FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

How old do you have to be to take class?

Master Primm has taught students from age 3 to age “I’m not telling but I could be your grandparent”… The age is much less important than the student’s ability to focus and follow directions and his or her desire to learn. Many children reach this developmental level around age 5. Others need a bit longer, and some mature even more quickly. Students in the youth program currently range from Kindergartners to 5th graders. If you would like to discuss your child, please give us a call.

Am I too old to take class?

Never! TKD is about your mind, body and spirit—not your age. If you desire to learn you should not be concerned about your age. If a student needs to modify certain exercises because of physical limitations that is perfectly acceptable. Similarly, students with physical disabilities can still be very successful in the study of TKD.

How long does it take to get a black belt?

There is not a set time which is required to earn a black belt. Master Primm teaches students that you will get out of something what you put into it, whether in life or in the study of TKD. Practice and dedication will reap rewards at a much quicker pace than will be experienced by those who come to class but do not make much effort outside the TKD studio.

I have prior martial arts experience. Can I keep my present rank/belt?

Yes, once you earn a belt from any martial arts program we will not take this accomplishment from you. However, if you learned a different type of martial art it may take some time for you to advance in this program, as you will need to learn the skills associated with each level beneath your current rank before you can begin working on belt advancement within this program.

My child has Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Will my child benefit from TKD?

Many pediatricians and children’s mental health professionals recommend TKD as an excellent tool to help these special kids develop better concentration and focus. Master Primm and Lisa Primm would be happy to talk with you about your child and how this program might help them. Lisa is a Master’s level Social Worker with experience working with kids experiencing this condition.

Will TKD help with building self-confidence?

Many students and parents have told us that TKD has made a huge impact in their confidence. Having healthy self-esteem is important in being a successful individual. No one can GIVE a person self-esteem by lavishing them with praise and compliments. Self-esteem is developed when an individual is given the opportunity to set a goal and achieve it, and then that hard work can be recognized. Additionally, TKD teaches students how to defend themselves if they should ever need to. Feeling safe and less vulnerable is another step toward being confident. We believe that the study of TKD is one of many ways that individuals can develop healthy, positive self-confidence and self-esteem.

Below you will find detailed information regarding the background and practices of Taekwon-Do:

Belts

In Tae Kwon-Do character development (both in and out of the training hall) and technique are graded, as well as individual ability. The promotional scale is divided into 10 grades, or “Gups.” The new student begins with the 10th grade (Gup) and ends at 1st grade (Gup). Beyond that are the Dan levels, which relate to different degrees of black belt from 1-9. Specific patterns and techniques are taught at each level and must be mastered in order to test for advancement to the next level. An instructor may test a student at each Gup level or may in rare cases skip a level depending upon the ability of the student. In some instances a student may be tested for a half gup (one stripe), indicating that most of the knowledge required for belt advancement has been achieved, but a few details are still lacking. Students should consider it an honor to be selected for testing. The instructor will not recommend that a student should test if he or she is not ready. If the student struggles at the testing and for some reason cannot demonstrate the skills that he or she knows, the instructor may choose not to pass the student but to put them on probation. This will be discussed with the student and the family if it is appropriate. The Gup system correlates with colored belt levels as follows:

10 Gup- White belt
9 Gup- High white belt (with two yellow stripes)
8 Gup- Yellow belt
7 Gup- High yellow belt (with two green stripes)
6 Gup- Green belt
5 Gup- High green belt (with two blue stripes)
4 Gup- Blue belt
3 Gup- High blue belt (with two red stripes)
2 Gup- Red belt
1 Gup- High red belt (with two black stripes)

Primm’s TKD makes every effort to keep our training convenient and affordable. Because of the generosity of Wilson County Schools and the principals at our various locations, we are able to keep costs low for our members and give back to our community, while maintaining a high quality program. In order for families to plan ahead, we would be happy to share our testing fees with you if you call us. These fees include belts or stripes, instructors and judges’ time, boards and equipment, and internationally recognized Gup advancement. Students recommended for half-Gup testings pay half the regular fee, and then the other half when they test for the full Gup advancement, so there is no extra charge. Colored belt testing fees range from $25.00 to $65.00.

History 

Tae Kwon-Do has a rich history that is actually thousands of years old. As you progress you will learn more about this beautiful art and how it originated and evolved. New students should know that TKD was founded by General Choi Hong Hi, who was a 9th Degree Black Belt until his death on June 15, 2002. Primm’s TKD is affiliated with the International Tae Kwon-Do Federation (ITF). We are also a part of the American Tae Kwon-Do Federation International (ATFI), founded by Master Fabian Nunez, an 8th Degree Black Belt in Austin, Texas. He is Mr. Primm’s instructor. We are very proud to have these affiliations, as these leaders are all traditional practitioners of the original TKD martial art, prior to other organizations which have followed and are, in fact, less traditional. What this means for our students is that your knowledge will be recognized worldwide by other ITF schools, and that your advancement will be determined by preset criteria that is consistent with all ITF programs. All students of Primm’s TKD will be expected to become members of the ITF when they advance to seven gup status. We will provide more information regarding this at the appropriate time.

Students are expected to learn the Tenants of TKD. They are:

COURTESY:
To be polite to one another
To behave oneself according to etiquette
To respect other’s possessions

INTEGRITY:
To know right from wrong
To be honest and proud

PERSEVERANCE:
Patience to achieve a higher degree of perfection
Don’t be a quitter, try and try again

SELF CONTROL:
Control over one’s impulses, emotions, or acts

INDOMITABLE SPIRIT:
A student of TKD will at all times be modest and honest
If confronted with injustice, he will deal with the belligerent without fear or hesitation regardless of whosoever and however many the number may be

The TKD Student Oath will be recited at the beginning of every class:

I shall observe the tenants of Tae Kwon-Do
I shall respect instructors and seniors
I shall never misuse Tae Kwon-Do
I will be a champion of freedom and justice
I will build a more peaceful world

Is TKD good exercise? Will it help with weight loss?

TKD classes are wonderful for working and strengthening a wide range of muscles. Most classes include a portion devoted to improving cardiovascular strength as well. Many participants have experienced weight loss as well as improved flexibility and muscle strength.

Do I have to sign a long-term contract?

Never! Primm’s TKD does not use contracts to force students to stay involved. Participation in TKD should be motivated by a student’s desire to study, not by a financial obligation. We strive to keep prices low and always contract-free so that this is not a barrier to learning.


Do you have family rates or discounts?

If multiple students are taught from the same family we give a discount per session to each student in the family. We also give discounts to those working for Wilson County Schools. Please ask for more information about these offers.

How can this program help my child’s grades and/or behavior?

Many of the concepts taught in TKD reflect what most would call “good parenting”, and you are probably already using these concepts in your homes. Our goal is to reinforce these concepts within the framework of learning self-defense and having fun. The students are taught to be honest, courteous, kind and respectful. They are assisted in setting goals and in meeting those goals. Both the instructor and the higher-ranking students serve as role models for those students who may need to see what can be accomplished if someone follows the rules and works hard. Time and again we hear from parents who say that their child has done better at home and in school since participating in TKD.

What rank is the instructor and how long has he been doing TKD?

Master Primm is a 7th degree black belt (or VI Dan). He started training in the martial arts in 1980, when he was 19. He has been teaching for over 30 years and has been teaching in the Wilson County schools for most of his career and in the Mt. Juliet schools specifically for the past 10 years.

Does Primm 's have a regular studio?

No. Master Primm had a school in Lebanon for 11 years and was the lead instructor with another studio in Hermitage for several years. Approximately 8 years ago he left this traditional format to teach in the school systems. This had been a goal of his for many years. Master Primm recognizes that this is a great convenience for working parents and that he is able to teach many children who might otherwise never have this opportunity.