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Hey there! Have you ever heard of Hapkido? It’s an amazing dynamic Korean Martial Art that’s all about self-defence.

Whether you’re up close and personal or a little further away, Hapkido has got you covered with moves like pressure point strikes, locks, throws, and even some fancy kicks!

The Arsenal of Hapkido

Hapkido isn’t just about using your hands and feet. It’s like a martial arts toolbox! You’ve got traditional weapons like knives, swords. There’s also the cane, short stick, and middle-length staff, which are perfect for keeping attackers at bay.

Strength of the Attacker? No Problem!

What’s really amazing about Hapkido is that it doesn’t matter how big or strong you are. It’s all about using the strength of the person trying to attack you.. That’s right, you can flip the script and control them, no matter their size!

Health Benefits of Hapkido

Practicing Hapkido isn’t just about learning to defend yourself; it’s also great for your health.

It gets your blood pumping, helps you recover from health issues faster, and is an awesome way to relieve stress. Plus, it keeps your mind and body in harmony, making you feel young and confident.

Hapkido vs. Aikido: Cousins with a Twist

You might be wondering, “Isn’t Hapkido the same as Aikido?” Well, they’re kind of like cousins. They started from the same family of martial arts but grew up to be pretty different.

Hapkido is more about holding on to your opponent, while Aikido is about letting them go.

Where Does Hapkido Come From?

Hapkido has roots in Daitō-ryū Aiki-jūjutsu, just like Aikido. They even share the same Chinese characters But remember, “hap” is the Korean twist, while “ai” is the Japanese flavor.

Who Founded Hapkido?

Hapkido was later jazzed up with some kicking and striking moves from Taekkyon and Tang Soo Do, and it borrowed throwing techniques and ground fighting from Japanese Judo.

It’s like a martial arts smoothie – a blend of all the good stuff!

That was a quick dive into the world of Hapkido. What ever age you are, there’s something in Hapkido for everyone. So, why not give it a try and see how you can turn an attacker’s strength into your own superpower?

Hey there! Have you ever wondered about the exciting world of Taekwondo? It’s not just any martial art; it’s a blend of action, discipline, and tradition that’s perfect for any age, gender or ability.

The Tenets of Taekwondo

First things first, let’s talk about the heart of Taekwondo – its Tenets. These aren’t just rules; they’re a way of life:

• • Courtesy: Be polite, always.

• • Integrity: Stay honest and strong in character.

• • Perseverance: Never give up, no matter what.

• • Self-Control: Keep your cool in every situation.

• • Indomitable Spirit: Show courage and keep going even when things get tough.

The Taekwondo Oath

In Taekwondo, we also have an Oath that guides us:

• • Respect your fellow students and instructors.

• • Never misuse Taekwondo.

• • Be a champion of freedom and justice.

• • Help build a more peaceful world.

Where Does Taekwondo Come From?

Now, let’s take a quick trip back in time. Taekwondo originated in Korea, and it’s more than just kicking and punching; it’s about The Way – a path of self-improvement and respect.

Who Founded Taekwondo?

The founder of Taekwondo was none other than General Choi Hong Hi. He introduced this martial art to the Korean forces, and it’s now a national sport in Korea, taught in universities and schools¹.

So, whether you’re looking to defend yourself, stay fit, or just find a new hobby, Taekwondo might just be the perfect pick for you. Why not give it a try and see where The Way takes you?

There you have it – a quick dive into the world of Taekwondo. Remember, it’s not just about the moves; it’s about building character and strength, both inside and out. So, are you ready to jump into the action? Let’s go! 👊

My Son, Alex is now in the Taekwondo class but started in Kicking Tigers. I knew very little about Martial Arts including Taekwondo before Alex stated. Kicking Tigers is brilliant. It provides, fun, exercise, discipline and an introduction to Taekwondo without being too heavy at such an early age. At Tigers the emphasis really is on fun and fitness which is no bad thing at all.

Alex has always been a relatively well behaved boy, Tigers and now Taekwondo has given him a massive amount of confidence and the understanding of keeping fit, learning new skills and achievement. It has also helped him to understand that he should be a good person.

I’m not sure how many lessons we have been to or his exact start date in Tigers but I am confident Alex started in about February 2014 and we go once a week so I have seen plenty of Tiger lessons and a years worth of Taekwondo lessons. Mr Hollinsworth is fantastic with a wide variety of children. I have seen him work with shy children who need help to bring them out of their shell and gain confidence, I have seen him work with children who may have attention issues or other behavioural issues and Mr Hollinsworth has been able to bring structure and discipline to them. He is able to tailor his lessons so that most if not all children can gain something from the lesson and learn. But as parents and children we too have to put the effort in, encouraging our children, ensuring they attend class and practise at home.

Many of the skills the children learn in Tigers should hopefully set a child up for a great start in life, transferable skills that apply to other parts of their lives now and moving forward. Alex is doing very well at school and I am confident that what he has learnt at Kicking Tigers and now Taekwondo has played a part and will continue to do so.
I have a massive amount of time for Mr Hollinsworth and his hard work, if anyone could have seen him and the children at their grading recently, which had to be performed in the cold, wet and windy March day will know how much he thinks of his students and of his craft.

I cannot recommend Premier TKD enough so if you have a child get them along to a Kicking Tigers class or a Taekwondo class and enjoy. I am active on Facebook so if any parents want to ask any questions, as a parent of a former (10 stripe!) kicking tiger and now newly graded 8th Kup Taekwondo student, please ask away.