Taekwondo – The Art of Striking With the Feet

taekwondo

The term taekwondo (/tekwndo/) means “kicking art” or “the art of striking with the feet”. It is a modern Korean martial art and combat sport, combining the indigenous fighting arts of Korea, such as gwonbeop and subak, with influences from other Asian martial arts, primarily karate.

The techniques of taekwondo are based on the principles of power and speed: generating force through the larger muscles of the torso, and coordinating speed with precise body movement. The key to success is concentration: the ability to focus all of one’s strength into a small, hard striking surface like the edge of a hand or the heel of a foot.

Poomsae (patterns) are a series of pre-arranged defensive and attacking movements, that gradually become more complex as you progress in your training. They are required in all gradings and form the core of your Taekwondo experience. Sparring, also known as gyeorugi, is the competitive application of these principles and is highly valued for its exciting competition, self-defence skills, personal harmony and control.

Many clubs offer specialist training in Sport Taekwondo, which is an Olympic medal sport. This requires a different level of fitness, skill and technique. The motto of taekwondo is: “Knowledge in the head, honesty in the heart, and strength in the body.” It is not only a physical discipline but also a philosophy of life that promotes a spirit of courtesy, wisdom and goodness. For this reason taekwondo is often referred to as ‘The art of peace’.