In taekwondo schools, they use colored belts to indicate that a student has progressed from one rank to another. The junior ranks are known as gup while the senior rank is known as dan, or black belt. Belt systems vary between different schools. However, the most common system uses only six belt colors: white, yellow, green, blue, red and black.   What Does Each Belt Signify?   White Belt Every student must begin at this level. They usually begin at the 10th geup level. The color white is an indicator of innocence and this belt is given to the student the moment they enter the school. Before they advance to the next level, they must gain a yellow stripe in their belt.                                  Yellow Belt This is the first rank that a student is promoted to. It signifies the sun and the earth. The two elements are necessary for growth and therefore serve as an indicator that the student is still growing. Half way between the yellow belt and the next belt rank, the student is given a green stripe.   Green The green belt is used to show that the student is still growing and has great potential for growth. At this stage, the student is unrefined and is still developing strength and growing into the art. Before they advance to the next level, the student will be given a blue stripe.   Blue The color blue signifies the sky. The sky is the limit and students should aim to reach the other ranks. They are usually given a red stripe before they advance to the next rank.   Red This belt signifies the final stage of the junior belt ranks before the student advances to the black belt. The color red is associated with danger and it warns other students that the student is becoming a skilled fighter. When the student receives a black stripe on their belt it shows that they are half way up to reaching the black belt rank.   Black The black belt indicates that the student has reached maturity. They are given the rank of a first dan and are promoted from the junior ranks. From there, they can advance through the black belt ranks.   Other colors Some schools include other colors such as brown, purple, and orange in the junior rankings. These colors are not widely used and only remain in the schools or particular association. PREVIOUS PAGE |  NEXT PAGE

Yoga: a brief introduction In ancient times, yoga was a practice to achieve spiritual peace. Monks and priests who followed it did so solely for its perceived philosophical & religious benefits. During those times, it was practiced by a few people in particular areas of the world. Recently, however, yoga has become an increasingly popular activity with a much larger and diverse demographic. The reasons cited by these “yogis” are just as diverse.   The conflict Two thousand years ago, no one did yoga for its physical benefits. Things are not the same today. Gyms across the country offer yoga classes or memberships, which are being rebranded as a fitness activity. This has complicated matters, with little consensus on what yoga is classified as. While there is no doubt that it used to be merely a religious or spiritual practice, today, it is much more than that. Many argue that since it has a more physical focus, it should be classified as a Sport. Others, however, argue that yoga’s uncompetitive nature pushes it out of the realm of sport.   The consensus One must first elaborate on what “sport” really means to understand and solve this issue. According to most dictionaries, sport is “an athletic activity requiring skill or physical prowess and often of a competitive nature.” No, don’t go back to reread it! We’re here to break it down for you, and we’ll do so by dividing it into three parts. The first part argues that a sport must be an athletic activity. This means that much like basketball or football, yoga’s focus must be on the physical aspects over the mental. Yoga does fulfill that requirement, and if you want to disqualify yoga for not being physical enough, you will also have to disqualify Chess. Since Chess is recognized globally as a sport, yoga should be too. After all, you can’t do yoga mentally, can you? The next part elaborates that the activity must require skill or physical prowess to be considered a sport. Yoga fulfills this pretty quickly. Have you ever tried yoga? The positions are complex, and the techniques needed to hold them could go over an amateur’s head. The complexity of yoga also qualifies it across the second part of the definition. The last part, and probably most difficult, is that sports if OFTEN of a competitive nature. This is an aspect where yoga cannot win since there are no winners or losers in yoga. Since most sports are competitive, you can’t blame those who argue yoga should not be a sport since it is not competitive. The answer to whether yoga is a sport will be argued upon for many years. One must recognize both arguments, but we cannot deny that yoga is catching on very quickly among people. Whether you recognize it as a sport or not, one thing is sure: Yoga is here to stay.

Starting as a beginner at boxing may seem daunting since there's so much to learn and do. This confusion regarding where and how to start is further enhanced by the various boxing montages that can be seen on various TV shows and movies. It is essential for a beginner to keep things as simple as possible to build a strong foundation that you can develop over time.    Decide where to train. The first step includes deciding whether you need to go to the gym for training or are considering training at home. This initial decision is based on whether you want to train like an expert with professional equipment or choose boxing as a side hobby and can make do with little to no equipment you can acquire in your home. If you're talking about the former approach, you need to ensure that the gym is close to your residence or workplace and has the equipment that pertains to your specific needs. You can do this by visiting various local gyms and making a decision based on your personal preference.    Get in contact with a coach. Secondly, it is exceedingly helpful to have a trainer who will guide you through the entire process and ensure that your technique and ability develop as needed. You can check whether the coach will be right for you by asking various necessary questions, such as their coaching philosophies. This insight will help you understand whether they will be the right fit for you.    Do your research. If you're training at home and want to get the best out of your training, it is essential to research various aspects, starting with the initial forms, such as the boxing stance. A boxing stance should help you strike and defend yourself equally. Then, it is important to start small with right and left jabs and repeat them until you have perfected the form and the technique so that it becomes easier for you to build up from them in the future. In this stage, you can utilize various resources, such as video tutorials and books.    Remember to focus on footwork. Another critical thing to consider, whether you're training at home or a gym, is that you need to focus on your footwork. This will help you to build a rhythm that can be seen in your boxing. Not only this, but it also helps you help you cover ground when you are trying to strike or are in the process of defending a strike.    Diversify your training. You should also include a form of cardio and conditioning exercise, such as jump rope, in your routine, which will help build your stamina and improve your boxing. Having a diet plan that suits your body's specific requirements and fitness goals can also be a huge asset. Make sure you don't get too into the boxing part and start neglecting other vital aspects of your fitness journey.  Once you've followed all these steps, you can start boxing in no time!

Introduction To Sparring In many combat sports, including taekwondo, sparring is commonly used. It is way for opponents to practice taekwondo moves on one another without getting into a real fight. Sparring in taekwondo is a great way for children as well as adults to utilize their skills as well as gain enough confidence to face everyday situations in the real world.   What Are Some Of the Strategies Involved In Taekwondo? Strategy in martial arts is a very essential factor and taekwondo is no exception to it. It usually involves a close analysis of the situation, judging the options that are available and executing an appropriate action. In taekwondo, the fighter has to be aware of the regulations and rules of the game. They also have to be updated on the current strategies that are used by international fighters. In every taekwondo game, strategy is the only thing that will help you to win.                                PREVIOUS PAGE  |  NEXT PAGE