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.

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

There's a certain chill in the air now that it's wintertime, and as much as we all want to snuggle in our blankets with warm mugs of coffee, the adventurous souls out there might be looking for something a bit different. If you're one of those people who're looking for new sports to master this winter season, you're in just the right place! Here are four winter sports that are bound to quench that thirst for seeking adventure in the snow.   Ski jumping You can't talk about winter sports without talking about skiing, but here's a variation you might not be as familiar with: ski jumping. It's as the name sounds; players slide down their skis from a curved ramp, and the one with the longest jump and the best style and form wins the competition. All you need to start ski jumping is your standard ski gear and a helmet. You don't need to take any official classes, although that can help speed up the learning process.   Snow polo We all know about polo, but have you ever tried to play the winter version of this sport? This game involves the same rules and requirements of regular polo, except it is played on frozen ground rather than grass. The players are divided into two teams of four, and they use mallets to score goals at the opposite ends of the field. Snow polo also involves additional conveniences for the players, such as a bigger and brighter ball and special grips for the horses to help them stay steady on the ice.   Dog sledding This sport is perfect for you if you're an animal and nature lover. Originating from Alaska, where big dogs help to pull sleds in the transportation of goods, dog sledding eventually transitioned into a famous sport played in icy regions. The basic premise of the sport requires the participants to create a team of powerful and fast sled dogs, and the one who can get across the finish line the fastest is considered the winner.   Snowmobiling While many people associate snowmobiling as a recreational activity, it's actually a competitive sport that is played in tournaments as well. If you're a beginner, you're bound to find it challenging, but with time and practice, you'll get the hang of the basics of riding a snowmobile in no time. Once you're well-acquainted with the features of the mobile, you can take it out for a ride. Start off slow but gradually pick up pace as you get used to the ride. You can also challenge yourself by trying out different terrains, although always check the weather and any hazardous avalanche predictions in that area beforehand. The four sports we've shared can seem a bit daunting and challenging to master at the start, but the effort will surely pay off once you've put in enough hours! Pick a sport you enjoy, set your goals for the winter, and above all, make sure you enjoy every moment of the process. We wish you the best of luck in your icy endeavors!

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