Traditional Martial Arts - Tae Kwon Do

Student going through a drill  

With all the MMA events and tournaments of late, it’s simple to forget the roots of MMA. To put it simply, we tend to forget about where martial arts are taught. The schools.  The place where you will learn things that will change the course of your life…For The BETTER!  Today we will focus on Tae Kwon Do, an art brought down from Korea to the States and an art that I’m very familiar with. Not long ago, my wife enrolled my kids in a local Tae Kwon Do school -  World Tae Kwon Do Championship located in Rancho Cucamonga, CA.     

The Head Instructor is Tom Rojo. And of course, I went in and checked it out.  It brought back great memories for me - this school was similar to the one where I studied.  After checking it out a few times, I got the pleasure of meeting the head instructor, Tom Rojo, who holds a Black belt in Tae Kwon Do.

Mr. Rojo and myself 

It is a well run and very respectful school. As we here at thefightgame.tv have stated in the past, learning martial arts will instill respect, discipline, and teamwork in students. And this school is a perfect example of that. There are students from all walks of life and many of the kids practice side by side with the adults. The students really seem to enjoy themselves as they learn.  And if you’ve ever practiced martial arts, you know that you must be comfortable where you train or you won’t learn much. The instructor had everything under control and knows exactly at what level each student is at. A sign of a great instructor. Let me walk you through a typical class:

working hard

Class starts out with the highest ranked student leading the stretching - with each student counting from one to eight or ten as they stretch.  The student that is leading, calls out different stretches and everyone follows. This goes on for about 15 to 20 minutes. At about this time, Mr. Rojo steps in and takes charge.  He warms up the class with running, sit-ups, push-ups, and various callisthenic exercises.  This goes on for about another 15 to 20 minutes. After the class is warmed-up and ready, Mr. Rojo teaches various moves and techniques dealing with self-defense. And the students drill the moves (practice) for about 30 minutes or so and then the class is ready to be dismissed.  Every one lines up in ranked order with the highest rank instructing of when and to whom to bow.  Finally, the Black belts and the head instructor are bowed to and the class is dismissed.

Respect

In addition, students not only have to learn moves and techniques but they also have to study forms (Katas), history of what, where, and why they study their art and they also have to learn some Korean words. And as you put all this together, it gives students a good formula for success in their life. Good class.  Keep on training! For information on the school, you can contact me at anava@thefightgame.tv or you can call the school at (909) 286-3127 or drop by at:

World Championship Tae Kwon Do

Suite 307

8560 Vineyard Ave.

Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730

Thefightgame.tv would like to thank Mr. Rojo and his class for their hospitality. 

Train Hard, Train Smart

AL

(5/2/03)