TKD December 2010 Newsletter

Family-focused Tae Kwon Do News

Dixie Manor SW Extension Branch Youth Development, Healthy Living, and

December 2010

Social Responsibility

Message to students…..

To those of you just beginning Tae Kwon Do for the first time, do not be afraid nor expect too much out of yourself in the beginning. Most beginners feel uncomfortable with most of the movements and terminology. Shortly that feeling will go away. If you expect too much at the beginning, you will only disappoint yourself. The best student is not the one who does the fanciest techniques, but is the one who continues to try his or her best and never gives up. Use common sense in your training; like eating healthy, getting plenty of sleep, and drinking a lot of water. Keep this in mind, “anything worthwhile takes perseverance, indomitable spirit, integrity, self-control, and courtesy”.

Are you ready for TKD Rank Testing???

There isn't anything that raises more fear and nervousness than testing for a new rank in TKD, whether it be for yellow or black belt. As a student and an instructor myself, I have felt the nerves for my students and myself. Here are a few ways to lessen those nerves, no matter which age is testing. 

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TKD Instructor Mrs. Travis, 1 Degree Black Belt st

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Two weeks before testing, ask the instructor if your on target for the testing date. If not, practicing more often, attending extra classes, or private lessons outside of normal class time.

The night before the test, make sure you get plenty of rest.

Walk in to your rank testing with an open mind knowing there is nothing to be nervous about, as you have done all these things both in class and at home many times.

Relax and have fun!!!

We build strong kids, strong families, strong communities.

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Cassandra Fairdale High School Major: Photography

HISTORY OF TAEKWONDO Translated from HONG-GEUK MUL (Korean Language) TAE means "to kick" or "to strike with the foot," KWON means "fist" or "to strike with the hand," DO means a "discipline" or "art, way."

Together, TAEKWONDO means the art of kicking and punching or the art of unarmed combat. The earliest records of TAEKWONDO practice date back to about 50 BC. During this time, Korea had three kingdoms: Silla, founded on the Jyongju plain in 57 BC; Koguryo, founded in the Yalu River Valley in 37 BC; & Baekche, founded in the southwestern area of the Korean peninsula in 18 BC. Evidence of the practice of TAE-KYON (the earliest known form of TAEKWONDO) found in paintings on the ceiling of the Muyong-chong, a royal tomb from the Koguryo dynasty.

Although TAEKWONDO first appeared in the Koguryo kingdom, it is Silla's warrior nobility, the hwarang, where credited for the growth and spread of the art thoughout Korea. Of the three kingdoms, Silla was the first be formed, but it remained the smallest & least civilized. The Hwarang were also skilled in poetry, singing and dancing. Students were encouraged to travel throughout the peninsula in order to learn about the regions & people. These traveling warriors were responsible for spreading TAEK-KYON throughout Korea during the Silla dynasty, which lasted from 668 AD to 935 AD. During this era, TAEKKYON remained primarily a sports and recreational activity designed to improve physical fitness (although it was a formidable system of self-defense). It was not until the Koryo dynasty, which began in 935 & lasted until 1392, that the focus of the art changed. During this time, TAEK-KYON became known as SUBAK. Also during the reign of King Uijong (between the years of 1147 & 1170) it changed from a system designed primarily to promote fitness into a fighting art.

It was not until 1909 that Korea's fighting arts experienced a marked insurgence, for in that year the Japanese invaded Korea, occupying the country for the next 36 years. During this time, the Japanese resident general officially banned the practice of all military arts for native Koreans. Ironically, this very act sparked a renewed growth of SUBAK. Patriots, fueled by a hatred of their subjugators, organized themselves study the martial arts. Still others left Korea to work & study in China & even Japan itself, where exposed to the fighting arts native to those countries. In Korea, SUBAK / TAEK-KYON stayed through a number of famous masters of the Korean fighting arts. The underground nature of the martial arts in Korea changed in 1943, first JUDO & then KARATE & KUNG-FU officially introduced. The following two years saw a dramatic increase in interest in the martial arts throughout the country. It was not until Korea's liberation in 1945 that its own fighting arts finally took root and began to flourish. www.chaehooksung.com

We build strong kids, strong families, strong communities.

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YMCA TKD Report Card Points Program

Program Goals: Motivate good grades; improve his/her school performances including perfect attendance. 

To promote achievements, positive thinking, and support goals. 

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Brandon “Straight A” Student

Encourage parent involvement.

Congrads to Brandon and all the Outstanding “Honor Role” Students!!!

Class Schedule Kids TKD Saturdays: 10:30am -11:30am Family-Focused TKD Wednesdays: (ages 5 and up - Adult-child) 7:30pm - 8:30pm

TKD Mentor Program: 11:30 am - 12:30 pm YMCA TKD & Mentor Programs YMCA TKD Mentors: Ms. Birgit Hall Miss. Alicia Hall Mr. Aaron Travis

Kids’ Kickboxing & Fitness Class

The Dixie Manor SW Ext is happy to offer the Kids’ Kickboxing & Fitness Class as a free benefit to our members ages 9yrs and up are invited to participate in this class.

Fridays: 6:30 pm—7:15 pm

We build strong kids, strong families, strong communities

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