About Three Rivers Martial Arts
The martial art we primarily practice at Three Rivers Martial Arts is Tang Soo Do. Tang Soo Do has its origins in South Korea, but like many martial arts, is really a mixture of influences from many different parts of the world. To borrow from my old teacher, Master Fawcett, we like to call what we do at Three Rivers Martial Arts Tang Soo Do Plus. It isn't strictly traditional Tang Soo Do, after all, there are elements of boxing, kickboxing, aikido, judo, and other martial arts included. We do a lot of striking in our classes, meaning throwing punches, kicks, knees, and elbows. In addition, we do some flipping, throwing, grappling, and joint manipulation techniques, along with weapons training with the staff, nunchaku, and dagger.
Students at our school will learn to defend themselves from attack if ever necessary using the techniques we teach here. More importantly, they can learn to never put themselves into situations where they would need to by learning to pay attention to the world around them. In addition, students can improve their flexibility, coordination, balance, and physical fitness level through training here, an excellent form of cross-training for other athletic endeavors and excellent for an overall healthy lifestyle. Improvement is also seen in the levels of self-confidence, self-discipline, and self-control of our students, personality traits that prove helpful in many aspects of life, from school or the workplace and beyond.
Students at our school will learn to defend themselves from attack if ever necessary using the techniques we teach here. More importantly, they can learn to never put themselves into situations where they would need to by learning to pay attention to the world around them. In addition, students can improve their flexibility, coordination, balance, and physical fitness level through training here, an excellent form of cross-training for other athletic endeavors and excellent for an overall healthy lifestyle. Improvement is also seen in the levels of self-confidence, self-discipline, and self-control of our students, personality traits that prove helpful in many aspects of life, from school or the workplace and beyond.
Karate Classes
What is a typical karate class at Three Rivers Martial Arts like? Well, there really is no typical class at our school, every class is different. There are a few things that are the same every class, though. We start every class with a prayer. I'm Christian, and pray to God and Jesus Christ. You don't have to be to train here. I ask every person in the class if they would like to pray about something, this is to help get the children used to speaking in front of a group of their peers. Afterward, we begin the class with a warm up that involves a variety of stretches, led by the instructor or one of the more experienced students. Then, the rest of class is largely determined by who is in class on a given night, the experience level of the students in class, and what they need to work on. We may practice our punches, kicks, and other strikes, work on jump kicks, practice rolls and falls, do self-defense techniques or forms, practice sparring or a variety of other things.
Kickboxing Classes
The kickboxing classes at Three Rivers Martial Arts have some similarities to the karate classes, but are also different in many ways. Students at the kickboxing classes pay $7 per class on a per class basis. Wear something that is comfortable to work out in. Shoes are allowed if they are a pair of shoes that are only for indoor use. The kickboxing class at Three Rivers Martial Arts is a more relaxed class than the karate classes and appeals to people who would like a martial arts workout, but aren't interested in a traditional karate class.
Classes start at 7:15 pm on Monday and Wednesday nights and go for an hour until 8:15 pm. We start off with an approximately 10 minute stretching and warming up session. During the rest of the class a lot of time is spent with a partner hitting focus targets with various punching and kicking techniques. Typically, at some point during class we do an abdominal exercise routine and a butt exercise routine. The kickboxing class provides an excellent cardiovascular workout while teaching students how to throw punch and kick techniques that would be useful if the need to defend oneself ever arises.
Classes start at 7:15 pm on Monday and Wednesday nights and go for an hour until 8:15 pm. We start off with an approximately 10 minute stretching and warming up session. During the rest of the class a lot of time is spent with a partner hitting focus targets with various punching and kicking techniques. Typically, at some point during class we do an abdominal exercise routine and a butt exercise routine. The kickboxing class provides an excellent cardiovascular workout while teaching students how to throw punch and kick techniques that would be useful if the need to defend oneself ever arises.
Karate Class Rules
Students at Three Rivers Martial Arts are expected to follow a set of rules during classes. These are listed below.
1. Always show respect. Instructors and black belt students should be called Sir or Ma'am. When asked a question you should reply with yes sir or no sir or yes ma'am or no ma'am.
2. No shoes on the mats.
3. No food or drinks on the mats.
4. Keep yourself and your uniform clean.
5. Keep your finger and toenails short.
6. Don't wear jewelry to class. There are a few exceptions to this, such as wedding rings and jewelry of a religious nature.
7. Go to the bathroom before class.
8. No talking in class.
9. Tuck in your t-shirt during karate class.
10. No swearing. Can't is considered a swear word.
1. Always show respect. Instructors and black belt students should be called Sir or Ma'am. When asked a question you should reply with yes sir or no sir or yes ma'am or no ma'am.
2. No shoes on the mats.
3. No food or drinks on the mats.
4. Keep yourself and your uniform clean.
5. Keep your finger and toenails short.
6. Don't wear jewelry to class. There are a few exceptions to this, such as wedding rings and jewelry of a religious nature.
7. Go to the bathroom before class.
8. No talking in class.
9. Tuck in your t-shirt during karate class.
10. No swearing. Can't is considered a swear word.