Starting TKD soon... anything I should know?

plenderj

I'm going to start TKD next week or the week after. Is there anything I should be aware of before starting?
I'm aware I'll probably get beaten up reteatedly etc., but apart from stuff like that, anything important.....?

rainbow kirby

Just relax and enjoy yourself!
Where are you going to be training?

pma-ire

you won't get beaten up anyway for a start.

no one should be put into a sparring situation until they have some fundementals down first.

so yes, just relax and take in what is being shown. be ready to undertake a serious stretching program, and you might get the odd knock by mistake from fellow class mates

plenderj

Ahhh sounding good
I'll hopefully be starting in the Dojang on Parnell Street... I found it on the www.rita-itf.org website

pma-ire

plenderj wrote:

Ahhh sounding good
I'll hopefully be starting in the Dojang on Parnell Street... I found it on the www.rita-itf.org website

I trained there years ago for a class. Some of the top instructors in TKD there. A good choice it you want to do TKD in Dublin.

dudara

You'll definitely enjoy it, and just be prepared to accept lots of stretching at the start. Your flexibility will take a while to develop unless you're one of those scaryily flexible freaks of nature.

You won't spar anyone for a while yet, so you won't be getting beat up , but at the same time accidents can and will happen.

I've really enjoyed TKD since I took it up over 3 years ago and I've made great friends through it as well as enjoying a sport that I never thought before would interest me.

For my pennys worth though, I recommend you check out the INTA centre in Exchequer Street

plenderj

Ahhh that'd be a lot closer for me - plus closer for coming from work around merrion square & Stephens green.
Which would you recommend?

plenderj

Actually I like the look of the INTA crowd... it would be a lot handier for me too

dudara

The one thing you'll learn as you learn TKD is that the TKD community can be very fractioned and divided at times. There are different organisations all over the world as well as in Ireland. I happen to train with the INTA clubs, and I've met many of the main men in the organisation. They're all very decent guys, and treat the students as people who want to learn, not as minions. Some instructors have a real attitude problem and expect their students to be submissive. Anyone I've met in INTA does not have this problem. Master O'Toole, Mr Douglas and Mr Martin are all excellent guys who know what they're at.

I really don't know much about RITA as they do not have many clubs down here in Cork, so I can't and won't comment. I'm really just sticking up for my own particular organisation, which I happen to think is well worth a look at I'm sure that if you call in to the INTA centre that they will discuss class times and the possibility of just observing a class or two before you start.

pma-ire

ya trained there also for a nose.

good guys there also all national group halls.

pma-ire

by the way dudara, we were all rita at one stage :rolleyes:

dudara

My instructor has mentioned leaving the GTF to join the INTA/ITF. were they RITA associated?

A lot of this history and splitting goes right over my head.

plenderj

I know there were similar political splits in the world of Karate.
I think I'll drop into INTA tomorrow evening

pma-ire

plenderj wrote:

I know there were similar political splits in the world of Karate.
I think I'll drop into INTA tomorrow evening

Which ever you fancy!

Try both ?

Remember it's your choice

plenderj

INTA would be a lot handier for me given its location, plus you lot seem to speak highly of them, so why not

memphis

Only seeing this thread now. Well done to ya plenderj for choicing TKD. You'll love it. Traning isn't that hard as a beginner but gets tougher as you move up the grades. Stick with it and you cold well be looking at a black belt in 4 years or so.

Tae Kwon Do is great for flexibilty, discipline, and self-confidence. Well worth giving it a try anyway. I can't comment on the clubs in Dublin as I obviously don't train with any of them, but TKD follows much of the same rules and traditions as far as I can see regardless of what club/group you train with.

Enjoy it!!!

memphis

pma-ire

BTW plenderj,

Let us know how you got on at the first class