About our classes
Beginner Class
This is designed for people new to Martial Arts or who have a different skill set and need to be brought up to speed to our way of training. Classes are short but designed to maximise your potencial so that members can join in with the regular classes as soon as possible
Tae Kwon-Do
Tae Kwon-Do is a Korean Martial Art developed in it's current forms in the late 1950's. Korea has a long history of Martial Arts development with systems such as Taek Kyon. In the early part of the 20th Century Korea was occupied by Japan and many Koreans had to learn Japanese Martial Arts. Once Korea was liberated at the end of the Second World War it embraced it's old sytle although many secrets had been lost.
What followed in the next few years was the emergence of several Korean systems but the 2 biggest ones were both called Tae Kwon-Do. One is practiced more in North Korea (ITF) and the other in South Korea (WTF).
Both systems are very simliar except for the competitive sparring rules where one (ITF) allows punches to the head and is 'semi-contact' whereas the other (WTF) is almost all kicks and is 'full-contact'.
Due to the nature of Martial Arts in general and Tae Kwon-Do in particular, the politics between each style and groups within each style has caused many splinter groups and opinions abut what 'is' and 'isn't' Tae Kwon-Do.
Twin Dragon Martial Arts doesn't care about such petty arguments and just wants to practice the best Tae Kwon-Do it can.
1. Traditonal ITF Tae Kwon-Do. This effectively replaces the sport karate element of PMA and teaches the trademark 'Tae Kwon-Do-ness' of this martial art.
2. Sport Tae Kwon-Do. Sparring and padwork are used to develop the sport skills of the art.
3. Self Protection. A passion of all Twin Dragon instructors is to teach the best self protection packages which in this case is the PMA Krav Maga syllabus.
Using this format members gain a grade in ITF Taekwondo but are also recognised by Premier Martial Arts with the Krav Maga element as well.
Premier Martial Arts
This is the Mixed Martial Arts syllabus from the USA that we train in. It has Sport Karate forms, Kickboxing, Krav Maga style self protection and Mixed Martial Art Brazilian Ju Jitsu. It is one of the most complete Martial Arts packages out there, hard work and terrific fun!
PMA is unique in the MMA world as you can actually grade in a Internationally regcognised system up to and beyond Black belt.
PMA Kickboxing
Kickboxing means very different things to different people, but it bascially a combination of Western style boxing skills and Eastern style kicking skills.
Twin Dragon teaches a style similiar to the popular K-1 or Muay Thai Kickboxing using pad work and set drills to develop your standup skills, work on speed, power and stamina. All in all it gives a terrific work out!
For those who wish, sparring is included but it is not a hardcore slugfest, the emphasis being on control and skill
PMA Self Protection
Based on the Israeli Military Combat system, Krav Maga, PMA Self Protection focuses on 'flinch' responses, body mechanics and scenario based training to make training realsitic and instinctive.
To make these classes more relevant, basic Kali stick fighting is taught which in turn leads to defence against a short stick (or any blunt weapon), bladed weapons and pistol defences.
Classes then build on these techniques to develop instictive reactions to hostile acts of violence dependant on your circumstances.
They are also a good workout!
PMA Mixed Martial Arts
Designed by some of the top UFC fighters from the USA, the Mixed Martial Arts classes develop Brazilian Ju Jitsu Submission wrestling along with Kickboxing skills to allow members to become skillful in the fastest growing sector in Adult Martial Arts worldwide.
Although members can (and do) fight in full contact events the majority of training is based on a semi-contact amateur rule set which allows the maximum development of competitive skills with the minimum risk of injury.
Forms Class
This class is devoted to developing skill in forms whether they be Traditional Tae Kwon-Do, Progressive style PMA or weapons kata. Members learn from qualified coaches how to perform this asthetic skill with precision and flair.
Fitness and Sparring
Many of the Instructors are National champions and experienced competitors. Bringing this first hand knowledge of the fitness, tactics and skills needed to compete makes these classes a must for anyone wishing to test themselves in competition.
For those not wanting to take things that far the fitness elements will take your training to the next level!
Classes use pad work, sparring drills and controlled sparring to develop sporting excellence. All sparring is to a strict semi-contact rule so that members remain safe.
Classes on a Tuesday are directed m ore towards a 'Light Continuous' version of points sparring for kickboxers and Tae Kwon-Do members.
Sundays classes are more geared towards K-1 style kickboxing rules and MMA (although contact levels are kept low - it is only sparring after all and meant to be fun!)
