TAEKWONDO = TAE means foot
                                    KWON means hand,
                                          DO means method of study or way of  life

Taekwondo is a distinct Korean martial art with it's own indigenous history which spans several thousand years.  It is the most practiced martial art today and became an official Olympic Sport in Sidney,Australia in the Year 2000.

Taekwondo is many things, and most webpages these days have substantial definition and history on Taekwondo that will educate you properly on the history and meaning of Taekwondo. Taekwondo should train the mind and body into disciplined balance. If both are trained sufficiently, a perfect balance within the martial artist will result.

Taekwondo training is and should be a vigorous workout. One that will transform the body of an average human into a physically fit person. Of course the benefits are measured by the age and natural physical capabilities of a person, but if you are the average healthy human who wants to get in shape, Taekwondo should provide this. At the beginning, the workout may be tough for some, but if you hang in there, YOU WILL quickly start to notice changes within your energy and fitness level and begin to blend in with the rest of the class. Three to four years later, you are physically fit according to your age and abilities, and are ready for your right of passage….the black belt. The black belt, by the way is not a reward for time spent, but for physical and mental quality practice invested into one’s art.

Taekwondo practice should lead the student towards a life of honor, integrity and discipline. Honor is unfortunately an outdated, underused and very misunderstood word. It basically means taking responisibility for every action, every word, every thought, and proceeding in life, in a manner that respects all living beings on the planet. Living up to this definition is hardly easy, but the martial arts’ student should constantly strive to live the honorable life. Should he fail or fall short to being honorable, he should have enough integrity to admit error and make amends to improve any wrongdoing or poor judgement.

Integrity is another cobwebbed ethic, as admitting error and making amends can nowadays almost only be found at a 12 step meeting. Deep emotional benefit and physical healing comes out of true confession and making amends for our wrongs. It professes to others that we are striving for ideals far above human socialized standards, and that although we err, we are doing are best. Integrity doesn’t mean one has to proclaim to the world your wrongs, dirty laundry, or bad decisions. But to those whom we have caused suffering, ill will or intent, amends must be made, less we suffer the same experience in order to learn our error the hard way. Most of us will take the hard way, and most often, experience WILL be the greatest teacher.

Living the life of honor and integrity takes discipline, and it is here to where we come full circle. The discipline of hard training, often difficult training, pushes the student into the realization that all things are possible. That as we transform our body into a healthy structure so do we transform our mind into a healthy disposition. That’s the mind body connection of martial arts that turns students into true honorable warriors .

Taekwondo has been called the ultimate self-defense because it trains reflexes so keen and accurate that the well trained student can defend himself effectively from attacks by multiple assailants.

The nature of Taekwondo also classifies it as a lifetime art. Practitioners can establish their own level of activity at any age and physical condition.

The majority of Taekwondo students and schools are directly connected to one international governing body, the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF), which was organized by Dr. Un Yong Kim, president of the Korea Taekwondo Association and it's headquarter and main educational and training center the "Kuk Ki Won". This provides for international standardization of techniques, recognition of rank and international sanctioning of seminars,tournaments and symposiums. As we said earlier, students who receive black belts at "poor quality" or "unethical schools" risk embarrassment and humiliation, should they decide to train at a WTF level establishment.

THE WARRIOR'S OATH
by Master Kathryn Kiffmann

An oath is a solemn and formal pledge to do something and to hold to it.

The warrior's oath is a promise to be a defender of life regardless of one's own physical consequences,

It's a vow to uphold truth and justice, regardless of whether ones' personal reputation might suffer for holding true,

It's a belief that anything can be accomplished through strength, perseverance, integrity and sacrifice regardless of great and mighty odds.