Why Tae Kwon Do?

A Brief History of Tae Kwon Do

From its native country of Korea, Tae Kwon Do has grown into a well-established international sport and one of the most popular martial arts in the United States and the world. 

Commonly translated as 'the way of the foot and hand', it can be distinguished from other martial arts by its powerful flowing kicks.

 There are many schools of Tae Kwon Do: the style overseen by the WTF (World Tae Kwon Do Federation) is practiced primarily in South Korea.  The WTF has presided over TKD's involvement in the Olympic circuit as a demonstration sport since the 1980's and was responsible for the art's inclusion as a medal sport since 2000.

For more links and further information, consult http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tae_kwon_do

The Benefits of Tae Kwon Do

Tae Kwon Do combines high energy drills with the control and balance of poomse (Korean for form), which is a choreographed fighting sequence against an imaginary opponent. By challenging students both physically and mentally, Tae Kwon Do fosters an environment where students push their limits, promoting introspection and self-confidence.  On a practical level, training helps students increase flexibility, lose weight, build endurance and improve overall physical and spiritual health.  The structure and etiquette taught on the mat cultivate self-control and discipline. 

Four fundamental aspects of Tae Kwon Do create a well-rounded training program:

• Tae Kwon Do is built on a foundation of Basic techniques that prepare students for more complex movements: A fundamental command of blocks and punches improves motor skills; repetition of these basic techniques teaches strength and discipline until the skills become an automatic reflex.

• Poomse (Forms) is a choreographed fight against an imaginary opponent, a method which expresses the beauty and power of the art.  Combining basic and advanced techniques in pre-set patterns, poomse demands balance, focus and flexibility from the practitioner, honing technical proficiency.  The Taeguek style of forms taught at Chapel Hill/Carrboro Taekwondo increase in difficulty as the student moves through the ranks, making greater demands on his/her memory and coordination.  Each form carries its own energy, meaning and symmetry: The Taeguek forms appeal to the philosophy of the Yin Yang seen on the Korean flag, symbolizing the balance of the universe.

• Chapel Hill / Carrboro Taekwondo students are trained in Olympic-style Sparring, which builds a sense of timing and strategy, teaching students to act without hesitation while demanding both power and control. Set guidelines and a safe environment allow students to improve reaction time and venture outside their comfort zone, ultimately building self-confidence.

• Self-defense applies the techniques learned during Basics and Sparring in a practical way, confronting students with real-life situations by eliminating the rules which govern Olympic-style sparring.

These four aspects of the art are the foundations that allow each martial artist to progress in his/her training, promoting and developing personal growth.

Belt Ranks

In keeping with the hierarchical tradition of most martial arts, CHCTKD employs a system of nine ranks, or gups, leading up to black belt.  Tests are held 3-4 times a year, and all students must be invited to test by an instructor.  As students progress through the ranks they encounter increasing levels of difficulty, building on the fundamentals established earlier in training. 

All Know the Way; Few Actually Walk It. – Boddidharma

While the Tae (“Foot”) and Kwon (“Hand”) refer to the martial aspects of the art, the term Do (“the Way”) connotes its philosophical facets.  The term encompasses the idea of life and training as a journey through which one chooses to travel.  This is an on-going process by which an individual continually challenges his/herself and develops spiritually as a result.

This philosophy can be encapsulated in the concept of Jung shin, or “indomitable spirit,” a phrase which students repeat before bowing off the mat.  The image of water wearing away rock is an apt metaphor for this concept, where the student, with the implacability of water, works toward their destiny day after day. 

In keeping with the water motif, Master Whittier likens a good martial arts school to a swimming pool, which provides separate lanes (from recreation to competition) and different expectations for all ability levels.  Each individual is pushed according to their respective capability and drive, so that everyone can achieve a sense of accomplishment and self-awareness.  Though this is a gradual process, students should ideally leave every class satisfied and knowing that the last hour or two has been well spent. That they have progressed, if imperceptibly towards both personal and objective goals each and every time they attend class.