First off, congratulations! Getting accepted to college is an admirable accomplishment. Now the question is: how do you continue training? Going to college is a big step forward and certainly an important one to make. Whether or not you continue what you are already doing, such as practicing taekwondo, is up to you. So how…

Okay, so you’ve just started in your new martial arts program and you want to know if you can have any creativity with how you dress? The answer is: It Depends. Yes, really. Taekwondo schools can be rather particular about their uniform policy, so it’s very important. The reason is because it’s a matter of…

Yes, that’s right. You read that correctly. Taekwondo seminars. They really do exist, but what are they like? Last month I attended a taekwondo seminar. My first one, actually. This one was specifically for competitive Poomse, and it was incredible. Probably o e of the most intriguing, educational, and brutal classes I have ever had.…

Understanding the Importance of Preparation The truth of testing, in my experience, is that it’s about endurance. Every testing I’ve conducted, participated in, or seen has been, in no small part, a test of the applicant’s ability to go through a strenuous physical challenge for several hours. The applicants are typically put through extensive cardio…

Note: This is, of course, just a fun article on the internet based on personal experience and opinion. If you want professional advice, seek professional help from a personal trainer. So, you want to get fit. You want to exercise. You look on movies and TV shows and you think you want to get fit.…

“Light contact, free sparring!” My instructor would say, after starting class, stretching everyone, getting us warmed, up and in gear. While it is dangerous, and certainly not for the faint of heart, sparring is one of my favorite past times in Tae Kwon Do. I have sparred many different people with many different skill levels,…

Breaking a board is hard! Everyone thinks that breaking a board is such a cool thing that black belts do, but it can be super difficult. You will, at some point in your martial arts career, want to (or need to) practice your board break. How do you do that? Note: Board breaking, and the…

As an athlete with a disability, I can say that taekwondo sparring is not something I’m able to do often, and I need to take extreme precautions when I do. I enjoy the action and the exhilirartion immensely, so it’s certainly not the most ideal circumstance to be unable to participate. However, there is a…

Why Are Taekwondo Schools Different? Let me guess: You’ve changed taekwondo dojangs and discovered that the new school teaches something different from your old school. This can raise many questions. Why is it different? Did I not learn what I was supposed to? Am I even learning taekwondo? These are all valid questions. So let’s…

In a previous post I talked about some of the general values of instructors. Essentially, I explained what I believe a good instructor should practice. I realize, however, that I failed to mention an exact ethics code, instead choosing to focus on more broad topics, such as respect and conflict resolution. I also mention how…