In the wild and wonderful world of New Hampshire, a land of endless forests, majestic mountains, shimmering lakes, and frosty winters, a group of extraordinary kids known as the "Taekwondo Tornadoes" train in the ancient martial art of Taekwondo. These kids are as diverse as New Hampshire's seasons, each one unique, yet united by their shared passion. The leader of this karate-chopping, high-kicking crew is none other than Tommy 'Twister' Thompson. With a mop of curly hair as wild as the White Mountain National Forest and a spirit as fiery as the sunsets over Lake Winnipesaukee, Twister is as New Hampshire as maple syrup and moose sightings. He can split a stack of boards as easily as splitting logs for a winter fire. He's so quick on his feet, he could outrun a racing chipmunk on Mt. Washington. And when he belts out a 'Kihap!' (that's a Taekwondo yell), even the Old Man of the Mountain would have clapped his rocky hands in approval... if he still had hands, of course. Yet, the Taekwondo Tornadoes aren't just about flying fists and twirling kicks. Oh no, these Granite State kids know that Taekwondo is about discipline, respect, and helping others. They shovel snow for elderly neighbors, they pick up litter in the forests, and they even host an annual pancake flip-off to raise money for local charities. So, if you ever find yourself in New Hampshire, listen for the sound of a 'Kihap!' echoing through the trees. It just might be the Taekwondo Tornadoes, showing that the spirit of New Hampshire is not just in the landscape, but in the hearts of its kids too.
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The Happy Hive is an inclusive play space designed to spark joy and connection for every child. With a special focus on comfort and accessibility for neurodivergent kids, our environment welcomes children of all abilities to explore, move, and create at their own pace. From climbing walls, swings, and zip lines to dedicated zones for pretend play and art, The Happy Hive offers both high-energy fun and creative outlets. While we cater to children ages 1-13 for neurotypical kids, we have no age limit when it comes to kids with special needs—because play should have no boundaries. At The Happy Hive, we believe every child deserves a space where they can feel safe, included, and free to be themselves.
Bujutsu is a martial art that focuses on personal protection and the preservation of life. It is often thought of as a practice of perfecting the mind and body, to increase one’s chances of surviving any threatening situation. Myofu An Bujutsu, in particular, combines physical training with mental conditioning to help prepare students for unpredictable events. This approach provides a holistic approach to training, allowing students to develop the physical skills they need, as well as the mental attitude and approach to succeed in times of crisis.
Bugei is a more general term that encompasses all martial arts, although it is sometimes used to indicate emphasis on traditional or ancient martial arts, as opposed to the modern sport-oriented martial arts. This term is used to refer to the traditional martial arts that emphasize self-defense and self-improvement that have been passed down through generations. Japanese martial arts are a unique combination of physical and mental training, with the ultimate goal of self-improvement. These three terms, budō, bujutsu, and bugei, are often used interchangeably to refer to the same concept: the practice of traditional Japanese martial arts.
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