Taekwondo Training During the Holy Month of Ramadan

By Sir Nathaniel Rhine

To the Muslims throughout the world, we at Makevelli Taekwondo would like to wish you all a very happy and blessed month of Ramadan. To the Muslim students who are martial arts, I would hope that you will find a few minutes to read and fully understand this article on training during Ramadan.

During Ramadan, we the Muslims are forbidden to eat or drink during the daylight hours. Not even a sip of water is allowed during this time. Unfortunately, many of the Muslim martial artists love to use Ramadan as an excuse not to train, for fear that they may dehydrate, faint or whatever. Cut the non-sense!

Islam has stipulated that there shall not be any food or water had during the daylight hours. It never stated or even suggested that one should abstain from any physical activities, including martial arts training.

Of course, since there is very little water in the body of a fasting person during Ramadan, one must take into consideration one’s ability or inability to perform various physical activities. I would advise you to still train, however, do not over do it. If your usual training session is an hour and a half, you may still maintain the duration of the training, but reduce the intensity of your training.

Instead of working on your turning kick by executing 200 kicks each leg, continue to work on your turning kick, but reduce the number to say 100 each leg. You will still get in a good workout, without putting a stain on the body.

Instead of a heavy sparring session, why not work on various sparring techniques, minus the speed and stepping. Continue with the attack and defence movements, yet do it in at a reduced speed and reduced power. One does not have to kick one’s training partner with full power. Simply, touch or kick your opponent lightly, just to practice the technique.

Moreover, depending on the time of day you have training; try to minimize your other physical activities throughout the day. Reserve your energy for your martial arts training, as much as you can.

I will be very frank, I hate it with a passion when any student of mine approaches me and/or begins the day’s training session, and they act as though they are about to physically die due to observing a fast, be it for religious reasons or otherwise. Just stop! Cut the crap! If you feel that you are going to die, then do not come to class. It is that simple. If one is to think positive and tell themself that they are doing to do their best during class, then they will do there best in class.

Do not use fasting in Ramadan as an excuse not to train. At least put forth an earnest effort to train. Other members in the dojang want to train hard and they are not there to give you any pity because of your fasting. Instead, they may want to give you a quick kick in the you know what for your self-pity. Let Ramadan be a form of training for you. Use it as a train tool to increase your love for the martial arts.

In conclusion, I wish all the Muslim martial artists and non-martial artists alike a safe, happy and productive Ramadan. Happy training!

Ten Points to Becoming a Good Student of Taekwondo

By Sir Nathaniel Rhine

Below are just ten points that I would like to share with you about becoming a good student of Taekwondo. It is not limited to these ten. There are much more, however, I think ten is a good start. As time goes on, I will add to the list.

1. Never tire of learning. A good student can learn anywhere and at anytime. This is the key to acquiring knowledge.

2. A good student must be willing to sacrifice for his art and his Instructor. Many students as well as parents, feel that their training is a commodity bought with monthly fees, and are unwilling to take part in any demonstration, teaching, or work around the dojang. As an Instructor I can afford to lose this type of student.

3. Always set a good example to lower ranking students. It is only natural that they will attempt to emulate their seniors.

4. Always be loyal and never criticise the Master/Instructor, Taekwondo, or the teaching methods used.

5. If a Master/Instructor teaches a technique, practice it and attempt to utilize it.

6. Remember that a students’ conduct outside the dojang reflects on art of Taekwondo and the Master/Instructor.

7. If a student adopts a technique from another dojang and the Master/Instructor disapproves of it, the student must discard it immediately, or train at the dojang where it was learned.

8. Never be disrespectful to the Master/Instructor. Although a student is allowed to disagree with the Master/Instructor, he must first follow the instructions, and then if necessary discuss the matter later in private with the Master/Instructor.

9. A student must always be eager to learn and ask questions.

10. Never break a trust.

Etiquette of the Dojang (Training Center)

By Sir Nathaniel Rhine

Every student of Taekwondo, especially those who train at my center, Makevelli Taekwondo, must observe the following etiquette of the dojang, training center. This is to ensure order in the dojang:

1. All students must bow upon entering and leaving the dojang.

2. All students must bow to the Master/Instructor at a proper distance. Proper distance meaning within a few feet of the Master/Instructor.

3. Exchange greetings amongst students.

4. Before the class officially begins, all students as a group/class must bow to the Master/Instructor.

5. Recite the Oath of Taekwondo prior to training.

6. Always address the Master, Instructors and Black Belt holders as Master, Sir, Miss, respectively.

7. Recite the Oath of Taekwondo at the end of each training session.

In future articles, I will go into more details about each of the above etiquette. As for now, I am confident that this information will suffice. Thank you for your time.

Oath of Taekwondo

By Sir Nathaniel Rhine

At the beginning and the end of my classes that I conduct at Makevelli Taekwondo, my students will recite the oath of Taekwondo. An oath is a solemn promise that one makes. In the case of my students, they are promising themselves the following:

I shall observe the tenants of Taekwondo.

I shall respect the Instructor and seniors.

I shall NEVER misuse Taekwondo.

I shall be a champion of freedom and justice and,

I shall build a more peaceful world.

This Thing Called Taekwondo. What is it?

By Sir Nathaniel Rhine

Today many people are talking about this thing called Taekwondo. In actual fact what is it? Simply put, it is a version of an ancient form of unarmed combat practiced for many centuries in the Orient. Taekwondo has matured in its present form in Korea.

Translated from the Korean language, “tae” literally means to jump, kick or smash with the foot. “Kwon” means using the hand and/or fist to punch or destroy. “Do” means the art, way or method. In simple English, Taekwondo is the martial art of using both the feet and hands. It is the technique of unarmed combat for self defence, involving the skilled application of punches, kicks, blocks, dodges and interception with the hand, arms and feet to the rapid destruction of the opponent.

The practitioner of Taekwondo, it is more than a mere use of skilled movements. Rather it implies a way of thinking and life, particularly in instilling a concept and spirit of strict self-imposed discipline and an ideal of noble moral rearmament.

In today’s world where crime, violence and intimidation are on the increase, Taekwondo enables anyone to posses a fine and powerful weapon to defend oneself and defeat the opponent as well. It is a means of building one’s level of self confidence. There are so many benefits of practicing Taekwondo. Perhaps in future articles I will share with you some of those benefits. Thank you for your time.