About IceFire Martial Arts Academy
We are a martial arts school in Peoria Illinois servicing the communities of Peoria, Dunlap, Chillicothe, Princeville, Brimfield, Kickapoo, and beyond. Whether you've studied martial arts in the past, or are just beginning your journey, we have a place for you. We have smaller class sizes to give you personal attention with a family feel, and will work with you personally to help you achieve your goals as a martial artist.
We teach Taekwondo as our main style, boxing, and some light grappling. Each of these styles help you learn the basic fundamentals of martial arts. It's important to know how to use your legs and hands while standing up, and what to do should your fight end up on the ground.
Style Descriptions
Taekwondo
Taekwondo is a traditional martial art. When created, the belief was that the legs are the strongest and longest appendages on the body, so they are perfect for use in combat. The legs and feet are used for strikes, blocks, and deflection. One can attack or defend from their opponent from far away. Techniques vary from low sweeps to head strikes using the feet.
Despite being intended for combat, Taekwondo is an excellent choice for fitness. We stretch very hard to achieve and maintain maximum flexibility. Perfection of technique keeps the mind and senses sharp, as one has to focus to make sure their body is performing correctly. Speed and repition helps maintain cardiovascular health by making the heart work and the blood pump.
Many of our excercises and techniques mirror those of the World Taekwondo Federation. However, we do not practice "Olympic Style" Taekwondo. Olympic Style TKD doesn't utilize any hand techniques. The emphasis on kicking and leg techniques aside, Taekwondo actually has a variety of hand techniques used for strking, blocking, and joint locking; We feel they are an important part of the style.
Basic Boxing
In the west, we don't generally consider boxing a martial art. In actuallity, boxing is one of the oldest martial arts in the world, with roots as far back as ancient Egypt. Boxing is a combat sport where the sparring partners engage in a controlled fist fight, almost the opposite of Taekwondo. We teach basic boxing techniques like jabs, hooks, crosses, hooks, and uppercuts. Defensive techniques like blocking, slips, ducking, and parrying.
Boxing is not only a competitive sport but also a physically demanding and mentally challenging discipline that requires skill, strategy, and conditioning. It offers a wide range of health benefits, making it an effective form of exercise for those looking to improve their physical fitness and overall well-being. While it is a demanding and intense sport, boxing training can be adapted to suit various fitness levels and goals.
Grappling
Grappling is a term used to describe a category of combat sports and martial arts techniques that primarily involve close-contact, hand-to-hand combat, and the use of holds, pins, joint locks, and submission holds to control or submit an opponent. Grappling techniques are often employed in various martial arts, combat sports, and self-defense systems. We don't teach Jiu-Jitsu, but basic grappling techniques are an important part of learning about a combat sport.