Good Day Everyone,
I hope everybody is coping well with the current world we are living in. It is truly amazing what we are going through. Remember to wash your hands often, cough into your elbow and remain at home as much as possible to avoid spreading this Virus. Let us all hope that by taking these measures the spread of Covid-19 can be stopped and we can get back to our normal lives soon!
Now the bad news… Paladin Taekwon-Do will remain closed for the month of April. Unless things drastically improve within the next few weeks I do not see classes running before May. I intend on updating everyone every couple of weeks. But for now April is shut down.
Before all of this happened there were a number of students that would have been testing soon. 2 for black belt. One of the most important things a student can do is at least maintain their skill level and physical ability. The following is some general guidelines for students of different levels to help keep themselves busy and maintain their ability.
LITTLE NINJAS
Because your class was only one day a week, you don’t have to do much. If every second day, or at least twice a week, you do some jumping jacks (40-60) push-ups (20-40), crunches (30-50) and run through the basic kicks (front snap kick, inside/outside crescent kick, inside/outside axe kick) you will be fine. I would suggest 20-30 of each kick with each leg. Parents you will probably need to assist your children in doing their exercises to ensure they have adequate space and they will need a target. Something as simple as rapping you hand in a towel will create a prefect kicking target. But not all the kicks need to be executed with a target. A great option would be that parents do the kicks with their kids and make it a fun activity for all of you to do. Remember at this level its less about technique and more about just moving and having fun.
Another fun exercise to do would be to have them run down a hallway, touch the far wall, and then come back and execute a few kicks and then run down the hall again. Keep going back and forth. Very similar to how I have them do the kicks in the circle with the instructors. Do this for 5-10 minutes.
And don’t forget about the CHUM-BE test!!! Make it a game, have some fun! And make sure they wear their uniform. You can even start and finish each session will a bow. It will complete the experience for them. Lastly, any Little ninjas students that know any of the patterns, take a few minutes and DO THEM. Having enough room might be difficult, but even just walking through the sequence will go a long way.
REGULAR STUDENTS
Most of you trained at least 2 days a week. Some of you 3. So I will break this down into daily things to do, and things to do 2-3 times a week.
Daily
25 push-ups, 60 jumping jacks, 50 crunches. AND ALL OF YOUR PATTERNS!!!!
I cannot stress enough how important doing your patterns daily is. Some of you have a hard of enough time not forgetting them in class. If you do not do them for 6 weeks, it will be bad!! I know space could be difficult, but do your best. Maybe the weather will start to cooperate soon and you can do them outside! Even just walking through them will be a huge benefit. And remember if you are having a hard time remembering the sequence, all of the patterns are on the website! While practising patterns do not rush. Take some time to ensure stances are correct, facings, crossing for blocks. It would actually be worse to practise wrong then to not practise at all.
2-3 times a week
You need to do all your basic kicks. Parents again will need to help with this. Be creative. Couch cushions make excellent shields!! Do a minimum of 25 of each kick.
For those of you that have multiple students in the club, you can simply do the kicks at each other, watch the contact. Do some step sparring. Maybe a little self-defence (don’t hurt each other). You may want to create a lesson plan for yourself. Essentially you should be doing Taekwon-Do for a minimum of 30 minutes twice a week.
And of course everyone should take this time to login to the website and do some reading. Make sure all the knowledge is up to date. Pattern meanings, belt meanings, historic dates, etc.
BLACK BELTS
Do whatever you want, you are all basically ninjas anyways! But if you need something to do I suggest do the same as the regular students.
While practising at home wear your Dobok. And have fun. No pulling rank on siblings (wyatt). Involve mom and dad. And NO FREE SPARRING!!!
I am going to try to make some short videos of different exercises you can do to mix it up a bit. Help with training. More information will follow once I figure it out.
Besides that I wish all of you good luck, stay safe, and let us hope this whole thing ends soon.
Please feel free to contact me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 780.907.2474 if you have any questions.
Taekwon
Master Phil Mageau
