| A lot, if you value your physical health! | | | | kick, reverse punch, round house, hammerfist, bob and |
| Tae Kwon Do is Korean Karate. It means The Way | | | | weave and repeat. It's an excellent aerobicexercise. |
| of the Hand and | | | | Learning the forms or patterns can really tax your |
| Foot (punching and kicking). There are basically four | | | | brain. Manyof the forms have 26+ different |
| sectionsto the art: Toning, Sparring, Forms and Self | | | | movements. It's your job toremember them, in order, |
| Defense. | | | | and learn them proficiently. In theory,by learning the |
| It is a well rounded exercise program that | | | | forms, it'll help you to become a better fighter. |
| encompasses muscletoning, stretching and flexibility, | | | | For example, one form might start out: high block, front |
| increasing strength andstamina through aerobic | | | | kickpunch left; high block front kick punch right. Turn 90 |
| sparring and mental challenges throughbecoming | | | | degrees,down the center, knife hand left, knife hand |
| proficient at the patterns or forms. | | | | right, knife handleft, spear hand. And so it goes. If you |
| Most classes start out with warm-ups. These | | | | master these, when itcomes time to spar, you can |
| exercises are thecalisthenics such as push ups, sit ups, | | | | implement some of these patterns intoyour match. |
| jumping jacks, trunkrotations, squat kicks and various | | | | Many people enjoy Tae Kwon Do, or any martial arts |
| leg stretches. For certainyou will tighten your abs and | | | | for thatmatter, because it is an all inclusive exercise |
| strengthen your arms just fromperforming the | | | | program. It'sfun, it's challenging, and it's an excellent way |
| warm-up exercises. Before you know it, you'll bedoing | | | | to get in or tostay in shape. As with any exercise |
| fifty knuckle or triangle push-ups at rapid-fire pace | | | | program, start slowly andconsult your physician. If you |
| andwill be able to lean up against a wall and have | | | | haven't participated in muchphysical exercise in a while, |
| someone lift yourleg up so that your toes touch the | | | | your muscles will definitely bevery sore for the first |
| wall behind your ear. Tae Kwon | | | | few weeks. Don't be intimidated by theother students |
| Do will definitely help you to become or to stay limber. | | | | may appear to be in better shape that you are. |
| Sparring is fighting in a controlled environment. It's | | | | Everyone started out as a white belt. Just have fun; |
| notstreet fighting and all participants wear protective | | | | and getmoving! |
| gear:helmet, gloves, shin guards and feet guards, called | | | | The information contained in this article is for |
| kicks. | | | | educational purposesonly and is not intended to |
| Usually you will spar in three minute rounds. It's | | | | medically diagnose, treat or cure anydisease. Consult a |
| basicallykick boxing. Then a minute rest; switch | | | | health care practitioner before beginning anyhealth |
| partners, then sparagain and repeat. You will get | | | | care program. |
| extremely hot and sweaty. Jab,punch, upper cut, side | | | | |