I interviewed an instructor of Tang Soo Do, a blackbelt of Taekwondo, and a beginner student of Tang Soo Do. Here were the key takeaways.

• A lot of physical training has moved online, where it is difficult to correct poor form and posture.

• Beginner and intermediate students may have difficulty in developing their “body sense,” or their awareness of where their body sits in space, and many are not even aware that this is a skill which they have to build.

• This leads to poor awareness of their posture and form, leading to poor performance and potentially injury.

• Body sense is built through practicing good form, and this can be assisted using tools such as mirrors or shadows.

• In many studios, form is mainly tracked via capability, eg. breaking boards, performing kicks at height, etc. This is because good form acts as a force multiplier.

• While many studios are deeply rooted in tradition, they are still modern sports studios. Many are interested in improving training quality to produce high level athletes, as this can draw in more revenue.

• Motion tracking could be used to help encourage proper form by providing real time feedback.

  • Could be useful in helping develop people’s body sense.

• A lot of wearable tech is already used in physical therapy and personal training, especially things like fitbits.