Tae Kwon Do
by Master Instructor, Brian Malik
In Korean it is written:
In English, it is commonly written: Tae Kwon Do, Taekwondo, or Taekwon-do.
Regardless of how it is spelled,
Tae Kwon Do is the world's most widely practice martial art.
It is an Olympic
sport, an artistic discipline,
a system of self-defense, and a way of life.
An Olympic Sport
Tae Kwon Do is an Olympic sport. It was introduced to the Olympics in Korea
in 1988. Unlike many of the other sports that young people are involved with today, Tae Kwon Do competitors are
required by rule to demonstrate respect for officials coaches and their fellow
competitors. What a concept!
An Artistic Discipline
Tae Kwon Do is an artistic discipline. The techniques are done with graceful
and powerful movements. Students continuously strive to improve the artistic
presentation of each technique. The art of Tae Kwon Do develops posture,
graceful movement, excellent coordination, and attention to detail.
We believe that everyone can benefit from exposure to this artistic discipline.
Self-Defense Training
Self-defense skills are safety skills. We believe that it's important for
everyone to learn these self-defense skills. When a person learns and develops
self-defense skills, the chance of sustaining an injury due to a fall or an
attack is greatly reduced; and the chance of escaping from a mugging, a rape
or an abduction attempt is greatly increased! Learning these safety skills
does not promote violence; rather, it enables one to avoid becoming a victim
of violence and to minimize injury during a fall.
Tae Kwon Do is a way of life.
Students are encouraged to live according to the tenants of Tae Kwon Do.
The Tenets of Tae Kwon Do
Courtesy: To be thoughtful and considerate of others. Taekwondo students and instructors should be polite, and show consideration for others.
Integrity: To be honest and good. Taekwondo practitioners should live by a code of moral values and principles
Perseverance: To never give up in the pursuit of one's goals. Students should welcome challenges, because challenges cause us to grow and improve.
Self-Control: To have control of your body and mind. A Taekwondo student should practice controlling his actions and reactions.
Indomitable Spirit: To have courage in the face of adversity. A Taekwondo student should never be dominated by, or have his spirit broken by another.
Tae Kwon Do is excellent exercise.
When exercise is done consistently, invaluable physical and mental improvements
occur. Students develop real and lasting self-confidence. Taekwondo students do
exercises which develop strength, flexibility, endurance, speed, balance,
memory, concentration, coordination and self-control; to name a few.
One of the keys to the success of Taekwondo is that the exercises are fun, the students see results, and they are inspired to do more.
Tae Kwon Do Training Develops Self-Confidence
Success in a personal development program, such as a Taekwondo class,
where the students experience noticeable increases in strength, flexibility,
memory, coordination, and self-defense skills, as the result of a dedicated
effort, is an excellent foundation for self-confidence.
It is self-confidence based on physical and mental self-improvement, as opposed
to self-confidence based on one's athletic performance.
This self-confidence is deep; it is not subject to the results of tomorrow's
game. It is not reserved for the best players on the team; it is available
to everyone, because everyone experiences improvement with Taekwondo training.