Tae Kwon-Do is good for everyone. Not everyone is good for Tae Kwon-Do.
In other words, not everyone relates well to Tae Kwon-Do. More importantly, not everyone relates well to the style and culture we have at our school.
Let’s talk about the tenets of Tae Kwon-Do: Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control, and Indomitable Spirit.
Who could not be better with that in their life?
Who couldn’t benefit from stretching, breathing, having better circulation, a more fluid body, and joints that actually move?
Who couldn’t benefit from having an “I can do anything if I put my mind to it” attitude and the mental toughness to overcome obstacles, and set and achieve goals?
Who couldn’t benefit from surpassing anger issues to become so calm and respectful that you literally bow to other people?
And who couldn’t appreciate walking into our dojang and being greeted with a smile before an hour of sheer training happiness?
Obviously, there are certain disabilities that can prevent some from meeting the physical demands of Tae Kwon-Do. However, I once had a student with cerebral palsy who was confined to a wheelchair. She did great and had a blast. I remember she was devastated when her family had to move.
Similarly, I also had a student who had dystonia, an extremely painful and debilitating neurological condition that causes involuntary muscle contractions. She benefited greatly from Tae Kwon-Do and continued her training even after her family moved back to Florida as well.
And, of course, I always talk about my oldest student, who is 75. He will be the first to tell you that he attributes his longevity, strong body, sharp mind, and his sense of fun and community entirely to Tae Kwon-Do.
So, who is Tae Kwon-Do not right for? Tae Kwon-Do is not right for people who walk into our school with the sole intention of learning how to beat the crap out of people. It’s not right for people who come to Tae Kwon-Do having seen one too many movies, and think it is all about getting knocked out and knocking other people out.
Nothing could be further from the truth. Admittedly, though, we sometimes have a hard time relaying that to people. But, Tae Kwon-Do has so many benefits other than just hitting somebody.
We actually teach you to not want to be that way. This art is not for people whose aim is to hurt other people. It is for those who want to heal people.
Ultimately, Tae Kwon-Do is good for everyone, but only once they’re ready to begin.
Master Gorino’s Tae Kwon-Do offers a trial program for individuals and families in Buffalo, NY and the surrounding areas that allows you to get a feel for the different classes, meet our instructors, and experience our dojang. It’s a great way to see if Tae Kwon-Do is right for you. To learn more or to sign up, register online or call (716) 836-KICK (5425) and a member of our team will follow up with you on next steps. We look forward to helping you achieve your goals. Pil-Sung!
