WHAT IS IMPORTANT IN FINDING A GOOD TAEKWONDO GYM?
Many people tend to choose a school based on price or appearance. As the old saying goes, you get what you pay for. When choosing a school for yourself or child, the quality of the instruction and curriculum are of the utmost importance. At Cobra’s Taekwondo Training Centre, we strive to provide top quality martial arts education and an encouraging, friendly atmosphere.

I HAVE _____ BELT RANK IN TAEKWONDO, AND WANT TO SWITCH TO YOUR GYM, CAN I KEEP MY CURRENT BELT LEVEL?
Any transferring colour belt student will be required to display the level of ability and character required in our curriculum for their existing belt level. Wherever the student falls into place is which belt level they will begin with us. Students in these situations will not have to pay again to “re-test”, but will be promoted back up once they improve to that belt level. A black belt who wants to transfer to our gym from another school will have to be evaluated and approved. We have a high standard we want to maintain for our school, but understand that everyone comes from different backgrounds and training, so everyone deserves a fair chance.

WHAT IF I HAVE NEVER TAKEN MARTIAL ARTS BEFORE OR AM CURRENTLY OUT OF SHAPE?
At our gym we have ongoing enrollment, so beginners are always welcome. The belt system used allows each student to train at their own pace and to improve their physical condition gradually. Nobody is expected to compare their progress to anyone else in the school but rather to be “their own star player” and give their own individual 100 percent.

WILL TAEKWONDO MAKE MY CHILD AGGRESSIVE?
The absolute opposite! – in a gym where the students are trained hard and properly, it actually allows the child to release all his or her stress while on the mats. High Level Taekwondo training has a proven success rate in helping a child’s focus in school and other goal setting situations in life, as well as translating to being more of a role model, disciplined and respectful at home and so forth. Our head coach has a student creed in place to ensure that our students become leaders in their everyday lives and respectful/helpful to others around them – family, friends, etc.

DO I HAVE TO BOW? WHY?
Bowing is a way to show respect. It is comparable to a Western handshake, not worship. There is no religion in Taekwondo. However, we bow to our instructors and to each other to show that we respect one another.

HOW DO I ADDRESS THE INSTRUCTORS?
The instructor should be addressed as “sir” (male instructors) or “ma’am” (female instructors).

DO I HAVE TO BUY A UNIFORM?
All students must have a Taekwondo uniform. Most of our membership plans come with a free uniform. Additional uniforms can be purchased by students. The uniform and rank belt is a way for a student to learn goal setting and respect for each other and track their individual progress. Our competition team does not have to wear a uniform in their team practices.

HOW DOES A STUDENT EARN THEIR NEXT BELT?
At Cobra’sTaekwondo we will have several promotion tests per year. A student must be demonstrating strong work ethic, respect, progress and character in order to be eligible for promotion test, as well as be improving in their physical skills. In order for a student to achieve his or her red belt, they must demonstrate leadership and the ability to help instruct a beginner level student. We DO NOT GIVE OUT BELTS just based on memorization of curriculum and time passed just to make money. ALL of our promotion tests will always be held with high standard and integrity. This is a strong belief of our coaching staff which we will swear by for as long as we are in existence! A BLACK BELT IS NOT A GIVEN. IT IS EARNED AND SPECIAL!! 🙂

WHY TAEKWONDO OVER ANY OTHER MARTIAL ART? IS THIS SOMETHING FOR WOMEN?
Due to its “pure” style, Taekwondo is currently the only martial art that is a sport in the Olympics and is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. Some of our best martial artists, including instructors and assistants, are female. Because Taekwondo is a kicking art, it is particularly effective as a practical self-defense program for women and children. We believe that it is more important to be comfortable with the academy’s overall goals, the instructor’s teaching skills, and the learning atmosphere than to choose a school based on the style, price or “glitz”.

WHEN WILL WE LEARN TO SPAR? WILL WE HAVE TO SPAR?
Yes, all students have to participate in sparring. To learn how to defend yourself, it is important to practice against a moving opponent. Students develop enhanced reflexes, quick judgment, timing, and distancing. The sooner you start to learn the faster you pick up on techniques, and strategy. You become stronger and more confident with yourself. We teach how to spar using respect and good control. Sparring is always supervised closely by the Instructor, and students are required to wear protective gear. All students should own protective gear which must be ordered by the head coach.

DO WE HAVE TO COMPETE IN TOURNAMENTS?
COMPLETELY OPTIONAL!

If you have any other questions please do not hesitate to contact us!!!

– Cobra’s Taekwondo