What is Taekwondo
Taekwondo is the world's most widely practice martial art.
It is an Olympic sport, an artistic discipline,a system of self-defense, and a way of life.
Taekwondo as a sport has over 60 million practitioners in 190 countries. It originates from South Korea where the world governing body, the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF), is currently based.
The modern form of Taekwondo has its roots in various Korean forms of martial arts stretching back more than 2,000 years.
The name Taekwondo literally translates as the way of the foot and the fist - tae means to break or attack with the foot, kwon means to break with the fist and do translates as the art or way.
An Olympic Sport
Taekondo is an Olympic sport. It was introduced to the Olympics in Korea in 1988. Unlike many of the other sports that young people are involved with today, Taekwondo competitors are required by rule to demonstrate respect for officials coaches and their fellow competitors. What a concept!
An Artistic Discipline
Taekwondo is an artistic discipline. The techniques are done with graceful and powerful movements. Students continuously strive to improve the artistic presentation of each technique. The art of Taekwondo develops posture, graceful movement, excellent coordination, and attention to detail. We believe that everyone can benefit from exposure to this artistic discipline.
Self-Defense Training
Self-defense skills are safety skills. We believe that it's important for everyone to learn these self-defense skills. When a person learns and develops self-defense skills, the chance of sustaining an injury due to a attack is greatly reduced; and the chance of escaping from a mugging, a rape or an abduction attempt is greatly increased! Learning these safety skills does not promote violence; rather, it enables one to avoid becoming a victim of violence and to minimize injury.
Taekwondo is a way of life.
Students are encouraged to live according to the tenants of Tae Kwon Do.
The Tenets of Taekwondo
Courtesy:
To be thoughtful and considerate of others. Taekwondo students and instructors should be polite, and show consideration for others.
Integrity:
To be honest and good. Taekwondo practitioners should live by a code of moral values and principles
Perseverance:
To never give up in the pursuit of one's goals. Students should welcome challenges, because challenges cause us to grow and improve.
Self-Control:
To have control of your body and mind. A Taekwondo student should practice controlling his actions and reactions.
Indomitable Spirit:
To have courage in the face of adversity. A Taekwondo student should never be dominated by, or have his spirit broken by another.
Taekwondo is excellent exercise.
When exercise is done consistently, invaluable physical and mental improvements occur. Students develop real and lasting self-confidence. Taekwondo students do exercises which develop strength, flexibility, endurance, speed, balance, memory, concentration, coordination and self-control; to name a few. One of the keys to the success of Taekwondo is that the exercises are fun, the students see results, and they are inspired to do more.
Taekwondo Training Develops Self-Confidence
Success in a personal development program, such as a Taekwondo class, where the students experience noticeable increases in strength, flexibility, memory, coordination, and self-defense skills, as the result of a dedicated effort, is an excellent foundation for self-confidence. It is self-confidence based on physical and mental self-improvement, as opposed to self-confidence based on one's athletic performance. This self-confidence is deep; it is not subject to the results of tomorrow's game. It is not reserved for the best players on the team; it is available to everyone, because everyone experiences improvement with Taekwondo training.
