What is Taekwon-Do?
Taekwon-Do is a modern martial art specifically designed to meet the self-defence
needs of all people regardless of sex, size or age. It was initially developed within
the Korean military in the 1950s by its founder, General Choi Hong Hi, and it has
since grown into one of the most popular martial arts with an estimated eight million
students worldwide. Although rooted in traditional Korean martial arts and culture,
Taekwon-Do has continually developed on the basis of scientific research and absorbing
best practices from other martial traditions to offer a truly comprehensive and highly
effective self-defence system.
What does it involve?
Taekwon-Do training includes fitness training, stretching and instruction in a vast
array of blocks, punches, kicks and self-defence techniques within a structured and
progressive syllabus - no two lessons are ever identical. As students move through
the syllabus, they expand their training to include semi-contact sparring, destruction
of boards and bricks and the performance of increasingly complex set sequences of
moves (‘patterns’). Students’ progress is marked by the attainment of grades denoted
by coloured belts followed by successive degrees of black belts - beginners who train
regularly can usually try for their first degree black belt after about three years.
For those that wish, there is a thriving national and international competition
circuit where students can test their various skills against others of similar abilities.
What will you get out of it?
People practice Taekwon-Do for many reasons but there are some core benefits that
apply as equally to beginners as to those with many years experience:
• Taekwon-Do provides a varied and intensive physical workout that will improve
your fitness and flexibility.
• Taekwon-Do is a social activity where students train with each other in
a ‘club’ atmosphere.
• Taekwon-Do offers an absorbing new interest that will motivate you to train
harder and achieve more than ‘normal’ exercise classes.
• Taekwon-Do training is goal orientated - your progress is monitored and
recognised as you advance through the grading syllabus.
• Taekwon-Do increases self-awareness and self-confidence by pushing you outside
your ‘comfort zone’.
• Above all, Taekwon-Do teaches you a practical, effective and potentially
life-saving skill.
