FAQ's

WELCOME TO KREIMER'S KARATE FAQ'S PAGE

Below are some Common Questions and Answers about Kreimer's Karate.

Q: What style of Karate do you teach?

A: We teach an Art form Combining Tae-Kwon-do, Hap-Ki-Do as well as Tang-Soo-Do.

Q: My child is already very energetic and I am afraid that he or she will use these newly acquired skills to hurt someone. What do you do about this?

A: Proper ethics are taught at all Kreimer's Karate. Students are taught never to practice on their brother, sister, neighbors, and especially on anyone in the school yard. Karate is for self-defense, not fighting. The very last thing a student should do is enter into a physical confrontation. If they can talk their way out of a situation or get away then they should do so.

Q: What is the difference between Karate and TaeKwonDo?

A: Karate (Empty Hand) is a Japanese/Okinawan martial art that utilizes 50% hand techniques and 50% kicking techniques. TaeKwonDo (Way of the Hand and Foot, sometimes referred to as Korean Karate) is a Korean martial art that more emphasizes kicking techniques.

Q: Can individuals join your Studio or just families?

A: Our Studio is open to individual and family member alike.

Q: How long will it take to get my Black Belt?

A: The time it takes varies per student, It takes an average of 4 years for an adult to attain Black Belt level and a little longer for children.

Q: Karate looks like a violent, aggressive activity. Will my child be more prone to fighting if they join your school?

A: A popular myth is that Karate is violent and aggressive. This is mainly due to television and the movies. On the contrary, Karate subdues the overly aggressive, hyperactive child and draws out the more passive, introverted child. This pertains also to adults.

Q: I feel as if I am too old to start Karate. Don't you have to be young and strong to begin training?

A: You can start training at any age. Everyone works at their own level. This is true no matter what belt you attain. Safety is our number one concern and if an exercise or activity hurts or feels uncomfortable, you are not required to do it.

Q: What are your class times.

A: Please click on the link Schedule for more information.

Q: I notice there are classes all week - when do we attend?

A: Students must attend two classes a week. Please see the class schedule for times in your belt level.

Q: My son/daughter is very nervous about joining. Can parents stay and watch during class?

A: Parents are encouraged to stay and watch.

Q: Do I have to sign a contract?

A: We have 2 month membership agreements for new students and can go in to longer term agreements if the student is interested.

Q: Are there any religious connotations in your style of Karate?

A: None!

Q: How are your classes structured?

A: The first part of class (5-15 minutes) is for warm-up exercises, strength building (push-ups, sit-ups etc.), stretching for flexibility, activities promoting agility, listening, balance, coordination and concentration skills.
The rest of class is devoted to basic and advanced TaeKwonDo techniques.

Q: I see some of the student have Stars on their Uniforms, what do they mean?

A: Students who wear Stars on their uniform have received them through the Academics Achievement program, student are encouraged to bring in their report Cards so that a copy can be made and kept on file for that school year. Please see the desk for all requirements. Stars are then awarded in August as to how you performed during the previous school year.

Q: How many instructors are there per class?

A: On average there are 2 instructors per class and we also use our Senior brown and Junior black belts to assist.

Q: I have trained at club X and have attained belt Y. If I join your school can I keep my same rank?

A: This is an evaluation period after which time it will be decided which belt you may wear in our organization. It depends on what your prior rank was and how long it has been since you stopped training (if at all).

Q: My son or daughter has problems with bullies at school. Will joining your Karate school help them in this area?

A: Periodic discussions are held to identify any problems students may be having in this area. Specific solutions are formulated to help students deal with these situations.

Q: Can I come in and just watch a class to see what you do?

A: Spectators are welcome anytime in the lobby area. Please have cell phones on vibrate.

Q: Do you offer any Specials?

A: We sure do - check out our Current Special!!!

Q: When do classes begin and how do I sign up?

A: Classes are ongoing. We run our programs year-round, even through the summer. Students can sign up at any time during the year. Please call to schedule your free private intro lesson.

Q: What are One-Steps?

A: One step sparring is a prearrange sequence of attacks and defenses that are practiced with a partner

Q: Why do we practice one-steps?

A: Besides learning some self defense and a few basic combinations one step sparring is meant to improve: Focus, Control, Distance and Timing. Focus: ( Concentration and Accuracy ) The various strikes in Taekwondo are very powerful but when delivered off target may cause only minimal results. Therefore the Taekwondoist must learn to deliver each technique to a very specific point on the anatomy. Pressure points should be learned as well as joint locks and how to break your opponents balance. Control: ( Full Speed, Full Power, Perfect Coordination) Control adds to the beauty of Taekwondo as a martial art. In one step sparring techniques must be delivered full speed and force without damaging your training partner. The martial artist that can deliver a blow full force within an inch of the target has the control necessary to deliver that same technique through the target. Distance: ( Proper Striking Distance ) One steps help to teach the proper striking distance for the various techniques. Through these exercises the taekwondoist will learn the difference between striking and kicking range. Each defense will have its own unique distance and body placement that will favor certain techniques and targets over others. Timing: ( Moving at the correct moment ) A properly executed one step will either intercept or avoid the attacker's blow entirely. Precise timing and perceptual skills will develop until the defender can avoid, block and counter the attacks as they are delivered full speed. What are Tae Kwon Do Forms? Tae Kwon Do Forms are patterns of techniques taught to students that should be mastered before testing for the next rank. These Tae Kwon Do patterns become more difficult to master as the martial artist progresses through the various belt ranks. Tae Kwon Do forms are interchangeably referred to as Hyung, Poomse and patterns.

Q: Why Do We Practice Forms?

A: Besides providing an opportunity to practice individual techniques, forms can develop balance, coordination, power, speed, endurance, grace and concentration. Most students make the assumption that a form has been mastered once the pattern has been memorized, this represents a only a superficial understanding of the form and of Tae Kwon Do as a Martial Art. To some martial artist forms practice is their favorite aspect of Tae Kwon Do because it does not require a partner and because of the physical/mental challenge and it reflects the beauty of Tae Kwon Do as a martial art.

TAEKWON-DO is A way of life

What exactly is the meaning of Taekwon-Do? To put it simply Taekwon-Do is a version of unarmed combat designed for the purpose of self-defense. It is more than just that, however. It is the scientific use of the body in the method of self-defense; a body that has gained the ultimate use of its facilities through intensive physical and mental training. It is a martial art that has no equal in either power or technique. Though it is a martial art, its discipline, technique and mental training are the mortar for building a strong sense of justice, fortitude, humility and resolve. It is this mental conditioning that separates the true practitioner from the sensationalist, content with mastering only the fighting aspects of the art. This is one of the reasons that Taekwon-Do is called an art of self-defense. It also implies a way of thinking and life, particularly in instilling a concept and spirit of strict self-imposed discipline and an ideal of noble moral rearmament. The nearest description of it is almost a cult. Translated literally "Tae" stands for jumping or flying, to kick or smash with the foot. "Kwon" denotes the fist-chiefly to punch or destroy with the hand or fist. "Do" means an art or way - the right way built and paved by the saints and sages in the past. Thus taken collectively "Taekwon-Do" indicates the mental training and the techniques of unarmed combat for self-defense as well as health, involving the skilled application of punches, kicks, blocks and dodges with bare hands and feet to the rapid destruction of the moving opponent or opponents. Taekwon-Do definitely enables the weak to possess a fine weapon together with confidence to defend him or herself and defeat the opponent as well. Of course, wrongly applied, Taekwon-Do can be a lethal weapon. Therefore mental training must always be stressed to prevent the student from misusing it. As for women folk, they will undoubtedly find Taekwon-Do an invaluable asset in tackling and driving away "wolves", so to speak. When one is informed of the many instances where frail women effectively protected themselves, they may sound unbelievable. But really, they have been able to do so because they are well versed in the art of self-defense. The feats of Taekwon-Do are great in number. To mention a few is probably pertinent: for instance, flying over a mounted motorcycle or eleven persons in line to attack a target with the foot; breaking an inch thick pine board placed at a height of ten or eleven feet with the foot; breaking two pieces of red brick with an open hand or knife-hand; smashing seven or eight pieces of two inch thick pine board at a single blow with the fist; attacking two targets with the same foot in succession while flying and so on. To the layman in the street, such feats may sound impossible, but to the serious students of Taekwon-Do and the exponents of this art, it is quite ordinary. Of course, by mastering this art it does not mean that you will be asked to do acts of impossibility. Particularly if someone should challenge you to kill a wild bull with your bare hands. Therefore it is clear that equivalent demonstrations of such effective use of pure somatic force is not to be seen in other forms of physical combat technique. Incessant training is essential to keep oneself in top form and physical condition. In training, all the muscles of the human body will be used. From the use of one's muscles, it will be possible to harness all available power generated by every muscular contraction. It will then be necessary to deliver such power to the human target especially to where the most vulnerable points or vital spots of one's opponent are located, in particular when the opponent is in motion. At this point it is necessary to remind the students of Taekwon-Do that this art of self-defense is specially designed for swift retaliation against the moving aggressor. Most of the devastating maneuvers in Taekwon-Do are based specially on the initial impact of a blow plus the consequential additional force provided by the rebound of the opponent's moving part of the body. Similarly by using the attacker's force of momentum, the slightest push is all that is needed to upset his or her equilibrium and to topple him or her. In the case of the students of Taekwon-Do who have been in constant practice or the experts themselves, they spend no time thinking, as such an action comes automatically to them. Their actions, in short, have become conditioned reflexes. Therefore, throughout this Encyclopedia, the readers will notice that repeated emphasis is placed on regular training, in order to master the techniques of attack and defense.

E-mail Us for more Information
Kreimer's Karate Institute,Inc
1460-C West Patrick St
Frederick, MD 21702
Phone:(301) 695-3347

(Entrance off Old Camp Rd)

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