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Southern Maine Taekwondo
5 ★★★★★ 9 Google reviews · Taekwondo school in South Portland, Maine
Style / system: Olympic / World Taekwondo — based on the school's own site and student reviews. Taekwondo systems (Olympic/World Taekwondo, ITF, and ATA/Songahm) differ in forms, sparring rules, and tournaments; if lineage matters to you, confirm it with the school. ATA vs WT vs ITF, explained →
Plan your first class
- Kids & teens classes kids and teens taekwondo classes — built around discipline, focus, confidence, and anti-bully skills
- Beginner-friendly all ages and levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
- Poomsae & forms forms (poomsae) practice — the patterns at the heart of taekwondo and your belt testing
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule southernmainetaekwondo.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone (207) 415-6827
Hours
| Monday | 4–6:30 PM |
| Tuesday | 4–6:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 4–6:30 PM |
| Thursday | 4–6:30 PM |
| Friday | 4–6:30 PM |
| Saturday | 10–11 AM |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“My daughter has been taking classes here since March 2015 and LOVES it.”
“E have helped my daughter become more self confident and responsible pre-teen.”
What students say
“She is learning not only to protect herself but also is gaining self confidence and making new friends of all ages!”
From the reviews
Before starting at Southern Maine Taekwondo (SMTKD) every parent/teacher meeting involved a guidance counselor who explained that my daughter had very poor balance, she was weak and she kept to herself much of the time. Obviously the school wanted to test her for everything.
My daughter has been taking classes here since March 2015 and LOVES it. She is learning not only to protect herself but also is gaining self confidence and making new friends of all ages! Mr. & Mrs. Esposito (and the other instructors as well) are wonderful role models to their students.
I used to go here and I became an orange belt in only two months and made new friends. I learned skills and how to protect my self invade I ever need to this was a great experience and would recommend all ages. It’s never too late to start something new.
New to taekwondo? Start at Southern Maine Taekwondo
Southern Maine Taekwondo comes up as a beginner-friendly school, going by their listing and students’ reviews. If you've never trained or set foot in a dojang, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or flexible to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and instructors scale the intensity to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard sparring — reputable schools build fundamentals (stances, blocks, kicks, and basic forms) for weeks, sparring eases in gradually and with gear on, and instructors keep it controlled and safe. Third, all ages and all levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or fundamentals class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out. Most schools are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.
Your first taekwondo class at Southern Maine Taekwondo
Nervous about walking into a taekwondo school for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good instructors expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling basic stances, blocks, and kicks with a partner or on pads — not hard sparring. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: loose athletic wear you can move in (or a dobok if you have one); you'll train barefoot on the floor. What to bring: water and a positive attitude — many schools lend a loaner dobok for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll get your own dobok and belt, and sparring gear (mouthguard, headgear, and guards) once you begin sparring. Sparring eases in gradually, once your fundamentals and forms are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the instructor. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.
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