What is Tae Kwon Do?

 

Taekwondo is one of the most systematic and scientific Korean traditional martial arts, that teaches more

than physical fighting skills. It is a discipline that shows ways of enhancing our spirit and life through training

our body and mind. Today, it has become a global sport that has gained an international reputation, and stands among the official games in the Olympics. First, Taekwondo is the right way of using Tae and Kwon 'fists and feet,' or all the parts of the body that are represented by fists and feet. Second, it is a way to control or calm down fights and keep the peace. This concept comes from the meaning of Tae Kwon 'to put fists under control' [or 'to step on fists']. Thus Taekwondo means "the right way of using all parts of the body to stop fights and help to build a better and more peaceful world." Taekwondo has been developing with the 5000-year long history of Korea, being called by several different names in the course. In Korea, Taekwondo began as a defense martial art called "Subak" or "Taekkyon," and developed as a way of training body and mind in the ancient kingdom of Koguryo, under the name of "Sunbae." In the Shilla period, it had become the backbone of Hwarangdo that aimed at producing leaders of the country.

 

Taekwondo can be characterized by unity: the unity of body, mind, and life, and the unity of the pose ("poomsae") and confrontation, and cracking down. When you do Taekwondo, you should make your mind peaceful and synchronize your mind with your movements, and extend this harmony to your life and society. This is how in Taekwondo the principle of physical movements, the principle of mind training, and the principle of life become one and the same.

 

 

Tae Kwon Do Benefits

An Investment for Life

Spiritually, the Korean culture and martial arts were strongly influenced by Buddhism and enriched by Hwa Rang Do, qa military, educational and social organization for noble youth institudes during the Shilla Dynasty.

Its code of honor consisted basically of loyalty to the nation, respect and obedience toward one’s parents, courage and bravery on the battle field, and avoidance of unnecessary violence and killing. This is the philosophical backbone of the Korean Martial Arts. Simply speaking the philosophical of Taekwondo is to achieve an understanding of love..Benevolence, magnanimity, sympathy, and character.

 

The modern day Grandmasters of Taekwondo claim that the martial art promotes the formation of good moral character, non-violent attitude and positive behaviors. The path-“Do”. “Way”- for those who follow it faithfully, leads ultimately to enlightenment- a mystic consciousness of divine union.

 

 

A lifetime Sport

 

Participants can establish their own levels of activity at any age and physical condition. The benefits are psychological and sociological as well as physical. As a sport, TAekwondo provides recreation and a feeling

of achievement and self-confidence. It also provides a challenge for participants in a competitive setting.

The training aims at the developments of balance, speed, agility, power, rhytm, muscular endurance, and strength. Neuromuscular coordination and cardiovascular efficiency are also greatly aided by practicing Taekwondo. In essence, the aims of taekwondo instruction coincide with those of other sports and physical education. A significant additional feature is taekwondo’s benefit as a lifesaving art of self-defense and personal protection for people of all ages. Taekwondo gives practitioners the opportunity to conquer new goals, while

at the same time allowing them to set higher standards for personal performance. In this way, progress is always possible. Dedicates students are trained in goal-setting and in making the sacrifices necessary to achieve those goals. Tae Kwon Do doist learn to carry over this discipline into other areas of life.

They become high achievers and expect more of themselves. Good Taekowndo students are no strangers to responsibility. They accept it with a proper attitude.. Another carry-over asset of Taekwondo is that it is a great psychological guide to strategy. Taekwondo doist learn that they are individually in control, and it is up to each of them, through psychological strategy, to plot a course through life. Through persistent actions practitioners can reach the destinations (goals). Problems or difficulties become mere obstacles. Progress cannot be blocked except by oneself. The serious practitioner learns not to waste time fretting over what is beyond personal limits. Practitioners of Taekwondo know that improvement of total well-being is within the rach of every individual. The serious Taekwondo doist accepts the challenge…and reaches.