RL_Taekwondo

Reflections by Lyndsey

OK, I'll admit it, I was really not sure what to write for this section... so here goes!!!

My favourite part of training would have to be probably the ground fighting aspect, particularly choke sparring, as well as patterns and normal sparring. There is nothing I particularly dislike about training, apart from jumping/flying kicks practice, which most of you would have heard me moan and moan and moan about. You will probably be aware that its not my number 1 ace thing I like to do! I have been known to say things like "human beings were not designed to fly". But shock horror... I think I'm actually starting to like it just a little teeny tiny bit. I will admit that I look very much like a fool leaping about like a mad woman possessed trying to hit a pad which is about 3ft off the ground with less success than a chav applying for a bank load. Nevertheless, if I can pull the kicks off eventually.... that would be pretty groovy... I know, I know, there is a myriad of elements which constitute a good martial artist including intangibles such as decorum and humility but you have to admit that a well executed jumping reverse turning kick looks... well wicked!!! And I just know you guys see a martial arts exponent do one of those it makes you think "I wanna be able to do that" (I know you guys do... admit!!!!).

Right, enough of me blabbing on a about jumping kicks and how I can't do them, I'll move to another point... being part of this
academy. I enjoy so very much the people!! You guys make training what it is and you all have characters which make it so
very entertaining. I have made some great friends here and for that I am eternally grateful.

This brings to my final point a thank you to Mr Gautum and Mr Parvez for taking the lessons over the two weeks that Mr Anslow
and Gill were swannig around the Good o'l US of A shopping and relaxing while the rest of us were at the academy, training so
hard that if Mr Gautum asked us to do another shuttle run... we might cry.

Written in November 2005 by Lyndsey Sainsbury, 2nd Kup

Reflections by Mr Gautum

Woohoo !!! Great my turn! Thanks Lyndsey, my training lessons aren't that bad if you think a bit further into the future. All those shuttle runs, with exercises in between, will only help later when it comes to normal training in class or even competing. When students train I believe that they should train a hard as they can and to the best of their ability. The more effort that is put in while training, the less impact it will have on you physically and mentally when it comes to either a competition or a self defence situation outside of the club.

I know there are still a few students who will sometimes do 16 press-ups or sit-up's instead of the 20 everyone else is doing. Like Sir has said so many times "you are only cheating yourself" and this is very true. I'm not saying that you have to physically kill yourself trying to complete the exercise. I know there are a few students who can't do 60 press-up's in one go but the best way round this is to build up, so one lesson you will do 30 and then the next lesson you will aim to do 35 or 40 and so on. You shouldn't stay at one level the whole time you should always try to advance. For example, if you can do the 60 press ups in one go but have a short pause, try and go the whole way without stopping or do them on your knuckles (adult males). If your one of those people who will do every exercise completely each time then pat
yourselves on the back. Well done.

This is the same for when people are kicking. Most people will use their dominant leg continuously and will always forget
to kick using the other leg. Kicking using both you legs means you are doubling the amount of tools you have. Another
point to remember is that when and if you become a higher grade or a black belt, it would seem quite bad that you can
perform well executed kicks with you dominant leg and feeble looking ones with the other.

Generally I enjoy training and like all aspects. The one that I find most enjoyable to do
is the sparring. Sparring with the club members is good fun and sometimes a challenge as everyone has their own unique
style. The reason why I like sparring because no one fight is ever the same and you can nearly always learn something
new no matter what belt you are.

Written in December 2005 by Mr Gautum, 1st degree

Reflections by Priya Shah, 4th Kup

I hope that everyone had a good Christmas and brilliant holidays. I hope you all have high aspirations and aims for the coming year. I think that training at this club has immensely helped me. It helps me stay fit, as I don't really do much exercise apart from this. It helps me feel safer as I know that I can now defend myself better. I also like it because it is a change from the everyday routine and is something exciting and interesting. It helps me to focus and teaches me how to discipline myself. I can use this all the time, and not just in Tae Kwon Do. It also helps me to concentrate under pressure. For example, to break a board in grading or to perform a pattern when others are watching. I find this quite challenging, but I know that the more I do it, the easier it becomes. It also makes me feel more confident each time I do something that I never though I could do, no matter how small this is. This increased self-esteem is greatly valued, and helps me in whatever I do.

But sometimes I don't do something precisely for the reason that I don't think I can do it. I form this judgement without even trying it first. Richard M. Devos once said, "The only thing that stands between a man and what he/she wants from life is often merely the will to try it and the faith to believe that it is possible."

Sometimes, our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, "Who am I to be brilliant, talented, gorgeous and fabulous?" When in Tae Kwon Do, we may ask ourselves, "Who am I to break using that technique, win that competition or pass that grading?" Actually, who are you not to?

Seize every moment, every opportunity. There is no need to reach for the stars - they are already within you, just
reach deep inside yourself.

I hope you all work hard to achieve all your new year's aims and aspirations and succeed. Remember, "What lies
behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters to what lies within us."

Written in January 2006 by Priya Shah, 4th Kup