Bored of going to the gym?
Come and learn an art of self-defence and get fit at the same time.
We run a continuous offer, first lesson free, nothing to pay just come along on any day and try.
- Barton-Le-Clay – Mondays / Wednesdays
- Hitchin – Wednesdays / Fridays / Sundays
- Stevenage – Tuesdays / Thursdays / Saturdays
- We also run Ladies only classes at our Hitchin venue for women with less confidence, check out this class here.
Taekwon-Do was originally developed for adults yet over the last few years there has been a rise in children taking up the art due to good reasons, mainly teaching respect and discipline.
However, these same principles and more can be achieved by adults as well. Adults also need Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control and Indomitable Spirit. Learn new skills, meet new people and build friendships.
Taekwon-Do Basics
Taekwon-Do is composed of fundamental movements, patterns, dallyon, sparring and self-defence techniques that are so closely related that it is impossible to segregate one phase of instruction from another. Fundamental movements are necessary for sparring and patterns, while both patterns and sparring are indispensable for perfection of fundamental movements.
There is, in fact, like the Deity, no beginning or end. A student will find that he will have to return time and time again to the beginning fundamental movements to perfect his advanced sparring and self-defence techniques.
Each fundamental movement, in most cases, represents and attack or defence against a particular target area or definite action of an imaginary opponent or opponents. It is necessary to learn as many fundamental movements as possible and fit them into complete proficiency so the student can meet any situation in actual combat with confidence. The pattern actually places the student in a hypothetical situation where he must avail himself to defence, counterattack, and attack motions, against several opponents. Through constant practice of these patterns, the attack and defence become a conditioned reflex movement. Power and speed must be developed to such a high degree that only one single blow is needed to stop an opponent, so the student can shift stance and block or attack another opponent. Each pattern is different from the other in order to develop reaction against changing circumstances.
Once the basic patterns are mastered, the student then begins to physically apply the skill obtained from fundamental patterns and movements to sparring against actual moving opponents.
Collaterally with sparring, the student must begin to develop his body and toughen his attacking and blocking tools so he is able to deliver maximum damage in actual combat. Once a student has applied himself to fundamental movements, patterns, sparring and dallyon, then the time has arrived for the student to test his coordination, speed, balance, and concentration against spontaneous attacks: ie. self-defence. The student will constantly find himself returning, however, to his fundamentals even when he has achieved the highest possible degree of self-defence techniques. As in military training, Taekwon-Do progression follows a certain parallel:
- Fundamental Movements = Individual soldier’s basic training
- Dallyon = Maintenance of equipment
- Patterns = Platoon tactics
- Sparring = Field exercises in simulated combat conditions
- Self-defence = Actual Combat
(taken from the ITF encyclopaedia by Gen Choi Hong Hi)
Enquire about joining HSTS Taekwon-Do Club