What has Tae Kwon Do Got to Do With Your Health?

A lot, if you value your physical health!

Tae Kwon Do is Korean Karate. It means The Way of the Hand and

Foot (punching and kicking). There are basically four sections

to the art: Toning, Sparring, Forms and Self Defense.

It is a well rounded exercise program that encompasses muscle

toning, stretching and flexibility, increasing strength and

stamina through aerobic sparring and mental challenges through

becoming proficient at the patterns or forms.

Most classes start out with warm-ups. These exercises are the

calisthenics such as push ups, sit ups, jumping jacks, trunk

rotations, squat kicks and various leg stretches. For certain

you will tighten your abs and strengthen your arms just from

performing the warm-up exercises. Before you know it, you'll be

doing fifty knuckle or triangle push-ups at rapid-fire pace and

will be able to lean up against a wall and have someone lift your

leg up so that your toes touch the wall behind your ear. Tae Kwon

Do will definitely help you to become or to stay limber.

Sparring is fighting in a controlled environment. It's not

street fighting and all participants wear protective gear:

helmet, gloves, shin guards and feet guards, called kicks.

Usually you will spar in three minute rounds. It's basically

kick boxing. Then a minute rest; switch partners, then spar

again and repeat. You will get extremely hot and sweaty. Jab,

punch, upper cut, side kick, reverse punch, round house, hammer

fist, bob and weave and repeat. It's an excellent aerobic

exercise.

Learning the forms or patterns can really tax your brain. Many

of the forms have 26+ different movements. It's your job to

remember them, in order, and learn them proficiently. In theory,

by learning the forms, it'll help you to become a better fighter.

For example, one form might start out: high block, front kick

punch left; high block front kick punch right. Turn 90 degrees,

down the center, knife hand left, knife hand right, knife hand

left, spear hand. And so it goes. If you master these, when it

comes time to spar, you can implement some of these patterns into

your match.

Many people enjoy Tae Kwon Do, or any martial arts for that

matter, because it is an all inclusive exercise program. It's

fun, it's challenging, and it's an excellent way to get in or to

stay in shape. As with any exercise program, start slowly and

consult your physician. If you haven't participated in much

physical exercise in a while, your muscles will definitely be

very sore for the first few weeks. Don't be intimidated by the

other students may appear to be in better shape that you are.

Everyone started out as a white belt. Just have fun; and get

moving!

The information contained in this article is for educational purposes

only and is not intended to medically diagnose, treat or cure any

disease. Consult a health care practitioner before beginning any

health care program.

Emily Clark is editor at Lifestyle Health News [http://www.lifestyle -health-news.com] and Medical Health News [http://www.medical-health-news.com] where you can find the most up-to-date advice and information on many medical, health and lifestyle topics.