D'Souza Martial Arts Academy

Tae Kwon Do Training for Kids, Teens & Adults

Spiderman Taekwondo Training

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Wanna know how Spiderman got so good at fighting the bad guys?  Well it looks like he has training in the martial art of Taekwondo.

Of course Spiderman is able to throw out webs from his wrists and swing from tall buildings but he is also a really good fighter.  He uses a lot of kicks and is able to leap really high off the ground to kick his foes in the face.  And judging by this cool video, it looks like he has had some training in gymnastics too.

Remember that outside of Taekwondo class where there is instructor supervision, we don’t use Taekwondo to fight anyone, only as a defense if absolutely needed.  

Watch how good Taekwondo Spiderman is in the dojang:

If you are looking for a great summer and after school activity for your kids in the Waterloo Region, consider Taekwondo.  Try a free class at D’Souza Martial Arts by contacting 519-725-5550 or check out the class schedule and drop in for a white belt class.

Karate vs Taekwondo | What is the Difference Between the Two?

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Karate vs Taekwondo – What is the Difference Between the Two?

When the uninitiated think or talk about martial arts they typically refer to it as Karate more or less as a generic term, in the same way that people refer to facial tissue as Kleenex.  But the truth is that there are distinct differences between Karate and Taekwondo as well as the other martial arts while there are also some similarities.

These two martial arts have both been around for hundreds of years in one form or another but originated in different countries.  Karate is from Japan and Taekwondo is from Korea.  Both are challenging full body sports but only Taekwondo is a featured sport during the Olympics.  However, Karate may also be included in the 2020 Olympics.

Watch the video below for a great explanation about the differences between these two sports.

https://youtu.be/MA7ICeuf2g8

If you want to try out a martial art to see if it’s for you, contact D’Souza Martial Arts in Waterloo for a free trial class where you will learn more about Taekwondo.  

Taekwondo for Kids – Martial Arts Instruction for Children

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Taekwondo for Kids

In raising their kids, parents often look for extra-curricular activities for their kids to participate in outside of school.  Physical activities help kids to stay fit and develop coordination, concentration and the ability to work on a team.  Most parents often think of enrolling their kids in traditional sports such as soccer, baseball/softball, hockey or dance.   But if your child doesn’t enjoy dance or team sports, then you might want to consider enrolling them in Martial Arts classes.

Martial arts training provides great overall fitness for your child as well as self-confidence, concentration, an ability to concentrate and self discipline.  You might think that they will miss out without the “team interaction” however, with martial classes for kids, the instructors will often use team games for the warm-up period such as dodge ball and other team games.

If you are wondering what a typical class is like, the video below will give you a good 10 minute overview.

And, your child can also try out a free class to see if they like it.  Contact D’Souza Martial Arts in Waterloo to arrange a trial class and meet Ms. Charlotte who has been teaching Taekwondo classes to kids for more than 10 years.

 

 

A Brief History of Taekwondo

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A Brief History of Taekwondo

The word Taekwondo translates to “the way of the fist and foot” although the term has only been in use since 1955.  The ancient form of this martial art began 2,300 years ago in Korea.  During that time in history, Korea was divided up into 3 kingdoms which were constantly at war with each other fighting for land.  It was during this time that within each kingdom, warrior groups were formed and trained for combat using weapons and their hands and feet for defense.

Distinctly different fighting styles were developed until 1955 when a group of instructors, historians and prominent members of society brought everyone together to unify the different teaching and fighting styles and called it Taekwondo.  

In 1973, the World Taekwondo Federation was established to preserve the integrity of this martial art and by 1988, there was a Taekwondo demonstration during the opening ceremony of the Summer Olympics in Seoul, Korea.  Taekwondo became an officially recognized Olympic sport at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia.

Watch the video below for a historical overview of Taekwondo.

If you are interested in learning more about Taekwondo in Waterloo, join a free trial class and then decide if it’s for you.  Ms. Charlotte is a 3rd degree black belt and has been teaching kids and adults for more than 10 years.

 

Goal Setting in Martial Arts

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Goal Setting in Martial Arts for Success

Happy New Year!  The start of a new year is a great time to set goals for the coming year.  Why?  Because if you don’t know where you want to go, you will have a hard time getting there.  So, setting a written goal and making a plan to get there is the key to success.

And, setting goals is key to success in any area of your life.  Not only in martial arts or Taekwondo but in the area of your finances, your career, your relationships and more.  People are most happy and feel more confident when they are working towards a goal.  

Studies on goal setting have shown that people who write down their goals are far more likely to achieve them than those who do not.  It’s as if writing down your goals helps to cement them in your subconscious and then the stars align (so to speak) to help you fulfill your desires.

But it’s important to set a goal that is realistically achievable for you.  So, taking martial arts as an example, maybe you want to obtain your black belt.  Talk to your instructor about a realistic time frame for achieving your goal.  So, if you are currently a white belt, it is unlikely you will be able to obtain a black belt within 6 months.  

But, it is achievable within 2-4 years depending on how hard you work.  Next, you will want to break down that goal into smaller chunks and perhaps plan on testing for your next belt level every 6 months.  If at the end of your black belt journey, you miss your completion date for when you wanted to obtain your black belt, don’t beat yourself up because you’ve probably achieved far more than you would have otherwise.   Just set a new goal for your black belt completion date.

Most importantly, celebrate your achievements along the way because this will give you the drive and energy to keep going to your next belt along the way to black.

Watch today’s video and enjoy hearing about this man’s martial arts journey with goal setting.

If you are looking for a Martial Arts Studio in Waterloo where you can obtain your black belt, drop by and try a free class or call 519-725-5550 for more information.