|
About Tae Kwon-Do
 Tae Kwon-Do is a Korean art of self defence founded by
Major General Choi Hong Hi (9th Dan) on April 11th,
1955. Tae Kwon-Do, translated literally means ‘the way of the foot and fist’, is based on the traditional Korean Martial Arts.
The founder, General Choi Hong Hi, combined the various martial arts that he studied into one martial art, Tae Kwon-Do by refining the best techniques from each of those arts and applying scientific formulae and military tactics. General Choi then proceeded to introduce Tae Kwon-Do around the world, culminating in the formation of the International Tae Kwon-Do Federation (ITF).
Tae Kwon-Do is famous for its spectacular flying kicks. However Tae Kwon-Do is much more than just that! The physical movements of Tae Kwon-Do are taught in a systematic fashion allowing anybody to start training at their own level. The process of training martial arts develops much more than physical ability though. Through the discipline of training over a period of time the student develop a strong morality and high self-esteem.
A means of self-defence, physical conditioning and mental discipline, Tae Kwon-Do involves the scientific use of punches, kicks, blocks and dodges, with bare hands and feet, to the rapid destruction of the moving opponent or opponents. Thus, taken collectively ’Tae Kwon-Do ‘indicates the mental training and techniques of unarmed combat for self
-defence, health and discipline.
As well as the kicking and striking techniques, Tae Kwon-Do teaches practical
self-defence, and promotes physical fitness, courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control and indomitable spirit. Unlike many sports and exercise class, a martial arts’
primary goal is to betterment individuals through harmony of the mind and body.
Tae Kwon-Do is a martial art that has no equal in either power or technique, developed using the principles of modern science. It provides the practitioner with a fine weapon to defend himself or herself. Used wrongly, Tae Kwon-Do can be a lethal weapon. Therefore mental training must always be stressed to prevent the student from misusing it and promote a strong sense of justice, fortitude, humility, and resolve.
There are two styles of Tae Kwon-Do in the world. The International Tae Kwon-Do Federation (ITF), which is the semi contact sparring style, wearing eg, head, foot, and hand guard. This style is very popular in the UK. The other is the World Tae Kwon-Do Federation
(WTF), which is the full contact sparring style, wearing head and bodyguard. This style is in the Olympic game at the moment, it is not so popular in the UK as you can get many injuries when practicing the art. It
is more of a sports side of Tae Kwon-Do, rather the more control technique sparring in the ITF style.
They are both good to learn, depend whether the school near you teach the style you prefer. We, the Harris Tae Kwon-Do School teach the ITF style and combine with some WTF style as well.
|
|
