How to Join

To try out our club and the art of Tae Kwon Do, just come to a few classes! There is no obligation or cost. If you prefer, you can watch a class, but we've found that students get a far better appreciation for what class is really like - and what they can really accomplish - if they actually take a class with us.

Our members vary from complete beginners at martial arts to advanced students who have trained in Tae Kwon Do for many years. Many students who began their training with the club have gone on to earn their black belts here, and have continued training with us for years afterwards. Our Head Instructor and Assistant Instructor, in fact, began their martial arts training in the club about fifteen years ago.

The club accepts new members during the first part of each semester (the specific dates currently in effect are listed on our home page). For approximately the first four to six weeks of the summer and fall semesters, and during January (IAP) and February, the club concentrates on integrating new members. The specific dates of these "newcomer periods" are published on our schedule of classes. Classes during newcomer periods focus on instruction in basic Tae Kwon Do techniques. On most days, some time is set aside for a senior instructor to work with the newest students in a small group. During the remainder of each semester, the club does not accept new members: we expect everyone in the dojang to be familiar with basic techniques and customary procedures, and the pace and intensity of training rise appreciably, so that we can accomplish more in each class.

Club members must be MIT students, alums, staff, faculty, or the immediate family members thereof, and must have a current DAPER membership. (These rules apply to all official MIT Club Sports.)

Your First Classes

During your first few classes in particular, you will be exposed to an abundance of new information and new physical techniques. There's no need to get frustrated, however - no one is expected to learn or remember everything immediately. (In fact, everyone else in the club is still working on those same techniques!)

Early in your training, you must often just imitate higher belts as best you can. Be open to this old way of learning, which is uncommon today, but which works especially well for physical techniques, at which proficiency comes only after many repetitions. And don't hesitate to ask questions of the instructor or other experienced students at appropriate times.

For your first class, please try to show up 10-15 minutes before the scheduled starting time. Arriving early will give you an opportunity to meet the instructor, to go over basic class etiquette, and permit the instructor to learn of any special needs or medical issues you may have that may affect your training.

A few pointers will help you through class:

Come to class well hydrated.

Although any student who feels dehydrated or sick can get water or sit down as needed, we generally train for two hours straight without any breaks. Advanced students will typically drink 3-4 liters of water the day of class - as well as the day after! So make sure you have plenty of water the day of class.

Don't eat right before class.

We recommend that you not eat anything substantial for several hours before class. We do a lot of abdominal exercises and jumping and twisting motions in class, and you are likely to be much more comfortable with an empty stomach. Some club members with mysterious internal architecture have claimed to be able to eat a full meal at 5:30 before a 7:00 class, but most of us need more time.

Wear clothes that do not restrict your motion.

You'll want clothes that are suitable for heavy exercise. Shorts are OK, but remember that you will be doing splits and high kicks, so please wear shorts of appropriate length. Also, please do not wear shoes, a watch, or any jewelry. (We make exceptions only for very important items such as wedding rings and religious jewelry, as long as they don't protrude. If you have such jewelry, please point it out to the instructor before your first class.)

Work hard, but pace yourself.

If you feel dizzy or ill, raise your hand - the instructor will immediately come over to check on your condition and see what you may need. As mentioned above, any student who feels he or she needs to sit down or get water will be permitted to do so. If you ever feel that a particular exercise will hurt you (for example, because of an injury), substitute something similar that is safe for you. Let the instructor know before class if you anticipate any problem.

Enjoy the process of learning!

MIT people are used to being able to acquire new information and new skills quickly. Tae Kwon Do is different. Acquiring the skills of a proficient martial artist takes a long time, and much of the true value of training comes not from mastering a skill, but from being comfortable working on something you haven't mastered. Much of the joy of Tae Kwon Do comes from learning skills that may take a lifetime to master. So come to class not to master a new skill quickly, but to enjoy the process of learning!

There's obviously a lot more to becoming a martial artist - those are points that you will pick up as you attend classes. In the beginning, just focus on coming to class, trying hard, and enjoying the process of learning something that is not only mentally challenging, but physically challenging, too!

Becoming an Official Member

After you've attended four or more classes, our Head or Assistant Instructor will formally invite you to become a member of the club. The reason for waiting is to give you a chance to decide whether our club is right for you and to give you some basis for your decision whether to commit the time and effort that Tae Kwon Do training requires.

You need not decide right away whether to accept the invitation - in fact, we ask that you take at least one class to think about it. Joining our club and becoming part of our quarter-century legacy is a big step, which we'd like you to take seriously. Normally we'll expect an answer within a week, but if you want more time, just ask.

When we invite you to join, we'll talk to you about the costs associated with being a member, and the uniform and equipment you will need. There are two important points to note about club costs. First, the club is completely non-profit: no one - from the Head Instructor on down - gets paid anything to teach or participate in the club, and we supply equipment to members at our wholesale cost. All the money that comes into the club goes to club equipment and club activities - from inviting masters to teach special seminars to occasional club outings. Second, we never let money preclude anyone from participating fully in club activities. One reason the club collects dues is so that it can subsidize or waive the cost of uniforms, equipment, and club activities for members who otherwise couldn't easily afford them. Our system is simple: we take your word for what you can afford, and this information is confidential between the student, the Head and Assistant Instructors, and the club's treasurer. We're proud that over the years we've been able to help out many, many students.

Depending on your affiliation with MIT, there may be one additional cost. All participants in MIT Club Sports are required to have a current MIT DAPER membership. It's free for MIT students, but costs something for others. DAPER memberships don't directly involve our club, so we don't usually think of them as a "club cost", but for non-students not otherwise interested in a DAPER membership, it is in effect a club cost. Note that anyone can buy a DAPER membership, but there are restrictions on who can participate in MIT Club Sports.

Give it a Try

All this may seem like a lot of information, but in the end, it all comes down to what we said in the beginning: Just come to a few classes and work out with us! We look forward to having you train with us! Meanwhile, email us if you have questions.

Previous Training in Martial Arts

These days, many prospective members have significant previous training in the martial arts. Though we consider each such person's situation individually, we can offer some information and thoughts on the process typically followed in these cases.

Summary

If you've been to your first class and just want a brief summary of the steps involved in joining the club, here it is:

Prior to your first class

we give you a Welcome Packet and ask you to sign the waiver.

Within a few days

you're added to the club email list for important announcements.

After you attend at least four classes

the Head or Assistant Instructor formally invites you to join the club.

Within a week

you accept by giving a completed Member Form to the Head or Assistant Instructor in person, as well as a check (if needed) to the MIT Tae Kwon Do Club, and demonstrating knowledge of the Rules and Terminology sheet.

We give you a uniform and a set of equipment.

Before your next class, you sew the patch on the left side of your dobok (make sure it's upright when it's worn), and you remove the visible labels on your dobok and belt (use a razor blade or seamripper).

At your next class

Congratulations, you're a new member of the MIT Tae Kwon Do Club! You will start learning the requirements for white belts in classes. For reference, some requirements are written down on sheets available to you in the club bag and on the web.