Tae Kwon Do

Tae Kwon Do is a modern, highly technical martial art, renowned for its effectiveness in self defense situations. Tae Kwon Do originated in Korea and was a direct result of the fifty year Japanese occupation of the country, which ended in 1945. After the occupation, the Korean people had a strong yearning to re-establish their own identity. Martial Arts were one of the ways in which this was accomplished. In 1955 most of the different styles of the various Kwans were united under the leadership of General Choi. This newly formed martial art was Tae Kwon Do.

Tae Kwon Do is principally a form of combat. The only acceptable reason in Korean culture for combat is self-defense. Hence the primary function of Tae Kwon Do is to defend one self and one's family. This defense, in the Tae Kwon Do context, is not only physical. On a different level Tae Kwon Do requires of its students to stand up for what is right with humility and with resolve.

Tae Kwon Do is aimed at the rapid destruction of an opponent. It is a lethal weapon if executed by a trained student of this martial art. That is one of the reasons why the mental aspect is strongly emphasized and why moral and responsible behavior underpins the conduct of Tae Kwon Do students.

From a technical point of view, Tae Kwon Do is probably the most scientific of all martial arts. Tae Kwon Do students are trained in the human anatomy in order to correctly identify those areas of the body where a punch or a kick would cause the maximum discomfort to the opponent. At the same time, punches, kicks, blocks and dodges in Tae Kwon Do are executed in a manner ensuring maximal effectiveness.

In time and with training, the Tae Kwon Do students' execution of the style will become a conditioned reflex. This in itself is a most valuable attribute in a self-defense situation.

Tae Kwon Do continues growing world-wide in spite of its youthfulness. Whilst its origin may be in the East, the moral tenets and spiritual foundation of Tae Kwon Do are universal.