Teignbridge Taekwon-Do Academy
Established 2003
“Engage, Educate, Empower”
Welcome.
We are a family orientated Taekwon-Do School catering for all ages, practising International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) Taekwon-Do.
Teignbridge Taekwon-Do, also known as Dawlish Taekwon-Do, is a community where you can have fun, stay fit, and learn the art of Taekwon-Do. Our club was founded on September 22nd, 2003 by Mr. Peter Hilditch and his son Mr. Ross Hilditch, and we are dedicated to providing a supportive and engaging environment for individuals of all ages and skill levels.
We offer a wide range of classes for everyone in our community, including:
Adult Beginners
Intermediate grade
Children only
Adults only
Mixed grade groups
Advanced age groups
Mixed age groups
Black belts only
Our experienced instructors are committed to helping you achieve your goals and become the best version of yourself. From beginners to advanced age groups and black belts, we have something for everyone.
At Teignbridge Taekwon-Do, we believe that the benefits of Taekwon-Do go beyond just physical fitness. Our classes are designed to improve your confidence, discipline, and self-defense skills while providing a fun and challenging workout. We welcome all students, regardless of age, fitness level, or previous martial arts experience.
If you're interested in joining our community, please visit our classes page for a full list of the classes we offer. If you have any questions or would like to know which classes are best suited for you or your child, please don't hesitate to contact us. We'd be happy to provide you with all the information you need to become a part of our Taekwon-Do family.
What is Taekwon-Do?
Taekwon-Do is a traditional Korean martial art focused on self-defence. Originating from ancient practices, "Tae" represents kicking or smashing with the feet, "Kwon" signifies fist or punching, and "Do" means art or way. Thus, Taekwon-Do encompasses the art of hand and foot combat.
This martial art primarily concentrates on self-defence, striving to train one's body for maximum speed and accuracy in order to counter any form of attack effectively. Taekwon-Do combines the philosophy and spirit found in the ancient art with contemporary sports science practices, delivering a well-rounded and comprehensive martial art.
The roots of Taekwon-Do can be traced back over a thousand years, but it only emerged as a distinct martial art in the mid-twentieth century. The name "Taekwon-Do" was chosen in 1955 to unite various native Korean martial arts, which evolved from Japanese and Chinese influences. Initially, Taekwon-Do was considered a Korean version of Japanese Karate, but it soon developed its unique identity, integrating western medical science to enhance techniques' efficiency and effectiveness.
In Korea, Taekwon-Do spread from the army to schools and universities, with dojangs (schools) established to teach the public. International instructors and demonstration teams travelled globally, with many countries inviting them to teach in their armed forces and the general population. Grand Master Rhee Ki Ha introduced Taekwon-Do to the United Kingdom in 1967.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Taekwon-Do gained popularity as a sport, featuring as a demonstration event in the 1988 and 1992 Olympic Games and becoming a permanent fixture in the Olympics from 2000 onwards. Today, there are an estimated fifty million Taekwondo practitioners across 167 countries.
Taekwon-Do is built upon five tenets:
Courtesy
Integrity
Perseverance
Self-Control
Indomitable Spirit
The oath of Taekwon-Do includes the following commitments:
Observing the tenets of Taekwon-Do
Respecting instructors and seniors
Never misusing Taekwon-Do
Championing freedom and justice
Building a more peaceful world
Training in Taekwon-Do improves coordination, balance, toning, flexibility, cardiovascular conditioning, strength, and general fitness. For children, it enhances motor skills, including hand-eye coordination. Students also develop self-discipline, self-confidence, better judgement, stress reduction, and a positive self-image.
Taekwon-Do fosters teamwork as students work with fellow club members in class and interact with peers, seniors, and juniors. They learn respect and responsibility, assisting in teaching juniors and seeking guidance from seniors. Students develop perseverance, strive for high achievement, and learn to accept defeat whilst strengthening their resolve to succeed.
As they acquire skills that transform their hands and feet into powerful weapons, students abide by the tenets and oath of Taekwon-Do, adhering to a sense of fair play, justice, and loyalty to the martial art's ethics.
Our philosophy is to teach Taekwon-Do to everyone, regardless of race, creed, gender, age, or disability. We believe in promoting Taekwon-Do for all.