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 Miss Frances Watson 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 several breaks in the lesson for you to 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 60 students in our Club, (divided into various 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 Miss Frances Watson (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, and ask you to sign to say you have seen them. 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.

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.

Mr. Newman will then start the lesson. In the Juniors session all students are always taught by a fully qualified CRB checked Instructor. In the Adults session you may be taught by a Senior Grade student under supervision for a couple of lessons until you feel ready to join in with the rest of the class.

As a beginner you will be taught how to punch in two different stances, how to perform a kick used to stretch the hamstring muscles in the leg, and how to perform two different blocks, one used against a low section attack and one used against a middle section attack. This is basically all you will have to do at your first grading, and most people are able to grade in just 3 months if they attend lessons twice a week regularly (young children can take 6-9 months). If you carry on with Tae Kwon-Do you may be able to grade for your Black Belt in just 3 and a half years!

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 I 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.