What is Taekwondo?
Taekwondo is a modern martial art, characterised by its spectacular kicking techniques. Translated, Taekwondo means "The art of kicking and punching" or "The way of hand and foot".- TAE - Foot, or kicking
- KWON - Hand, or punching
- DO - Art, or way
The sport was founded in Korea and is one of the most popular martial arts in the world today, with almost 60 million practitioners in 185 countries.
But I've never done martial arts before!
Do not worry! Our introductory programme has been designed specifically for people with no previous martial arts experience. Beginners are first introduced to basic Taekwondo movements separate from the main class, until they are ready to join in comfortably with the main group.
What is Taekwondo training like?
The four aspects of Taekwondo training are:
- Patterns: Forms, or poomsae in the Korean language, are a series of defending and attacking movements performed against imaginary opponents in a set sequence. Through the practice of forms, students come to learn the application of the various techniques of Taekwondo. Forms serve a multi-dimensional role, aiding in the development and refinement of coordination, balance, timing, breath control, and rhythm, all of which are essential skills for the Taekwondo student.
- Breaking: Breaking is a good way to develop concentration, power, focus, speed, and precision on non-living objects, without injuring oneself or another. The practice of breaking objects helps one to realise that the body itself is a very powerful weapon.
- Sparring: Upon learning basic blocks, punches, kicks, and evasive manoeuvres, the student proceeds to apply this knowledge against a real opponent who can fight back, in a safe and controlled manner. Both partners wear full body armour, and the range of techniques is limited so as to maintain safety and prevent injury.
- Self-defence: As well as being a modern Olympic sport, Taekwondo is also a very effective system of self-defence. Taekwondo contains a wide range of techniques, many of which cannot be applied during sparring for the sake of safety, and so are practiced separately. The Taekwondo student learns how to defend oneself against a variety of attacks, including chokeholds, headlocks, and wrist-grabs, as well as basic attacks using sticks and knives.
It is the combination of these four disciplines that makes the art known as Taekwondo.
The World Taekwondo Federation
The World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) is an international federation consisting of 185 member nations. Following the recognition of the WTF by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1980, Taekwondo was staged at the Olympics in Seoul in 1988 and in Barcelona in 1992 as a demonstration sport. In 1994, at the 103rd IOC Session in Paris, Taekwondo was adopted as an official program of the Sydney 2000 Olympics. Taekwondo was an official sport of the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, and is confirmed as such for the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Olympic Games.
How can Taekwondo benefit me?
Yoga-based stretching
- Lubrication of joints
- Increased flexibility
- Stress-reduction and relaxation
Self-defence
- Increased self-confidence
- Increased self-discipline
- Security and peace of mind
Cardiovascular fitness
- Increased fitness and stamina
- Weight reduction and control
- Improved balance and co-ordination
Is Taekwondo suitable for women?
Yes! In most cases an attacker is going to be someone larger and stronger than you. Additionally, they could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol. For this reason, Taekwondo is based mainly on the development of striking skills.
By developing powerful punches, kicks and strikes, even those of smaller stature such as ladies or children, can generate enough impact to knock out or at least stun a larger opponent.
Close-range fighting skills based on striking with the head, knees and elbows, as well as the use of basic throws, are all in Taekwondo.
Taekwondo for children
Taekwondo is a very good sport for children aged 5 and up. They develop fast reactions through games, learn to respect others, and learn to know their abilities and recognise their limitations.
