Objectives of Tae Kwon Do
- to develop an appreciation for the Martial Art of Taekwondo as a sport and as an art
- to achieve physical fitness through positive participation
- to improve mental discipline and emotional equanimity
- to learn self-defense skills
- to develop a sense of responsibility for one self and others.
Age Group Classes
To provide our students with a social environment of their approximate peers, like other learning environments they have participated in all their lives, we divide our classes into three age groups for students, on average, 4 - 7, 8 - 12, 13 to adults. We believe that structuring classes according to these age group differences, which correspond in this culture to very large differences in social as well as physical maturity, creates an environment of peer group cooperation in which the higher belts can most understandingly and comfortably set the example for the lower belts and help them along, as everyone progresses in parallel together.
The self-defence component of the curriculum is particularly well suited to age group instruction. Realistic self-defence for a ten year old centers on their learning awareness of typical contemporary threats to a ten year old coming from peers and others, and how to avoid, evade and escape conflict and involve an adult. A mid-teen, however, even on the playground, may be required to resist and discourage substantial, repeated aggression, without escalating the violence or the stakes and without directly involving an adult. Late teens and adults, however, need self-defence techniques which are appropriate to their contemporary, adult, urban Canadian environment and which are consistent with and utilize the full range of their TaeKwonDo skills and strengths.
Age group instruction of self-defence techniques, awareness and attitudes allows the closest fit between the students' realistic needs and abilities, and the lessons, and keeps the instruction practical. If students experience their self-defence practice as realistic and practically useful, they will be strongly encouraged to trust the instructor's emphasis on complete, balanced and integrated practice throughout, as the realistic and practical course to black belt graduation.
Authentic's Philosophy of Experience is intended to serve the vast majority of students whose fundamental interest is not in preparation for athletic competition but, rather, in the experience of progressive physical self-development in regular practice (two or three times a week) through to graduation as a black belt, in a reasonable, predictable period of time (about four years, like high school). We refer to the cumulative experience of accomplishment in practice, from white belt beginner to graduation as a black belt, as “A Course of Black Belt TaeKwonDo.
Students learn the fundamentals of tae kwon do through choreographed sequences of combative moves, the breaking of boards or other materials, and two-person controlled sparring.
Practitioners wear a white, loose-fitting uniform known as a dobok, tied at the waist with a colored belt that indicates rank. The ranking system is divided into ten kup (pupil) levels and nine dan (black belt, or expert) levels. At competitions, participants are judged by how well they perform the choreographed sequences, by their accuracy in breaking boards, and by their skill in sparring contests.
Leadership Program Authentic's class and testing schedules are planned to fit into the busy lives of most of our students. And these regular schedules have been working well for the available time and pace of most students, and will continue for all general classes.
We do, however, receive inquiries from some parents and students about an advanced program, for those students who want to substantially increase the time they dedicate to practicing TaeKwonDo and accelerate their testing progress.
So we have introduced The Authentic TaeKwonDo Leadership Programme. This programme is for students who want to work for exceptional technical proficiency as well as accelerated progress. The Leadership Programme would be appropriate, for example, for students who are already considering becoming instructors.
Students in the Leadership Programme will be assigned additional responsibilities for the ongoing maintenance and operations of the dojang and the school. And Leadership members will be expected to join and practice with the Authentic Demonstration Team and represent the school in public, with an exemplary level of skill and attitude. For the student who wants to substantially increase their commitment to excellence in the practice of TaeKwonDo, beyond the normal demands of practice for regular progress, the Leadership Programme can offer a challenging opportunity.
Please contact us for program details.
"Little Dragons" *New Program
This is a fantastic New Program that Authentic TaeKwonDo is offering to children between the ages of 2.5 to 4 years old. We believe that as your child enters this tender age that his or her personality is in the process of being formed. Just as you would enter your child into a pre-school environment which allows your child to learn the very basics of interaction with other children their age, we believe that the same goals can be achieved in developing and fostering a healthy outlook on physical activity and physical well-being that will be etched on your child's memory. And most of all it is simply a lot of fun for both the parents and child.
The "little dragon" will receive his or her own little uniform, as well as interact with children only within their age group and are supervised by training instructors that simply adore children. The parent is always part of this process and is always requested to be within the studio within a hugs distant away from their child. Both child and parent benefit with this new and rewarding experience.
Please contact us for program details. |
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