Belt Testing

What is Taekwondo?

Taekwondo is a martial art that originated from Korea. Its roots can be traced back to more than two thousand years to Korea’s dynastic period. In Korean, tae means “to kick or strike with the foot”; kwon means “fist or to strike with the hand”; and do means “way.” In this manner, Taekwondo is can be loosely translated as “the way of the foot and hand.”

On the physical side, Taekwondo is a training system for the body that provides excellent health benefits. Through practice of the Taekwondo, the student increases flexibility, speed, power, and reflexes. Taekwondo is first and foremost a martial art that teaches its practitioners self-defense. The student learns strikes, blocks, punches, and kicks in order to prevent harm and injury from occurring to himself and others.

The internal nature of Taekwondo focuses on developing our inner strength. Through strenuous training, the student reaches inwards to develop a strong sense of determination, self-control, and responsibility. Taekwondo differs from fighting in that the latter focuses on the external nature and does not benefit the fighter mentally and spiritually, whereas Taekwondo sharpens the mind and body in order to develop a strong individual inside and out.

Together, these elements provide wholesome benefits for the dedicated Taekwondo practitioner. A student that embraces the external and internal aspects of Taekwondo can thus become a truly constructive member of society.