresses in grade steps to the yellow belt range of 9th, 8th and 7th gup. Next is the blue belt range from 6th, 5th and 4th gup, then the red belts range of 3rd, 2nd and 1st gup. As the system of grade ranking moves down from the number 10 to 1 for the colour belts, it moves back up for the black belts from 1st dan, then 2nd dan, 3rd dan, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th dan. The 10th dan is posthumously awarded only for those 9th dans had passed and had contributed greatly to the development and progress of Taekwondo throughout a lifetime and had made the world a better place.
These are
2 distinct different styles that originated from Korea. However, each had been developed and
progressed in different pathways since it split from the late 1960’s. The ITF stands for International Taekwondo
Federation with its main headquarters is now based in North Korea after stints
in Canada and Austria while the WTF stands for World Taekwondo Federation and
its headquarters has always been in Seoul, South Korea.
The WTF
name has been shortened to WT – World Taekwondo. The WT style is the more developed and is the
taekwondo style that is accepted in the Olympics and all major sports games in
the world, and can be seen in the major TV shows across the world such as AGT
(America’s Got Talent) & other countries Talent Shows. The ITF style does not have the Olympics or the wide global acceptance as the WTF style.
Of course, otherwise why learn it? The most obvious question usually relates to
whether it can be used for practical self defence in real life. Yes it can.
The hand skills for blocking can be used to deflect or literally block
an attacking move, while leg and body movements can evade an attacker. One can use the hand skills coupled with
kicking skills to counter attack and fend off the attacker. Our ATA style also teaches practical self
defence moves using the hands, feet and body to grapple, apply locks and twists
to take down an attacker to either fizzle out the attacks or render the
attacker incapable of initiating any further attacks. This is the “un-peaceful” real world, and we
use martial arts and Taekwondo to protect and defend ourselves.
The real world also comprises the “peace-ful” world where there is harmony and people connect and enjoy the fruits of a peaceful world and their widespread sports activities
Benefits of Taekwondo Training
Taekwondo training effect physical strength
There are 10 grades in the colour belts range. The beginner starts as a white belt 10th gup (grade) and progresses to yellow belt range with the 9th, 8th and 7th gup (grade); then blue belt range with 6th, 5th and 4th gup (grade); then red belt range with 3rd, 2nd and 1st gup (grade). Each grade is typically progressed by promotion testing (or grading) about every 3 months or whenever the member has developed and progressed sufficiently to reach the standard required for each higher grade. Then the next grade is the 1st dan black belt which is typically the initial milestone target.
A member can typically reach the 1st dan black belt through regular training in about 3 years training from the beginner white belt. At the ATA, each member is tested according to their development, training and progress. So, it is possible a member could reach the black belt in less than 3 years while some may take longer than 3 years. It is most important that the member has learned and developed his skills and embrace all the values and principles of the martial arts that we teach. Time only training is only a guide.
No. Taekwondo can be practiced recreationally or just to improve oneself for martial rats, develop skills for self defence and maintain health and fitness. However, one needs to understand that being competitive is not necessarily having to enter competitions to test one’s abilities, even though it is a very visual measurable test. Being competitive can also be within oneself (eg promotion testing) or amongst fellow members (training within class) and this can drive or accelerate one’s development and progress, all done without having to enter competitions. But entering competitions does test one’s abilities and progress.
There are many competitions available, including Kyorugi (sparring), poomsae (forms for individuals, pairs or teams, creative and freestyle), gyokpa (board or tile breaking – power, speed or all round), hosinsool (self-defence), demonstrations skills, taekwondo dance or aerobics. The Kyorugi or sparring aspect is the most common competition and are held for all age groups and involves 2 players in a controlled combative environment wearing body protections and guards. The poomsae and gyokpa competitions are non-contact and so are the demonstrations, aerobics and dance competitions. Hosinsool is done with a minimum of 2 players and while there is physical contact, it is not combat contact. Competitions are held at club, state, national and international level. The regional, and world events, including the continental games and Olympics are hosted for the best players from each representative country.
Taekwondo has 5 main tenets that are well known. They are 1. Courtesy, 2. Integrity, 3. Perseverance, 4. Self-control, and 5. Indomitable spirit.
Yes. It is very important to have benchmark
standards so taekwondo can progress and be standardised across all countries
and the globe. For our style of taekwondo, we follow the Kukkiwon (World
Taekwondo headquarters) kukki style which incorporate the martial arts and
sport for all and the World Taekwondo (WT) competition style. Practicing the world standard means you can
go to any affiliated club or organisation knowing that you will be practicing
the same skills and techniques and having your qualifications recognised and
accepted.
Courses are run by these organisations and our ATA Chief Instructor is qualified in all competition and martial arts courses. Our instructors would be required to attend and qualify in these courses when their time is due. If there is no benchmark standard, then everybody will be doing their own thing. So, if you see or come across any club that practices a different way, then they are not following the world standard. Be aware.
The Korean word for uniform is called dobok. The general uniform we use is the all-white v-neck dobok for colour belts and the black belts wear the all-white dobok but with the black v-neck. The poomsae black belts use the coloured pants for competitions.
Our ATA teach the base 5 tenets of taekwondo such as 1. Courtesy, 2. Integrity, 3. Perseverance, 4. Self-Control, and 5. Indomitable spirit. Through training and constant practice, our ATA also teaches other core values such as manners, respect, humility, etiquette, discipline, endeavour, honesty and loyalty.
You do need to be fit to be able to gain the full benefits and be able to do and perform required skills. However, do not be held back before you start if you are not fit. This is because when you start doing the exercises, which we generally use the yin (soft) exercises as much as we use the yang (hard) exercises, you will gain the required fitness progressively. You may feel sore initially, but in time if you follow the exercise routines, your soreness will wane as your fitness levels improve. We build fitness (cardio as well as endurance), strength, body conditioning, agility and balance through our use of the yin and yang type exercises.
Certainly not. Everyone can gain flexibility, sure some will gain more than others. Our human body muscular and skeletal build are such that we can all gain flexibility. Just that we need to work on our body and stretch those muscles, ligaments and joints through all body parts. People generally only stretch favoured body parts eg the hamstrings and maybe coupled with stretching the calves and arms. Our exercise routines also stretches the back muscles, the knees, ankles, feet, shoulders, neck, hips, glutes, flexors, spine, shins etc. Body conditioning, flexibility, strength and balance are important so we exercise our body to ensure we get our body conditioned and fit, not just flexibility.
Our ATA classes are held with all participants together. We have families in our classes and it is a healthy environment for all to participate and learn tighter, progress together. Families get a discount for their training fees.
Our classes are conducted twice a week, with each class with a minimum one and a half hour duration, so it is 3 hours a week. We do have extension special classes to add additional training in groups for specific occasions such as additional development training, preparations for competitions or promotion tests or for demonstrations and exhibitions. Some members train once a week, and their development and progress will take a little longer, but the end result can still be achieved.
Any physical activity has elements of risks to injuries. But for our style of taekwondo, our training methods are very safe and we have to adhere to safe training methods and practices. Where there are areas or causes of potential injuries caused through combative physical contact we will provide protective guards, such as for Kyorugi (sparring) we provide body protectors and head protectors. Members can also wear protective arm, shin, leg, mouth and groin guards as well.
There are no locked in contracts with the Australian Taekwondo Academy. You get 2 complimentary lesson sessions with the class to check us out and satisfy yourself you like what we do and that you feel comfortable to learn and train with us and follow our system. Once you are satisfied, you then pay a joining membership fee, pay for the uniform. Payment can be made by cash or bank transfer, whichever is easier. There is a monthly fee to pay at the beginning of each month, the first month’s training fee is included in the joining and depending on when you join, the next month’s training fee will be fee will be pro rata. You will normally get an invoice at the start of each month.
