Alternative breaks as we age

As we age, the Taekwon-Do breaking requirements can become more and more daunting. Especially with special technique requirements such as overhead kick or flying high kick. 

This video provides you with some alternatives to consider whereby you remain true to the original grading requirement, modified to something you can achieve.

Mr Brendan Doogan provides food for thought with these great alternatives you can discuss with your instructor or examiner.

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Alternative Breaks

As we age, the grading syllabus breaking requirements can become more and more daunting. Especially with special technique requirements such as overhead kick or flying high kick. 

This video provides you with some alternatives to consider whereby you remain true to the original grading requirement, modified to something you can achieve.

Mr Brendan Doogan provides food for thought with these great alternatives you can discuss with your instructor or examiner.

Do we need core stability training in Taekwon-Do?

Course stability training has been a trend in the exercise world for a decade or more. But what is the core, does it need strengthening and what is core stability training? And more importantly, do we need to do it in ITF Taekwon-Do?

These are the questions Sanna Rantasaari answers in this video, giving you a thorough understanding of the anatomy and function of the core, as well as providing you with some great core stability exercises.

The video is very entertaining as Sanna presents the topic in a fun way.

Snippets of amazing old footage

DON’T FORGET TO WATCH No. 10 – Paul McPhail performs Juche forwards and backwards

For my 5th degree black belt grading in 1993 I thought it would be a cool idea to perform Juche Tul forwards then backwards for General Choi.

The plan failed miserably as I started the backwards part… I hadn’t even considered the possibility that General Choi would take offence to it. He turned his head and refused to watch. I figured… well… I may as well carry on now and struggled through to the end.

I passed the grading so I guess the General had forgiven me by the day the results were announced.

Here is the footage of the pattern at the grading.

Classic IIC : Gen Choi in Jamaica 2001

Over a decade has now passed since the Founder of Taekwon-Do passed away. Every now and then I reflect that most of the people in my classes, even senior black belts, never got to meet and train with General Choi. That is a great pity as he was certainly a legend – an amazing figure and source of incredible knowledge.

In April 2002, practically on his death-bed, Gen Choi travelled to the United States to fulfil his promise to Grand Master CE Sereff to teach a course for his students. That was considered his last IIC. The previous September was the last full course, held in Jamaica shortly after the devastation of 9/11. As you will hear him say at the end of the video, the world was chaotic and people were afraid to travel. But 30 fanatical Taekwon-Do students gathered in Jamaica regardless to learn from the man himself.