​The next black belt grading is approaching quickly and the deadline to enter is Tuesday 12th February. Forms can be downloaded from the Dropbox folder. The schedule for the black belt grading is as follows:
Sunday 10th March – Black Belt Pre Grading - Belper Leisure Centre, John O'Gaunts Way, Belper DE56 0DA.
Sunday 31st March – Black Belt Pre- Training - Belper Leisure Centre, John O'Gaunts Way, Belper DE56 0DA.
Sunday 7th April – Black belt Pre -Training - - Derby Arena, Royal Way, Derby DE24 8JB.
12th, 13th & 14th April – Black Belt Grading Weekend - Bristol Academy.

Red belts and black stripes, please remember, you must attend the compulsory red belt training sessions every six months to be eligible to take further gradings. You will need to be registered to attend these sessions so please let me know which session(s) you will be attending.
The next sessions are:
Sunday 7th April, 14.30 to 16.00 - Derby Arena, Royal Way, Derby DE24 8JB. THIS SESSION ALLOWS ANY STUDENT FROM 2ND KUP TO 4TH DAN TO ATTEND AS A CATCH UP.
Sunday 5th May, 16.00 to 17.00 - Derby Arena, Royal Way, Derby DE24 8JB. THIS SESSION IS FOR RED BELTS ONLY, BOTH 2ND & 1ST KUPS.

Don’t forget to take your licence to be signed.

Why Set Goals?
Setting precise, well-defined goals can help you measure and take pride in the achieving of those goals and you will see forward growth in what may have earlier appeared a lengthy hard slog. You will grow as a person raising your self-assurance, recognizing your own ability and capability in achieving the goals you set for yourself.
Some of the most successful people, elite athletes, businesspeople and high achievers in a variety of fields set goals.
When you set yourself goals or targets it gives you a long term vision and short term inspiration. It concentrates your attainment of knowledge and helps you organize your precious time so that you can make the most of your life. 
 
Deciding on the right goals for you
When deciding on which goals are best for you it’s often worth discussing this with a mentor, instructor, coach or manager. They can provide advice suggesting reasonable effective goals that will challenge you but are realistic and motivate you.
 
How to Set Goals

• First think of your main goal, the overall goal to wish to achieve.
• Timeframe, when do you wish to achieve your main goal. This needs to be realistic.
• Then, you break your main goal down into smaller and smaller targets that you must hit to reach your main goal.
• Finally, once you have your plan, you start working on it to accomplish your goals.

Here is a GOAL SETTING WORK SHEET to get you started. If you want an editable copy fill in the contact form below to request a copy.  

Firstly, what does the term “Martial Arts” mean? Martial Arts are various sports that historically originate from Asia as forms of self-defence. There are fundamental differences between styles, identifying and choosing the style that suits you is the first step. There are so many benefits when training regularly in martial arts regardless of style.

What are the Benefits?

CONFIDENCE
One of the hardest things about beginning anything new including a martial art is the initial staring point. In martial arts that is normally getting up and taking part in your first lesson, nerves kick in and you can feel a lack of confidence and you’re asking yourself, will I be able to do it, will I be any good? Well, you won’t know until you try. If everyone was perfect at everything and never made a mistake, then there would be no need for an endless number of things but that’s not the case.
All martial arts improve confidence endlessly. They have recognised progression which provides a sense of achievement and development whilst improving self-defence skills which also helps confidence.

IMPROVED MEMORY
It isn’t just physical exercise but also a mental work out. Most martial arts have a sequence of techniques and moves that need to be remembered advancing in difficulty the more you progress. Regular practise will bring focus and help improve your memory.  

FLEXIBILITY
No matter what age you are when you start, you will gain flexibility, and your body will improve balance, muscle tone and stability.  Whichever martial art you choose, the exercises will feel alien at first, but with control and repetition comes increased benefit.

CREATIVITY
It’s great having a structured way to do something especially when learning but using your own imagination and creativity helps too. Martial arts have both elements, you have a structured system with set moves and sequences, and areas where you encouraged to create your own combinations and sequences.
 
WEIGHT LOSS & FITNESS
Any physical activity is going to aid weight loss and martial arts is no expectation. The beauty of martial arts is you can control the intenseness of the work out, lessons are structured and have a variety of activities that develop diverse areas of your body.  It isn’t necessarily about weight loss but that is very often the outcome. If you are considering martial arts mainly for weight loss, choosing a one that has lots of kicking, sparring, pad work & cardio might be your best option.
 
IMPROVED LIFESTYLE
Martial arts are a lifestyle choice, you will find that it isn’t just a physical activity it’s so much more.  The majority martial arts have an aspect relating to respect, morals and values which transfer over to every area of your life.
 
What do I need to start?
It’s never too late to take up martial arts, you can do it at any age, at any level of fitness and with commitment and regular training you will improve very quickly.  
You require very little when starting, can it is best to go to your local martial arts school/club and speak to the instructor. They will be able to advise you on what is required at that particular school/club.  Below are some items that are required for beginners.
 A Licence / Membership with insurance.
All reputable martial arts schools will have some kind licence with insurance that covers you in case of injury, the instructor at your chosen school will be able to advise you more.
A Uniform.
This will be specific for both the discipline, and the school that you have joined, so talk to your instructor and see what is needed.
 
Items to consider in the future.
 
Focus Pads or Kick shields
These are used for practising techniques to improve your accuracy, power and speed. Sometimes the school will provide them but it is useful to have your own.
 
Sparring Equipment
If your chosen martial art requires sparring then you’ll need to purchase equipment at some point. This usually consist of Head guard, gum shield, gloves, shin pads, boots, groin guard.  

Jack from the Oswestry Advertiser came to visit us at the end of last year to write an article on Tae Kwon Do. 
His article can be found here.

2019 is here and we are straight into action with the first competition of the year on the 3rd February. The information pack has been sent out on our WhatsApp group chat and is also on our Dropbox folder.
The deadline to enter is Friday 18th January.

To celebrate the New Year we are giving away a Tae Kwon Do uniform.🥋

To enter all you need to is: 
like our Facebook page @MalpasTKD
Share the giveaway post
Tag any friends that are interested in starting Tae Kwon Do.

Click below to be taken to our Facebook page where you can enter, Good Luck!
Enter Here!

This give away is open to any of our current students and anyone thinking of starting Tae Kwon Do.
The winner will be chosen at random, contacted for required size of Tae Kwon Do uniform and to arrange collection at any of our training sessions.