About Taekwondo

What is Taekwondo?

…Tae kwon-Do is an art of self-defence which aims at a noble moral rearmament, high degree of intellectual achievement, graceful techniques, formidable power and beauty of physical form, it can (therefore) be considered as a part of one’s daily life, just as are breathing and thinking.

One of the best-known and most widespread martial arts.

A thousand-year-old martial art of Korean origin, consisting of techniques that use the hands, feet, elbows, fists and even knees, teaching personal defence.
An Olympic sport since Sydney OLYMPICS 2000

A martial art practised by more than 30 million people in more than 144 countries.

A philosophy based on five principles:

Courtesy
Integrity
Perseverance
Self-control
Indomitable spirit

Gen. Choi Hong Hi (1918-2002) The Founder of Tae Kwon-Do

Tae Kwon-Do is a modern Korean martial art which is derived from several other martial arts with the main influence being Tae Kyon kick fighting. Literally translated “Tae” is to kick or smash with the foot, “Kwon” means to intercept or strike with the hand and “Do” is the way or art, thus Tae Kwon-do can be called the ” Art of Kicking & Punching”, using the feet and hands to swiftly overcome an attacker.

Tae Kwon-Do is actually both a martial art and an international sport. Although both go under the name Tae Kwon-Do, what you witness at the Olympic Games could be quite different to what you are taught in a lesson. At West Kirby Tae Kwon-Do, the style taught is the original style as documented by General Choi. This is the style championed by the International Tae Kwon-Do Federation and known as ITF style.

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As a martial art, Tae Kwon-Do is a complete self-defence system which includes hand, elbow, foot and knee techniques, as well as pressure-point strikes, joint locks, throws and sweeps.

Gen. Choi Hong Hi (1918-2002) November 9th 1918 saw the birth of a boy who would grow into one of the most influential men in modern day Korea. As a young boy growing up in the rugged, harsh area of Hwa Dae, Myong Chun District, in what is now North Korea; Choi Hong Hi displayed a strong spirit despite poor health throughout his early years.

It was Tae Kyon, taught to him by his calligraphy teacher that kick-started Choi’s involvement in the martial arts in what was then Japanese occupied Korea. After moving to Japan in late 1930′s to study Western culture, Choi gained his first black belt in Shotokan Karate….

If you are still unsure about Tae Kwon-do and what it looks like, then may I suggest that you watch this TAGB Promotional Video to give you an indication on what we would like you to achieve with us.

Adults

Tae Kwon-do will help improve your fitness, flexibility and most of all your confidence. It will help control or channel your aggression should the need arise. It is a great way to relieve some of the stresses life throws at you.

In these days of increasing violent attacks it has now more than ever, become necessary for MEN and WOMEN to take control and protect themselves. More and more people are turning to martial arts for protection and Tae Kwon-do can certainly provide this. It is a superb form of self-defence and a great way to keep fit and toned. Tae Kwon-do is challenging, practical and most of all enjoyable.

Children

Children who acquire self confidence at an early age are far more likely to succeed in their adult ambitions. Tae kwon-do is arguably the best method of instilling confidence into children and at the same time emphasising the importance of respect and discipline. As a result of the fast and exciting nature of Tae Kwon-do there are thousands of children participating throughout the U.K. and millions worldwide.

Tae Kwon-Do comprises of three sections:

PATTERNS: Concentration, technique, skills, balance, dynamics and elegance are just a few requirements needed to perform these sequences of pre-arranged movements against imaginary opponents.

SPARRING: All matches are none/semi contact with full safely equipment worn to avoid any risk of injury. Winners are decided on a points system with nationally qualified referees constantly monitoring the bout.

DESTRUCTION: This section is strictly for Black Belt adult students, involving the destruction breaking of board with hands and feet, displaying high levels of discipline and skill.

Patterns

Patterns are various fundamental movements, most of which represent either attack or defence techniques, set to a fixed or logical sequence. The student systematically deals with several imaginary opponents under various assumptions, using every available attacking and blocking tool from different directions. Thus pattern practice enables the student to go through many fundamental movements in series, to develop sparring techniques, improve flexibility of movements, master body shifting, building muscles and breath control, develop fluid and smooth motions, and gain rhythmical movements. Patterns also enable a student to acquire certain special techniques which cannot be obtained from either fundamental exercise or sparring.

Why 24 Patterns?

The life of a human being, perhaps 100 years, can be considered as a day when compared with eternity. Therefore, we mortals are no more than simple travellers who pass by the eternal years of an a eon in a day. It is evident that no one can live more than a limited amount of time. Nevertheless, most people foolishly enslave themselves to materialism as if they could live for thousands of years. And some people strive to bequeath a good spiritual legacy for coming generations, in this way, gaining immortality. Obviously, the spirit is perpetual while material is not. Therefore, what we can do to leave behind something for the welfare of mankind is, perhaps, the most important thing in our lives.

“Here I leave Tae kwon-do for mankind as a trace of man of the late 20th century.
The 24 patterns represent 24 hours, one day or all my life.” – General Choi Hong Hi

The Tenets

Ye Ui – Courtesy

Tae kwon-Do students should attempt to practice the following elements of courtesy to build up their noble character and to conduct the training in an orderly manner as well.

To promote the spirit of mutual concessions.
To be ashamed of one’s vices, co tempting those of others.
To be polite to one another
To encourage the sense of justice and humanity
To distinguish instructor from student, senior from junior, and elder from younger
To behave oneself according to etiquette
To respect others’ possessions
To handle matters with fairness and sincerity
To refrain from giving or accepting any gift when in doubt

Yom Chi – Integrity

In Tae kwon-Do, the word integrity assumes a looser definition than the one usually presented in Webster’s dictionary. One must be able to define right and wrong and have the conscience, if wrong, to feel guilt. Listed are some examples, where integrity is lacking:

The instructor who misrepresents himself and his art by presenting improper techniques to his students because of a lack of knowledge or apathy.
The student who misrepresents himself by “fixing” breaking materials before demonstrations.
The instructor who camouflages bad techniques with luxurious training halls and false flattery to his students.
The student who requests rank from an instructor, or attempts to purchase it.
The student who gains rank for ego purposes or the feeling of power.
The instructor who teaches and promotes his art for materialistic gains.
The student whose actions do not live up to his words.
The student who feels ashamed to seek opinions from his juniors

In Nae – Perseverance

There is an old Oriental saying, “Patience leads to virtue or merit.” “One can make a peaceful home by being patient for 100 times.” Certainly, happiness and prosperity are most likely brought to the patient person. To achieve something, whether it is a higher degree or the perfection of a technique, one must set his goal, they constantly persevere. Robert Bruce learned his lesson of perseverance from the persistent efforts of a lowly spider. It was this perseverance and tenacity that finally enabled him to free Scotland in the fourteenth century. One of the most important secrets in becoming a leader of Tae kwon-do is to overcome every difficulty by perseverance.

Confucius said; “one who is impatient in trivial matters can seldom achieve success in matters of great importance

Guk Gi – Self-Control

This tenet is extremely important inside and outside the dojang, 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. An inability to live and work within one’s capability or sphere is also a lack of self-control.

According to Lao-Tzu “the term of stronger is the person who wins over oneself rather than someone else”
Baekjul Boolgool – Indomitable Spirit

“Here lie 300, who did their duty,” a simple epitaph for one of the greatest acts of courage known to mankind. Although facing the superior forces of Xerxes, Leonidas and his 300 Spartans at Thermopylae showed the world the meaning of indomitable spirit. It is shown when a courageous person and his principles are pitted against overwhelming odds.

A serious student of Tae kwon-do will at all times be modest and honest. If confronted with injustice, he will deal with the belligerent without any fear or hesitation at all, with indomitable spirit, regardless of whosoever and however many the numbers may be.

Confucius declared; “it is an act of cowardice to fail to speak out against injustice.” as history has proven, those who have pursued their dreams earnestly and strenuously with indomitable spirit have never failed to achieve their goals.”