Newcastle University Taekwondo Club


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Conduct and Etiquette

Tae Kwon Do is a potentially dangerous martial art, and therefore it is very important that all practitioners follow the rules and guidelines laid out below. This is important not just for the safety of yourself, but also your instructors and fellow club members.

Tae Kwon Do will not come naturally for the majority of students, therefore a high degree of concentration is required to ensure risk of injury is minimal.

Rules of conduct and etiquette are therefore a necessity so as to minimise the risks to the person, and to provide the entire class with an atmosphere that is conducive to training.

Please ensure that you have a clean uniform or training kit for each session.
Please keep all nails cut short.
Please remove all watches and/or jewellery prior to training - or cover with a plaster.
Bow on entering and leaving the hall and when addressing the instructor(s).
Listen to commands at all times, and do not speak when instruction is being given.
Arrive on time - to be late is to show disrespect for the instructor and your fellow students.
Treat your fellow students with the manners and courtesy that you would expect them to show towards yourself.
Don't forget, we are all part of a team (Hwarang), so work together!

The tenets of Tae Kwon Do

Historically there are five aims of the Tae Kwon Do student, known as tenets.

Etiquette
Modesty
Self Control
Perseverance
Indomitable Spirit

I now borrow from Adel Anwar, who summarised that the tenets of Tae Kwon Do apply to your whole life just as equally as in Tae Kwon Do - apply them and you will always extend your boundaries and improve in every aspect.

ETIQUETTE - Remember to live at other people's "realities" immediately before bringing them into your reality. Talk THEIR language first. Be polite.

MODESTY - Go for it with Passion - yet always remember humility, humbleness and modesty.

SELF CONTROL - instead of letting the world and emotions control you- YOU ARE IN CONTROL. YOU ARE THE LEADER.

PERSEVERANCE - No Matter What - Go for it, Keep Going - LEARN FROM THE FEEDBACK (personal and/or from others), AND KEEP AT IT.

INDOMITABLE SPIRIT - LIVE WITH PASSION!

The principles apply for the success in Tae Kwon Do to outstanding success in many areas of life. These are basic tenets - and there's nothing stopping people from adding MORE, EVOLVING - and adjusting the above to their personalities.