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What is TaeKwonDo?

 

Tae Kwon Do is a martial art and sport that without the use of weapons, teaches the practitioner techniques for defense and offense. Regardless of age or sex, Tae Kwon Do teaches the practitioner to use his or her hands and feet in any defensive situation. In Korean, tae (태, 跆) means "to strike or break with foot"; kwon (권, 拳) means "to strike or break with fist"; and do (도, 道) means "way", "method", or "path". Thus, taekwondo may be loosely translated as "the way of the foot and the hand."

 

Functions

 

As a form of physical exercise, Tae Kwon Do has a great effect on children's growth and development as well as youths' and elders' physical fitness. The techniques and forms of Tae Kwon Do are designed to develop control of all parts of the body. In addition, Tae Kwon Do demonstrates poise, allows flexibility in all joints of the body, and helps relieve fatigue and stress.

 

As a martial art, Tae Kwon Do involves attacking opponents with bare hands and feet. The one distinguishing factor that Tae Kwon Do has from other martial arts is its powerful and diverse foot techniques, which make this martial art one of the world's most powerful sports. Even though Tae Kwon Do involves no use of weapons, it has the ability to knock down an opponent in one single blow. However, Tae Kwon Do emphasizes mastering defense techniques which come from the Tae Kwon Do thinking of respecting peace and justice. Tae Kwon Do teaches practitioners to practice the attitude of self-discipline to defend oneself and never attack or defeat others.

 

As a modern sport, Tae Kwon Do has new merits. Spectators have created quite a following in venues such as the Olympic and Pan American Games. One would have a difficult time finding another sport that could compare to the gracefulness, accuracy, and power that is when thousands of practitioners perform. Just as Tae Kwon Do was performed in the opening ceremonies of the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games, it has also grown into a popular international sport due to increase development of rules and protective gear that reduces injuries. Tae Kwon Do is now an official Olympic Event.

 

As an educational tool, Tae Kwon Do not only improves a person's physical well-being, but their mental state as well. Through Tae Kwon Do, a practitioner practices the art of self perfection and understands the techniques in pursuit of the virtue of human life. In the school (Do-Jang in Korean) the student not only develops his body, but his mind as well. With the physical exercise of stretching, strengthening, drilling and sparring, the Tae Kwon Do student learns respect for their instructors, senior students, classmates, and themselves. The development and cultivation of good character and positive attitude is the central theme in the teaching of Tae Kwon Do.

 

5 Tenets of Taekwondo (TKD)

 

The tenets of Taekwondo deal with the fundamental elements of etiquette. They should serve as a guide for all students of the art. Taekwondo aims to achieve:

 

1. COURTESY (Ye Ui)         - to be polite to one another
                                               - to be humble and respectful
                                               - to be modest and unassuming

 

Taekwondo students should attempt to be polite to one another and to respect others. Students should address instructors as Sir and to bow to the instructors before and after classes. Turning up early or on time for classes is also an aspect of courtesy.

 

2. INTEGRITY (Yom Chi)     - to be honest and sincere
                                                  - to be upright and have a sense of justice     

                                                  - to be able to distinguish right from wrong

                                                  - to have a good conscience

                                                  - to have a sense of guilt if wrong

 

One who has integrity is able to define what is right or wrong and have the conscience, if wrong, to feel guilt. Taekwondo students should strive to be honest and to live by moral principles.

 

3. PERSEVERANCE (In Nae)   - to be able to overcome and endure

                                                      - to be steadfast in purpose

                                                      - to be persistent regardless of obstacles

                                                      - to have the attitude of not giving up easily

                                                      - to have a deep sense of patience

 

Perseverance means having patience. One of the most important secrets of becoming a leader in Taekwondo is to overcome every difficulty by perseverance. Patience and iman are prerequisites for leadership in Islam. "And We appointed, from among them, Leaders, giving guidance under Our Command, so long as they persevered with patience and continued to have faith in Our Signs." (as-Sajdah 32:24)

 

4. SELF CONTROL (Guk Gi)   - to have total control of one-self mentally, physically & emotionally

                                                      - to have control over ones desires and actions

                                                      - to have the ability to live and work within the panorama of the self

 

Without self-control, a Taekwondo student is just like any fighter in the street. Loss of self-control is disastrous both in sparring and personal affairs. "The term of stronger is the person who wins over oneself rather than someone else", Lao Tzu.

 

5. INDOMITABLE SPIRIT (Baekjul Boolgool)  - to have a spirit that will not die

                                                                                     - to not be easily discouraged

                                                                                     - to not be easily defeated or subdued

                                                                                     - to have everlasting positive courage

 

A true student of Taekwondo will never give up, not even when faced with insurmountable odds. The most difficult goals can be achieved with indomitable spirit.