Taekwondo is a great martial art, but what actually is it? Where did it come from? What's its history? Well in this blog, we hope to answer all those questions and keep you educated regarding Taekwondo.
What Is Taekwondo?
Taekwondo is a Korean martial art that focuses on kicking techniques and punching, The name can be translated to mean "foot, hand way". Kicking and punching aren't the only things that make up this wonderful art:
- The Five Tenets - Courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control and Indomitable Spirit.
- Poomsae - Forms (Kata or Patterns)
- Kyorugi - Sparring
- Gyeokpa - Breaking
These five things make up the main pillars of Taekwondo and are later joined by more inside the curriculum.
The Origins of Taekwondo
Beginning in 1945, new martial arts schools called Kwans opened in the capital, Seoul. These schools were established by Korean martial artists with backgrounds in Japanese and Chinese martial arts. Discussions around the historical influences of Taekwondo have been controversial, with there being two main schools of thought:
- Traditionalism - This holds that the origins of Taekwondo are indigenous
- Revisionism - The prevailing theory argues that Taekwondo is rooted in Japanese Martial arts like Karate.
In later years, the Korean government have been a significant supporter of traditional views.
In 1952, there was an attempt to standardise the art and this was when Choi Hong-Hi advocated for the use of the name "Tae Kwon Do" and while this new name was slow to catch on and during this time taekwondo was also adopted for use by the South Korean military, which increased its popularity.
In 1959, the Korea Tang Soo Do (the unified name of Korean martial arts before it became Taekwondo and was later named the Korea Taekwondo Association or KTA) was established to facilitate the unification of Korean martial arts. Choi Hong Hi advocated that all other member Kwans of the KTA adopt his own Chan Hon-style of taekwondo, as a unified style. After having some disagreements, Choi broke with the south Koreas KTA in 1966 in order to establish the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) and In 1973, the KTA and Kukkiwon supported the establishment of the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF).
The Styles of Taekwondo
While there are many different styles of Taekwondo, the main ones that people will know are ITF and Traditional Taekwondo.
Traditional Taekwondo
This refers to the 1940s and 1950s martial arts by the nine original kwans. They used a number of different names, including:
- Tang Soo Do - Chinese Hand Way
- Kong Soo Do - Empty Hand Way
- Tae Soo Do - Foot Hand Way
Traditional Taekwondo is still practised today, but generally under names like Tang Soo Do and Soo Bak Do. In 1959, the name Taekwondo was agreed upon by the nine original kwans as a common term for their martial art.
ITF/Chang Hon-Style Taekwondo
This style of Taekwondo is defined by the Encyclopedia of Taekwondo, published in 1983 by Choi Hong Hi. The GTF and all three ITFs practice Choi's ITF-style Taekwondo. In ITF-style Taekwondo, the word used for "forms" is tul; the specific set of tul used by the ITF is called Chang Hon. The 24 defined Chang Hon Tul all have names and symbolism that refer to elements of Korean history, culture and religious philosophy.
The Benefits of Training in Taekwondo
Regardless of your style or thoughts and the history of Taekwondo, the benefits remain largely the same.
Physical Fitness
Taekwondo involves a lot of dynamic movements, from high kicks, jumps and spins to punches and fast footwork. All of which enhance your cardiovascular health, strength, flexibility, and overall physical health.
Mental Discipline
One of the core pillars of Taekwondo, regardless of style, is the tenets that are followed. Courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control and Indomitable Spirit. Following this philosophy and structure of Taekwondo can help practitioners develop a strong and disciplined mind.
Self-Defence Skills
Part of the general curriculum for Taekwondo (regardless of style) is self-defence skills. Taekwondo equips you with effective techniques for self-defence, giving you the confidence and skills to protect yourself if needed.
Stress Relief
Engaging in any physical activity and practicing mindfulness through techniques like breathing control and meditation can help reduce stress and improve mental well-being.
Community and Leadership
Taekwondo fosters a sense of community among the practitioners and teachers, promoting values like respect and integrity. Advanced practitioners often develop leadership skills by mentoring others.
If you wish to find out more about Taekwondo, then make sure to check out the Wikipedia page! Now that you know a bit about Taekwondo, why not give it a go? Here at Dojo Dex we have a wide range of Taekwondo schools listed all around the UK, so find the one that fits you're needs!
