What is Taekwondo?

Taekwondo simply stated means the art, "DO", of kicking, "TAE", and punching, "KWON". However, this is only the beginning of understanding what Taekwondo actually is.  While learning Taekwondo, a student will learn to use parts of their body as a weapon, while exploring the basic tenets of life, such as courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control and indomitable spirit. Learning to incorporate these things into a martial artist's life is both a physical and spiritual journey that can be traced back to the Hwarang  Warriors of the Silla dynasty in Korea, 668 A.D. - 935 A.D. and beyond.

These Noble Warriors were responsible for spreading a system known at the time as Tae Kyon, and was a part of their basic educational system, along with both Confucian and Buddhist morality. Tae Kyon was developed throughout history as both a sport and a self-defense.  In earlier times, practitioners developed these techniques from mimicking  both offensive and defensive positions of animals. As the art developed, various games were practiced to promote both physical, spiritual and mental sharpness in the form of religious rites. 

Today, Tae Kyon has developed and evolved into Taekwondo. As in ancient history, Taekwondo has become a martial-art that is celebrated by various countries throughout the world and has thousands of dedicated individuals who practice this art daily for both its spiritual and physical benefits.  Taekwondo has been declared the National Sport of Korea and has become an Official Olympic Sport. The traditions of Taekwondo ring true as fighters from around the globe still come together today to test their mental and spiritual beings. This is one of the many essences of Taekwondo.