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Friday, 11 January 2013
Taekwondo
What is Taekwondo
Taekwondo is one of the most systematic and
scientific Korean traditional martial arts, that teaches more than physical
fighting skills. It is a discipline that shows ways of enhancing our spirit and
life through training our body and mind. Today, it has become a global sport
that has gained an international reputation, and stands among the official
games in the Olympics.Let's take a closer look at the meaning of the word
"Tae" "Kwon" "Do." It is composed of three parts
as shown in the English spelling, though it is one word in Korean.
"Tae" means "foot," "leg," or "to step
on"; "Kwon" means "fist," or "fight"; and
"Do" means the "way" or "discipline." If we put
these three parts together, we can see two important concepts behind "Tae
Kwon Do".
First, Taekwondo is the right way of using Tae
and Kwon 'fists and feet,' or all the parts of the body that are represented by
fists and feet. Second, it is a way to control or calm down fights and keep the
peace. This concept comes from the meaning of Tae Kwon 'to put fists under
control' [or 'to step on fists']. Thus Taekwondo means "the right way of
using all parts of the body to stop fights and help to build a better and more
peaceful world."
Taekwondo has been developing with the 5000-year long history of Korea, being called by several different names in the course. In Korea, Taekwondo began as a defense martial art called "Subak" or "Taekkyon," and developed as a way of training body and mind in the ancient kingdom of Koguryo, under the name of "Sunbae." In the Shilla period, it had become the backbone of Hwarangdo that aimed at producing leaders of the country.
Taekwondo today is similar to the martial arts in other Oriental countries and shares some features with them, because in the course of its evolution it has gained many different styles that existed in the martial arts of the countries surrounding Korea, like Japan and China.
But Taekwondo is very different from many such oriental martial arts. First, physically it is very dynamic with active movements that include a mirage of foot skills. Second, the principle physical movements are in simpatico with that of the mind and life as a whole. Third, it possesses dynamic poses from another perspective.
Taekwondo has been developing with the 5000-year long history of Korea, being called by several different names in the course. In Korea, Taekwondo began as a defense martial art called "Subak" or "Taekkyon," and developed as a way of training body and mind in the ancient kingdom of Koguryo, under the name of "Sunbae." In the Shilla period, it had become the backbone of Hwarangdo that aimed at producing leaders of the country.
Taekwondo today is similar to the martial arts in other Oriental countries and shares some features with them, because in the course of its evolution it has gained many different styles that existed in the martial arts of the countries surrounding Korea, like Japan and China.
But Taekwondo is very different from many such oriental martial arts. First, physically it is very dynamic with active movements that include a mirage of foot skills. Second, the principle physical movements are in simpatico with that of the mind and life as a whole. Third, it possesses dynamic poses from another perspective.
Taekwondo can be characterized by unity: the
unity of body, mind, and life, and the unity of the pose ["poomsae"]
and confrontation, and cracking down. When you do Taekwondo, you should make
your mind peaceful and synchronize your mind with your movements, and extend
this harmony to your life and society. This is how in Taekwondo the principle
of physical movements, the principle of mind training, and the principle of
life become one and the same. On the other hand, the right poomsae lead to the
right confrontation, which will eventually produce great destructive power.
How come we reach such a unity in Taekwondo?
Taekwondo is a way of life, much like having a job, raising a family, fighting
for a cause, or any one of numerous raison d'etre. What makes Taekwondo
different from these is that it is an activity for survival in extremely
antagonistic situations. One must always overcome the enemy that is trying to
cause harm. But simply winning a fight is not enough to guarantee one's safety,
because the enemy may recuperate and attack again. Moreover, there may be many
other enemies than the one that was just defeated. One cannot ever feel safe
unless one gains permanent peace. To attain this permanent or lasting peace,
one needs unity. This is what Taekwondo aim for. Otherwise Taekwondo would be
no different from any other street-fighting skills. Taekwondo pursues
harmonious growth and improvements of life through its unique activities. This
is why one could say Taekwondo is a way of life. To ultimately enable ourselves
to lead more valuable lives, we would do well by finding the guiding principles
deeply hidden in Taekwondo.
Thursday, 10 January 2013
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