Each week, our entertainments reporter tries out a new activity. This time, Duncan Hall learns the ancient art of Tae Kwon Do.
How to do: Tae Kwon Do
Reporter Duncan Hall tries Tae Kwon Do under the watchful eye of David Trower. (5AS0810902) Picture: Alan Storer
ONE thing I have really noticed in all the martial arts I have done over the past year is the friendly and welcoming atmosphere you get in all of the classes.
And Evolution Tae Kwon Do was no exception.
The school, which is based at the Peterborough Martial Arts Academy, in Dogsthorpe Road, offers a range of classes for all ages and abilities on most nights of the week.
I popped in for the mixed adult and children’s class on Wednesday evening.
Although the adults and children are obviously differing in ability, the whole group still did the same activities, or variations on them.
This lesson we all got a chance to practise kicks with an instructor holding a soft target, with variations according to ability and skill.
The style of Tae Kwon Do was not a million miles from another Korean martial art I tried out last year, Tang Soo Do, but instead of using the underside of the foot to strike we used the top this time.
A lot of the training I received from Master Ian Parker came back to me as we lined up and practised roundhouse kicks, among other moves.
At the end of the session the whole group got together and practised several combinations of moves, which left me fairly dizzy after spinning my way through five kicks.
Members of the Peterborough Martial Arts Academy. (5AS0810917) Pictures: Alan Storer
All the way through I was amazed how friendly and welcoming everyone was – we weren’t working in hushed silence, it was a very relaxed atmosphere with people clearly having fun.
Speaking to chief instructor David Trower after the session, he said he was most interested in getting people moving and doing what was comfortable for them, rather than focusing wholly on technique – which also made it more fun for those taking part.
The club itself has been together for three years, and tutors anyone aged between four and 65 in 11 or 12 different classes.
David himself has been practising the martial art for the last 11 years.
He said: “Tae Kwon Do is more of a younger person’s sport. It is a very high energy martial art, there is a lot of kicking and jumping around.
“Tae Kwon Do was a demonstration sport at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, and gained full sport recognition at Sydney 2000.
“The way I think of it is that it is an ancient martial art, but also a modern Olympic sport. We try to teach a lot more than just kicking and punching, we try to teach a different way of life for people, one of discipline, respect and community.”
As well as teaching the martial art, David also takes self-defence classes and circuit training sessions to help improve fitness.