Taekwondo improves health and wellbeing, and promotes positive, harmonious and empowering values that can be integrated into everyday life.
“Taekwondo is one of the most systematic and scientific Korean traditional martial arts, that teaches more than physical fighting skills. It is a discipline that shows ways of enhancing our spirit and life through training our body and mind. Today, it has become a global sport that has gained an international reputation, and stands among the official games in the Olympics.”
The art teaches many different ways to use these, but a key principle of Taekwondo is control and peace. It encourages resolution of problems and issues by passive means such as talking. Taekwondo is guided by the 5 Tenets Of Taekwondo.
Courtesy (Ye Ui)
Taekwondo students should be polite to one another and to respect others inside and outside of the Dojang. Students should address instructors with courtesy and respect at all times and bow to the instructors and dojang before and after classes. Courtesy is demonstrated through listening, observing and doing.
Integrity (Yom Chi)
Taekwondo students should strive to be honest and to live by moral principles. To adhere to moral and ethical principles and to be able to define right from wrong. A Taekwondo Instructor who misrepresents himself and his art by presenting improper techniques or attitude to his students because of a lack of knowledge would lack of integrity.
Perseverance (In Nae)
Perseverance means having patience. One of the most important secrets of becoming a leader in Taekwondo is to overcome every difficulty by perseverance; a steady persistence in a course of action, in spite of any difficulties, obstacles or discouragement.
Self-Control (Guk Gi)
The ability to control or restrain oneself, or one’s actions or feelings. This is one of the most important of the Taekwondo tenets both inside and outside the dojang.
Without self-control, a Taekwondo student is just like any fighter in the street. Loss of self-control is disastrous both in sparring and personal affairs. We’re learning in order to defend ourselves and defend others who can’t defend themselves, and to protect against bullies.
Indomitable Spirit (Baekjul Boolgol)
A true student of Taekwondo will never give up, not even when faced with insurmountable odds. The most difficult goals can be achieved with indomitable spirit. An attribute shown when a courageous person and his principles are pitted against overwhelming odds.