Why Train in Tae Kwon Do ?
Tae Kwon Do is based on one of the most valued of principles, respect. Respect to one self and those around you. You can not respect others without first learning to respect yourself.
How does one respect one self? You respect one self by doing activities which improve your mind and body. You eat a balanced diet, staying away from junk food. As well you rest so that your body may heal from your activities during any given day. Training and success in Tae Kwon Do as in life must go hand in hand with these simple but essential practices.
Through physical and mental training you learn and come to understand your body, always striving toward your personal best, learning to challenge yourself. By pushing yourself in these controlled settings you train your mind and body so as to handle situations in the real world. Simply translated, Tae means flying or jumping, to kick or strike with the foot. Kwon to punch or strike with the hand or fist. Do is art or way.
Regular training in Tae Kwon Do will not only build a strong body, but also develop a healthy mind and way of life. You will develop a healthy understanding of yourself that will grow and influence all aspects of your life. Through participation and commitment to this discipline one can enhance and develop a strong moral system, which will be respected by all. You will gain self-confidence in your abilities, physically and mentally. Concentration, self-control and patience are just some aspects to be enhanced through the discipline of Tae Kwon Do.
Tae Kwon Do is an ancient art of self defense. It is referred to as a "martial art" or "martial way." Tae Kwon Do is a set of self-defense techniques using the bare hands and feet. However, the main objective of training is not simply to learn how to fight. Tae Kwon Do training focuses on learning, bringing the mind, body and spirit into harmony, improving one's over all well being.
Tae Kwon Do is not meant to be a destructive discipline. You do not compete in order to hurt an opponent, but to test your skills, in both physical and mental ways. Tae Kwon Do students improve themselves physically and mentally by training and striving for balance. Balance is gained by controlling your Yin vs. Yang. A true Tae Kwon Do student has an understanding on how to behave in all situations. Tae Kwon Do is not only a way to improve skills to defend your self, it is also a way of life. Practicing Tae Kwon Do gives the student more self-confidence, but one should always be mindful not to become arrogant or develop a false sense of superiority.
Tae Kwon Do masters, instructors and students do what they do for their mental and physical wellness. Tae Kwon Do training, above all else, stresses the struggle to cultivate balance in the self. Patience and self-discipline are won through tough, repeated physical training. The practitioner is exposed to a life philosophy, with the first goal being to achieve harmony between mind and body; then harmony with other people, nature, and ultimately, the universe.