My Mission
My Mission!
I am on a mission . . . to get adults back into martial arts training halls! To get them training and feeling great. To get them sweating, smiling, and excited about training! I started training in Taekwondo when I was 21. That was in 1976. Back then, it was rare to see kids involved in martial arts training. It was 99% adults. Nowadays, there has been a 180 degree turnaround. Everyone thinks Taekwondo is an activity to put their kids in to learn respect and discipline. It’s not something many adults think about doing any more.
Let me tell you though, based on my 36 years of training, Taekwondo IS a great activity for adults of all ages, male and female alike! I don’t understand why more adults aren’t training? First of all, who couldn’t use some practical, simple, and effective self-protection techniques and strategies? After all, Taekwondo is a method of self-defense, created and brought to maturity in one of the fiercest combat units in modern history; the 29th Infantry Division of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Army! They were feared by all whom they confronted, including the Viet Kong Army. They were so versed in hand to hand combat that they were commissioned to train the American military in both Malaysia and Vietnam. And yes, it really does work!
In addition to self-defense, Taekwondo is a great total body fitness system! Training will tone your muscles, strengthen your bone structure, increase your aerobic and anaerobic capacity as well as increase your flexibility and range of motion. It can lower your blood pressure and exercise your heart and lungs. And don’t think you’re too old or out of shape, because you aren’t. I’m 58 and I still train 4 to 5 days a week. As for being out of shape, well, you work at your own pace. Plus you have an instructor who, unlike scenes from the Karate Kid movies, will watch over you to make sure you don’t overdo it. Safety is a big concern with adult students on the mat. (That’s because, over the years, with my own training, I learned for myself . . . the hard way!)
In my ads I ask; who wants to kick stress’s ass. That’s because Taekwondo is great at channeling all that negative stress right of your body! Imagine punching, kicking, yelling, hitting and kicking a heavy bag! I know I still feel awesome after a workout! And you will too. You’ll experience a refreshing mental clarity and focus. You’ll feel great . . . like you’ve been on a mini-vacation!
Another great aspect of Taekwondo is that it has a built-in system to measure your progress; the belt rank system. And, it’s belt rank system not only measures progress, but is a means of introducing increasingly challenging curriculum to the student at the proper time. There are 9 belt ranks leading up to Black Belt. It takes 3 to 5 years to earn a Black Belt. The thing most people don’t know is that there are also 9 levels or degrees of Black Belt too! It takes an entire lifetime to obtain the highest Black Belt; the 9th Degree Grand Master. So, I restate my thesis that Taekwondo was developed by adults for adults . . to practice well into old age! Why else would there be such a ranking system?
Another point I’d like to address that I think keeps people from studying martial arts is the intimidation factor. If you feel intimidated by visiting a martial arts school, you shouldn’t. Most of us professional martial artists are easily approachable and quite friendly. And don’t worry about jumping into a ring right away and sparring with a 27th degree Black Belt! (Back when I was a student, that would have happened; but not anymore, at least not at my school!) So don’t let that stop you from trying out martial arts training. You’ll be with all adults and all beginners, and you won’t put the gloves on until you’re ready! We really are like an extended family. Deep friendships are developed among students and their families as well. It becomes a brother/sisterhood of sorts. We come to trust and rely on our fellow martial arts students. It really is a very unique and wonderful culture.
In closing, let me say that Taekwondo has been called “Moving Meditation” because of the way it not only engages the body but also the mind and spirit. It really is a unique feeling; a peaceful confidence. However, it’s something you must experience to understand. So, in closing, I hope I have sparked your curiosity.
So on that note, I invite you to try it out! You’ve got nothing to lose. Our next All Beginner, All Adult Introductory course begins January 28th at 7:30 pm. Click on the link below to enroll. Hope to see you there! Master Cavanaugh
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/all-adult-all-beginner-4-week-introductory-taekwon-do-course-tickets-9445587005
