What is Taekwon-Do?
Taekwon-Do is the scientific use of the body in the art of self defence. The aim is to condition the body so that it may gain the ultimate use of its facilities through physical and mental training.
Translated from Korean, 'TAE' literally means to jump, kick or smash with the foot, 'KWON' means to punch or destroy with the hand or fist and 'DO' means art, way or method. Therefore Taekwon-Do means foothand-way.
Taekwon-Do originated in Korea and has evolved from more than 2OOO
years of martial arts forms including Soo Bak-Gi and Tae Kyon, the
Korean art of foot fighting. Taekwon-Do developed to its present form
after extensive development by Grandmaster Choi Hong Hi, 9th Degree. It
was officially recognised as the Martial Art of Korea in 1955.
There are many aspects to Taekwon-Do training but the main areas are:
Patterns, which are set sequences of movements designed to mimic a
confrontation with an imaginary opponent. The patterns increase in
difficulty and variety of techniques as the student progresses through the
grades. Free sparring is the sporting aspect that the majority of people
associate with martial arts training. Pre-arranged sparring, which is the
practice of developing self defence techniques which vary from simple set
sequences at white belt, through to free style one step attack, defence
and counter attack at black belt and Destruction which is the power
testing of an individual's technique. The theory and philosophy behind
Taekwon-Do are also an important aspect.
Taekwon-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 black belt. This journey is a personal one with no time limit, enabling anyone, young or old, with or without disability to achieve
their goals. Taekwon-Do will not only improve your fitness, flexibility
and strength, but the discipline that is installed by working towards each
new belt is a discipline that will lead to the habit of success in both
adults and children, improving confidence, self discipline and physical
and mental focus.
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