The Way of Taekwondo
Taekwondo is a martial art originating in Korea thousands of years ago, and has been passed down for centuries. As opposed to other similar martial arts, which focus only on punches or kicks, Taekwondo focuses on the balance between, and the beauty and power that comes from achieving it. Forms are structured in patterns that always end where they start. Weapons alternate between both hands. Students are taught to not only be balanced students, but balanced people, whether in training, at school, or at home. It is at the core -- indeed, the very essence -- of everything we do.
Taekwondo is split into four categories:
- FORMS - Each belt rank has a specific form associated with them. Each testing cycle, students learn their respective belt's form from qualified instructors who walk with them each step of the way. Forms have a smooth progression - while a student may start with simple blocks and kicks, soon they will be doing jump spin hook kicks!
- ONE-STEPS AND SPARRING SEGMENTS - These are short forms that teach vital moves used commonly in self-defense. These accompany the main forms, and often teach new moves that they will eventually used in main forms.
- WEAPONS - Accompanying their forms, students will also learn a new weapon each testing cycle. These range from the Jahng Bong (bo staff), to the Ssahng Jeol Bong (nunchucks), to the broadsword, and so much more.
- SPARRING - Students will learn how to spar - the most competitive aspect of Taekwondo. Sparring is point-based, and regulated by qualified officials. Here, students learn effective kicks and punches that are useful in self-defense.
At Master Cho's Taekwondo, we teach a style of Taekwondo recognized by and as Kukkiwon (국기원), or the World Taekwondo Federation. Based in Seoul, South Korea, the style was established by the South Korean government, and is focused on preserving and teaching the fundamentals of Taekwondo as they have been passed down from generation to generation. It is the recognized international center of Taekwondo -- and as such, the work that students put in our schools are not just locally recognized, but internationally recognized as well.
However, Taekwondo is more than just fighting. One of the most fundamental parts of Taekwondo is the idea of teaching the student not only how to defend themselves, but also how to be good people that try their best, and never give up.
