Call Us Now! (515) 423-0804
2017 Southlawn Drive, Suite D, Des Moines, Iowa 50315
To try out our club and the art of Tae Kwon Do,
just come to a few classes! There is no obligation or cost. If you prefer,
you can watch a class, but we've found that students get a far better appreciation
for what class is really like – and what they can really accomplish – if
they actually take a class with us. The youngest age we recommend starting
is 7 years old, but feel free to discuss options with an instructor. Our
Tae Kwon Do classes include students of all ages, and we encourage families
to train together.
Check out the
schedules.
Our members vary from complete beginners at martial arts to advanced students
who have trained in Tae Kwon Do for many years. Many students who began their
training with the club have gone on to earn their black belts here, and have
continued training with us for years afterwards.
During your first few classes in particular, you will be exposed to an abundance of new information and new physical techniques.
There's no need to get frustrated, however – no one is expected to learn
or remember everything immediately. (In fact, everyone else in the club is
still working on those same techniques!)
Early in your training, you must often just imitate higher belts as best
you can. Be open to this old way of learning, which is uncommon today, but
which works especially well for physical techniques, at which proficiency
comes only after many repetitions. And don't hesitate to ask questions of
the instructor or other experienced students at appropriate times.
For your first class, please try to show up 10–15 minutes before the scheduled
starting time. Arriving early will give you an opportunity to meet the instructor,
to go over basic class etiquette, and permit the instructor to learn of any
special needs or medical issues you may have that may affect your training.
Although any student who feels dehydrated or sick can get water
or sit down as needed. Classes generally run from 60 to 75 minutes
with a break in the middle to get a drink. Advanced students will
typically drink 3–4 liters of water the day of class – as well as
the day after! So make sure you have plenty of water the day of class.
We recommend that you not eat anything substantial for several hours
before class. We do a lot of abdominal exercises and jumping and
twisting motions in class, and you are likely to be much more comfortable
with an empty stomach. Some club members with mysterious internal
architecture have claimed to be able to eat a full meal at 5:30 before
a 7:00 class, but most of us need more time.
You'll want clothes that are suitable for heavy exercise. Shorts
are OK, but remember that you will be doing splits and high kicks,
so please wear shorts of appropriate length. Also, please do not
wear shoes, a watch, or any jewelry. (We make exceptions only for
very important items such as wedding rings and religious jewelry,
as long as they don't protrude. If you have such jewelry, please
point it out to the instructor before your first class.)
If you feel dizzy or ill, raise your hand – the instructor will
immediately come over to check on your condition and see what you
may need. As mentioned above, any student who feels he or she needs
to sit down or get water will be permitted to do so. If you ever
feel that a particular exercise will hurt you (for example, because
of an injury), substitute something similar that is safe for you.
Let the instructor know before class if you anticipate any problem.
Acquiring the skills of a proficient martial artist takes a long
time, and much of the true value of training comes not from mastering
a skill, but from being comfortable working on something you haven't
mastered. Much of the joy of Tae Kwon Do comes from learning skills
that may take a lifetime to master. So come to class not to master
a new skill quickly, but to enjoy the process of learning!
There's obviously a lot more to becoming a martial artist – those are points that you will pick up as you attend classes.
In the beginning, just focus on coming to class, trying hard, and enjoying
the process of learning something that is not only mentally challenging,
but physically challenging, too!
All this may seem like a lot of information,
but in the end, it all comes down to what we said in
the beginning: Just come
to a few classes and work out with us! We look forward to having you train
with us! Meanwhile, email us
( trmaweb@tworiversmartialarts.com) if you
have questions.