Exeter Practical Martial Arts

Tae Kwon Do, Taekwondo, Taekwon-do or…?
What is Practical Taekwondo™?
Where do you train?
Can I watch your classes?
I am a beginner with no experience, when can I start?
Can people with previous experience in martial arts join?
What do I wear?
Do I have to be fit?
Does it matter how old I am?
Is Practical Taekwondo™ suitable for women?
What are the benefits of studying Practical Taekwondo™?
Do you have exams?
What are the grades?

Tae Kwon Do, Taekwondo, Taekwon-do or….?
Whichever way Taekwondo is spelt it means the same. The term Taekwondo means (literally) ‘The way of the hand and foot’. All these terms, however, represent a single principle, a general way of applying a technique, of using the human body as a weapon in unarmed combat. It is also sometimes referred to as ‘Korean Karate’.

What is Practical Taekwondo™?
Practical Taekwondo™ is a modern, reality-based martial art with roots in the Korean-based martial art which employs a variety of blocking, striking, throwing, choking, kicking, joint locking and ground techniques all in such a manner that it provides as complete a self-defence system as possible.

Practical Taekwondo™ is an ideal art for people who want to have both tradition but also a practical, modern approach that will enable them to learn how to defend themselves quickly, whilst getting fit and having fun. Practical Taekwondo™ is the ideal art for people who want something more from their martial art, who don’t want to spar for competition purposes and is a great starter for reality-based training.

Practical Taekwondo™ integrates aspects of Jim Wagner’s Reality Based Personal Protection, Practical Self-Defence™ (another system in itself) and the skills and concepts Matthew and his affiliate instructors have learnt through being in the Police, the Reserve and Armed Forces and working in close protection and on the door.

From day one, students can expect to learn techniques and concepts that work with adrenalin, that don’t require high levels of skill and which will immediately make you not only feel safer, but also be safer. Whether or not you apply the lessons to your life is up to you but we will give 100% in helping you make yourself and your loved ones safer.

Where do you train?
All of our training sessions are based at Pinhoe Scout Hut, Langaton Lane, Pinhoe and St Marks Church Hall, Heavitree.

Can I watch your classes?
Yes, we have an open door policy and anybody is welcome to watch our classes.

I am a beginner with no experience, when can I start?
You can start at any time. The lessons will be structured to your needs and capabilities.

Can people with previous experience in martial arts join?
Yes, we welcome martial artists from any discipline at any time. Many of the techniques within Practical Taekwondo™ may seem familar to experienced martial artists. This is especially so with the patterns, which are derived from the Heian Patterns of Shotokan Karate and other styles such as Wado Ryu.

What do I wear?
Something loose and comfortable like a t-shirt and tracksuit bottoms. We have an official uniform, but we don’t wear gis or doboks. We train wearing t-shirts and loose bottoms. Footwear is required as we train in it. Please understand that for your own safety you will not be allowed to wear any jewellery. If it cannot be removed it must be covered with tape.

Do I have to be fit?
No. Provided there are no obvious medical reasons why you should not train, fitness should be no barrier to starting Practical Taekwondo™. As you progress in your training your fitness level, your suppleness and flexibility will improve.

Does it matter how old I am?
No. Provided there are no obvious medical reasons why you should not train, age should be no barrier to starting Practical Taekwondo™. The only restriction we place on age is that students must be a minimum of 16 years of age to train in the adult system due to the nature of the techniques taught.

Is Practical Taekwondo™ suitable for women?
Yes, Practical Taekwondo™ is an ideal martial art for women. Practical Taekwondo™ techniques are designed to be both pro-active and reactive, accepting the opponent’s attack and intercepting their attack. The vast majority of the syllabus means that there are techniques that suit people of all strength, shapes and sizes. Students are partnered up irregardless of sex or size so that they get used to training with and against a wide range of people.

What are the benefits of studying Practical Taekwondo™?
There are many including promoting good health, increasing fitness, building confidence and providing an enjoyable way to learn something positive whilst making new friends. Martial arts are a very personal experience and everyone has their own reasons for starting martial arts (which may change over time) as well as their own goals.

Do you have exams?
Yes we do. They are not mandatory; all students are able to progress at their own pace. Examination is by invitation only based on whether both the student and the instructor feel they are ready to grade. There are gradings every 3 months.

What are the grades?
Exeter Practical Martial Arts™ does not use belts in the traditional manner. In order to set ourselves aside from the more traditional Taekwondo and martial arts groups in the area, and to also reinforce the reality-based lessons, we use coloured t-shirts to show the level of the student. Levels (and belts in other groups) are purely used as an indicator of progress, knowledge and experience within the class.The grade structure is as follows;

• Sage - White Level - All students must take Practical Self-Defence™ lessons before being able to progress on to Practical Taekwondo™ - 3 month’s training
• White Level 1 - White Level 2 - Min total of 3 month’s training
• White Level 2 - Yellow Level 1 - Min total of 6 months training
• Yellow Level 1 - Yellow Level 2 - Min total of 9 month’s training
• Yellow Level 2 - Green Level 1 - Min total of 12 month’s training
• Green Level 1 - Green Level 2 - Min total of 15 month’s training
• Green Level 2 - Blue Level 1 - Min total of 18 month’s training
• Blue Level 1 - Blue Level 2 - Min total of 24 month’s training
• Blue Level 2 - Red Level 1  - Min total of 30 month’s training
• Red Level 1 - Red Level 2 - Min total of 36 month’s training
• Red Level 2 - Black 1st Dan - Min total of 48 month’s training