Made famous by the "Best of the Best" movies and the character Hwarang in the Playstation "Tekken"-game series, this martial art is practiced by over 50 million people worldwide. Known for its spectacular kicks (over 100 - more than any other martial art), and its scientifically sound techniques, Taekwon-Do is one of the world's superior martial arts.

Benefits of Taekwon-Do:

Practicing Taekwon-Do has various health benefits. It can be practiced almost anywhere, with little or no equipment, in groups or alone. The body places its own limits, therefor each student develops at his or her own pace. The training does not produce large bulky muscles, but instead long, firm and flexible muscles for an overall healthy system.

Taekwon-Do's high repitition, low resistance training burns about six hundred calories per hour; one of the highest of any sport activities. Combined with Taekwon-Do's focus on proper breathing, it improves the respiratory- and cardiovascular systems, reduces stress, the risk of heart disease, aids in obesity, endorphin is produced due to exercise and combats light depression.

Children

Children gain much from Taekwon-Do. Hand-eye coordination as well as foot-eye coordination are improved tremendously. Psychological studies show that children that feel comfortable in their bodies, are overall more confident. Confidence is also raised by the assurance that the child can defend him or herself against bullies.

Studies have also shown that Taekwon-Do aids with school performance. This might be due to a number of reasons: Taekwon-Do helps with focus, it teaches discipline, and the physical activity improves circulation, which results in a better flow of oxygen rich blood to the brain.

Women

Taekwon-Do is especially great for women, because it strengthens the lower abs, hips and inner thighs, to contribute to a more youthful figure.

It is also specifically designed as a self-defence system that is superior in technique. This means that you need not to be big to defend yourself, instead you only need proper technique - and this you are taught progressively.

Men

Because of the accent on hip rotation, when kicking and striking, the abdominal muscles are conditioned. The high leg lifts that precedes kicks also strengthens the sides of the torso, as well as the upper- and inner thigh muscles.

The training contributes to aerobic conditioning of the heart and lungs and aids in concentration, and is also a great environment to blow off steam. Men also enjoy the competative aspect of Taekwon-Do.

Elderly

Under the guidance of an experienced instructor and since the body sets its own pace, Taekwon-Do also provides for a training environment for the elderly. Many senior citizens experience Taekwon-Do as a new joy in their golden years. More importantly in our violent times, self-defence has become a necessity at all ages.

Taekwon-Do & Self-Defense

Taekwon-Do is defined as "The Korean Art of Self-Defence". All training in Taekwon-Do is done with self-defence as its ultimate goal. Taekwon-Do clubs, are to equip practitioners with a comprehensive arsenal of techniques in order to aid a self-defence situation. A vast array of scenarios are covered, such as close combat fighting, defending against weapons such as knife and club disarming, arm and choke hold releases, etc. with special focus on the needs of women.

The ultimate goal of Taekwon-Do self-defence is to defend against multiple opponents. An upright posture that is highly mobile is therefore preferred over ground fighting which allows only for defense against a single opponent. Using kicks is therefore an effective way to keep your opponents at a distance.

It is true that stand up fighting is accentuated, however, since Taekwon-Do is a complete martial art, students are versed in the whole range of combat, which include close combat, joint manipulation, throws, grappling and falling. The before mentioned techniques are slowly introduced using a well organized syllabus.

Because Taekwon-Do originated in Korea, which is bordered by China in the East and Japan in the West, Taekwon-Do is a fine blend between the circular movements associated with China's soft styles and the hard linear styles of Japan and Okinawa.

As a modern art it attains an aesthetic balance between flowing graceful techniques while being simultaneously rhythmical and explosive.

By Boosabam Sanko Lewis (Copyright © 2006)