Rhee Tae Kwon-Do self-defence drill in May 2007. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

While Tae Kwon Do is great for children; learning and improving physical and mental abilities while growing self confidence, Adults can benefit just as much, in fact I think even more. I started Tae Kwon Do when I was in my mid twenties and those people who knew me before that can attest to how much it has changed me.

Many people are content with their rut and would prefer to stay that way, but I challenge those people to take a closer look at our classes. According to the Center for Disease Control over one third (34.33%) of Americans are overweight. What better way to lose a few pounds than kicking face?! While classes are not always centered around cardio and endurance, many are. A popular workout trend these days is muscle confusion: not allowing your body to become accustomed to a set regiment. In class we focus on everything from improving stretch to cardio.

I’ve heard that it’s too much of a time commitment. Classes are held three times a week for an hour. Once a week is a minimum registration (for the Link rec center) and during the lower ranks would be enough to learn the material. Factor in travel time and perhaps time to change into a dobalk and we’re only talking two hours a week. If you add that up it’s only eight hours a month. According to the Silicon Valley Insider the average person spends nearly seven hours a month on Facebook! Just remember that time is relative. If you really want to do something, you will find the time. And parents, if you’re all ready coming to class to watch your child then why not just get up and participate? It’s a great opportunity to bond with your child.

Another common excuse I hear is “I’ve got a bad knee/shoulder/back.” No one is ever 100%. Several of our blackbelts and instructors have chronic pains or injuries. Bruce Lee was told he would never walk again after suffering a back injury and that was mid way through his film career. Tae Kwon Do is adaptable as are we. We can help you work around your injury. Being active and stretching may even improve your injury and help you recover.

And lest we forget the obvious benefit, self defense. With the popularization of MMA and the UFC, Tae Kwon Do has been pushed aside as a kids’ thing because Muay Thai and Jujitsu are seen as more aggressive. The simple fact that we do not train to be cage fighters does not nullify the usefulness or effectivenss of Tae Kwon Do. We utilize techniques to recognize situations and how to get out them or avoid them alltogether. We teach you how to get out of holds as early as whitebelt. Through basic exercises and sparring we desensitize the fear of a fist or foot coming at you. We also teach you how to move and to block to minimize damage from a physical attack. Whether you’re on a playground or a bar these techniques are just as valid.

The next time you think Tae Kwon Do is just for kids, consider the fact that many well known actors, politicians and athletes have studied Tae Kwon Do such as UFC fighter Stephan Bonner, professional baseball player Kyle McPherson,  and actress Evan Rachel Wood.

– Dan Barrow