Taekwondo – The Art of Hand and Foot

taekwondo

Originally developed in the 1940s and 1950s, taekwondo (/tkwndoU/) is a Korean martial art that combines indigenous fighting styles, such as taekkyeon, gwonbeop, and subak, with influences from Japanese and Chinese martial arts. Its striking techniques rely on the power and speed of the legs, utilizing the body’s natural kinetic energy to deliver devastating blows with minimal force.

Taekwondo is not only a form of self defense, but also a complete regiment of physical conditioning that promotes mental fitness. Its emphasis on courtesy, wisdom, and the concepts of goodness is intended to develop the character of its practitioners in such a way that it benefits them throughout their lives.

There are many reasons why people take up taekwondo: a desire for personal achievement, to relieve stress, to meet new friends, or just for the workout. Regardless of the motive, taking up taekwondo leads to more than just learning how to punch and kick: it develops character, self-discipline, and confidence that can be applied in all aspects of life.

In the past, Korea was a kingdom with a noble tradition of Hwarang – young warriors who were carefully selected and formally trained in all aspects of military skills including unarmed combat. This translates to modern Taekwondo training, which provides not only self-defense skills but also better character and greater concentration and focus. In fact, the term taekwondo literally means “the art of hand and foot”. The term dojang refers to the place where martial arts instruction is given, and is sometimes used as a general term for all martial arts schools.