KLB Welcome new junior members

RITE OF PASSAGE. Kaizen League of Blackbelts (KLB) welcomes its newest member . Newly promoted junior blackbelts’ Jemart Dave del Pilar(13), Rhodgie Del Pilar(7) and Kier Macalino(13) is admitted to the elite group today May 17, at Kaizen Taekwondo Headquarters in the City of Dasmarinas, Cavite , Philippines. The three passes under all Senior Blackbelts , a tradition since its beginnings in 2003. Brothers Jemart and Rhodgie del Pilar are to join their other junior blackbelt brother Ronald while Kier Macalino is the younger brother of Kaizen instructors’ Jessica and John Erick Macalino to Kaizen roster of elite Blackbelts which number is close to fifty. The trio took their Blackbelt promotion test last June 10 at the same venue, they performed three Poomsae or patterns, prescribed kicks, self defenses, sparring and board breaking as part of the blackbelt requirement. The Kaizen League of Blackbelts is an elite taekwondo group primarily based in Cavite and aims to train Blackbelts to their fullest potentials, making it to Collegiate Varsity teams, Nationals Team and becoming Instructors and Taekwondo officials in the future.

Family Taekwondo

Taekwondo is a great family fitness activity.  The training allows the parents and children  to train together  building family bonds while strengthening the body and mind.

In the training, they will do anaerobic as well as  aerobic  exercises to improve their physical capabilities, strength, endurance, balance and flexibility. They will also learn poomsae or patterns that will surely sharpen their mind and improve coordination. All of these are aquired while learning self defense techniques.

Learning Taekwondo will teach  family members positive values that maybe many of us are aware of but have not able to practice. As a martial art, Taekwondo instills good conduct at all times and guided by tenets of Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Sel-Control and Indomitable Spirit.

Aside from these, with parents training with the kids,  each one develop a huge respect for each other. The parent respect the kid for having the courage to try sparring or the perseverance in achieving each goal  while the children respect the parents for trying something so difficult as an adult. The mutual respects strengthen relationships and family bonds.

In the training, they will meet other families that can become great friends. This atmosphere is very nurturing and healthy.

Taekwondo offers many never ending challenges and can’t be boring. Sometimes it’s tough but for sure it will make everyone grow.

We encourage families to train together and make Taekwondo a cradle of friendships of parents and children. So what are you waiting for? Taekwon!

THE 45 DEGREE TURNING KICK (ROUNDHOUSE) & 360 DEGREE TURNING KICK (TORNADO KICK)

THE TURNING KICK & 360 DEGREE TURNING KICK (ROUNDHOUSE)
by Junn Abriza
4^{th Dan Blackbelt}

Chief Instructor - Kaizen Taekwondo Philippines

THE TURNING KICK (ROUNDHOUSE) 

Sparring Turning kick (45 degree roundhouse) is performed by first drawing the knee straight up in a "chamber" position. This chamber, is utilized so that the opponent cannot guess which kick will be thrown. This differentiates it from Traditional Taekwondo, Muay Thai and other Roundhouse kicks, which tend to incorporate rotation before or during the rising of the knee. The knee is then rotated so that it is nearly parallel to the ground (counterclockwise for the right leg roundhouse) and the kicking hip is simultaneously rotated towards the opponent. The rotation of the hip, combined with the snapping of the leg forward, gives the kick its power.

This type of kick is also utilized in many different martial arts and is popular in both non-contact and full-contact martial arts competitions. The kick has many variations based on stance, leg movement, striking surface, and the height of the kick.

One advance application of the Turning kick is adding a 360 degree turn and the kick.
And this make The 360 degree turning kickThe 360 Degree Turning Kick, also popularly known as Spinning Roundhouse kick and Tornado Kick in the West, is one of the classic moves in Taekwondo.

THE 360 DEGREE TURNING KICK(TORNADO KICK)

HOW IS IT DONEFrom a fighting stance position, start with the spin pivoting on the ball of the front foot and lifting the back leg in a circular motion. With the body rotating, a quick jump on the second step will propel your body into a jumping turning kick targeting the body or the head.

The turning step is best done in a small and straight to the target to avoid spinning out of control. This will also limit of over exposing your back to your opponent.
It is an effective attack which uses the spin to confuse the opponent.

The momentum generated by your body in rotating freely combined with a powerful hip thrust will create a very
strong blow which can actually knockdown your opponent if hit correctly to the jaw or head.
Upon landing, you must prepare your arm to block for any counter kick or must have a follow-up kick. The follow-up kick could be a back-thrust, a slamming kick, o simply another basic turning kick.

But before attempting this kick, you must master the basic Turning kick. Taekwon!
The Turning Kick or Roundhouse kick as it regularly known is the most frequently used kick in a Taekwondo sparring. It is the most basic but has the most variations depending on the objective of the kicker.