Training
Taekwondo requires many hours of training
and practice. Before starting this very demanding physical activity the body needs to warm up in preparation for the demands of training to prevent serious
injury. Begin with exercises to mobilize the joints, then gradually raise the pulse rate with jumping, skipping or jogging on the spot. Each activity has it's own specialized exercises. For Taekwondo, flexibility by way of stretching exercises is vital to the practitionist.
Basic Techniques
In order to perfect
your kicking/hand technique you must be willing to practice hard, and accept
that perfection will not come immediately. To work on your basic kicks,
start by doing the kick slowly, standing with one hand braced on a wall
or barre. Fully extend the kick through the entire motion and return to
starting position. For example, for the front kick (aph chagi) position
your back against a wall or barre, raise right knee so that your leg forms
a right angle; extend 
lower
half of the leg straight forward, toes back in proper front kick position.
This could be repeated as many times as desired. I usually do 50 extensions
per leg to warm up.
For hand techniques,
once the instructor has demonstrated the movement, good form will be developed through focus work; try
striking a target - bag, focus mits, pads, etc. Soon you'll
be able to test your power and focus with some board breaking sessions!
Jumping Kicks
Once basic standing
kicks have been mastered we get into the good stuff - performing the kicks
while jumping. It would be good at this point to practice jumping. It may
sound silly but some people really can't jump
(eh, Andre; and as for jumping rope...).
Jumping kicks are undoubtedly the most difficult to develop and the most exciting to watch. It is here that continual commitment to mobility and flexibility exercises pays dividends.
