Taekwondo

Taekwondo is a Korean Martial art. Loosely translated it means “the Way of the Foot and Fist”.

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It is a “hard” style martial art, as opposed to Hapkido which is a “soft” style. It is a combative technique, sport, philosophy and exercise.

It is also an artistic discipline; the movements are powerful and graceful. The techniques include powerful kicks, jumps, spins (even spinning, jumping kicks) hand strikes and blocks. Some of the kicks taught are the front snap, roundhouse, side, drop, wheel and crossing kicks.

Students of all ages are accepted. Many students enroll not only for self defense purposes, but also to help strengthen and tone muscles, develop stamina, flexibility and speed.

Students are also taught “forms”. A series of hand and foot techniques accompanied with precise steps and “Kiaps” or shouts. For each belt rank the students must memorize and perform one or two new forms, plus retain all the previous ones. All orders are given in Korean, so each student must learn the Korean names of the techniques.

During sparring competition contacting kicks will score better than punches. Kicks to the head score better than to the body. Hand strikes to the head-even fakes are strictly forbidden. Competition also includes breaking boards with hand strikes and kicks and performing forms.

In order to master the true essence of the art, a student must fully understand these moral tenets:

Although Korean martial arts were formed 2000 years ago, modern TKD wasn’t created until the 20th century. It is now the world’s most widely practiced martial art. In 1955 was formalized and officially named. It became an Olympic sport in 2000.

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