Tae Kwon Do ?
What is Tae Kwon Do ?
Tae Kwon Do (also known as Taekwondo) is the art of self defense that originated in Korea. It is recognized as one of the oldest forms of martial arts in the world, reaching back over 2,000 years. The name was selected for its appropriate description of the art: Tae (foot), Kwon (hand), Do (the way).
“Tae” refers to the legs and lower torso, which provide the force necessary to do the hopping, jumping, and flying kicks that Taekwondo is famous for. The lower torso is also where the center of balance for the body is located.
“Kwon,” as with “Tae”, means more than just “striking with hands.” It refers to the upper body and arms as well. Finger tips, wrists, fists and elbows are also used to strike with. An inherent part of the term “Kwon” also means defense. It is the complement of attack or strike and must be explored in order to learn balance of form and technique.
“Do” means “the way.” This is the domain of the mind and indicates that more is involved than just training the body. It is not enough for the practitioner to become proficient in just the physical aspects of the art; his mind and body must work together in harmony, embodying the spirit of oneness.
Benefits
Benefits doing Tae Kwon Do
- Self- Defense
- Fitness
- Self- Confidence
- Leadership
- Flexibility
- Balance
- Self Management
- Concentration
- Respect
Practices
- Self-Discipline - Any martial art form requires self-discipline and determination. Taekwondo offers a variety of movements, patterns, strikes, kicks and punches that keep the mind stimulated and the body strong. Learning to control your movements, perfect your forms and memorize patterns takes concentration and focus..
- Self-Defense - When the speed and power developed through Taekwondo is used in a self-defense situation against the vulnerable parts of an attacker's body, the results can be incredible. Taekwondo allows a woman to emphasize many of her natural physical strengths, such as power in the legs, while learning a method of self-defense efficient against a much larger opponent. Knowing you can defend yourself, your confidence will grow. And confidence alone is usually enough to deter potential attackers.
- Self-Confidence - This does not come naturally for many people, but self-confidence can be developed over a period of time. Through Taekwondo, as you accomplish new goals, your confidence level increases. Taekwondo instills a sense of discipline and self-confidence that can carry over to all aspects of your life.