If you didn’t teach in this way then you didn’t do real Taekwondo!

When I was younger I was really strict about how you should teach Taekwondo. Only real Taekwondo included Poomsae, 1-3 step sparring, self defense and sparring.

If you didn’t teach in this way then you didn’t do real Taekwondo! I remember putting down those instructors who didn’t see things as I did.

Well, my only excuse is that I was just young!

Today I am older and I have much more experience. I have worked as a professional instructor in Finland, Sweden and the USA. I have seen many schools and many different systems or styles of teaching.

…And guess what…

Our Taekwondo class yesterday | Göteborg Sweden

Today I don’t really care what the “correct” or “real” Taekwondo is! I believe more in individual freedom, I believe that every instructor, sooner or later, should decide for themselves how and what they teach. You shouldn’t allow any organization or Master to tell you what your style should be.

If you like to teach Traditional Taekwondo then that’s your choice.
If you like to focus more on competition training, again, your choice!
Or perhaps you are looking for the spiritual path? Well, it’s you who decides and no one else!

Today I don’t care what you teach or how your teach it. I just mind my own business. If my senior will say I should do this or that, I will listen but I will decide if it fits in MY PHILOSOPHY!

I don’t think there is a right or wrong way to teach Taekwondo. Taekwondo is what you decide it will be. Isn’t that how the early pioneers did it anyway?
Just think that what the Kukkiwon is demanding for their black belt test is in reality very little. Just poomsae, sparring and breaking. (I know many who don’t even follow that).

I know that now some of you will say that “Taekwondo’s definition is blaah, blaah blaah”. Again, read what I said earlier…I don’t care what you think… The only thing that matters is what I and my students feel about it.

Now just to make it clear. My fighters don’t do any poomsae or traditional Taekwondo training, but as an example, with some students I do train in poomsae.

OK. If I sound angry or if I am just repeating myself I have a good reason! Dexter kept me up all night! (I have to change diapers, clean his stuff etc.).

Yours,

Markku
www.ledarskapsakademi.com
www.markkuparviainen.com

Tags: blog about taekwondo, göteborg taekwondo, jönköping taekwondo, markku parviainen, olympic taekwondo, taekwondo, taekwondo göteborg, taekwondo i göteborg, wtf-taekwondo