In general terms, Martial arts are systems of codified practices and traditions of training for combat.
The term ‘Martial Arts’ often specifically refers to traditional combat training born in Asian countries which stress hand and foot combat. Mental discipline as well as physical training is also a big part of most every martial art.

 

 

 

 

 

TAEKWONDO is...  

 

 

a strict martial art that has now become a sport, due to its popularity.
Taekwondo creates spiritual balance through physical activity. It originated from the efforts of balancing the mind and body through harmony of power, in order to control one’s mind and actions. Motivation is believed to originate from good health, thus it is important to stay fit. If motivation is lost, it is usually due to lack of physical conditioning. Taekwondo is a sport that exercises the entire body including the vital organs, thus giving the student a high level of motivation and high moral standards, which cannot be reached without high level of fitness and spiritual awakening. A way of life filled with high moral standards and values are emphasized  in Taekwondo.

 

 

It is said that Taekwondo has approximately five thousand years of history. By looking back at the occurrence of the “Three Kingdom Period,” we can determine that Taekwondo has a history of at least 2000 years.  Before weapons were developed it was necessary for the Koreans to defend themselves via unarmed means.  Just as most countries had some form of martial arts for the purpose of self and national defense, Korea had Taekwondo. Taekwondo originated in Korea as an effective method of defending oneself and ones country.  The forms and movements of animals were mimicked to develop the offensive and defensive techniques of Taekwondo. Martial arts were also used for hunting, fighting, and physical exercise in pastimes. As time progressed martial arts developed into an organized sport. Therefore, although martial arts were traditionally used for defense purposes due to its aggressive nature, they are now used in organized sports competitions.

 

                               <  SPIRIT OF TAEKWONDO  > 

 

                        
                          COURTESY                       예의 禮義

                          INTEGRITY                         성실 誠實

                          PERSEVERANCE              인내 忍耐

                          SELF-CONTROL                극기 自我節制撓之 精神

                          INDOMITABLE SPIRIT       백절불굴의 정신 百折不

 

 

The Taekwondo spirit, which has been directly influenced by the national traditional thoughts, is infused with the national soul molded through common experiences of joy, anger, sorrow and pleasure throughout the ages. It can be more easily identified by Silla's hwarangdo spirit, which was based on the Korean people's basic thought of seon philosophy . After all, the hwarangdo spirit combined with Taekwondo spirit of martial art enabled Silla to unify the three kingdoms. Therefore, the Korean's traditional martial art Taekwondo aims not only to acquire power and skill for self-defense but to perfect oneself with the character of devoting one's life to the safeguard of justice, of respecting the responsibilities and of embodying the thought of universal equality.

Now the Taekwondo spirit can be better summarized by the philosophy of hongik-ingan, peace-loving spirit, spirit of integrity with which to protect rightousness and a strong sense of responsibility.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HAPKIDO is...  

 

 

a dynamic and  eclectic Korean martial art. On the "hard-soft" scale of martial arts, hapkido stands somewhere in the middle, employing "soft" techniques similar to jujitsu and aikido as well as "hard" techniques reminiscent of taekwondo and tangsoodo. Even the "hard" techniques, though, emphasize circular rather than linear movements.

 

 

               <  THREE PRINCPLES OF HAPKIDO >

 

                  NONRESISTANCE       화  和

                  CIRCLE PRINCIPLE      원  圓

                  THE WATER/ HARMONY PRINCIPLE     유 柳

 

 

Hapkido is "soft" in that it does not rely on physical force alone, much like water is soft to touch.

 

 

Hapkido is a form of self-defense that employs joint locks, pressure points, throws, kicks, and other strikes. Hapkido practitioners train to counter the techniques of other martial arts as well as common "unskilled" attacks. There is also a range of traditional weapons including short stick, cane, rope, sword and staff which vary in emphasis depending on the particular tradition examined.  Although hapkido contains both long and close range fighting techniques, the purpose of most engagements is to get near for a close strike, lock, or throw. Hapkido emphasizes circular motion, non-resisting movements, and control of the opponent. Practitioners seek to gain advantage through footwork and body positioning to employ leverage, avoiding the use of strength against strength.

 

 

 

 

 

 

KUMDO is...

 

 

an ancient form of martial art with its origins in Korea.  Kumdo means "The way of the sword" and its ancient form originated in Korea thousands of years ago as a form of sword fighting used by warriors to defend their territorial hold over the country. Although strength and speed play important roles, one cannot master the art of Kumdo without a pure and unadulterated state of mind and heart. It is this aspect of Kumdo which makes it very appealing and beneficial as it intensively trains both mind and body

 

 

Kumdo improves ones focus, insight, complex decision making ability and creativity. Many other martial arts favor, either by personal default or by training, one side of the body through man-made postures and stances. Kumdo's natural stance emphasizes a balance between the right and left sides of the body which results in a more balanced use of both sides of the brain. Therefore, not only is Kumdo training beneficial in ones focus and decision-making ability, but also in ones mental insight and creativity.