Waldo County YMCA Fitness for Adults Center

Aikido (Ages 10 and up) Rolf W. Estela
Build a strong mind, body, and spirit harmoniously for use in daily life by learning and practicing this Japanese art of self-defense.
We need a minimum of 6 participants for this program.
Date:
Fall Session 1: Sept. 18 - Oct. 23
Fall Session 2: Oct. 30 - Dec. 4
Day: Saturdays
Time: 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.
Location: Wellness Room
Session Fees:
$30 Annual Members
$60 3-Month & Non-Members

Martial Arts Tae Kwon Do Chris Brinn
Learn self-confidence, self-discipline, mental awareness, personal fitness, and self-defense through the ancient Korean martial art of Tae Kwon Do. Classes focus on kicking, blocking, and punching through basic techniques, forms, and sparring skills in a safe, controlled environment. Instruction will include conflict-avoidance, stress and anger management, and respect for one's self and for others. Tuition includes belts. Must be at least six years old.
Date:
Summer Session 2: August 3 - September 9
Fall Session 1: September 14 - October 21
Fall Session 2: October 26 - December 2
Location: YMCA Wellness Room
Day & Time:
Beginner: Tues. & Thurs. 6:30 – 8:00 p.m
Intermediate: Tues. & Thurs. 6:30 – 8:00 p.m
Adult & Advanced: Tues. & Thurs. 6:30 – 8:00 p.m

Session Fee:
Ages 5 & 6:
$24 Annual Members
$35 3-Month & Non-Members

Ages 7 - 11:
$48 Annual Members
$70 3-Month & Non-Members

Ages 11 to Adult:
$53 Annual Members
$78 3-Month & Non-Members

INSTRUCTORS

Mr. Christopher Brinn, 2nd Degree Black Belt
Head instructor, Chris Brinn has been studying and teaching Martial Arts for the last sixteen years. Mr. Brinn began his training with the Tae Kwon Do Association of Great Britain. Although he has had to make changes due to geographical moves (not the least coming to the USA in 1995), Mr. Brinn works hard to maintain a traditional foundation and philosophy in the Waldo County YMCA school. chriswbrinn@gmail.com

Miss Kachina Purinton, 1st Degree Black Belt
Miss Kachina Purinton has been an invaluable addition to the TKD team at the YMCA since 2004. Her love for Martial Arts began twelve years ago when she decided to take Shotokan Karate with Frank Berenyi in Belfast. A year later, Miss Purinton moved to Boston and began studying with Pedro Xavier at the Boston School of Tae Kwon Do in Randolph, MA, a WTF style school. In 2002, she earned her 1st Degree Black Belt. Upon moving back to Maine in 2004, Miss Purinton began teaching Tae Kwon Do at the YMCA in Belfast alongside Mr. Brinn. Although their physical styles differ, both Miss Purinton and Mr. Brinn share a common Martial Arts Philosophy.

Mr Jim Galagos, 2nd Degree Black Belt
Mr Jim Galagos originally hails from the great state of Ohio, and is a 20+ year veteran of Martial Arts. Mr. Galagos joined the TKD team about 3 yrs ago and has been a valuable asset. Although his primary back ground is TKD, he has also studied Judo, and Hapkido under his Korean Master.

The Manchester School of Tae Kwon Do
It is the opinion of the instructors that it is necessary to seek out Martial Artists with more knowledge to continue training and to make sure that the standard of testing remains high. The Waldo County YMCA School of Tae Kwon Do is very pleased and honored to be associated with the Manchester School of Tae Kwon Do, Master Richard Higgins, his dedicated team of Black Belts and Students.

GENERAL INFORMATION

What is Tae Kwon Do?
Tae Kwon Do (translated to the Way of the Hand and the Foot) is one of the ancient Korean Martial Arts. Although the name Tae Kwon Do (TKD) has only been in use since 1955, the martial art itself has a long history and incorporates techniques from many other Martial Arts such as Hapkido, Hwarang Do, Tang Soo Do (made famous by Chuck Norris), and Tae Kyon (Korean foot fighting). There are many TKD styles and organizations. The style of TKD practiced at the Waldo County YMCA belongs to the International Tae Kwon Do Federation (ITF).

Waldo County YMCA TKD
The Waldo County YMCA School of Tae Kwon Do has been running for the last 6 years. Originally started by Mr. George Manlove (3rd Degree Black Belt, Moo Duk Kwan TKD), the program was taken over in 2003 by Mr. Christopher Brinn, currently a 2nd Degree Black Belt certified by the Manchester School of TKD, Manchester, NH. Lessons consist of three main areas of training; Forms (sometimes referred to as Kata or Patterns), Self Defense and One Step sparring, and Free Sparring.

Who Can Benefit from TKD
Whether your initial desire comes from wanting to learn self defense, or simply to improve your overall health, TKD could be for you. Children and adults get different things from any physical activity they participate in, depending on personality and physiology. TKD can improve stamina, strength, balance, and self confidence.

*Age Limit
It is the recommendation of the instructors that children who wish to participate in TKD be at least 5 years of age. As the attention span and physical coordination vary from child to child, it is suggested that you bring your child to watch, and even participate in, at least one class before signing up. Concentration and attentiveness to instruction are major elements of class and, although these traits will improve with training, some very young children may not be developmentally ready.

CLASS STRUCTURE AND CONTENT

Warm-up
Warm-ups consist of basic techniques and exercises such as stances, blocks, and punches. For the youngest students warm up will focus on body control and coordination.

Forms
All students are required to learn Forms (a.k.a. Patterns or Kata) in order to complete the requirements for belts and advancement. Classes normally perform Forms together, although new students will learn one on one from an instructor, whenever possible, until proficient enough to join in with the other more experienced students.

One Step Sparring
One step sparring and self defense techniques are part of the testing curriculum. Again, students learn as a class, training with partners of a similar rank. TKD is first and foremost a form of self defense and this philosophy is taught along with the physical techniques.

Free Sparring
Free Sparring helps students to develop self control, timing, stamina, reaction speed, and self confidence. Initially, and especially for younger students, free sparring is taught as a non contact exercise. However, as skills develop, light contact to the torso is permitted to increase students knowledge of control, and to help in practicing for competition should that be a student’s goal. All students will eventually require sparring equipment.

Belts and Ranking System
The Waldo County YMCA School of TKD uses the same ranking system as the ITF consisting of six belts with one tag grade between each belt. Each step is referred to as a Kup (Gup) rank, and there are nine of these to be accomplished in the pursuit of a 1st degree Black Belt. students get a white belt with their first uniform but this is not an actual rank. The other ranks are thus:

9th Kup Yellow Tag
8th Kup Yellow Belt
7th Kup Green Tag
6th Kup Green Belt
5th Kup Blue Tag
4th Blue Belt
3rd Kup Red Tag
2nd Kup Red Belt
1st Kup Black Tag

For students below the age of eleven years, there is an “achievement bar” system in place to acknowledge accomplishments between each Kup level. Testing is conducted by the instructors when students have gained the skills necessary to pass. This part of our program was developed by Mr. Todd Bedard of the Manchester School of Tae Kwon Do.

Earning Your Black Belt
Many students ask how long it will take to become a Black Belt. As this varies from student to student there can be no hard and fast answer. The amount of time needed to achieve a black belt is generally considered to be about four or five years, training at least three times a week, but this can vary with time constraints and the ability to attend classes. Achieving any rank in TKD is not purely a feat of physical training, however. Discipline, self confidence, and understanding of the overall philosophy of TKD, all contribute to the character of the student and ultimately to that student’s achievements. Time is the greatest teacher of all.

SEE YOU IN CLASS!!!

Try A Class and Have Fun
To anyone interested in Tae Kwon Do or any Martial Art, the only way for you to find out if it’s for you is to try it. This is the best way to learn about an instructor, their teaching style and method, and if the school is right for you. Martial Arts are not only practical, but are also fun. It’s a great way to maintain you fitness level or get back in shape. For kids, TKD can help with concentration in school, making new friends, and just having fun.

Please consult with a physician concerning your ability to participate in Tae Kwon Do. The physicality of some Martial Arts may not suit some people.

If you have any questions about any aspect of this brochure, contact Mr. Brinn chriswbrinn@gmail.com or the Waldo County YMCA at 338-4598.

Waldo County YMCA

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