Introducing GuKwoone - the mixed Martial Art

I have always been impressed with Jackie Chan's high - flying 360 degree kicks and watched in awe at the actors and stunt masters in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. So when I watched Ong-Bak, a film about an average kid who grows up in a martial arts environment, becomes one of the best Muay Thai warriors in the country, I thought - hey, I can do that too!

So armed with my new flashy trainers I decided to venture past the reception doors of my local gym and enquire about any martial arts classes that they held. The very helpful receptionist staff showed me the timetable and suggested that I speak to the instructor or sit in on the Gukwoone class held twice a week.

I am no martial arts expert - apart from showing off that I know what a 360 degree kick is to my friends, so I was curious as to what Gukwoone was all about. It said on the leaflet that it was a mixed martial arts that focused on muscle conditioning and improving flexibility. So with visions of cobra kicks and round house turns I attended a class run by the highly qualified Dr Krishna Rao (6th DAN, Kukkiwon) at Southall Sports Centre.

Greeted with a warm smile the instructor was more than happy for me to sit in on the class. I took a seat cautiously looking at all the students in their crisp white uniforms. They moved powerfully yet gracefully as they executed punches and kicks, some in the air, others, spinning across the room. By the end of the session they were sweating bucket loads but were still going! How could I possibly do a sport like this when I break out in a sweat just running 50 yards for the bus in the morning? But there were children as young as 4 years of age in the class and the most senior student was 60 grand years!

So ignoring my excuses - of which there were many- I signed up to the Gukwoone class - well it's the least I could have done considering I had spent a silly amount of hard earned cash on some very flashy- and dare I say- funky- looking trainers.

And the rest, as they say is history. 2 years and 5 belts later I am still alive and kicking- literally. Joining and practicing the art of Gukwoone has been the best lifestyle decision I have ever made.

If you would like more information about what Gukwoone is all about then stay tuned as I will be filling you in on all the details and showing how you can benefit from joining Gukwoone too.

For more info email: gukwoone@hotmail.co.uk