What is TaeKwonDo?

TaeKwonDo is the combination of three Korean words.  "Tae" means jump kick, or to smash with the foot.  "Kwon" means a fist, or to punch or destroy with the hand or fist.  "Do" means an art, a way, or a method.  When TaeKwonDo settled in to its modern form in the Korean military in the 1950s, the name was chosen because it described accurately what the art consisted of, and also kept up a link with "Taek Kyon," an ancient martial art practised in Korea over 2000 years ago, on which modern TaeKwonDo is based. 

TaeKwonDo is a martial art.  That means it is a physical activity based around fighting.  TaeKwonDo is a military martial art, developed by and for soldiers to be used in actual combat.  Although it is now taught with a peaceful philosophy, much of the training and the approach to classes shows a military approach to structure and discipline, and a soldier's approach to combat.  

TaeKwonDo is taught to over 70 million people in over 140 countries around the world, and is taught in many different languages.  However, it always recognises and teaches its history.  Some of the basic instructions are given in Korean (which makes learning in different countries easier), and students learn about the history of Korea and Korean martial arts.  In some classes, you will see the Korean flag, and the colours of the ITS reflect the colours in the Korean flag. 

It is a "hard" martial art, meaning that it uses strong blocks and attacks.  It is an attacking, rather than a defensive martial art, meaning that its approach to fighting is that the best means of defence is to incapacitate an attacker (though it should only be used as a last resort).  It is a linear style, meaning that it teaches people to move directly towards an attacker, rather than circle around them.  Its training regime is very vigorous, and one of its greatest attractions to modern practitioners is that it develops an incredibly high level of physical fitness. 

TaeKwonDo is similar to some forms of Karate in the moves that it uses.  However, it tends to use much more kicking, and the high kicks students learn are something of a trademark.  TaeKwonDo is often represented by a picture of a student executing very high kick.  You don't actually have to be able to kick two metres in the air in order to do TaeKwonDo.  Students will learn the technique and the flexibility, and after that it depends on training and on the natural physique of the individual.  Another trademark of TaeKwonDo is the use of powerful techniques to break boards, bricks, roofing tiles, concrete slabs, and much more!  Students over 16 are taught to break boards and other objects to develop and demonstrate the strength and power of their techniques.  This is taught in a careful way, with students only breaking once their instructor is confident that they have the ability to break without injury. 

TaeKwonDo allows students who want to compete to take part in competitions, and its WTF form is an Olympic sport.  While preparing for competitions will be part of any class, taking part in competitions is not a requirement for students, and it is up to the individual. 

Like most of the main martial arts, TaeKwonDo emphasises that it is not a sport, not a fitness regime, not a self defence system, but a way of life.  TaeKwonDo is taught within the structure of a philosophy which follows the tenets of courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self control and indomitable spirit.  Students are not just taught how to kill and let loose on the general population: they are taught how to defend themselves and others, in the context of a powerful philosophy of restraint and respect.  The majority of people come to TaeKwonDo for the fitness it brings.  Those that stay with TaeKwonDo for a lifetime always do so as part of a commitment to all that it stands for.  There are many types of martial art, which vary greatly, and it is worth remembering that TaeKwonDo is quite unlike some other martial arts.  If you find that TaeKwonDo is not for you, then don't give up - there are other martial arts which might better suit your own philosophy, disposition, or state of health.  This is something you can talk over with your instructor. 

The Philosophy of TaeKwonDo

(taken from a Korean TaeKwonDo website)

Although the literal translation on Tae Kwon Do is "the way of the fist and foot ", (Tae means " Foot", Kwon means "Fist" and Do means "the way") this is no more than a superficial translation. Do in Korean implies the philosophical approach to a way of life, a pathway to achieve enlightenment. The students of Tae Kwon Do, through rigorous physical training, improve themselves physically, mentally and spiritually.

The true Tae Kwon practitioner extends this art to all aspects of life, in order to achieve harmony with nature and thus a stable and peaceful existence. Tae Kwon Do is not only an excellent method of self defense, but a way of life. These qualities can be traced back to the influence on Buddhism, and its aim of the "Mastery of Self". Through the philosophy of Tae Kwon Do, a student can rid him or herself of the ego, and live in harmony with the universe.

At the center of this philosophy, is the concept of interaction between opposing forces in nature (Yin vs. Yan). Equilibrium is only achieved when contrary forces are distributed in equal amounts, resulting in balance and harmony. When only one force dominates, however, the result is unbalance, which could mean discord or failure.

Tae Kwon Do also teaches the importance of responsibility and honesty as the means to achieve harmony with society. The true Tae Kwon Do student is the one that knows how to behave in any place and at any time. It is very important to stress the need that our world has of trustworthy and sincere people. This are the kind of people that Tae Kwon Do is most probably associated to. This should be the insignia for which anybody could recognize the Tae Kwon Do practitioner.

Respect, humility and high sense of morality are also important teachings that all of those who practice Tae Kwon Do should learn. Respect could never be over stressed, because it is respect what maintains healthy the master-student relationship. If the student does not respect his master, he will never become worthy of the master's trust, and therefore his presence in the Dojang will not be welcomed. Respect is an important subject in Tae Kwon Do. Respect is expected from all students toward their parents, their nation, their master and fellow students, and in general toward all human beings.

Humility is a quality that all serious Tae Kwon Do students should posses. Although it is true that practicing the art of Tae kwon Do boosts your self confidence, this should not convey the false sense of superiority. On the contrary, the good student should be humble and considerate. In the same way, the highest regard for morality and ethics should be observed by all Tae Kwon Do practitioners.