How Tae Kwon Do Builds Self-Confidence

Today, we hear a lot about a child’s self-esteem. Unfortunately, experts don’t understand real confidence. Case in point, athletic programs are structured, so there are no “losers.” School curriculums are designed so that no one is “left behind.” In a somewhat misguided approach, people try to give kids self-confidence. The reality is that children need to find it on their own. Esteem needs to stem from confidence in real abilities. When your child takes Tae Kwon Do classes at Vortexic, they build self-confidence the right way.

Belief in Yourself Comes After Real Accomplishment

According to the dictionary, the definition of confidence is the “belief in oneself and one’s powers or abilities.”

It does not matter how many times you tell a child they are a great baseball player, or even how many participation trophies they own. They know whether or not they strike out each time they go to bat. They KNOW when they are good at what they do.

In Tae Kwon Do, students progress in rank after mastering their techniques. Your child is not competing against others, only with themselves. As they progress, they know without a doubt that they have earned those belts.

They believe they can do it – because they KNOW they can do it.

Building Self-Confidence With Tae Kwon Do

According to Franklin Delano Roosevelt, confidence and integrity walk hand in hand.

“Confidence… thrives on honesty, on honor, on the sacredness of obligations, on faithful protection and on unselfish performance. Without them, it cannot live.” —Franklin D. Roosevelt

According to this, honesty, honor, and self-discipline are important to self-confidence. All of these things are crucial to a Martial Artist. Tae Kwon Do teaches children to honor their word, in all circumstances. They are taught to be respectful and trustworthy. Knowing that they are the sort of person others trust, it builds their self-esteem. Progress in rank involves proven character traits as well as physical prowess.

Once again, they gain confidence built on real accomplishments, not manufactured situations.

Tae Kwon Do Creates Leaders Instead of Followers

Confidence builds leaders. Studies have shown that students of the martial arts gain confidence, while they learn to defend themselves. Those that have problems being bullied find a new sense of courage as they learn to resolve conflicts, and when necessary, to protect themselves from harm. As many as two-thirds of children being bullied cease to have a problem by the time they reached black belt status.

Tae Kwon Do doesn’t just help those being bullied. It’s been shown that bullies themselves lack self-esteem; therefore, they need to pick on others to feel better about themselves. If your child has a tendency to pick on others, Vortexic Martial Arts addresses those character traits. As they learn to feel confident and take pride in their integrity, their need for bullying ceases.

Come and sit through one of our classes. We would love to sit down and discuss our curriculum. Let us show you how we can help your child find their own self-confidence.

Vortexic.com

source https://vortexic.com/how-tae-kwon-do-builds-self-confidence/

5 Best Tae Kwon Do Kicks for Self-Defense

If you can hold off an attacker with a kick, you stand a good chance of getting away unhurt. Think about it. Ideally, the best way to win a fight is to run away. After all, if you aren’t there they can’t hurt you. But, sometimes you are forced to defend yourself. Keeping the threat in kicking range means they can’t get close. This prevents them from hitting or choking. To better explain, let’s take a look at the five best Tae Kwon Do kicks for self-defense.

1. Front Push Kick
2. Side Kick
3. Back Kick
4. Roundhouse Kick
5. Front Snap Kick

The Four Ranges of Combat

The four ranges of combat are kicking, punching, trapping, and grappling. Each one increases the amount of contact between opponents as they get progressively closer to each other. Ideally, you want to keep your attacker as far away as possible – in kicking range (or even further).

Tae Kwon Do focuses heavily on kicking. When you take a class at Vortexic, we teach you how to read your opponent’s intentions and use kicks to thwart their attacks. Even if you have no interest in pursuing Tae Kwon Do as a sport, you need to learn how these defensive moves can make you less of a target.

The Defensive Posture in Tae Kwon Do

We teach you to position your body with your weak side forward and your strong hand protecting your face. This position allows you to launch any of the five defensive kicks without repositioning your body.

For instance, the front push kick is one of our favorites. As a person comes at you, raise your front or back knee, and thrust out your leg. The leg is powerful and if you are well grounded, you can force them backward – AWAY FROM YOU. This might present you with the opportunity to run. At the very least, it will throw them off balance and in the best case scenario, it has them falling flat.

Equally powerful, and essentially the same is the side kick. From the exact same defensive posture, you can neutralize a threat coming in from the side. Pull up the knee, exactly as you did with the front push kick. Only this time, rotate the hip and thrust out sideways instead of to the front. Generally, you have a bit more flexibility when pushing to the side. You can aim for the leg, chest, or head. All make excellent targets.

Ok, so that takes care of the guy coming at your from the front and the one that’s attacking from the side. But, how about the guy behind you?

Well for that one, we teach you the back kick. Just like the others, you chamber that knee. Then you drive that leg straight back, and kick the stuffing out of the person attacking you from the rear. Connect with their midsection and you drive the wind right out of them.

Tae Kwon Do’s Best Defensive/Offensive Kicks

“Great” you say. “But that only knocks them down. What happens if I am trapped and I can’t run away? Aren’t they are just going to get back up and come again?”

Well, maybe, unless you got lucky with one of those side kicks to the head and manage to knock them out. But, don’t worry, Tae Kwon Do offers two good defensive kicks that are also quite offensive (well, offensive to the bad guys).

The roundhouse kick generates enough power to literally snap bones or knock someone out completely. As you face your opponent in your defensive position, pull up that knee (do you see a pattern here?) and open your hips. Then you turn your leg into a whip and snap it into their leg, side, or head.

A roundhouse kick is hard for them to see coming. The leg moves in from their periphery. Often, you have connected just as they begin to catch sight of your foot. We teach you how to deliver the kick without telegraphing your intent. There are times when a good offense is the best defense.

The #5 or Maybe the #1 Best Tae Kwon Do Kick for Self-Defense

I’ve saved the front snap kick for last, because it can be the most effective (against men). You guessed it, it’s a whipping kick straight up into the groin – or the face. Both hurt, but I honestly think some men would rather get kicked in the face.

Ladies, you need to come to class and learn these kicks (men too). Basic self-defense doesn’t require fancy spinning, acrobatics, or a lot of steps. It just requires a few basics, which we teach at Vortexic.

A Serious Word About Self-Defense

Unfortunately, in today’s world, people need to know how to defend themselves. Always, the best way to stay safe is to run away. Fighting should only be a last resort. If you are forced to fight, Tae Kwon Do kicks keep attackers at a safe range. At that distance, you have a better chance of getting away.

Everyone can learn these five basic kicks. We teach them to all our students, and right from the beginning. Come and take one of Vortexic’s complimentary classes. Call us or just get in the car and come over. Let us teach you how to defend yourself and stay safe.

Vortexic MA

source https://vortexic.com/5-best-tae-kwon-do-kicks-for-self-defense/

What Does a Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do Signify?

You did it. Proudly tied around your waist is that ultimate of martial arts goals – the black belt. Your family and friends slap you on the back as they offer you congratulations. Your instructors bow in respect and give words of well-deserved praise. Capture the moment. You will remember it for the rest of your life.

But then you stop and consider – “Now what? Is this it? What does having this black belt mean for me?”

Defining the Role of a “Master”

Whoever wrote the Wikipedia article on black belts nailed the analogy:

“Since in many styles a black belt takes approximately three to six years of training to achieve, a good intuitive analogy would be a bachelor’s degree: the student has a good understanding of concepts and ability to use them but has not yet perfected their skills. In this analogy, a master’s degree and a doctorate would represent advancement past the first degree.”(1)

In simple words, a black belt means you have mastered the fundamentals of Tae Kwon Do. You should be very proud of your accomplishment. Only a few ever manage to reach the level of black belt, and even fewer go on to become a “master” of Tae Kwon Do as an art.

Children can achieve black belt status.This is because a black belt does NOT mean that the student can beat everyone in a fight. Even though kids are taught to spar, there is a point where size takes over. Having a black belt DOES mean they have acquired the mental and physical skills needed to teach others, and to take Tae Kwon Do from a “sport” to an “art”.

With Rank Comes Responsibility

If you reach the rank of black belt in Tae Kwon Do, you are expected to lead or teach. Believe it or not, a teacher often learns more than the students. When you have to break down the skills that you now take for granted, you see components and relationships you hadn’t noticed before. For this very reason, learning does not stop once you have your black belt.

As a black belt, you have a lot of responsibility. Students perceive you to be one of the “experts” in the dojang. It’s important that you stay in top condition and exhibit a strong character. Younger students look up to you and emulate you.

Your responsibility isn’t just inside the dojang. You need to be aware of your role outside as well. Others may discover that you are a black belt, so it is important that you are a strong representative and ambassador for your art. This means you must not be perceived as a bully, you shouldn’t speak ill of other styles – and while it is okay to demonstrate Tae Kwon Do, showing off should be avoided.

Finally, you have a responsibility to yourself. After years of disciplined study, the last thing you want to do is stop. Conditioning and muscle memory disappear when they aren’t exercised. Continue to study Tae Kwon Do and make it a life-long pursuit. There is always something new to learn.

A Word from the Black Belts at Vortexic

At Vortexic, our black belts take their rank and responsibilities seriously. In their own words, two of them describe what their rank means to them:

“I believe that there are three main points to what it means to be a black belt. The one I think is the most important is for a black belt to live by the 5 tenets of taekwondo: courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, and indomitable spirit. Being a black belt also means that you value your experience as a martial artist and demand respect for your efforts, especially those in your journey going from white to black belt. Last but not least, a black belt has pride in his/her self as martial artist.”

-Isabel Enriquez

“Being a black belt has defined me as the person I am today. It represents years of hard work and a desire to always improve myself. It has instilled a sense of respect for myself and others.”

-Rachel R.

How Can You Become a Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do?

Whether you are new to Tae Kwon Do or you have been studying for a while, you probably see that black belt as your goal. That’s good! A black belt gives you a focal point with clearly defined steps on how to get there.

Tae Kwon Do students are ranked by colored belts. As each level of study is mastered, the student moves up in rank. At first, it may only take a few months to move to the next rank. As each level gets progressively harder, it takes a bit more time. Finally, after mastering each of the levels, you are tested in proficiency and if you pass – you get your “degree” – a black belt.

The first step in getting a black belt in Tae Kwon Do is the easiest. Just call and schedule a class. We offer complimentary classes to anyone wanting to know more about Tae Kwon Do.

Check out what we teach. Visit with our black belts. Find out from them firsthand how Tae Kwon Do has developed them into the people they are today.

There is nothing to lose! Call us today. Vortexic MA

Sources:

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_belt_(martial_arts)

source https://vortexic.com/what-does-a-black-belt-in-tae-kwon-do-signify/

MMA vs Taekwondo: The Case for Traditional Martial Arts

We teach Tae Kwon Do, so it’s probably no surprise that we feel that traditional martial arts are the way to go. However,we believe an opinion should be supported by facts. Therefore, we offer you the reasons why we believe everyone, especially children, should begin their training in traditional martial arts and not MMA.

What is MMA?

MMA, or mixed martial arts, has actually been around for centuries. As the name implies, it is just an amalgam of several styles. Tae Kwon Do, in its present day form, was developed during the 1940s from elements of Karate, Taekkyeon, Subak, and Gwonbeop. If you consider the impact of other styles in the development of this discipline, then the argument can be made that Tae Kwon Do is a mixed martial art.

 

However, In today’s society, MMA has come to signify the combat sport that has been popularized by such organizations as the UFC. Made popular in the 1990’s, that form of mixed martial arts is what people think of when the term MMA is used.

Comparing the Purposes of Tae Kwon Do and MMA

 

MMA is a combat sport designed to entertain. Fans are not interested in a defensive fight. Therefore, MMA teaches aggression. The primary purpose of MMA is to fight in the ring – TO MAKE MONEY.

 

Tae Kwon Do, Hapkido, and pretty much all the other traditional martial arts teach self-defense. One of my favorite quotes by a martial arts instructor is, “The best way to win a fight is to avoid a fight.”  Aggression should never be encouraged, especially in children, unless there is no other option but to fight. Traditional martial arts stresses this. Self-control and discipline are keys to traditional training.

 

So to reiterate:  MMA, by necessity, focuses on aggression, because the goal is to fight, win, and make money. Traditional martial arts such as Tae Kwon Do teach students to fight only WHEN NECESSARY.

 

Carefully consider which of those philosophies of fighting you want your children to be taught.

Wait a Minute – Isn’t Tae Kwon Do a Combat Sport?

Yes it is. The difference is that you have never paid a hundred dollars to watch two Tae Kwon Do kids knock each other out. Traditional martial arts tournaments have some pretty strict rules. They participants wear sparring gear, to PREVENT injury, not encourage it. The contest is about technique and control. How quick is the reaction time? Which one saw an opening? You only need to show that you would win a fight, you don’t have to prove it by knocking out your opponent.

The difference may be subtle, but it’s real. Tae Kwon Do builds confidence, not aggression.

Even MMA Fighters Recommend Tae Kwon Do Training

In a recent interview with Tim Kennedy, the retired MMA fighter discussed his thoughts on training at an MMA school. This is what he said:  “They’re building a house without a foundation. An MMA coach can take the skills and tools you have and put them together to construct a nice building, but if the foundation doesn’t exist — which is the techniques — you’re wasting your time.”

 

Tae Kwon Do provides that foundation. In fact, a large number of MMA fighters began their study of martial arts with Tae Kwon Do, and continue to do so even today.

 

Both Anderson Silva and Cung Le, famous MMA fighters, started training in Tae Kwon Do as children. Silva relies heavily that training when he executes his famous Tae Kwon Do kicks. It wasn’t that long ago that he knocked out Vitor Belfort with a front kick for the middleweight title. Cung Le is known for his spinning back kick and straight, Tae Kwon Do punches.

 

Anthony Pettis, another fighter, is a 3rd-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do who still trains in it today. In an interview, he gave the credit for his success to his Tae Kwon Do training. The ability to throw lightning-fast kicks has been a huge asset for him in the octagon.  

 

All of these MMA fighters owe their success in MMA to traditional martial arts training, specifically Tae Kwon Do.

Summation and Closing Arguments

 

• By its very nature, MMA emphasizes aggression. It has to. Nobody will win fights if they are running away from their opponent.

 

• MMA fighters generally own a specific set of skills received from traditional martial arts training. It is only later, after years of training in specific styles, that they start blending techniques and disciplines.

 

• Tae Kwon Do emphasises self-control and discipline. The benefits of this carry over into all parts of the student’s life, not just in the dojang. The very structure of a traditional class makes the student a more productive member of society.

 

The case for traditional martial arts training cannot be disputed. If you want to pursue combat sports, train in Tae Kwon Do. If you are a teenager, there may even be an opportunity for college scholarships. If you are more interested in street-defense, you can look into Hapkido. There, you train in all four combat ranges (which is what happens in MMA) and yet, you will also benefit from the character-building discipline that goes with traditional martial arts.

 

We, at Vortexic, highly recommend that you train in traditional martial arts before you ever consider branching off into mixed martial arts. If someday, your child wants to become a professional fighter, then maybe that’s the time to look into MMA. However, Vortexic offers classes in Olympic style Tae Kwon Do. This too, can be a path to a professional career. Maybe someday, your child will be the one standing on the podium, holding gold. In the meantime,Tae Kwon Do definitely offers them the best training in self-defense, sport, and character.

Check Out Our Taekwondo Class Here

source https://vortexic.com/mma-vs-taekwondo-the-case-for-traditional-martial-arts/

Tae Kwon Do or Hapkido? Which One is Right for You?

At Vortexic, we offer classes in both Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido. Both styles are derived from traditional arts whose origins go back as far as the first century. Each one has a lot to offer and students often wonder where to focus their training. Should they take one or the other, or both?

The History of the Two Martial Arts

  Both of these arts originated in Korea. Tae Kwon Do developed into its modern form during the 1950’s. At that time, Korea’s  five major martial arts academies came together to develop a combat sport based on their combined techniques. Kicks and punches are taught through repeated drills and forms. Repetition helps with muscle memory and creates an instinctive response by the student, both in competition and in a combat situation.

  Hapkido is an amalgam of several arts, including the Japanese Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu. It was defined by Grandmaster Choi Yong Sool who continued to develop it over the course of his life. Hapkido is particularly effective for self-defense on the street. The joint locks and strikes can control an attacker or debilitate him. Hapkido teaches strikes and defenses in the four ranges of combat. There are kicks, punches, traps, and grappling techniques.

Hapkido or Tae Kwon Do?

  The very first thing to consider is the age of the student. Hapkido classes are not really appropriate for young children. Most of the trapping techniques must be executed with control. Young children may not have the ability to judge the amount of pressure they can apply without causing damage. For this reason, we recommend that Hapkido students be at least 12-years old.

Another thing you need to think about is your end goal. Are you interested in competing in tournaments? Are you wanting to improve fitness, balance, and strength? If so, then Tae Kwon Do is the perfect style for you. If you are more interested in practical self-defense for the street, then Hapkido is definitely the way to go.

Martial Arts Training for Children

  Ideally, a young child would start their Tae Kwon Do training as early as 5-years old. Over the next seven years they would build stamina, balance, and control; moving up in rank as their skills increase. By the time they become a teenager, they should have mastered the basic skills taught in Tae Kwon Do. Kicks and punches should be controlled, clean, and precise. They will have also learned focus and self-control; two of the most important lessons martial arts has to offer.

As a teenager, with years of experience behind them, they would be in the perfect position to continue training in Tae Kwon Do and begin Hapkido training at the same time.

There is an advantage to having a good grounding in any martial art before you begin training in another. Liken it to learning a language. If you spend six months studying a foreign language and then move on to another one for six months, you may learn a few phrases in both of them, but you will never be able to hold a conversation in either one.

Do You Recommend Tae Kwon Do or Hapkido for Teenagers and  Adults?

  We recommend them both. There is no reason you can’t do them concurrently. It really boils down to what you hope to get out of martial arts and what you enjoy.

Both arts teach self-defense skills. Both of them improve your overall physical fitness. Tae Kwon Do could lead to competition, trophies, and possibly even college scholarships. Hapkido is all about practical, close-quarter combat. As a means of self-defense, it is one of the most effective martial arts out there. The two are completely different, yet they complement each other quite nicely.

So, consider your goals and visit a few classes. Decide whether Tae Kwon Do or Hapkido appeals to you more. One way or the other, you can only benefit from the time you spend in the dojang.

Sign Up For Hapkido Here

Sign Up for Tae Kwon Do Here

 

 

source https://vortexic.com/tae-kwon-do-or-hapkido-which-one-is-right-for-you/

Benefits Tae Kwon Do gives your Kids In School

Every parent wants their child to do well in school. They hope for good grades, a strong work ethic, and a happy social life. For a child, finding their place among their peers can sometimes be hard. What if you could give your child an advantage?

Kids in Martial Arts Receive Higher Grades

Several studies show that kids who train in the martial arts receive higher grades and suffer fewer social problems after beginning a structured fitness program. At Vortexic, your child receives the exercise and discipline needed to focus them in school. They gain self-confidence, which turns them from followers into leaders.

A study, performed by the University of Madrid, monitored the activities of children over a three year period. It found that kids who participated in a regular exercise program had improved fitness, and improved performance in school. Overall fitness and cardiovascular health increased blood flow to the brain. This makes it easier to concentrate and aids a student’s ability to learn in the classroom.

Based on these findings, you might expect any exercise program to be acceptable; but, the martial arts is not just about exercise. The mental concentration needed to control the body’s movements teaches kids to eliminate distraction and focus on the task at hand. The forms and drills we teach at Vortexic, work on those skills.

Martial Arts Helps with Attention Disorders

Another group that benefits from taking Tae Kwon Do are those children who suffer from attention disorders. Dr. Matthew Morand studied the effects of martial arts on children suffering from ADHD. Specifically, he looked at a group of boys training in Tae Kwon Do. The results showed that after Tae Kwon Do classes, there was a distinct improvement in their ability to sit still and focus on schoolwork. Without the aid of medicine, many of these kids were able to overcome the problems they were facing in the classroom.

Every student has times where it is hard to keep the mind from wandering. Adults have the same problem. One of the main tenets of martial arts is to “always be aware of your surroundings.” Tae Kwon Do emphasizes this until it becomes an automatic reflex. In school, children find that they are more tuned into what the teacher is saying.

Tae Kwon Do and Bullying

Tae Kwon Do helps kids to gain confidence, while they learn to defend themselves. Those that have problems being bullied find a new sense of courage as they learn to resolve conflicts, and when necessary, to protect themselves from harm.

Research shows that around two-thirds of children being bullied cease to have a problem by the time they reached black belt status.

Not only does Tae Kwon Do help those being bullied, it also tempers the behavior of those doing the bullying. Some parents worry that martial arts fosters violence. The reality is that martial arts stop violence. Often, bullying behavior is a result of insecurity and Tae Kwon Do builds confidence. Aggressive children often lose the need to dominate others.

Self-Respect and Respect for Authority

There is a great deal of discipline involved in learning the martial arts. Asian arts are built on respect. Vortexic instructors expect their students to be respectful to authority. This attitude will carry over into the classroom at school.

Learning to control both mental and physical behavior gives a child the skills they need to function as part of a group. Whether that group is the family, a class, or someday, the workplace, children can only benefit from learning self-control.

What Can You Do?

So, as a parent, one of the ways you can help your child do better in school is to seek out a good fitness program. Look for a program that teaches self-control, builds confidence, and fosters respect. Vortexic Tae Kwon Do classes give your kids the tools they need to succeed in school and life. If you want to start your child on the path to success, click the button to sign up for a free evaluation class!

Sign Up Now

 

source https://vortexic.com/benefits-tae-kwon-do-gives-your-kids-in-school/