The Physical Benefits of Taekwondo

Taekwondo is a martial art that was developed in ancient Korea. It was designed to help people survive in highly antagonistic situations where enemies can quickly recuperate and attack again. It is also an activity that promotes unity amongst its participants. The unity that is achieved in taekwondo can be applied to other areas of life such as having a job, raising a family, or fighting for a cause.

The physical principles behind taekwondo are based on the design of the body; speed comes from the agile muscles of the legs and arms, while power comes from combining the larger, powerful muscle groups of the torso with the use of the foot and leg to generate dynamic striking techniques. To maximize the power of a punch or kick it is necessary to develop the proper technique, and to concentrate the strike into a small, hard striking surface such as the edge of the hand or the heel of the foot.

Martial arts training will improve your balance, flexibility, strength, aerobic fitness and endurance, and can even increase lean muscle mass. It can also help prevent or reverse the effects of aging by building bone density, improving blood circulation, and lowering cholesterol levels.

The physical benefits of taekwondo can be further enhanced by regular stretching exercises. The stretching should be focused on the lower and core muscles; a good routine would include the following exercises: Touch your toes, standing groin stretches, angled rotations, crossed leg stretches, and forearm rolls.