Beginning Taekwondo Students-What to Expect
"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."-Lao Tzu
The most difficult step in martial arts is to step into the class to begin learning. Strongheart Martial Arts Academy invites you to step into our classes to begin your martial arts journey. Below are a few things to know about starting and continuing your martial arts education:
The most difficult step in martial arts is to step into the class to begin learning. Strongheart Martial Arts Academy invites you to step into our classes to begin your martial arts journey. Below are a few things to know about starting and continuing your martial arts education:
- Please arrive on time for you class, or 5-10 minutes early. Earlier than that can be a distraction to the students that may be in the class prior to your own or the instructor may be preparing for the class.
- Wear loose and comfortable clothes to move in. A t-shirt and sweat pants/joggers are recommended.
- Uniforms are not required when you start. See the equipment page for a list of equipment and when it is required/recommended.
- We train barefoot so be prepared to take off your shoes and socks before stepping into the classroom/training area.
- For the student's safety, please remove any jewelry or piercings before training begins. If this is not possible, please discuss it with the instructor prior to class beginning.
- Communication is a key component to your martial arts education and development. The instructor is there to teach martial arts and is neither psychic or a doctor. If you have an injury, please let the instructor know so they can help to train safely. If there is some condition that requires an adaptation to your training, please let the instructor know. If you are in class and need to leave for any reason (bathroom, feeling ill, etc...), please let the instructor know.
- The first rule is SAFETY. The second rule is FUN. The instructor will always do their best to keep all of the students and themselves safe first. If everyone is safely training, then the instructor will do their best to make things fun and educational.
Important Information for Parents/Family Members
First, let us at Strongheart Martial Arts Academy thank you for supporting the students in all the ways that you do, from helping them get to class on time, to making sure they didn't forget their belt and more.
When students first begin, parents and family are welcome to stay and watch their students in their first few classes to help strengthen their security in a new experience. When it continues past the first few classes, the audience of parents/family members can become a distraction to the students, especially when conversations start or younger siblings are present.
A good time to come and watch the students is at the belt promotion exams. Parents and family members are encouraged to come and observe while the students demonstrate the things that they have been learning in class.
Please help your student be on time and remember their equipment (belt, uniform, etc...). We encourage using a bag of some kind to keep it all together and help the student be responsible for their own equipment.
When students first begin, parents and family are welcome to stay and watch their students in their first few classes to help strengthen their security in a new experience. When it continues past the first few classes, the audience of parents/family members can become a distraction to the students, especially when conversations start or younger siblings are present.
A good time to come and watch the students is at the belt promotion exams. Parents and family members are encouraged to come and observe while the students demonstrate the things that they have been learning in class.
Please help your student be on time and remember their equipment (belt, uniform, etc...). We encourage using a bag of some kind to keep it all together and help the student be responsible for their own equipment.
Continuing Students and What to Expect
As the student works hard and achieves the different belt ranks, more will be asked of them and their training. More difficult subject will be taught, extra classes may be recommended, and education beyond just martial arts techniques may be required. It is highly recommended that the student starts a notebook to record and study the material learned in class as early as possible. There will almost never be handouts with subject material handed out to the student. They are responsible for taking their own notes and studying when needed.
It is normal that the student gets frustrated as they train for higher rank levels. There is often a lot of repetition and a feeling of "not learning anything new." This is often referred to the "brown belt blues" and is a normal feeling because of the repetition in the training. But just as with learning a musical instrument, practice and repetition is needed.
Students may also become frustrated by difficult techniques that require jumping, spinning, or even both. Again, this is normal. Be assured that the instructor's job is to help you to learn these techniques. Be patient. Understand that we all fall down from time to time when kicking. "The hardest thing about Taekwondo is the floor."
It is normal that the student gets frustrated as they train for higher rank levels. There is often a lot of repetition and a feeling of "not learning anything new." This is often referred to the "brown belt blues" and is a normal feeling because of the repetition in the training. But just as with learning a musical instrument, practice and repetition is needed.
Students may also become frustrated by difficult techniques that require jumping, spinning, or even both. Again, this is normal. Be assured that the instructor's job is to help you to learn these techniques. Be patient. Understand that we all fall down from time to time when kicking. "The hardest thing about Taekwondo is the floor."
