Taekwondo Philosophy

Definition
History
Philosophy
Tenets
Students' Creed
Objectives of Training

Definition of Taekwondo
Taekwondo means 'The Way of Fist and Foot Fighting'. Although an ancient and once secret Korean art of weaponless self-defense, it is now a Korean sport in which either two persons practice methods of unarmed fighting or one person can exercise for both physical fitness and self-defense. Still primarily a defensive art of self-protection, Taekwondo has in the past two decades also rapidly developed as an injury-free international competitive sport that resembles a composite of the French foot fighting known as Savate and boxing. Technically, it is a unique style of Oriental martial arts combining Korean foot techniques with Chinese hand techniques.

Taekwondo students have, through many years of tedious daily practice, developed their feet and bodies into hidden weapons of defense. They can respond with lightning-like speed and explosive force should they be physically attacked. Taekwondo has been called the ultimate in self-defense because it trains reflexes so keen and accurate that students can effectively defend themselves from attack by multiple assailants, yet they are also able to spar vigorously with fellow students without heavy protective garments and in complete safety.

Unlike most other sporting activities, Taekwondo promotes the improved formation of one's character. In the friendly yet competitive atmosphere of this amazing art form, students work out, sweat, and give it their all, pushing each other to their upper potential and beyond - 100%, 150%, 200%, or more. Flexibility and agility are essential. The Taekwondo master teaches the importance of both physical and mental conditioning by building up his students' self-confidence, self-respect, and self-discipline. The dance-like rhythm of this incredible art, especially during forms practice, is a pleasure to watch. When free-sparring, punches and kicks are pulled and good technique is shown; moreover, this is not to be a bloody street brawl. After workout, not only does one's heartbeat and breathing rate need to be slowed, but also one's spirit needs to be calmed through meditation. Although knowing valuable self-defense skills generates a tremendous sense of security, the true martial artist should be able to walk away from potential or threatening fight situations without a loss of self-esteem; moreover, ego gratification is never required. Ultimately, the sound mind in a sound body will succeed at its life's calling.

History of Taekwondo
The Korean civilization is more than 4310 years old and has its own traditional language, culture, and martial arts. The ancient martial arts had their beginning hundreds of years before the birth of Christ and included the use of military weapons; however, the advantages of unarmed combat techniques were not overlooked, and the skills and many forms of unarmed combat were also emphasized and developed. Consequently, Taekwondo developed as a style of the martial arts limited to combat with natural weapons of fists, hands, and feet.

Historically, the origin of Taekwondo can be traced back to the three kingdoms of Koguryo (37 BC-668 AD), Paekche (18 BC-600 AD), and Silla (57 BC- 936 AD). Archaeological findings such as mural paintings on the royal tombs of the Koguryo dynasty, the stone sculptures of pagadas of temples produced during the Silla period, and also documents written in the Paekche dynasty show many studies of fighting stances, skills, and formalized movements that closely resemble the present stances and forms of Taekwondo. Therefore, it can be safely inferred that the people in the three kingdoms practiced an art very much like the one we study today.

Philosophy of Taekwondo
Spiritually, the Korean culture and martial arts were strongly influenced by Buddhism and enriched by Hwarangdo, a military, education, and social organization for noble youth that was instituted by King Jin Heung of the Silla dynasty. The unification of the three kingdoms was made possible by the spiritual influence of Hwarangdo. It's codes of honor consisted basically of loyalty to the nation, respect and obedience to one's parents, courage and bravery on the battlefield, and avoidance of unnecessary violence and killings. This is the philosophical backbone of the Korean martial arts. Simply speaking, the philosophy of Taekwondo is to achieve an understanding of love and benevolence, magnanimity, sympathy, and character. The modern day Grand Masters of Taekwondo philosophy claim that Taekwondo promotes the formation of good moral character, nonviolent attitudes and behavior, and leads to enlightenment or some sort of mystic consciousness or divine union.

Tenets

In Taekwondo,
Courtesy - to promote the spirit of mutual concessions, to be ashamed of one's vice contempting that of others, to be polite to one and other, to encourage the sense of justice and to distinguish instructor from student and senior from junior.
Integrity - Being able to define right from wrong, and have the conscience, if wrong, to feel guilt.
Perseverance - There is an old Oriental saying ``patience leads to virtue or merit.'' A serious student must learn not to be impatient; to continue steadfastly, to persevere.
Self-control - This tenet is extremely important inside and outside the dojang whether in free-sparring or in one's personal affairs. A loss of one's self-control can prove disasterous to both students and their opponents. An inability to work within one's capability is also lack of self-control.
Indomitable Spirit - A serious student will at all times be modest and honest. If confronted with an injustice, one will deal with the billigerent without any fear or hesitation at all, with indomitable spirit.

Students' Creed

I intend to develop myself in a positive manner and to avoid anything that would reduce my mental growth or my physical health.
I intend to develop self-disipline in order to bring out the best in myself and others.
I intend to use what I learned in class constructively and defensively to help myself and my fellow person and to never be abusive or offensive.
I will always strive to be the best I can be.

Objectives of Taekwondo Training

To develop an appreciation of Taekwondo as a sport and as an art,
To achieve physical fitness through positive participation,
To improve mental discipline and emotional equanimty,
To learn self-defense skills,
To develop a sense of responsibility for one's self and others,
To learn cooperation,
To learn self-discipline and self-control,
To develop one's potential,
To improve one's concentration,
To work towards one's goals