Super Fitness Health BlogTell me about Tae Kwon do
It’s widely thought that a Buddhist monk name Won Kwang identified the five precepts- etiquette, modesty, perseverance, self-control and invincible spirit- that today form the foundation of tae kwondo. This discipline is famous for its extraordinary kicking and jumping techniques. It is seen not only as an extremely effective self defense system, but is also a very popular international sport. Early training involves simple punching and blocking techniques, which many may also relate to karate.
Tae kwondo is a hybrid of several different martial arts, with the primary influence being tae-kyon – Korean kick fighting. Tae means “to kick” or “smash with the feet”. Kwon means “to intercept” or “strike with the hands”. Do means “the way of the art.” Thus, the cornerstone of the art is the use of the hands and feet to defeat an adversary quickly.
Tae kwondo originated in Korea in the 1950’s, when a some of the most well known martial arts experts in that region worked together to merge their various styles into a single comprehensive fighting art. The inauguration took place in South Korea on 11 April, 1955, with the controversial General Choi Hong Hi, a 9th dan black belt, being credited as the founder of tae kwondo. Choi is in the tae kwondo hall of fame. But his status of founder of the art is disputed by some tae kwondo organizations. The roots of this martial art extend back nearly 2,000 years, when it was birthed from an art known as hwa rang do, meaning “the way of the flowering manhood.” Taekwondo spread globally from Korea in the 1960’s and the first World Tae Kwondo Championship occurred in Seoul, South Korea in 1973. Since 1988, tae kwondo has been an official Olympic sport.
Practitioners of tae kwondo do not employ a lot of martial arts equipment. Tae kwondo practicioners wear a plain white heavy weight cotton suit. This consists of a V-neck white jacket and trousers with elasticised waist. Instructors of 1st dan and above wear a slightly different uniform, which has black edging around the neck. Higher grades, 4th dan and above, wear a black stripe down the side of the trousers.
It is crucial to ensure that the uniform is a good fit and feels comfortable when practicing various techniques. Protective clothing is worn on occasion by both men and women, when deemed necessary, usually when free fighting or competing. Public demonstrations are common for this discipline. All uniforms are expected to be kept clean and tidy. Tae kwondo is one of the most popular martial arts today.
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