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About Tae Kwon Do
Tae Kwon Do is
the Korean Martial art of Self Defense. Tae Kwon Do is NOT a Sport. Rather it
is a “Way Of Life”. All too often the competitive aspect of Tae Kwon Do seems
to take precedence over the Art of Tae Kwon Do. Competition is only a small
part of the whole. Diminishing Tae Kwon Do to a Sport takes away the
fundamental idea of General Choi. Tae Kwon Do was never intended to be a Sport
but a way that we viewed and lived our lives. The late General Choi Hung Hi,
the Father of present day Tae Kwon Do, founded Tae Kwon Do in 1955.
Prior to 1955
Tae Kwon do did not exist as a Martial Art. General Choi, as a child, was sent
to Japan to study Calligraphy. While there he trained in the Japanese Art of
Karate and received his First Degree Black Belt. He then earned his Black Belt
in the Ancient Korean Art of Taek Kwon or Foot Fighting.
As a young man
General Choi became involved in the Korean Independence Movement and because of
his involvement was imprisoned by the Japanese. While in prison he formulated
his art and even taught his captors. Today, Tae Kwon Do is the most popular
Martial Art in the World.
Tae Kwon Do – Way
of Honor, Respect, and Humility - A Way Of Life
What exactly is
the meaning of Tae Kwon Do? Translated literally, “Tae” stands for jumping or
flying, to kick or smash with the foot. “Kwon” denotes chiefly to punch or
destroy with the hand or fist. “Do” means an Art or Way-the way was built and
paved by the saints and sages in the past. Thus taken collectively, “Tae Kwon
Do” indicates the mental training and techniques of unarmed combat for self
defense as well as health, involving the skilled application of punches, kicks,
blocks, and dodges with bare hands and feet for the rapid destruction of the
moving opponent or opponents.
The physical
aspect of Tae Kwon Do involves kicking, hand techniques, jump kicks, patterns,
sparring, self defense techniques, throwing techniques, take down techniques,
pressure point and lock up techniques, co-ordination and balance exercises, and
much more. The Art is for everyone from age 5 onward.
The mental aspect to Tae Kwon Do is as important, if not
more, than the physical. Discipline and Respect are first and foremost in Tae
Kwon Do. Without Respect or Discipline the Martial Arts would not exist. One
must discipline the mind to control his/her actions in and outside of the
Dojang. Respect for yourself and others help to discipline the mind to control
your actions and thoughts.
Imitators
The original Art
as developed by General Choi has been diluted and abused by other so called
“Tae Kwon Do” schools. These schools, because they lacked the skills and
knowledge of Tae Kwon Do techniques, took what they liked from the Art and
discarded other aspects of Tae Kwon Do that took time, understanding, and
research to perfect. Patience and perseverance became necessary for developing
correct Tae Kwon Do techniques. However, many so called “masters” and “instructors”
desired rank faster than the time requirements specified by General Choi. In
giving themselves rank, they diluted the Art with Weak techniques and limited
knowledge. Their lack of Technique was veiled by “High Rank” and “False”
flattery to their unsuspecting students.
These Imitators
have taught these techniques to their students without the proper knowledge of
how to use them. This is extremely dangerous because it gives the
instructor's students a sense of Mastery of techniques, which are unfortunately
void of knowledge of the true Martial Art of Tae Kwon Do. Dangerous because a
student may become a teacher and all the unknowingly impart his/her false
techniques to others, thus compounding the Errors of False Knowledge.
WE TEACH THE TRUE ART OF GENERAL CHOI HUNG HI-TAE KWON DO
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