Matthews Tae Kwon Do

🕰️ Throwback Thursday!

Those first days and weeks can be intimidating — wide eyes, a little nervous, no idea what's coming.

Again and again, we watch those shy, unfocused first moments turn into confident, disciplined students. Sometimes they even go on to become the leaders who help other people with their first moments.

That growth? It's our favorite thing to watch. 🥋

Your student's first day could be the start of something amazing. First class is free — schedule your free intro class now https://mailchi.mp/matthewstkd.com/freeintro

🥋 Mid-Week Technique Wednesday!

This week: the ROUND KICK — the most iconic kick in Tae Kwon Do.

1️⃣ Pivot on your base foot (turn your heel toward the target)
2️⃣ Chamber your knee UP and OUT to the side (point your knee at the target for technique, past the target for power)
3️⃣ Rotate your hip THROUGH the kick — this is where the power lives
4️⃣ Strike with the instep or ball of the foot (instep to gain distance in sparring, ball for technique in forms and power in board breaks)
5️⃣ Re-chamber and land clean

⚠️ Most common mistake: kicking without pivoting. No pivot = no power.
Try slow-motion reps first. Feel the hip rotation before you add speed. 🔥

☝️ Tell Me Tuesday — This or That!

Which would you rather have on the mat?

🐅 The SPEED of a tiger
OR
🦁 The POWER of a lion

(In TKD terms: lightning-fast kicks vs. super-strong power strikes 😏)
Drop your answer below 👇 and tell us WHY. No wrong answers... unless you say neither. 😂🥋

💪 Motivation Monday!
This week's word of the week: COURTESY.

Courtesy is one of the foundational tenets of Tae Kwon Do — and honestly one of the most powerful ones for life off the mat.

It's the bow at the beginning and end of every class. The 'yes sir/ma'am' that becomes automatic. The instinct to hold the door, thank the instructor, and cheer on a fellow student even when you're competing with them.

Courtesy on the mat becomes kindness off it. And the world could use a whole lot more of both. 🥋

How do you show courtesy in your daily life? 👇

🌅 Self-Care Sunday! This week's word of the week: COURTESY — one of the foundational tenets of Tae Kwon Do, and one of the most underrated.

🧘 Sunday Stretch: Hip Flexor Lunge ➡️ Step one foot forward into a lunge ➡️ Drop your back knee to the floor ➡️ Press your hips gently forward ➡️ Hold 30 seconds, switch sides. Why this matters for TKD: tight hips limit your kicks. Loose hips unlock power.

Mental health moment: being courteous to yourself — resting, recharging, and honoring your body's needs — is the first step. You can't pour from an empty cup. 🙏

🎬🇺🇸 School Saturday — Happy 4th of July from Matthews TKD! The school is taking today off to celebrate with family — but the kicks don't stop just because there are fireworks. 😂🥋 Whether you're at a BBQ or watching the sky light up tonight, we hope you have an amazing holiday. Back on the mat Monday. Rest up! 🎆

🌟 Feature Friday! Our Summer Special is underway and we are SO excited to welcome our newest students to the Matthews TKD family! 🎉 To anyone still on the fence: we're one week in with plenty of summer left. 8 weeks of training + belt testing for $299 (new students only). Family pricing available. Come see what we're about — link in the comments. 🥋

🇺🇸 Throwback Thursday! A look back at some of our favorite moments at Matthews TKD. Leadership Holiday party, Ninja Nights, and just having fun together, on and off the mat.

See you back on the mat Monday!

🥋 Mid-Week Technique Wednesday!

This week: the FRONT KICK — probably the first kick you'll ever learn, and one of the most important to master.

1️⃣ Start in your front or sparring stance
2️⃣ Chamber your knee HIGH (where most people shortcut it)
3️⃣ Snap your foot forward, striking with the ball of your foot
4️⃣ Rechamber before you put your foot down

⚠️ Common mistake: kicking without chambering first. A kick without a chamber is just a push.

Practice the chamber alone — 10 reps each side. Build the habit before adding the snap. 💪

☝️ Tell Me Tuesday!

New students are joining us this week for the Summer Special — welcome to the family! 🎉

For our community: what's ONE piece of advice you'd give to a brand-new student on their very first day?

Drop it below 👇 — we'll share the best answers this week!