Author: dmkwanjang

firstmartialarts.com

Snr Ins Marlyn visits Albany, 13 Oct 2025

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Last month, our Albany students had the privilege of being taught by Senior Instructor Marlyn.

Marlyn, a 4th Degree Black Belt, began her TaeKwonDo journey under WA Chief Instructor Dane back in February 1994 — and has trained continuously ever since. With over three decades of dedication, she currently leads as the Bassendean Branch Instructor and serves as WA’s Head Female Instructor for First TaeKwonDo.

Her passion, precision, and deep knowledge of TaeKwonDo shone through every moment of the class. Our Albany students thoroughly enjoyed learning from her wealth of experience — from fundamentals to fine details — and were inspired by her lifelong commitment to the art.

A big thank you to SI Marlyn for visiting Albany and sharing her expertise and energy — it was a truly motivating session for all who attended!

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🥋 Patterns – More Than Just Movements

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At First TaeKwonDo, our Patterns (Hyungs) are far more than a series of blocks, strikes, and stances. They are a core part of shaping a complete martial artist—mind, body, and spirit.

Every movement performed with intention builds focus, discipline, and mindfulness. Patterns train us to be present, precise, and purposeful—qualities that carry over into school, work, and everyday life.

💡 More than repetition – Patterns strengthen the mind as much as the body, cultivating the calm confidence and resilience needed to face challenges with control and clarity.

For our Black Belts, keeping Patterns sharp and on point is essential—not only for their own growth, but to lead by example and inspire the next generation.

This is why we take time in class to explain why Patterns matter, not just how to perform them. Behind every stance lies a lesson in patience. Behind every strike lies a reminder to think before acting.

In a world that moves fast, Patterns teach us to slow down, focus, and move with purpose—skills that last a lifetime.

Patterns – More Than Just Movements At First TaeKwonDo, our Patterns (Hyungs) are far more than a series of blocks, strikes, and stances. They are a core part of shaping a complete martial artist—mind, body, and spirit. Every movement performed with intention builds focus, discipline, and mindfulness. Patterns train us to be present, precise, and purposeful—qualities that carry over into school, work, and everyday life. 💡 More than repetition – Patterns strengthen the mind as much as the body, cultivating the calm confidence and resilience needed to face challenges with control and clarity. For our Black Belts, keeping Patterns sharp and on point is essential—not only for their own growth, but to lead by example and inspire the next generation. This is why we take time in class to explain why Patterns matter, not just how to perform them. Behind every stance lies a lesson in patience. Behind every strike lies a reminder to think before acting. In a world that moves fast, Patterns teach us to slow down, focus, and move with purpose—skills that last a lifetime.

Hand Push Balance drill

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Photo of Cockburn students engaging in a hand pushing balance drill. These balance warm up drills are a fundamental component of our First TaeKwonDo training as they cultivate a nuanced blend of strength, stability, and spatial awareness crucial for effective combat. These drills, often emphasizing the intricate interplay between the upper body and core, enhance a practitioner’s ability to maintain equilibrium during dynamic movements and resist external forces. By repeatedly engaging in hand pushing exercises, martial artists develop not only physical strength in the arms and shoulders but also a heightened sensitivity to weight distribution and subtle shifts in body positioning. This heightened proprioception translates into improved overall balance, enabling martial artists to execute techniques with precision, respond swiftly to opponents’ actions, and establish a solid foundation for more advanced martial arts skills.

Thanks to SI Mischa for this image.

Master Vernon Low

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Master Vernon Low arrived in Australia in the late 1960’s after earning his Black Belt in Singapore. During Master Low’s university studies he commenced teaching TaeKwonDo at the Adelaide Y.M.C.A. centre. He was the first TaeKwonDo instructor to introduce the Korean martial art to the South Australian public; hence our schools name FIRST TaeKwonDo. When one of Master Low’s Adelaide student’s, Dane Meade later moved to Perth, the First TaeKwonDo organisation expanded into Western Australia and the Academy now has over 40 training centre locations in SA & WA.

Master Low is dedicated to all his students continued TaeKwonDo development and committed in ensuring the traditional martial arts standards of the school are preserved. As such he travels to Perth every 3 month to personally conduct very comprehensive grading tests for all his students (White Belt beginners to 5 Dan Black Belt) that have been assessed by their Instructors as ready to apply for their next belt promotion. Not all students are ready to grade every 3 months as most senior coloured belt ranks only grading every 6 to 12 months. This way Master Low ensures the First TaeKwonDo School remains true to its traditional but progressive core values.

Master Instructor Vernon Low

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Our Master Instructor, Vernon Low, is passionate and committed to the continued development and improvement of his students’ Taekwondo skills, knowledge and understanding – the sign of a true martial arts Master.

Please see this collage of Master Low teaching, explaining and adjusting the techniques of the Black Belt Patterns during the recent March Grading Exam.

During each Perth Grading day, Master Low teaches and refines all our First TaeKwonDo Black Belts’ skills and knowledge of the Traditional patterns of Taekwondo. Our highly accomplished and skilled Master Instructor regularly passes on his extensive Taekwondo knowledge of techniques and patterns, which at this session included: Kwan-Gae, Po-Un, Gae-Baek, Eui-Am, Sam-Il and Yong-Gae (for our more senior Instructors – 4th Dans and above).

Teaching and learning the Black Belt patterns takes time and Master Vernon, who is assisted by CI John, are very professional and patient when passing on their TaeKwonDo expertise to the Black Belts under their instruction and we all feel very privileged to be learning from these two exceptionally accomplished martial artists.

Thanks to DustyDingo Photography for these photos captured 19/03/2023.