CHILDREN'S TAEKWONDO FAQ

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Hwa Rang Kwan features Taekwondo classes for children aged four and above. Between the ages of four and six, children attend our twice-weekly Tiger Tots classes, taught by Master Steve Rapport. Older children attend our Children's Taekwondo classes, taught by Master Anne Lundbom and Instructor Yvonne Theberge.

All children's classes are open to all belt levels, but instructors ensure that each student receives personal attention and that exercises are tailored to the individual child's needs and abilities.

WHAT IS CHILDREN'S TAEKWONDO? Literally, Taekwondo means Foot Fist Way. More prosaically, it means The Way of Foot and Fist Fighting. It is a traditional Korean martial art that emphasizes DISCIPLINE, RESPECT, and PERSONAL GROWTH, and it is famed for its fast and powerful kicks. Children learn the same basic curriculum as adults, and develop both their physical attributes (balance, co-ordination, flexibility, strength) and their life skills (the aforementioned discipline and respect, as well as courage, honesty, integrity, and the ability to work with other children and pass on their skills to those younger than themselves).

WHAT ARE TIGER TOTS CLASSES? Tiger Tots are our pee wee Taekwondo students. The emphasis in these classes is mostly on DESCIPLINE and RESPECT - for the instructors, for the art and customs of traditional Taekwondo, and for each other. The Tiger Tots learn very basic Taekwondo and life skills from Head Instructor Master Steve Rapport, in a fun and entertaining way.

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HOW WILL MY CHILD BENEFIT FROM TAEKWONDO? Above and beyond everything else, studying at Hwa Rang Kwan will improve your child's DISCIPLINE and RESPECT. These are the two pillars of traditional martial arts, and they are very strongly emphasized at our school. At the same time, with regular attendance you can also expect to see better fitness, flexibility, balance, coordination, and concentration. As your child progresses, he or she will also become noticeably more self confident.

IS EXPERIENCE NECESSARY? No, absolutely not! And everyone, regardless of experience, has to take our Three Day Basic Training. This consists of three private one-on-one introductory classes, each around 40 minutes in length, with one of our instructors. Basic training is designed to ease your child into our regular classes, with a rudimentary understanding of our system and the philosophy behind it. The cost of basic training is $60.00, and it is scheduled by appointment.

WHEN ARE CLASSES HELD? We have three Children's Taekwondo classes each week: on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, from 4.45pm-5.45pm. We also have two Tiger Tots classes, on Wednesdays and Fridays from 5.00pm-5.30pm. For more information, check out our Children's class schedule.

HOW OFTEN CAN MY CHILD TRAIN? Ideally, children should attend all of the classes offered each and every week.

WHAT ARE YOUR FACILITIES LIKE? We have a beautiful, clean and very modern 4500 sq ft school in San Francisco's SOMA neighborhood, only three blocks south of the Market St/Powell St intersection.

HOW DO I GET MY CHILD STARTED? Make an appointment to come in for a tour of our school. Head Instructor Master Steve Rapport or one of his staff will show you around, explain the program in more detail, answer any questions you have, and outline the cost involved.

If you would like more information about any of our classes, please call Master Steve Rapport at 415.495.2025, or send him an email, and arrange to come in for a tour.