--Tony McIntee WHAT IS TAE KWON DO?
Tae Kwon Do is not a sport—it's a lifestyle.
--Tony McIntee
Originally there were several different styles of
martial arts practiced in Korea, but during the Japanese occupation from 1906-1945
the martial arts were forbidden. During this period instructors
secretly taught their own methods and styles. There was no uniformity
or continuity. On April 11, 1955 a board of Masters and historians met
to unify the differences and choose a common name. Tae Kwon Do was proposed
by Choi Hong Hi and chosen by the board. Tae Kwon Do, the art of the hand
and foot: the name well described the art.
Tae Kwon Do, as we practice it, was primarily developed in and for the Korean
military under the guidance of General Choi Hong Hi. His early study of
Taek Kyon in Korea and karate in Japan provided the background from which Tae
Kwon Do was developed. Grandmaster H. Y. Kang , a member of the board
that met in April 1955, later developed an organization to promote and oversee
schools in the civilian sector. He named his organization Chin Mu Kwan.
This is the style we practice at White Marsh Tae Kwon Do. The emphasis
is on strong, powerful blocks and hand strikes blended with a wide variety of
kicks—all performed from a mobile posture using extensive footwork.
Physically, the practice of Tae Kwon Do is outstanding for improving fitness in children and adults, male or female. Flexibility, agility, balance, coordination, stamina and strength are all improved. Stretching exercises increase mobility of the joints. Constant practice of the art’s basic techniques and forms develops balance and coordination equally on both sides of the body. Repetition of techniques involving large muscle groups improves endurance. Finally, the student’s strength, especially in the lower body and abdominal area, is increased through footwork, stance, and kicking practice.
Powerful self-defense skills combined with a high degree of fitness are the physical goals of Tae Kwon Do practice. Mentally, Tae Kwon Do concentrates on five areas which are the “Tenets of Tae Kwon Do”. They are Courtesy/Modesty, Integrity, Perseverance, Self Control and an Indomitable Spirit. Tae Kwon do aims to develop these characteristics in the student.
These five tenets are stressed throughout the Tae Kwon Do program. Each area in the Tae Kwon Do classroom has a counterpart in the student’s daily life. For example, Courtesy involves treating peers, co-workers, parents and teachers with respect and Perseverance is learned as we master new kicks and strikes as well as mastering a difficult subject in school, or a new task on the job. As a whole, the “Tenets of Tae Kwon Do” are a guide for learning to respect ourselves and others.
