Adult Martial Arts Classes | River Valley Tae Kwon Do

Authentic Martial Arts Training for Adults

Why We Focus on Adults

We’re not against martial arts for kids, but almost every martial arts school offers lots of options for young people. We are different. Our focus on adult classes gives our dojang (martial arts training hall) a different atmosphere. We’re serious and traditional, our space is beautiful and serene, and our authentic goals and training methods embrace the martial art’s East Asian roots and culture.

Covering the Basics

Benefits of Tae Kwon Do Training

Like many traditional martial arts schools, we offer rigorous workouts that make people strong and flexible, build endurance, and empower people with self-confidence and self-discipline. Serious students will learn effective self-defense skills, although there are no shortcuts to proficiency, and as in all martial arts, real competence takes years to develop. Most good martial arts schools do these things, and cultivating these traits is a core principle at River Valley Tae Kwon Do as well.

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"Graduate Level" Martial Arts

Training Beyond the Physical

Our school is unique because we offer a broad program of self-study that helps our students understand the cultural context of their martial arts training. We use the word “unique” intentionally and precisely: we don’t know of any other martial arts school anywhere that offers this depth of cultural curriculum.

This program allows curious and motivated students to become true experts in our Korean martial art and to understand its place in the wide world of martial Ways.

None of these extracurricular activities are required to be a member of our school or to advance in rank and skills, but those who pursue them will find great satisfaction in studying: Korean language, history, and culture; martial arts traditions and evolution; meditation practices; advanced physical fitness and conditioning; leadership in the community; and poomsae (forms or patterns, similar to the Japanese term “kata”) that are of historical interest to the development of the Korean martial arts.

In addition to the promotion exams that most martial arts schools offer several times a year, our extracurricular study community meets periodically to share experiences and support everyone’s efforts beyond our daily training in the dojang.

Learn WHY, not just WHAT

about our self-study program

Information for New Martial Arts Students

Commit to the Right School

Here’s the most important advice anyone can give you when you’re new to martial arts training: don’t choose a martial arts school because it happens to be closest to your house or workplace, because it comes up first in search results, or for any reason other than this: the idea of studying there excites and motivates you. If you decide to make Tae Kwon Do part of your life, you’ll probably practice for years, and it’s important to be sure you’re making a commitment you can believe in.

A recommendation from a friend might be useful, but only if they’re looking for the same thing you are. If your friend loves MMA classes but you’re looking for a martial art that embraces East Asian cultural roots, you won’t be happy in their school and they won’t be happy in ours. Don’t be afraid to try a few classes at several schools before you decide. Make sure the technical approach, the teaching style of the instructor(s), the atmosphere, and the group of fellow practitioners is what you want, and don’t be influenced by what fits someone else’s values and needs.

join us for a free week schedule costs

How to know you've found a good place to train

Trying or watching several classes is the best way to decide if a martial arts school is for you, but we know the Five College Area of Western Massachusetts has a bewildering variety of schools, styles, and locations. If you’re doing the research that will help you identify the right place, you’re already on the right track! Here are some articles to help you understand what our dojang stands for:

Student Manual
This gives a great sense of our school’s values and approach, and it helps you understand what to expect for your first class.
FAQs
After meeting many hundreds of new students over the years, these are the most common questions that come up.
History of Tae Kwon Do
Tae Kwon Do is the empty handed striking art of Korea and the most popular martial art in the world. This is how it evolved.
About the Ji Do Kwan style of Tae Kwon Do
We practice an old-school interpretation of this Korean form, and this article explains our roots.
Our Unique Cultural Self-Study Program
No other martial arts school in our region (anywhere?) offers the depth and breadth of extracurricular knowledge as you’ll find at River Valley Tae Kwon Do.

For Students at River Valley Tae Kwon Do

Next Events & Trips

Summer 2019 Promotion Exam

Evaluations & Group Fitness Summer 2019

Save the Date: Special Training Weekend

Fall 2019 Promotion Exam

Evaluations & Group Fitness October 2019

Winter 2020 Promotion Exam

Evaluations & Group Fitness Winter 2020

Echoes of Jingwu

Ji Do Kwan Tenet: Friendship Among Peers

Superhero in Our Midst

Become an Authentic Expert in Korean Martial Arts

March 3 Poomsae Seminar at Chosun TKD Academy

Netflix Documentary Filmed at RVTKD