Movement Relaxation
Movement Relaxation with World Champion Mira Sjövall
Miss Mira Sjövall is an ITF Taekwon-Do World Champion in patterns, known for a style that combines clear power with exceptional relaxation. Her performances are a strong example of how high-level patterns are not about tension, but about control, timing, and efficient movement.
Mira is a student of Master Thierry Meyour (7th dan, Finland), an instructor well known for his willingness to think outside the box when it comes to coaching. Master Meyour has long drawn on sport science and ideas from other disciplines to support Taekwon-Do training, including methods commonly used by dancers and other athletes. One of these influences is the Alexander Technique, which focuses on movement efficiency, posture, and unnecessary tension.
This approach is clearly reflected in Mira’s patterns. Her movement shows how relaxation and power are not opposites, but complementary skills that must be developed together.
Master Meyour and his team consistently push the boundaries of knowledge in ITF Taekwon-Do, and Mira is a strong example of the results that can be achieved. Of course, as with any world champion, the foundation is still hard work. The hours of repetition, refinement, and focused training that are never seen are what ultimately produce performances of this level.
This video was filmed as part of the ITF Patterns Unleashed series of online courses. It was recorded during a live Zoom seminar, and while the video quality is not perfect, the content itself is extremely valuable. The ideas and exercises shared here offer practical tools that instructors and students can apply directly to their own patterns training.
What you will take from this session
- A clearer understanding of relaxation within ITF sine wave
- Practical exercises inspired by dance to reduce unnecessary tension
- Coaching ideas to help students relax before the finished movement
- Insights from a world champion patterns competitor
The sample video above focuses on one of the most challenging aspects of ITF patterns: relaxing before the finished movement. Mira explains how she uses movement-based exercises to develop this quality, and the full Premium video expands on these ideas with multiple practical drills for personal practice or class use.
About the Coach
This session features World Champion patterns competitor Mira Sjövall from Finland.
To access the complete session, including all exercises and explanations, view the full Premium video here:
Grand Master Paul McPhail
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