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White Tiger Korean Martial Arts
Welcome
Welcome to White Tiger Korean Martial Arts!
We are a martial arts school based in the Inner West of Sydney (primarily in Glebe) that teaches Haidong Gumdo (a traditional Korean sword art) and Taekwondo (traditional Korean martial art and WTF martial art sport).
Senior Instructor Kristen Mann has over 13 years of martial arts experience, and has taught successfully for several years as part of Mountain Wolves Taekwondo in the Blue Mountains. Kristen currently holds the rank of 3rd Dan in WTF Taekwondo (Kukkiwon certified) and 1st Dan in Haidong Gumdo (World Haidong Gumdo Federation certified).
Studying a martial art has many advantages, particularly in terms of character development, self-defence, improving health and fitness, or simply learning new and exciting skills! At White Tiger we emphasise respect and integrity, alongside developing a student’s perseverance and self-confidence through helping them achieve their own personal goals.
Practitioners of martial arts often learn valuable life skills that they are able to draw upon everyday outside of training. Our school offers professional programs and quality martial arts instruction within a friendly and inviting atmosphere.
For children, we offer age specific classes that specialise in focus and concentration. They learn the benefits of group participation that help them understand behavioral boundaries in a fun supportive atmosphere of respect and courtesy.
For teenagers and adults, we have high energy traditional martial arts classes that are designed to get mind and body into shape, as well as learning how to protect yourself. No, you don’t need martial arts experience, or to have a high level of fitness to start Haidong Gumdo or Taekwondo. All classes are specifically graded on the level or experience of the participant, so beginners can feel comfortable to train at their own fitness level in the appropriate class format.
The best way to discover if Haidong Gumdo or Taekwondo are martial arts styles that suit you is to come along to class and have a go – we offer two free trial classes specifically for this purpose!
Haidong Gumdo
Powerful, complex and beautiful, Haidong Gumdo is an exciting style, with many benefits beyond the physical.
Unlike Kendo and its Korean equivalent, Kumdo, the focus in Haidong Gumdo is not dueling but on the tactics of outdoor, pitched battles. This not only requires extreme levels of concentration and precision, but also requires a strong sense of awareness of one’s surroundings, excellent speed and reflexes, a fluidity of technique, and great coordination of body and mind. All of these qualities are developed and enhanced through years of study and practice – anyone can learn!
Students will regularly practice forms, patterns, step drills, sitting and moving meditation, focus drills and skill drills, breathing exercises, and set sparring. Eventually students will acquire the high level of technical skill and mental focus required for cutting drills with a live blade (black belts only, 18 years and older).
Taekwondo
One of Taekwondo’s greatest advantages is that it offers all of the benefits associated with being both a traditional martial art and a martial art Olympic sport. At White Tiger Korean Martial Arts, we offer both traditional Taekwondo and sport Taekwondo.
The Olympic sport of Taekwondo is an excellent vehicle for developing a student’s fitness and athletic ability, however it can also serve to reinforce personal qualities such as perseverance and assertiveness that are essential for true martial arts development. For many students, the challenge offered by sports Taekwondo is too tempting to resist.
However traditional Taekwondo is a highly versatile, effective and rewarding style to study, whether as a hobby or as a way of life. Among the recognised benefits of practicing traditional Taekwondo are physical benefits, such as fitness, self-defense, increased physical coordination, and attaining new skills and techniques.
However many of the more valuable assets of a traditional martial art are felt to lie in the realm of character development: determination and dedication, increased self-esteem and self-confidence, focus and concentration skills, discipline and, above all, the cultivation of a sense of self-respect and respect for others.
Of course, one of the prime benefits of any martial art is the fun and enjoyment that comes of studying something challenging and rewarding within a friendly and encouraging atmosphere!
New Site
This website is under construction. For any information contact Kristen at k_p_mann@yahoo.ca
