Taekwondo
By:
Domenic M.
Motivation
 When a student learns Taekwondo, the focus of his or her
training is not only on physical strength and growth, but also
on important skills that will benefit students inside the
classroom and beyond. After all, a healthy individual is
characterized by a strong body and a strong mind so that you
can attack any curve ball life throws your way.
Encourage
 Taekwondo helps give people self-confidence. It also
strengthens your self-discipline that you can carry with you
for the rest of your life.
Health Benefits
 Flexibility -If you want work on flexibility, consider Taekwondo.
 Stress Relief -Taekwondo is a way to blow off steam.
 Stamina & Energy -Taekwondo will eventually boost your endurance and you
will have more energy throughout the day.
Fitness Benefits
 The principles of Taekwondo techniques are based on the
design of your body. For power you develop the larger,
powerful muscles of the torso. The speed of the techniques
comes from the fast, agile muscles of the arms and legs. As
you progress in Taekwondo, you will learn to coordinate this
speed and power, and develop a concentration to focus all of
your body's strength into a small, hard striking surface like
the edge of the hand or the heel of a foot.
Self Expression
 When you take Taekwondo, over time you will learn respect,
attitude (spirit), loyalty, honor, integrity, and more. Each life
skill taught through ATA curriculum is based on The
Songahm Spirit of Taekwondo oath, a promise each student
makes at the beginning and end of each ATA event to prepare
them for what lies ahead.
Social Interaction
 There are more than 350,000 members of the organization
worldwide. Members can decide to compete in tournaments
that are placed around most of the U.S.A. In tournaments
you can set up new friendships with kids from California to
Maine. These friendships could last for a lifetime.
Challenge (s)
 Challenges include going through all of the belts (White to
Black), committing to practice, and dedication to the
philosophy of this art.
Enjoyment of Taekwondo
 When you participate in Taekwondo, you will be able to use
weapons, protectively fight others (spar), and learn new
things (such as kicks and hand techniques). “These things are
quite enjoyable once you learn them, even if you don’t want
to at first.”, Mr. Scott DeShetler, Karate Instructor.
Value of Taekwondo
 After you go through the belts in Taekwondo, the belts show
how hard you worked and that is a real treasure to keep. Also,
you can keep going after the Black Belt and eventually own a
school or become an important figure in the Taekwondo
world.
Importance
 Taekwondo is important because it gives you health and
fitness benefits, it might start new friendships, it is an ancient
art that might need to be protected and known in later years,
and even if you think a challenge is not very fun it will teach
you why we need a challenge or two in or lives.
Participation (Where)
 You can participate in many Taekwondo systems. I
recommend the ATA (American Taekwondo Association).
The ATA has nearly 1,500 independently owned and
operated licensees in current operation on five continents.
You can go to any school around the world if you want to.
You would go to a scheduled class on a certain day with other
kids or adults.
Cost
 You can take a four week course for $49.00. If you want a
membership you can choose from a variety of monthly plans
(Plans range from 1-12 months. Prices vary depending on
which plan you choose.)
 Works Cited
 Ataonline.com. American Taekwondo Association,
2012. Web. 18 Nov. 2012.
<http://ataonline.com/schools/schoolsearch.asp>.
 Chardonata.com. Chardon Karate for Kids, 20092012. Web. 18 Nov. 2012.
<http://www.chardonata.com/members.html>.
 Taekwondoanimals.com. US Digital Millennium, n.d.
Web. 18 Nov. 2012.
<http://www.taekwondoanimals.com/taekwondohealth-benefits.asp>.