Turning up for your first lesson can be nerve-wracking when you don't know what to expect, so we've put together some general information that should answer all of your questions. If you have any more then please do not hesitate to phone the Senior Instructor, Mr. Lee-David Newman, on 07795467262 or 01179029347, or email our Administrator Mrs Frances Newman at Enquiries@EmersonsGreenTKD.com.

If you wish to just watch for a lesson or two then you are perfectly welcome to do this, as long as you aren't disruptive. If you're a parent bringing your child along, you're welcome to stay and watch for as many sessions as you wish until you feel happy that they are in good care.

For your first few lessons, come wearing lose comfortable clothes, such as a t-shirt and jogging bottoms. It's a bare foot Martial Art but in the case of a medical condition trainers are permitted, as long as we agree that they're suitable.

It's useful to bring a drink, plain water or an isotonic sports drink such as Lucozade Sport is best; there will be at least one break in the lesson in which you can have a drink, especially during the summer months. The Village Hall have very tidy toilet facilities that also provide drinking water if you forget.

It's a good idea to turn up about 10 minutes before the lesson actually starts in order to get a feel of the place. As you enter the main entrance to the Village Hall you should see a sign for TAGB Tae Kwon-Do; we're in the main hall on the left, it's easy to find.

We have roughly 70 students in our Club, (divided into two classes), so the hall can become quite busy between sessions.

When you turn up, please make yourself known to either the Senior Instructor Mr. Lee-David Newman, or Club Instructor Mrs Frances Newman (we are quite easily identifiable; usually dressed in a black instructors uniform). We may be busy teaching, talking to students/parents or doing paperwork when you arrive, so we might not be able to speak to you immediately, but we won't be too long.

The warm-up will usually be started by Mr. Newman, or in the Adults class maybe one of the higher grade students under supervision. Please wait for someone to speak to you before you join in, it doesn't matter if you don't join in immediately. We will give you an information booklet and ask you to fill in a form with your name, address and any relevant medical information (e.g. if you're asthmatic). We will then show you all of our teaching certificates, CRB checks and insurance details. You will not be asked to sign any form of contract and you will not need to pay for anything straight away, as every beginner has a free trial with absolutely no obligation to join after the end of the free trial.

From there we will integrate you into the warm-up, which involves a little running, simple exercises such as star jumps, press-ups and sit-ups, as well as some stretching. It may also include simple Tae Kwon-Do techniques such as kicks and punches, give these a go but don't push yourself too hard too fast; take it at your own pace, and don't worry if you can't get some of it immediately.

Once the warm-up has finished, the class will usually be divided into two groups. You may get taught by one instructor for the whole lesson or both instructors over the course of the lesson. Some lessons you may also get taught for a short time by a senior grade student under supervision. Each segment of each lesson will be focussed on a different goal or aspect of Tae Kwon-Do, for example, patterns, kicking drills, padwork, self defence, fitness, stretching or free sparring. So you can be sure that every lesson will be a little bit different. Throughout these lessons, as well as introducing you to the many aspects of our sport, we will look at preparing you for your first grading, achievable for most people after just 3 months of regular training (young children can sometimes take up to 6 months, so to help improve their focus we provide all our junior beginners with a special card to record their progress and achievements).

The first grading will involve a few press ups, punches in two different stances, a kick used to stretch the hamstring muscles in the leg, and two different blocks. Some of these techniques will be performed stationary, some moving forwards and backwards, and some in a four directional exercise. After each grading you pass we give you a new coloured belt, binging you step by step closer to Black Belt, which can be achieved by most after just 3 and a half years of regular training.

We don't list any costs on the website, but we are happy to talk to you about these in person, over the phone or via email. As mentioned before, you don't have to pay anything immediately, as there is a free trial for all students. After this you will need to buy a training outfit, pay fees once a month, and pay for a licence once a year. Gradings are extra, as are tournaments if you wish to take part in them, but these are not compulsory.