Tae Kwon Do As A Means To Stay In Shape

Becoming a martial artist is a fanatastic method of fitness. While there are many martial art forms to choose from, taekwondo is clearly the most beneficial, and the most practical. And while many realize the benefits of such exercise, the simple fact is most have no idea how to begin.

Getting in shape is a committment to essentially change the way life is lived for the better. But knowing this does not make the first step any easier to take, so many just give up.

Beginning a martial arts program obviously starts with choosing either a school or at the very least, an instructor. Both should be done carefully, but simply getting into a program is a must.

Taekwondo is more of a sport than a martial art, but this distinction makes the art form more readily transferrable to the general public. In short, nearly anyone can practice taekwondo, and with dedication, nearly anyone can become a formidable martial artist.

Taekwondo teaches the equal use of hands and feet, with the emphasis on becoming adept at using both the right and left sides of the body for defense and for attack. Perhaps more importantly than anything else, taekwondo stresses stamina and mental toughness, along with using sound techniques and being in control.

Most people have little or no time to spend getting and staying in shape, but with most taekwondo programs, any time during the day, there are classes to attend. This tends to solve the problem of finding the time to invest in something that is endlessly beneficial, and is yet another reason to choose taekwondo as the martial art to study.

But one of the aspects of taekwondo is how quickly one sees results. Indeed, this is a tremendous motivator to continue practicing taekwondo, and before one knows it, they have altered their life to find a way to fit taekwondo into it.

With all the hand and foot techniques that are taught and practiced in taekwondo, one can easily begin to excel at even the most basic techniques, thereby motivating the student even MORE to stay with it.

Clearly, there are countless health benefits to this particular martial art, but there is a confidence and mental toughness that easily comes with taekwondo in that what is being learned and practiced is practical. Blocks are aggressive, kicks and punches are accurate, and the abilty to perfect both forms and board-breaking only adds to the overall enjoyment of taekwondo.

Increased heart rate and increased muscle tone and muscle mass, as well as the aforementioned increase in confidence and stamina is more than enough to begin, practice, and perfect the martial art of taekwondo.

I am a black belt in taekwondo, but only after sampling many other martial arts forms, finally settling on taekwondo...

---

Bogu Training

About four years ago Carl recommended we start using the... Read More

The Plight of Industrialized Man

Living in the Pacific Northwest is a challenge for any... Read More

Generating More Power from Hip Rotation - Lessons from Martial Arts

One of the important lessons of Martial Arts training is... Read More

Are You Frustrated Yet?

I was talking to a parent recently and they told... Read More

Tai-Chi for the Masses--and Others

Kuang Ping was the T'ai-chi set favored by Yang Lu-Chan,... Read More

Combatives

This is our last installment on "defining" the parameters of... Read More

COMBATIVES? ...... Don?t Tell Me. I Know What That Is! (Part 1)

"Combatives" from the root word COMBAT ? "to fight in... Read More

Why Every Cop Should Study Judo Part 1

Up until 30 years ago, JUDO was the martial art.... Read More

Im Soooo Confused...

I was going to write about the BASICS of "practical... Read More

Judo Nagewaza (Throwing Technique) In The Street

How practical are throwing techniques (nagewaza) for self-defense or street-fighting?... Read More

Eight Simple Rules for Saving Your Life

Let's put the non-lethal fantasy to rest.1. Never trust your... Read More

Fairbairn on the Fairbairn Method

Something for our shooting "enthusiasts" -PRELIMINARY STATEMENTBackground:"Prior to my association... Read More

The Economics of Self Defense

The following is a recent email I received; I thought... Read More

Samurai Sword Basics, A Brief History

Capturing the spirit of old Japan and recognised by its... Read More

Expect the Unexpected Grass Hopper

The Myth perpetuated by Self Defense Oriented Martial ArtsI just... Read More

Grown Man Quits After 3 Mat Pulls!

A matt pull is the simple act of lying on... Read More

Strategy as Applied to Warrior-citizens

After years of study, I have come to a small... Read More

So You Think You Train Hard

"Tokio Hirano (1922-1993) 8th Dan The Man Who Revolutionized Judo"... Read More

What To Expect When You Least Expect It

The time you will be attacked you will most likely... Read More

Nuts & Bolts of Self Defense

Fundamental "Nuts & Bolts" training for close combat should be... Read More

Martial Training as a Timeless Portal

Thanks to several centuries of enlightened teachings by extraordinary men... Read More

What Can We Learn From What Has Already Been Done?

Pre-WWII Judo was a far different thing than what we... Read More

The Shocking Truth About Stun Guns

If you are outside the world of law enforcement, chances... Read More

Regular or De-escalated

We always stress that NOTHING occurs in a vacuum. There... Read More

Okinawan Karate

So you are thinking of starting to train in okinawan... Read More

The Best Martial Art

It is a very difficult task to determine which martial... Read More

The Rebels Guide to Cultivating Vitality

Many Taoists recluses and Buddhists monks dwelled in mountains and... Read More

Do You Take Yours Trained or Untrained?

If you ain't pissing anyone off, you're not doing anything... Read More

Martial Arts and The Bible

As a Christian and a martial arts student, I have... Read More

How to Relax During a Fight

I received a returned video from a well meaning, but... Read More

A Samurais Power Is In His Little Finger, Not His Samurai Sword

In the 12th Century the Shogunate was formed. The head... Read More

Content, Are We?

I asked a simple question at the last seminar:"How much... Read More

Safety Awareness & Self Defense: Circle of Safety

Safety Awareness & Self Defense is the responsibility of each... Read More