FAQ

Do you offer a free trial class?

No, we don't offer a free trial class.

Taekwon-Do is a broad martial art that cannot be fully understood or experienced in just one class. Our martial arts school operates with a dedicated student body, which is why we discourage a large influx of people from "trying" a class. We follow a specific curriculum, and it can be difficult for newcomers to understand what is being taught in a single class. Therefore, we recommend that students participate in a few lessons to better understand what to expect and seamlessly enter the classes.

We offer a 1-month beginner trial to provide a broader perspective and experience of the martial art. This trial will allow you to decide if Taekwon-Do is a journey you want to explore further and whether you're suited to our school.

Our school is not a play facility. We expect all students, regardless of age, to have a serious mindset when taking Taekwon-Do. If you're considering becoming a serious student, even with a short-term membership, you must be willing to learn and put in the effort.

Can I sign up for a season? 

Taekwon-Do isn’t a seasonal activity. It is an ongoing lifestyle curriculum. Taekwon-Do is about skill, discipline, consistency, commitment and a positive mindset. This type of development isn’t possible in short, non-committal programs.

We offer a 1-month trial to gauge if the school and student are suited to each other. Upon completing this initial trial, you must employ a long-term, goal-oriented mindset toward training.

You can sign up at any time of the year. Space permitting, we accept students year-round.

Can I watch a class?

No. Though, you are more than welcome to participate in classes with a 1-month beginner trial to see what it entails. 

We don't hide classes for secretive, mystical reasons. It's not a cult or secret society.

Watching a session will give you a narrow perspective of what's involved. Without performing the exercises, there's little context to it and can be tedious. By immersing yourself in a few sessions, you can better understand and make a more informed decision.

Also, we protect our existing member's interests. Many of our members come to classes to better themselves and break free of the outside world for a short, precious time. Having people seemingly, stare at them while they are in a learning environment and doing their best to find their feet can add unnecessary stress and pressure. Class is where you come to learn and make mistakes among your peers through shared experiences.

Can I sit in on my child's classes? 

No. Drop-off is preferred but you can sit in the reception area if you prefer to wait for your child to finish class.

Do you accompany your child to school and watch them from the side of the classroom? The Taekwon-Do Dojang is similar to a school, although learning a different subject.

Having parents spectating can be distracting for the students and the Instructor. The students tend to focus more when they don't feel like they're being watched. It also develops a sense of independence, although under strict supervision.

We have parents' days, gradings and tournaments that parents are invited to watch and see the progression of their children. 

If there is an occasion to watch your child, no talking or commentary is allowed. It should be as though you aren't present. This rule includes talking with anyone else in the facility. Constant chatter takes away from the class focus.

There is a coffee shop in the same centre, and a gym next door if you'd like to get in some time to relax, or workout yourself while your child is occupied.

How often should I train?

As a beginner, you should aim to train twice a week. Any less than that, and you lose much of the benefit of Taekwon-Do training. It makes it more difficult for you to keep up with classes and constrains other members due to your needing to be up to speed with the rest of the group.

Ideally, you should participate in Taekwon-Do activities 3 to 5 times weekly, whether in an official class or self-training. As your fitness and skills develop, you should aim for this.

Think long-term. To reap the full benefits of Taekwon-Do training and exercise, you must be consistent over a prolonged period. Therefore Taekwon-Do training should be a part of your lifestyle if it will generate change and have lasting effects.

What should I wear to classes?

As a Taekwon-Do beginner, for your first couple of classes, you can wear regular workout clothes, thereafter an approved ITF Taekwon-Do uniform(dobok) must be worn.

The ITF Taekwon-Do uniform is a standardized outfit that is used by Taekwon-Do students the world over.

- It's designed to be comfortable and loose enough for the exercises you'll perform during classes.

- It aids in keeping with the militaristic hierarchical structure and conformity present in Taekwon-Do.

- It takes away any outside position, financial or otherwise, and places everyone on an even playing field, divided only by ranks(belts) earned in Taekwon-Do.

All students are required to wear the approved ITF dobok (uniform). Besides all of the many other reasons for using a standardized dress code, we comply with the international standards and requirements for ITF-approved schools. A part of the criteria is the use of the uniform.

Do I have to train barefoot?

Yes. All our classes require you to be barefoot. 

There are many reasons why we train barefoot. Here are a few:

- Tradition - we follow an Eastern tradition when practicing Taekwon-Do. Shoes must be taken off and left at the door.

- Having bare feet on the ground allows you to get realistic feedback from the floor, aiding in aligning your body in a natural, standing state. It develops correct foot posture, balance and body positioning. 

- Barefoot training gives you a better perception and awareness of the space around you.

- Promotes general foot health

- Many Taekwon-Do exercises and sparring are conducted with a partner. Shoes can damage your training partner, and sparring gear can't go over your shoes (not even "Taekwon-Do shoes."

- Allows your Instructor to see that you are achieving the correct foot position during the performance of techniques. 

- Better traction for the necessary movements

- Training without shoes makes you less likely to injure yourself by exerting too much force because nothing is "deadening" what you feel. Dampening feedback from the floor can train your body to react incorrectly.

- Allows you to become more precise with the correct pivot points and foot positions.

- The transition to performing with shoes is easy if you train barefoot. To go from training in shoes to without is substantially more difficult. Even a change of shoes can throw you off if you're accustomed to wearing a particular type when you train.

- Saves the training mats; bare feet cause minimal damage to expensive mats and equipment.

In addition to the above, there are many modern scientific studies that support the notion that training barefoot is healthier for your body.

Note: Students are required to ensure they have washed their feet and trimmed toenails before coming to class. Mats are disinfected between sessions to ensure hygiene.

The only exception to not training barefoot is for medical reasons - in this case, you may wear specialized Taekwon-Do shoes with the permission of the Instructor.

Do I have to spar in class?

Yes. Sparring is part of the Taekwon-Do curriculum.

Contact in sparring is dependant on your level. Contact is monitored and controlled in classes. The objective of class sparring is to learn. While an unpredictable element is present, there are still rules and control in place.

You can't achieve a realistic sense of timing, distancing and application without practicing against a moving, non-compliant opponent. Running drills, hitting bags and pads and practicing form are all incredibly important but the only way to truly understand and create versatility in your techniques is to test them in combat. If you have never hit or been hit by someone, you will forever be living in an illusion. Sparring gives you an opportunity to test a range of techniques in a controlled environment under relatively safe conditions.

How long is the class?

The typical class is, on average, 45 minutes long. Senior rank classes tend to run a little longer at around 75 minutes.

You are expected to put in full effort and concentration. With focused training, a lot can be accomplished in that time.

There are additional classes and courses that may range from 1 hour to 8 hours long.

Students are expected to practice outside of class times to ensure sustained progression and growth.

Can I get changed and ready for class at the Dojang?

It's preferred that you show up ready for instruction and training, wearing a clean, neat uniform(dobok).

We encourage a culture of preparedness. If you do have to get ready at the facility, you should show up with enough time to change and prepare without getting in other members' way. Time spent at the dojang before class is better spent doing a pre-warmup.

Do I have to be fit to join the classes?

No! You will build up the required fitness specific to the class. 

Taekwon-Do fit is different from running fit, gym fit or any other kind of fit. The exercises and muscle development needed for Taekwon-Do can't be duplicated by performing non-specific exercises. The best way to get Taekwon-Do fit is to do Taekwon-Do. Initially, it can be challenging but your body will adjust and begin to enjoy the training.

You will be encouraged each step of the way. We all have to start somewhere.

How often will I grade? 

There is no guarantee of time-frames for grading.

Achieving belts at the Magua Taekwon-Do School is not merely about showing up at classes. You must meet a long list of criteria to receive an invitation to attempt grading. Deserving students earn belts. We work on an achievement principle, not a participation one.

How long does it take to get to the black belt? 

Building on the previous question, there is no definitive answer to this.

Realistically, most will never get to the black belt. At the Magua Taekwon-Do School, we follow a traditional approach to training and expect a high level of performance physically and mentally. A black belt at our school has meaning, and you can take pride in its achievement.

It could be anywhere from 4 – 7 years in a near-perfect scenario.

Can I keep my belt from another martial art? 

No. This exclusion includes belts from other variations of Taekwon-Do.

While we acknowledge that you may have worked very hard to achieve belt status in another martial art, it is a belt in another martial art. We must consider the method of executing techniques, grading criteria, and other rules. Belt achievement is also based on time commitment, discipline and effort within the school. 

Being highly skilled in something else doesn’t make you useful in a different discipline. Besides all this, belts also say something about a person’s character and mental fortitude. There is no way to gauge this based on a certificate from a school with which we have no relationship. Establishing this is only possible through a long-standing relationship built on trust and loyalty between student and instructor.

Depending on skill, there may be a fast-tracked program up to a certain level for high-ranking martial artists, but we consider this on a case-by-case basis.

The ONLY documents we will make an exception for are ITF Taekwon-Do certificates. This exception also, however, comes with conditions.

Are the classes fun? 

Today, fun can have a broad definition, so I guess it depends on your version of fun.

If fun is about students running around screaming, giggling, and playing martial arts, then classes are not fun.

Our classes are structured and disciplined, and we expect students to behave appropriately within the school's rules. With training and skill development, classes become incredibly enjoyable. Still, there is always a line that you must not cross.

The Magua Taekwon-Do School is a professional martial arts school and expects students to treat it that way. We believe that every student should strive to be their best in and out of the class. To achieve your best training must have a degree of seriousness.

As a dedicated student, you can have a lot of enjoyment, pride, and a sense of untethered accomplishment.

We acknowledge that all students may have different reasons for taking up Taekwon-Do training. Still, we expect all students to understand and follow the core basis of the practice.

How old is Taekwon-Do?

Many people are under the misconception that Taekwon-Do is an ancient martial art. Taekwon-Do is a modern martial art.

The name Taekwon-Do was officially adopted on 11 April 1955. Before this time, the name Taekwon-Do didn't exist. The term Taekwon-Do was coined by General Choi Hong Hi, a South Korean army General, for this new martial art.

While Taekwon-Do initially borrowed elements of other martial arts(which may or may not have been ancient), it developed into a wholly unique style to suit a modern purpose.

Why do you wear belts in Taekwon-Do?

There are numerous ways the significance of the belts tie into Taekwon-Do, but, in a nutshell, they denote rank.

Taekwon-Do is a martial art developed for the military and borrowed many militaristic principles and practices into its hierarchy and structure. The belts help to differentiate between senior and junior in regards to experience and knowledge of Taekwon-Do.

Belt ranking aids an instructor in his teaching because, at a glance, he can assign specific drills and exercises to particular students and partner up similarly experienced students.

Why do you use Korean terminology in classes? 

We use Korean terminology for many of the techniques and exercises because Taekwon-Do originated in Korea.

Although Taekwon-Do originated in Korea, it has grown unprecedentedly and is an international martial art today. You can find Taekwon-Do schools in just about every country in the world.

To better serve all members worldwide, we use the home language of Taekwon-Do in our classes. As a result, you can visit a Taekwon-Do class anywhere in the world and participate, despite language barriers.

Why do you perform patterns/forms in Taekwon-Do? 

Patterns are exercises and gym for Taekwon-Do.

- Performing patterns build fitness, balance, stability, strength, mobility, flexibility, speed, agility, power, breath control and discipline of movement.

- Patterns practice creates mind-body connections that allow you to have more freedom and control of your body

- Patterns practice gives you a clearer understanding of body mechanics.

- Patterns movements allow you to focus on the scientific aspects of creating maximum force and develop snap at the culmination of properly executed techniques.

- Patterns have an overflow effect on actual combat use. While you may not perform the techniques traditionally, the movement principles carry over, creating more precise, powerful techniques.

Is there a religious aspect to Taekwon-Do?

No. There is no religious aspect to Taekwon-Do.

Taekwon-Do is here for everyone without regard to race, religion, creed, ideology, gender, sexual orientation, politics or national boundaries.

Members are encouraged to believe whatever they choose. Talk on all the above subjects is prohibited in the Dojang.

Why do you bow in Taekwon-Do?

The bow serves many purposes in a Taekwon-Do setting and can portray different tones depending on the environment. Being an, originally, Korean martial art, Eastern culture has also rooted itself as Taekwon-Do culture in many ways.

In line with Taekwon-Do's military traditions, we use the bow as a salute. We salute the flag and other members who outrank us in Taekwon-Do.

The bow is a greeting and a farewell among peers in Taekwon-Do.

The bow is a thank you to your training companions before and after performing partner exercises, drills and sparring.

Bowing in Taekwon-Do is a respectful acknowledgement and recognition of where you are and who is in front of you. 

There is no religious connotation to bowing in Taekwon-Do