	TAE KWON DO INTERNATIONAL WALES

Profile

Jenny Treasure, 5th Degree, Chief Instructor

I started Tae Kwon Do in Singapore in 1970 whilst serving with the British Royal Air Force, at a time when Tae Kwon Do was unheard of within Europe, and have trained with several Tae Kwon Do organisations in the UK, notably the ITF, UKTA and TAGB. I have been training and following the UTI Netherlands syllabus for the last 12 years, which focuses on special techniques for high grade martial artists.

Whilst I do like my students to conduct themselves in a disciplined way in the Tae Kwon Do training hall, I don't expect students to be excessively disciplined so that they cannot enjoy and learn Tae Kwon Do techniques. I believe that martial arts teachers must interact with their students in a rationale way, pertaining to the modern era that we live in and in observing the way they learn in schools so that they can guide and help their students and not demand exaggerated respect.

Clubs that I have observed do not take modernity into account in their teaching or indeed move on from old traditional techniques. For example, using long stances and long moves that are impractical from a self-defence point of view, and in not encouraging the student to question and develop his/her own thinking. After teaching for 20 years, I observed Karate and Tae Kwon Do clubs in Brussels often don't have a good image and are viewed as unattractive, unfriendly or aggressive. My approach is more family orientated, where everyone can participate and develop at their own pace and learn something new. My class syllabus is challenging and not geared just to combat.

It was quite a challenge to develop a first rate club in Brussels, due to the transient nature of Brussels and cultural differences, but I had many dedicated students that were with me for several years. I aim to teach students how to develop mentally and physically and teach students of all ages.

I have a club Handbook containing an overview of the syllabus and rules of the club. Also, I have hard-backed books incorporating the syllabus in detail for every level, which students must study. My main aim is to get adults and children fit, confident and proficient in a martial art that has a lot to offer. There is no quick self-defence course, it takes personal commitment over a realistic timeframe.

"My sparring partners..."

Club contact

Jennifer Treasure
Tel:	01792 511 545
E-mail: