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Tae Kwon Do Why?
Taekwon-Do offers something to everyone - young, old, male, female, fit and unfit. Unlike many martial arts, Taekwon-Do encompasses three faces: the "martial", concentrating on self-defence, the "art", analysing the structure, form and beauty of the techniques, and the "self discipline", whilst learning confidence also learning self-control. Taekwon-Do students increase strength and co-ordination, improve cardio-vascular capacity, and learn something worthwhile.
Self-Defence
Everyone can benefit from self-defence. The speed of Taekwon-Do techniques creates power, which is not dependent on size or strength. Kicking techniques utilise the strongest part of the body, the legs, which can be a crucial asset if use of the arms is ineffective. Most importantly Taekwon-Do teaches two essential qualities: self-confidence and awareness.
ITF, Taekwon-Do is the Korean art of self-defence. It uses Science to help even the smallest of people achieve great power & speed through the use of body movement rather than body strength. Which is why it is an ideal martial art for men, women and children.
U.K.T.F.
The United Kingdom Taekwon-Do Federation is one of the largest and fastest growing Taekwon-Do organisations in the UK. This constant rise in numbers has been built on reputation alone. The UKTF is in constant communication with the rest of the world keeping up to date in all the technical and sporting affairs. It is because of this that the UKTF can demonstrate the highest standard of Taekwon-Do in the UK today.
All of the senior instructors have been taught and examined by Gen. Choi himself to ensure that the standard is kept high. This experience is passed to the student through the many classes that are available to UKTF students. The UKTF encourages instructors and students to travel to gain knowledge and experience for the benifit of the UKTF. For those who cannot afford to travel the UKTF provide seminars by prominent international instructors from other countries and Gen. Choi himself.
Tae Kwon Do Means:
Tae: stands for jumping or flying to kick or smash with the foot
Kwon: donates the fist to punch or destroy with the hand or fist
Do: means the art or way the right way built and paved by the saints and sages of the past.
The students Taekwon-Do Oath:
I shall observe the tenets of Taekwon-Do.
I shall respect the instructor and seniors.
I shall never misuse Taekwon-Do.
I shall be a champion of freedom and justice.
I shall build a more peaceful world.
The five tenets of Taekwon-Do:
Courtesy, (Ye Ui)
Integrity, (Yom Chi)
Perseverance, (In Nae)
Self-control (Guk Gi) &
Indomitable spirit. (Baekjul Boolgool)
Explanation of tenets
Needless to say, the success or failure of Taekwon-Do training depends largely on how one observes and implements the tenets of Taekwon-Do which should serve as a guide for all serious students of the art.
Courtesy (Ye Ui)
It can be said that courtesy is an unwritten regulation prescribed by ancient teachers of philosophy as a means to enlighten human beings while maintaining a harmonious society. It can be further be as an ultimate criterion required of a mortal. Taekwon-Do students should attempt to practice the following elements of courtesy to build up their noble character and to conduct the training in an orderly manner as well.
1) To promote the spirit of mutual concessions:
2) To be ashamed of one's vices, contempting those of others
3) To be polite to one another
4) To encourage the sense of justice and humanity
5) To distinguish instructor from student, senior from junior, and elder from younger
6) To behave oneself according to etiquette
7) To respect others' possessions
8) To handle matters with fairness and sincerity
9) To refrain from giving or accepting a gift when in doubt
Integrity (Yom Chi)
In Taekwon-Do, the word integrity assumes a looser definition than the one usually presented in Webster's dictionary. One must be able to define right and wrong and have a conscience, if wrong, to feel guilt. Listed are some examples where integrity is lacking:
1) The instructor who misrepresents himself and his art by presenting improper techniques to his students because of a lack of knowledge or apathy.
2) The student who misrepresents himself by "fixing" breaking materials before demonstrations.
3) The instructor who camouflages bad technique with luxurious training halls and false flattery to his students.
4) The student who requests ranks from an instructor, or attempts to purchase it.
5) The student who gains rank for ego purposes or the feeling of power.
6) The instructor who teaches and promotes his art for materialistic gains.
7) The students whose actions do not live up to his words.
8) The student who feels ashamed to seek opinions from his juniors.
Perseverance (In Nae)
There is an old Oriental saying, "Patience leads to virtue or merit, One can make a peaceful home by being patient for 100 times." Certainly happiness and prosperity are most likely brought to the patient person. To achieve something, whether it is a higher degree or the perfection or a technique, one must set his goal, then constantly persevere. Robert Bruce learned his lesson of perseverance from the persistent efforts of a lowly spider. It was this perseverance and tenacity that finally enabled him to free Scotland in the fourteenth century. One of the most important secrets in becoming a leader of Taekwon-Do is to overcome every difficulty by perseverance. Confucius said, "one who is impatient in trivial matters can seldom achieve success in matters of great importance."
Self-control (Guk Gi)
This tenet is extremely important inside and outside the dojang, whether conducting oneself in free sparring or in one's personal affairs. A loss of self-control in free sparring can prove disastrous to both student and opponent. An inability to live and work within one's capability or sphere is also a lack of self-control. According to Lao-Tzu "the term of stronger is the person who wins over oneself rather than someone else."
Indomitable spirit (Baekjool Boolgool)
"Here lie 300, who did their duty," a simple epitaph for one of the greatest acts of courage known to mankind. Although facing the superior forces of Xerxes, Leonidas and his 300 Spartans at Thermoplylae showed the world the meaning of indomitable spirit. It is shown when a courageous person and his principles are pitted against overwhelming odds.
A serious student of Taekwon-Do will at all times be modest and honest. If confronted with injustice, he will deal with the belligerent without any fear or hesitation at all, with indomitable spirit, regardless of whosoever and however many the number may be.
Confucius declared," It is an act of cowardice to fail to speak out against injustice." As history has proven, those who have pursued their dreams earnestly and strenuously with indomitable spirit have never failed to achieve their goals.
From the moment a student enters the do-jang (training hall) they are taught to extent courtesy to their fellow students and the more senior grades and blackbelts. This is the very foundation of Taekwon-Do. Taekwon-Do is a form of unarmed combat for the purpose of self-defence; it is a martial art that has no equal in power or technique. Taekwon-Do develops more than just physical attributes it develops the person. Taekwon-Do training is beneficial for everybody. The student can train for self-defence, promoting self-confidence and physical skills. If dedicated enough, the student can develop high technical standard to reach senior blackbelt status and eventually become a master initially; all students must follow the same fundamentals:
Pattern (Tul):
the demonstration of blocking and attacking against an imaginary opponent.
Sparring (matsogi):
application of fundamental exercise against an actual moving target.
Power (Weeryok):
smashing materials, demonstrating the power of each blow.
Special Technique:
demonstrating the ability to attack opponents over obstacles or at a distance or height.
Training in Taekwon-Do definitely enables those that are weaker to possess a fine weapon to defend themselves and defeat a stronger assailant. Of course, wrongly applied, Taekwon-Do could be a lethal weapon; therefore it is essential that the mental training and self-discipline be installed to prevent misuse of the art.
Taekwon-Do South Schools © 2000-2004
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Taekwon-Do South Schools UK
