Love Taekwondo? 36 Facts NYC' Martial Arts Aficionados Should Know, PART 4

This four-part article series presents 36 different facts people who are interested in Taekwondo should know about this Korean martial art system.

Welcome to the final installment of this four-part article series, which presents 36 interesting and important facts about the martial art system taking NYC by storm: Taekwondo! From Part 1 through to Part 3, we have explored the combat techniques employed by Taekwondo; we have taken a brief look at its history and popularization in the West and we've found Taekwondo to be both a self-defense system and a competitive combat sport.

We have only 9 interesting facts left to explore, so let's get started!

Fact # 28: Interested in putting your skills to the test? Whether you want to put your skills to the test in a formal environment, you'll be happy to hear that there are many regional, national and international Taekwondo tournaments to participate in and NYC is home to many! If you've got your eyes on the prize, there are always the Olympic Games to prepare for.

Fact # 29: The divisions organized for NYC Martial Arts competition are based upon skill level and age, so no matter how young or old or experienced or inexperienced you are, you should have the opportunity to compete.

Fact # 30: If you sign up for Taekwondo classes in NYC, you can expect to learn quite a bit of the Korean language! This is because commands and prompts are given in Korean. The same commands are used in competition, which is why all martial arts studios will expect you to learn them.

Fact # 31: Skill and achievement in Taekwondo are reflected by the color of your belt. From the lowest level to the highest: white, yellow, green, blue, red and black. It will take you many, many years of dedication and practice to achieve black belt. If any NYC dojo, gym or studio offers you a "fast track" to the top, they are not to be trusted. There is only one way to become a skilled Taekwondo fighter and that's through hard work.

Fact # 32: Taekwondo competitions may look fierce and the moves difficult to pull off, but the risk of serious injury is actually very low! Most of the time, competitors walk away from sparring with little more than a few bruises and perhaps some stiff muscles. The rules governing Taekwondo are strict and are in place to protect competitors from harm.

Fact # 33: One of the first and most important lessons all NYC residents will learn is the five Tenets of Taekwondo. These tenets are intended to guide students through their lives and to gently influence absolutely everything they do, from their actions and choices to the very foundations of their decision-making.

They are:

• Courtesy (Ye-Ui)
• Perseverance (In-Nae)
• Integrity (Yom-Chi)
• Invincibility (Beakjul-Bool-Gul)
• Self-discipline (Guk-Gi)

Fact # 34: Taekwondo students in NYC are required to take an oath, which essentially teaches them to be respectful, honorable and responsible:

I undertake to comply with the principles of Taekwondo.

I undertake to respect my coaches and all superiors.

I undertake to abuse Taekwondo never.

I pledge to stand up for freedom and justice.

I undertake to cooperate in the creation of a more peaceful world.

------------- Choi Hong Hi

Fact # 35: The World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) is the biggest tournament organization and its rules and regulations are applied to competitions held by the Olympic Games.

Fact # 36: Taekwondo isn't just a fantastic fitness and self-defense system; it's also a platform upon which students can develop their whole character, from their mind and heart to their body and soul.

Krav Maga Takes Off in New York as Citizens Refuse to Play Victim Anymore

This news article reveals that increasing numbers of NYC citizens are becoming trained in the Israeli martial art form of Krav Maga; taking street protection out of the hands of the NYPD and into their own.

It has become one of the most popular forms of martial arts in New York and more and more of the Big Apple’s citizens are signing up for classes that are not only getting them into peak physical condition, but are also arming them with the skills necessary to defend themselves against attack. We’re talking about Krav Maga (pronounced krahv ma-GAH) and if you’re unwilling to feel like a victim at any time of the day or night whilst walking New York’s streets, this might be the martial art for you!

What is Krav Maga?

Krav Maga is a combat system that was developed by the military in a 1940’s war-torn Israel. Its name is derived from the language Hebrew and literally means "contact combat". True to its name, krav maga is an intense and full contact combat NYC martial art that focuses on training students to face very real world situations. In other words, it’s anything but fight choreography and what you learn in Krav Maga classes in New York follows you out onto the street, into the subway and anywhere else you may go.

Krav Maga Classes in New York

Not surprisingly, more and more New Yorkers are signing up for krav maga classes because they want to get in shape and learn the technique necessary to keep them safer on the street. The techniques taught in these classes include a suite of grappling and wrestling moves, as well as kicks, strikes and chokeholds. The emphasis, however, is on the kinds of moves students can use in an urban context involving an attack by a thug, gangster, thief or any aggressor.

Equally as important as delivering quick, decisive and debilitating strikes to an attacker is how to escape joint-locks and chokeholds, since this is often how assailants render victims immobile. By performing the quick and necessary maneuvers to escape being pinned down or choked, you can then turn around and deliver a sharp punch to the bridge of the nose, allowing you crucial time to escape.

Krav Maga on the Streets of New York

Anyone who has spent any amount of time in New York will likely have felt threatened by another person at some time or another. Knowing that you have krav maga classes behind your name does wonders for the confidence and self-esteem with which you might handle such situations. But this is not to say that krav maga classes encourage New York residents to seek out fights! Quite the contrary, the primary rule of this martial art form is to avoid combat unless it is impossible or unsafe to do so. The next rule in line is to debilitate your attacker quickly and mercilessly and then to escape.

Another great benefit of this form of NYC martial arts is that people of all shapes and sizes are able to participate and that, no matter how small or short you are, you can learn the physical skills and combat techniques necessary to protect yourself.