What is Tae Kwon Do?
Tae Kwon Do is a modern martial art and sport that is characterised by its powerful, explosive techniques and spectacular fast, high and spinning kicks. The advanced kicking techniques are what separates Tae Kwon Do from most other martial arts.
The modern art of Tae Kwon Do was founded in Korea as an adaptation of an ancient form of unarmed combat. It was inspired by several ancient martial arts, but the main influence came from the Korean kick fighting of 'Tae-Kyon'.
It has quickly spread since its creations, and has become one of the most popular modern martial arts. It has spread to every country in the world and is currently practiced by over 70 million people.
The Art of Tae Kwon Do
The modern art of Tae Kwon Do was founded in Korea as an adaptation of an ancient form of unarmed combat. It was inspired by several ancient martial arts, but the main influence came from the Korean kick fighting of 'Tae-Kyon'.
Translated from Korean, 'Tae' literally means to jump, kick or strike with the feet, 'Kwon' means fist, and the ability the punch or destroy with your hands or fists and 'Do' means the art, way, or method. By combining these three definitions, we can see that Tae Kwon Do directly translates to 'the art of kicking and punching', or 'the art of un-armed combat'.
Tae Kwon Do was developed into its present form in Korea in the 1950's following extensive research and development by the founder, Major General Choi Hong Hi, 9th Dan.
When Choi Hong Hi, a Major General in Korea's 29th Infantry, developed his unarmed combat training program, he knew that for it to be successful, it would have to give his troops many of the characteristics required of any soldier. It would have to put them in an excellent physical condition and teach them a high degree of discipline. It would need to instill the confidence necessary for battle and turn them into a feared enemy. As a form of unarmed combat though, the most important goal was that it would have to work. Major General Choi Hong Hi was so successful in the formation of this martial art, that it is now the standard training program for the entire Korean military today.
Tae Kwon Do definitely enables the weak to possess a fine weapon together with confidence to defend themselves and defeat the opponent as well. Of course, wrongly applied, Tae Kwon Do can be a lethal weapon. Therefore mental training must always be stressed to prevent the student from misusing it. To the Korean people, and increasing numbers of people accross the world, Tae Kwon Do is more than a mere use of skilled movements. It also implies a way of thinking and a way of life, living by the tenets and discipline that Tae Kwon Do training instills.
Why Choose Tae Kwon Do
As a sport, Tae Kwon Do is an excellent source of fitness, toning the body while increasing muscular strength, improving flexibility and building aerobic stamina. It does not require the use of special equipment to practice, or a special training area, and as the student progresses, interest is maintained through constant exposure to new and more advanced techniques.
As a system of self-defence Tae Kwon Do is not only a martial art but a science based on the mechanics of the human body. The result is an art that when properly mastered, enables the practitioner to perform powerful, effective techniques that can quickly overcome a moving opponent.
Tae Kwon Do operates with a progressive grading syllabus that takes the student from the first simple forms of the white belt to the advanced techniques of the coveted black belt.
The discipline that is instilled by working towards each new belt is a discipline that will lead to the habit of success in both children and adults.
You will discover along with many others, that Tae Kwon Do brings a new dimension to sport by providing lifelong fitness motivation that is combined with a highly stylized system of self-defence. The creative artistic kicks and strikes of Tae Kwon-Do have an inherent beauty that can be appreciated by both the beginner and advanced alike.
Tae Kwon Do will help you to achieve peace of mind and will provide relief from the stress of everyday life. When you join, you will begin to realise that the martial arts are uniquely set apart from all other sports as Tae Kwon Do practise soon becomes a way of life.
