Taekwondo, aka Korean Karate, is a Korean martial art characterized by it's powerful, fast, high and spinning kicks.

It is also a very complete self-defense system which includes hand, elbow, foot, and knee techniques, as well as pressure-point strikes, groin and eye attacks, joint locks, and throws and sweeps.

Taekwondo is also a way of life. Its tenets are Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control, and Indomitable Spirit (if you want to know more about these tenets, read on).

Taekwondo is a physical science. While training, individual movements of the body are perfected so they become one. Taekwondo techniques are always evaluated and improved on the basis of their scientific applications.

Its techniques may be used with deadly effectiveness. Self-control, mental discipline, and self-confidence allow students to tailor the power of their techniques to fit the situation.

In Taekwondo the legs are used about 70% of the time! The legs are utilized more frequently because they are longer and stronger than arms as well as providing an element of surprise.

But most importantly, we learn how to block and evade attack so that we can control a situation without having to resort to using force.

Kicks are the most distinctive feature of Taekwondo.

Taekwondo Tenets

Courtesy

Always promote the spirit of mutual concessions, be polite to one another, encourage the sense of justice and distinguish the instructor from the student and the senior from the junior.

Integrity

You must be able to know right from wrong, and have the conscience, if wrong, to feel guilt. You must be able to learn from your mistakes and use them as a tool for yourself in the future not to make the same mistake again.

Perseverance

To achieve something, whether it is a higher degree or the perfection of a technique, one must set goal then constantly persevere. Never give up on something to which you have a strong moral conviction. Important aspects in becoming a leader of Taekwondo is to overcome every difficulty through perseverance. Keep trying, never give up.

Self-Control

This tenet is extremely important inside and outside the school, whether conducting oneself in free sparring or in one's personal affairs. A loss of self-control in free sparring can prove disastrous to both student and opponent. Do not lose your temper.

Indomitable Spirit

A serious student of Taekwondo will at all times be modest and honest. In confronted with justice, he will deal with belligerence without fear or hesitation at all, with indomitable spirit, regardless of whosoever and however many may be the numbers. A good attitude, be positive.

According to USA Today, Taekwondo is "the fastest growing sport in the world today." Although this is true, it is also true that the sport of Taekwondo is a mere shadow of the art of Taekwondo. The art exists independently and transcends the sport.

Taekwondo was created in Korea and developed here over the course of 2,000 years. However, due to the suppression of Korean culture during the Japanese occupation of Korea (1910-1945) and then because of Korean War, Taekwondo was not introduced to the United States and the rest of the world until the late 1950's. By this time the word ‘karate’ had become a generic term for the martial arts. This is why, even though Taekwondo is now practiced by more people than all of the other martial arts combined, it is still sometimes referred to as “Karate” or “Korean Karate”.