Following the shut down of non-essential services and facilities due to COVID-19, Redwood Meadows Tae Kwon-Do School introduced at-home training videos and live classes via videoconferencing for its students.
Historically, many Tae Kwon-Do pioneers would retreat to remote areas for fear of being caught or persecuted for practicing the fighting art. In fact, Tae Kwon-Do patterns, which range from 19 to 72 moves, were developed to allow martial artists to practice on their own. Patterns are a creation of pre-arranged moves designed to simulate attacks and defences against an opponent.
Online training still allows for the Tae Kwon-Do curriculum to be taught and students can continue to progress through belt levels. There are some limitations such as practicing distance and timing with a partner and learning online is not the same as training in a traditional gym with the camaraderie of a group.
This new normal of online interaction takes some adjustment, yet it encourages the practice of the tenants of Tae Kwon-Do including perseverance and indomitable spirit. Indomitable spirit in particular refers to the ability to consistently strive and adapt in spite of any obstacle or adversity.
At-Home training videos are available free to anyone on the Redwood Meadows Tae Kwon-Do YouTube channel. Online live classes (4 times weekly) are available for all members. Contact redwoodtaekwondo@telus.net for more information.
