TaeKwon-Do
Training is a Foundational element of being a Martial Artist. Whatever our motives for begining, virtually all Martial Artists share a desire for, and enjoyment of Training. Martial Arts, including TaeKwon-Do are a set of systems of practices and traditions of training for combat. They may be studied for various reasons including acquiring combat skills, developing fitness, self-defence, sport, self-improvement, mental discipline, charachter building and self-confidence. Broadly speaking, all Martial Arts share a common goal: to defeat a person physically or to defend oneself from physical threat. Some martial arts are linked to spiritual or religious beliefs and philosophies such as Buddism or Shintoism while others have their own spiritual/non-spiritual code of honor. While each style has unique facets that makes it different from other martial arts, a common characteristic is the systemization of fighting techniques. One common method of training, particularly in the Asian martial arts, is the form or Pattern; these are sets or routines of techniques that are performed alone, or sometimes with a partner. The word ‘martial’ derives from the name of Mars, the Roman god of war. The term ‘Martial Arts’ literally means arts of Mars. This term comes from 15th century Europeans who were referring to their own fighting arts.
History of Korea & TaeKwon-Do
The Gojesoen (Old Joseon) kingdom was founded in 2333 BC, eventually stretching from the peninsula to much of Manchuria. By the 3rd Century BC, it had disintegrated into many separate, successor states. The 3 ‘Dominat’ Kingdoms of Goguryeo, Silla and Baekje eventually conquered other successor states of Gojoseon and came to dominate the peninsula and much of Manchuria. These 3 Kingdoms competed with each other both economically and militarily. While Goguryeo and Baekje were more powerful for much of the era (especially Goguryeo, which successfully repelled numerous Chinese invasions), Silla’s power gradually extended across Korea and it eventually established the first unified state to cover most of Korean peninsula by 676. Meanwhile, the former Goguryeo General, Dae Jo-Yeong, founded Balha as the successor to Goguryeo.
Cave Sculpture dipicting ancient Warrior
The unified Kingdom of Silla itself fell apart in the late 9th century, giving way to the tumultuous “Three Kingdoms Period” (892-936), which ended with the establishment of the Goryeo Dynasty. After the fall of Balhae in 926 to Khitan, much of its people led by the Crown Prince Dae Gwang-Hyeon were absorbed into Goryeo. During the Goryeo period, laws were codified, a civil service system was introduced, and Buddhism flourished. From 993 to 1019, Khitan Liao Dynasty invaded Goryeo and were repelled. In 1238, the Mongolian Empire also invaded and after nearly thirty years of war, the two sides signed a peace treaty. In 1392, the general Yi Seong-Gye established the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) after a coup. King Sejong the Great (1418-1450) promulgated Hangul, the Korean alphabet. Between 1592-1598, Japan invaded Korea, but was eventually repelled with the efforts by the Navy led by Admiral Yi Sun-Sin, resistance armies, and Chinese aid. In the 1620s and 1630s, Joseon suffered invasions by the Manchu Qing Dynasty. Beginning in the 1870s, Japan began to force Korea out of China’s sphere of influence into its own.
The Gyeongbokgung Palace
In 1895, Empress Myeongseong of Korea was assassinated by Japanese agents.In 1905, Japan forced Korea to sign the Eulsa Treaty making Korea a protectorate, and in 1910 annexed Korea, although neither is considered to be legally valid. Korean resistance to the Japanese occupation was manifested in the massive nonviolent March 1st Movement of 1919. Thereafter the Korean liberation movement, coordinated by the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea in exile, was largely active in neighboring Manchuria, China and Siberia. With the defeat of Japan in 1945, the United Nations developed plans for a trusteeship administration by the Soviet Union and the United States, but the plan was soon abandoned. In 1948, new governments were established, the democratic South Korea and Communist North Korea divided at the 38th parallel. The unresolved tensions of the division surfaced in the Korean war of 1950, when North Korea invaded South Korea. The History of TaeKwon-Do, and in particular the Definitions of our Patterns, follows much of this History in Chronological Order. The style of Taekwon-Do which NTX Schools trains in is called Ch’ang Hon or “Blue Cottage”. General Choi Hong Hi, the The type father of Taekwon-Do, was given this pseudonym by his calligraphy teacher. The hallmark of this system, which was created in the 1950s, is the combination of fast and slow, light and forceful movements, together with the extensive footwork whose roots stem from the Sho-Rin and Sho-Rei schools of Okinawan Karate (TaeKwon-Do: The Art of Self-Defense, by CHOI HONG HI, 1965, page 216). Translated literally, the term “TAEKWON-DO” is a common term in the Korean Language, meaning the “art or way of foot and hand fighting”.
TAE means to kick, jump, or smash with the foot.
KWON denotes the fist, mainly to punch or destroy with the hand or fist.
DO is the art, the way, the method.
These roots combines with others have over time refined to the extent that they no longer resemble their original movements and have become totally “Korean” in every way though the application of the 9 training secrets:
1.To study of the theory of power thoroughly
2.To understand the purpose and method of each movement clearly
3.To bring the movement of eyes, hands, feet, and breath into a single coordinated action
4.To choose the appropriate attacking tool for each vital spot
5.To become familiar with the correct angle and distance for attack and defense
6.To keep both the arms and legs slightly bent while the movements of patterns are in motion
7.The backward motion of all beginning movements with very few exceptions. However, once the movement is in motion it should not be stopped before reaching the target
8.To create a sine wave during the movement by utlizing the knee spring properly
9.To exhale briefly at the moment of each blow except connecting motion
Theory of Power (Him Ui Wolli)
Power (Wiryok) is the ultimate goal of any individual TaeKwon-Do Techniques. It is fundamental to their purpose and without it such techniques cease to be so and are relegated to becoming only movements. Power requires the appropriate application of Power to a technique, understanding the purpose and application of techniques, to select the correct technique for the purpose and to deliver this in a coordinated manner with the eyes, feet, hands, breath and body mass. Power is dependant on several variables:
Acceleration Speed (Sokdo)
This is the most important single factor in the development of Power. For a given mass, the greater the speed through which it may accelerate. Determines the force it imparts to a target upon impact. It also governs, through the Speed it posses, the Kinetic Energy of the Mass.
Reaction Force (Bandong Ryok)
Utilisation of an equal and opposite force which effectively doubles the delivered impact to a Target.
Twisting or Piercing (Jirugi)
The twisting of the Body Mass or Limb at the Point of Impact to a target.
Mass (Zilyang)
For a given speed, larger masses will possess a higher momentum and greater kinetic energy.
Concentration (Jip Joong)
The application of an impact force to a small target area so as to increase it’s effect.
Equilibrium (Kyun Hyung)
The Dynamic and Static balance which a technique relies upon is a function of it’s stance, weight distribution and generated acceleration.
Breath Control (Hohup Jojul)
Used to control stamina and direct Focus and Concentration by the utilisation of the powerful respiratory muscles and augmenting of Mental Alertness.