Vortexic Martial Arts

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.

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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!

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