Frequently Asked Questions
What is Taekwondo?
Tae Kwon Do translates to "The Way of the Foot and Fist." It is characterized by powerful spinning and aerial kicking and is the first kick-punch martial art that is an Olympic Sport. Student are encouraged to participate in tournaments but never required.
Taekwondo is taught to all ages and our style, under Greenquist Academy Association and the United States Changmookwan Taekwondo Union, utilizes more than sport style Taekwondo and emphasizes the development of the spirit of the student through traditional martial arts.
Tae Kwon Do translates to "The Way of the Foot and Fist." It is characterized by powerful spinning and aerial kicking and is the first kick-punch martial art that is an Olympic Sport. Student are encouraged to participate in tournaments but never required.
Taekwondo is taught to all ages and our style, under Greenquist Academy Association and the United States Changmookwan Taekwondo Union, utilizes more than sport style Taekwondo and emphasizes the development of the spirit of the student through traditional martial arts.
What is Hapkido?
Hapkido translates into "the Art of Harmonious Energy" but is also considered to be the total martial art of combat and street
self-defense. This martial art has it all, from kicking and punching, throws and sweeps, joint locks, arm bars, and even martial arts weapons. Hapkido students wear the distinctive diamond pattern uniforms as this is a reinforcement for when the uniform is grabbed and the student is swept or thrown.
Historically, this has been the martial art of the Korean Royalty, but has been utilized as a tool for military and police action
throughout the modern world.
Hapkido translates into "the Art of Harmonious Energy" but is also considered to be the total martial art of combat and street
self-defense. This martial art has it all, from kicking and punching, throws and sweeps, joint locks, arm bars, and even martial arts weapons. Hapkido students wear the distinctive diamond pattern uniforms as this is a reinforcement for when the uniform is grabbed and the student is swept or thrown.
Historically, this has been the martial art of the Korean Royalty, but has been utilized as a tool for military and police action
throughout the modern world.
What is Kumdo and Kumbup?
Kumdo and Kumbup are the Korean arts of the sword. Kumdo is considered the more "Sport" side and includes use of the bamboo sword and armor to allow the students to spar in relative safety. It is fast paced with a focus on accuracy, control, and the overall development of the student. It also leads to Kumbup, which is the more traditional side of the art of the sword. Students begin with a wooden sword and eventually work their way up to the sharp sword. Both Kumdo and Kumbup require a student with a most serious mind and is generally for ages 14 and older. It can be a low impact exercise and helps to develop focus, accuracy, and over all "sharpness" of the student.
Kumdo and Kumbup are the Korean arts of the sword. Kumdo is considered the more "Sport" side and includes use of the bamboo sword and armor to allow the students to spar in relative safety. It is fast paced with a focus on accuracy, control, and the overall development of the student. It also leads to Kumbup, which is the more traditional side of the art of the sword. Students begin with a wooden sword and eventually work their way up to the sharp sword. Both Kumdo and Kumbup require a student with a most serious mind and is generally for ages 14 and older. It can be a low impact exercise and helps to develop focus, accuracy, and over all "sharpness" of the student.
What can you expect for your first class?
For your first class in any art or self defense class, we ask students to come a few minutes early to allow time to acquainted with the space. Generally, we practice barefoot so we ask students to remove their socks and shoes before entering the training area. Be sure to wear clothes you can move in as classes start with a warm up that involves some calisthenics and stretching. Students are only expected to perform to their level of comfort. After warm ups, the class teaches the practical technique lesson for the class. Often there are skills and drills type of training and other times there may be a more focused technique taught. Often times at the end of the class (especially for youth and children) there may be a fun game at the end. Mostly you can expect to be challenged and have fun all at the same time!
Traditional Martial Arts classes begin and end with the students saluting the flag and then bowing to the instructor and subsequent black belts. This is done out of tradition and respect rather than reverence. Students are expected to respond to the instructor with "yes sir, no sir" or "yes ma'am, no ma'am" also out of tradition and respect. Students and instructors are addressed as Mr. or Miss and their first name out of mutual respect. Those granted the titles of Master or Grand Master are also addressed with their titles. Through mutual respect we can all grow together and achieve more.
For your first class in any art or self defense class, we ask students to come a few minutes early to allow time to acquainted with the space. Generally, we practice barefoot so we ask students to remove their socks and shoes before entering the training area. Be sure to wear clothes you can move in as classes start with a warm up that involves some calisthenics and stretching. Students are only expected to perform to their level of comfort. After warm ups, the class teaches the practical technique lesson for the class. Often there are skills and drills type of training and other times there may be a more focused technique taught. Often times at the end of the class (especially for youth and children) there may be a fun game at the end. Mostly you can expect to be challenged and have fun all at the same time!
Traditional Martial Arts classes begin and end with the students saluting the flag and then bowing to the instructor and subsequent black belts. This is done out of tradition and respect rather than reverence. Students are expected to respond to the instructor with "yes sir, no sir" or "yes ma'am, no ma'am" also out of tradition and respect. Students and instructors are addressed as Mr. or Miss and their first name out of mutual respect. Those granted the titles of Master or Grand Master are also addressed with their titles. Through mutual respect we can all grow together and achieve more.
Can I learn Self Defense without enrolling in the traditional classes?
The short answer is YES!
The longer answer is no.
Good news is that we can offer self defense courses that can meet more than one time, individualized to what you or your group need, and even offer certification if that is something you are interested in.
The short answer is YES!
- Many of our locations offer free to the public classes that will cover the basics of self defense and give you a taste of what we can offer.
- We are available to come to you if you have a group of people that would like to learn self defense whether it is for work or just general interest.
- Contact your local school for this opportunity!
The longer answer is no.
- While most self defense courses will cover the basics and give a general understanding of some skills, only through repetitive practice will those skills be usable in high stress situations that they would be necessary.
- Basic self defense courses can give a false sense of security. Think of it this way:
- If you spent an hour or two in a foreign language course and then were expected to defend yourself in court in that language... OR
- Learning a few dance moves in a 1-2 hour course and then thrown into competing on a televised dance competition
Good news is that we can offer self defense courses that can meet more than one time, individualized to what you or your group need, and even offer certification if that is something you are interested in.
- Contact your local school for this opportunity!
Where can I (the student) purchase equipment, uniforms, or other martial arts related items?
It is always recommended that all students purchase any of their equipment through their instructor. This ensures that all of the equipment is standard for all the students (the uniforms are then UNIFORM) but more importantly, they are safe. All equipment used in Strongheart Martial Arts Academy Schools (as well as all under the Greenquist Academy Association) have been tested prior to being used in our programs. They are chosen through testing to be safe and durable.
Occasionally there will be opportunities to purchase equipment during special offers (specialty printed uniforms, shirts, jackets, etc...) and that can be done through your instructor as well. At times, some equipment is available for purchase at events, such as tournaments. This is also allowed as all tournaments we participate in are sanctioned events through Greenquist Academy Association. If there are any questions, please contact your head instructor.
It is always recommended that all students purchase any of their equipment through their instructor. This ensures that all of the equipment is standard for all the students (the uniforms are then UNIFORM) but more importantly, they are safe. All equipment used in Strongheart Martial Arts Academy Schools (as well as all under the Greenquist Academy Association) have been tested prior to being used in our programs. They are chosen through testing to be safe and durable.
Occasionally there will be opportunities to purchase equipment during special offers (specialty printed uniforms, shirts, jackets, etc...) and that can be done through your instructor as well. At times, some equipment is available for purchase at events, such as tournaments. This is also allowed as all tournaments we participate in are sanctioned events through Greenquist Academy Association. If there are any questions, please contact your head instructor.
What about tournaments?
Tournaments are fun way to be involved with our martial arts community. Students are never required to participate in these events, but it is always encouraged. Often students meet people from a different school and make friendships that last a life time.
Only events that have been sanctioned by Greenquist Academy Association should be attended. For more information, please contact your instructor.
Tournaments are fun way to be involved with our martial arts community. Students are never required to participate in these events, but it is always encouraged. Often students meet people from a different school and make friendships that last a life time.
Only events that have been sanctioned by Greenquist Academy Association should be attended. For more information, please contact your instructor.
