ABOUT TAEKWON-DO
A brief history
Taekwon-Do differs significantly from other martial arts. In fact, no other martial art is as advanced with regard to the application of Newtonian physics to generate power while executing a technique.
General Choi’s journey to develop Taekwon-Do began with his prior knowledge of Taek Kyon, the ancient Korean art of foot fighting and his study of Karate in Japan during the Japanese occupation of Korea. Soon after Korea was liberated in 1945, he was placed in a privileged position as a founding member of the newly formed South Korean Armed Forces.
The former provided him with a definite sense of creation, and the latter gave him the power to disseminate Taekwon-Do throughout the entire armed forces, despite furious opposition.
The emergence of Taekwon-Do as an international martial art in a relatively short period of time was due to a variety of factors. The evils of contemporary society (moral corruption, materialism, selfishness, etc.) had created a spiritual vacuum. Taekwon-Do was able to compensate for the prevailing sense of emptiness, distrust, decadence and lack of confidence.
In addition, these were violent times, when people felt the need for a means of protecting themselves, and the superiority of Taekwon-Do technique came to be widely recognised. General Choi's social stature, the advantage of being Taekwon-Do's founder and his wonderful health also contributed to the rapid growth of Taekwon-Do all over the world.
General Choi had been born frail and weak and was encouraged to learn Taek Kyon at the age of fifteen by his teacher of calligraphy. In 1938, a few days before he was due to leave Korea to study in Japan he was involved in an unexpected incident that would have made it difficult to return home without risk of reprisals.
He resolved to become a black belt holder in Karate while he was in Japan. The skills he required were sufficient protection against those who might seek to do him harm. Not only was he able to return to Korea, but he subsequently initiated the national liberation movement known as the Pyongyang Student Soldier's Incident. Like so many patriots in the long course of human history, his actions aroused the wrath of those in positions of power. He was imprisoned for a time in a Japanese army jail.
In January of 1946, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the fledgling Republic of Korea army and posted to the 4th infantry regiment in Kwangju, Cholla Namdo Province as a company commander General Choi began to teach Karate to his soldiers as a means of physical and mental training. It was then that he realised that they needed to develop their own national martial art, superior in both spirit and technique to Japanese Karate.
With this in mind he began to develop new techniques systematically. By the end of 1954 he had nearly completed the foundation of a new martial art for Korea, and therefore, on 11th April 1955, it was given the name "Taekwon-Do". Although Karate and Taek Kyon were used as references in the course of study, the fundamental theories and principles of Taekwon-Do are different from those of any other martial art in the world. General Choi formulated the following basic ideals for the Taekwon-Do practitioners:
By developing an upright mind and a strong body, we will acquire the self-confidence to stand on the side of justice at all times;
We shall unite with all men in a common brotherhood, without regard to religion, race, national or ideological boundaries;
We shall dedicate ourselves to building a peaceful human society in which justice, morality, trust and humanism prevail;
The spiritual dimensions of Taekwon-Do can be defined as fusing oneself with the ideals of Taekwon-Do and attaining and understanding the full meaning of each of the Taekwon-Do patterns. If we consider ourselves as one with Taekwon-Do, we will respect it as we respect our own bodies and Taekwon-Do will never be used in a dishonourable way.
The names of the patterns are derived from the most illustrious people to have been produced by nearly five thousand years of Korean history. A proper understanding of the patterns leads, inevitably to the realisation that Taekwon-Do is a martial art to be used only for self-defence and only in the cause of justice.
Based on an excerpt from Taekwon-Do (The Korean Art of Self Defence), General Choi Hong Hi
ETIQUETTE
Taekwon-Do is a highly effective form of self-defence and many of the techniques learned can be lethal. Therefore, there is a strong emphasis placed upon developing not only the physical but also the moral side of each student.
Self discipline, integrity, humility and respect are some of the moral aspects which Taekwon-Do training instils in students. As a result of its Asian and military background a code of etiquette has developed in Taekwon-Do, such as bowing and the distinctive way we shake hands with a senior grade. This allows us to distinguish senior from junior grade and to enable us to show respect to our seniors.
Remember we are all students of Taekwon-Do and these forms of etiquette apply to us all, black belts included. Instructors also show this etiquette to their seniors.
These are a few of the major forms of etiquette, which as a student of Taekwon-Do you will encounter
BOW
Students bow to the instructor at the beginning and end of the class
We bow to our partner before and after we practice together
We bow when entering and leaving the Dojang
NAME
Never call a senior by their first name; always Master, Mr. or Ms. This applies both inside and outside of the Taekwon-Do hall.
HANDSHAKE
When shaking hands with a senior we should place the back of the left hand under the right elbow.
RECEIVING TWO HANDS
Always give and receive from a senior with two hands, e.g. when receiving awards, certificates, etc.
The above list is not exhaustive and if you are in any doubt about the correct etiquette for a particular situation, please ask one of the instructors.
TAEKWON-DO FOR CHILDREN
To encourage a child to participate in regular structured exercise is to give them a gift for life.
Research has proven that children who participate in sporting activities as children are far more likely to continue with exercise throughout their adult life.
Taekwon-Do is considered by many experts to be a “life leveller”. Regular training encourages a physical and mental natural balance. It evens out attitudes, emotions, and actions.
If a child is short-tempered, Taekwon-Do training with emphasis on the tenets of Taekwon-Do can encourage increased tolerance.
If a child is aggressive, structured training will promote increased calmness. If a child is meek, Taekwon-Do training will increase his/her assertiveness.
If a child is anti-social, the Taekwon-Do training programme will encourage them to become more friendly, through social interaction and training based on teamwork and co-operation.
If a child is weak, regular training will make him/her significantly stronger. If a child is impulsive, training can encourage him/her to know the time and place for patience.
These developments will occur gradually, but parents often find that children become more focused with increased levels of concentration due to the continual setting and achieving of goals, which is a key part of Taekwon-Do training.
Taekwon-Do has no age limits and is a very good sporting activity for children. Taekwon-Do for children is specifically tailored to support a child’s physical and social development.
The focus is on helping children build themselves physically, and on instilling character, self-esteem, effort, concentration, sincerity, respect, self-control, and etiquette.It is a fun, safe system of self-improvement and personal development that is highly recommended by parents, physicians, and educators. Taekwon-Do training for children focuses on developing core skills, including; speed, agility, quickness of movement and thought, stamina and coordination.
At all times, personal development is stressed through the Tenets of Taekwon-Do which are:
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Courtesy
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Integrity
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Perseverance
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Self Control
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Indomitable Spirit
GRADING SYLLABUS
The Taekwon-Do system of rank is divided up into 19 stages. 10 of these are colour belt stages, known as Kup and 9 belong to black belt level, known as Dan. Colour belt level begins at 10th Kup (white belt), the entry level, and works toward 1st Kup (red belt black tag). Black belt level begins with 1st Dan, and works toward the ultimate attainment in Taekwon-Do, 9th Dan Grandmaster.
Like many aspects of Taekwon-Do, the grading system holds a key significance. The number 3 is regarded as the most esteemed number in oriental tradition. The Chinese character for three represents the heavens, mortals and the earth. It is said that he who is successful in living in harmony with all three will aspire to be king. Also when the number 3 is multiplied by itself you get 9, the highest possible rank in Taekwon-Do.