Congratulations to husband and wife team, Avi & Mel Singh, who have just completed their first three months of Hapki-Do Training!

It's been such an honour to train with you and see the incredible changes happening for you.  Increase in fitness, flexibility and strength.  Weight-loss and getting healthier by the day.

Thanks for your commitment Avi & Mel!

         Avi & Mel with Bo-Sabum Nim Natasha Oosthuizen - 2 Degree Black Belt - Hapki-Do

A 13-Week Hapki-Do Seminar started in our Centurion Dojang this week!   Our training includes Basic and advanced self-defence techniques ~ Grappling, Wrist Locks, Throws and Step-Sparring.  Basic weapons training in, Short & Long Stick, Nunchaku, and Sword is included.

This is a very exciting journey for us and a real honour to be trained by Master Grachev.

  Training with Master Vladimir Grachev ~ VI Degree Black Belt Hapki-Do & Taekwon-Do ~

Congratulations to our SA GTF Team for their achievements at last weekends Veritas Competition.
 
A big thank you to all our Instructors and Team members for their support during the day we appreciate you!


For Sparring (Contact) Gold goes to Sabum Nim Timur Kurmanov and Roger de Charmoy - you did us proud.  Silver Medals to Lucky Ndlovu, Miki Swart, Janine Correia, Natasha Oosthuizen, Grant Sutherland, and Vounal Nandlal. 


The Teams would like to thank Guk-Jae Sabum Nim Vladimir Grachev for his instruction, coaching, constant and unfailing support. Thank you!!

Go Team Go! 

Some of the SA GTF (Global Taekwon-Do Federation) Team seen here with 

 - Master & International Instructor - Guk-Jae Sabum Nim Vladimir Grachev - 

- VI Degree Black Belt Taekwon-Do & Hapki-Do - 

                                                  

Families and Martial Arts

It is one of the most beautiful things in the world to watch parents and children train side by side!

What I love most is the bond of love, friendship, understanding and respect that develops between parent and child.

I enjoy watching the glow on a parents face as they see their child’s accomplishments, like the perfect execution of a turning-kick, and the satisfaction of when their child has a personal breakthrough and achieves something they never thought they could.   

It’s great to watch a family share in each other’s challenges and successes. Amongst many other benefits I have seen parents become younger and healthier and their children become more mature and confident.

Respect, trust and open communication are the foundations of strong families. Taekwon-Do training promotes values such as honesty, courtesy, loyalty, and cooperation. Each is an essential component in maintaining a good family structure.

Our sincere congratulations to all the families out there training side by side! Happy training and family building!

PS: If your family is training side by side ... let me know how it's going and what the benefits are?

Why Martial Arts?

I just love the versatility of Martial Arts and I am always amazed by the many different reasons why we are attracted to Martial Arts.   I don’t believe one reason is better than another.  It is what it is.  However, I do believe that many students are not clear about what they want from their martial arts training and even worse may not have communicated this clearly to their Instructor.  I think it’s a vital first step in one’s martial arts journey.

Why Martial Arts …

Self-Defense:  These students aren’t necessarily focusing on the negative or being paranoid, they simply feel the need for this basic skill. A Parent will enroll their child to equip them with dealing with bullies at school.  Or might see signs of “the bully” appearing in their child’s behavior and wish to have this energy channeled in a healthy way.

Fitness:  Many students are bored to tears by gym workouts and enjoy the variety and fun of a Martial Arts Fitness class.  They like becoming, stronger, leaner, toned and fitter than ever before.  Their flexibility increases and as an added bonus they have learnt self-defense. 

Grading:  These students are fascinated by the journey to Black Belt and beyond. They love the idea of having a clear long-term goal which is broken down into manageable smaller goals (each belt level).  They enjoy learning about Martial Arts, its origins and language and enjoy the challenge of the different levels of physical fitness, techniques; mental, emotional and physical breakthroughs that each belt level brings.  Parents see this as an opportunity to teach their children how to set and reach goals, and to develop character traits such as Respect, Integrity, Confidence, Focus, Discipline and the ability to stick to ones commitments.

Competitive Martial Arts:   Some enjoy the idea of Demonstrating their skill in either forms/patterns and/or contact sparring.  They are fascinated by the application of their art in real-life scenario’s and testing their skill and technique against another equally matched opponent.  They enjoy the rigorous training, the travel and the ability to present their Dojang at local events and re-presenting their art and country at international events.

Martial Arts as a Way of Life: Then there are those that realize that there are also deeper aspects of Martial such as its ideals, principles and philosophy. One such example would be the tenants of a Taekwon-Do … Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control and Indomitable Spirit. They see Martial Arts in its entirety – Body, Mind & Spirit. They love the idea of a strong, fast, fit and flexible body. A strong, clear, focused mind. To think clearly and make rapid decisions. A strong, balanced and principled character which in turn allows them to build a successful and happy life.

I’d love to hear your comments – “Why do you do Martial Arts?”