What is Tae Kwon-Do?

Tae Kwon-Do is an ancient Korean martial art. Many people practice Tae Kwon-Do for its self-defense benefits, but it is also an art and is studied and appreciated for its beauty and grace of movement. The spiritual aspect of Tae Kwon-do is found in its philosophy of self-restraint, kindness and humility.

Traditional Tae Kwon-do is the original style which differs from modernized forms and other martial arts in several ways: no physical contact is allowed in free sparring, it is more aerobic in training than other styles, and the emphasis is on each student's own improvement rather than on competition with others.

Who can learn Tae Kwon-Do?

Children, teens, adults and seniors can all learn Tae Kwon-do and enjoy its many benefits. Since emphasis is on personal growth rather than on competition, people of all ages and backgrounds find Tae Kwon-Do satisfying and challenging. In addition, because Tae Kwon-Do requires such diverse skills, students can specialize with the art and develop their own area of expertise and enjoyment.

Specialties include: free-sparring which requires quickness, endurance and athletic technigue; forms which focus on precision and patterns; self-defense which emphasizes escapes and defense techniques; and breaking which demonstrates power and requires speed accuracy and strength.

What are the goals of Tae Kwon-Do?

Unlike other sports where the primary goal is to defeat an opponent or set a record, a true martial art does not emphasize competition with others. The primary goal of Tae Kwon-Do is to help each student develop physically and mentally to his or her full potential.

Physical Fitness
Tae Kwon-Do offers a vigorous and challenging workout. Through conditioning exercises involving the entire body, Tae Kwon-Do promotes quickness, strength, flexibility and endurance. Its emphasis on technique and body-control also provide invaluable training for those active in other sports from soccer and hockey to tennis and golf.

Mental Discipline
The body and the mind work together in Tae Kwon-Do to deliver powerful, timely and effective techniques. As a result, Tae Kwon-Do is as challenging mentally as it is physically. Improved focus and concentration are two benefits which result from the study and practice of Tae Kwon-Do.

Self-Confidence
By mastering many different skills at each level, students learn to set and achieve personal goals. The positive experiences, together with the confidence they gain from becoming physically fit and mentally sharp, combined to give them self-confidence, pride, and a positive outlook when faced with life's challenges.