Benefits of Martial Arts
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TaeKwonDo is an approach to the martial arts, that teaches more than the physical skills of fighting. It is a discipline that Instills ways of enhancing our spirit and life through physical training our body and mind. TaeKwonDo has become a worldwide sport that has ascertained an international reputation, and is among one of the Olympic games.
As any martial artist will tell you, there are multiple benefits in martial arts training. Of course, the most obvious benefit is a knowledge of self defense which is one of the major reasons why systems were developed in the first place. Knowing how to defend oneself and loved ones in a potentially dangerous situation is an asset in today's world just as it was hundreds of years ago. Unlike often portrayed in the movies, training is not just about fighting. Many people take up martial arts for the fitness benefits as well. Training in karate, tae kwon do, kung fu and other styles will improve one's cardiovascular fitness as well as tone the muscular system. Strength will increase from the calisthenics usually employed within training but perhaps not to the same extent as working out with weights. But overall power of one's body will definitely increase since the techniques teach how to use strength effectively.
Most people will also improve their flexibility significantly while training since entire ranges of motion from the body are exercised. This is especially true with styles such as tae kwon do, Thai kickboxing as well as some schools of karate and kung fu where high kicks are used. All martial art styles will result in an improvement of one's coordination as well.
Unlike many other forms of physical activity, martial arts also have a mental and sometimes spiritual element which not only improves the mind's focus but also helps in self control. Emotions such as anger and fear are better controlled through training. Many martial artists can find an inner peace through their training. In today's hectic world, these particular benefits translate into one of the most effective stress management tools available. When training in a session or in a group class, all the day to day troubles of the world seem to be forgotten. People come out refreshed, energized and ready to tackle the big world out there.
Training in martial arts usually involves many little steps and progressions. As one advances, the feeling of accomplishment comes with added confidence. This is especially beneficial for children who were not very confident in the first place. An increase in self confidence for kids (as well as adults) will have a cross over effect in other areas of life such as in other sports and general self esteem. Other challenges in life, both physical and mental, will be met with much less fear.
An important benefit of martial arts training for parents to note is that children will generally become more disciplined from the unique formalities of martial arts classes. This is one benefit that is often lacking in other sports. Former 'problem' kids with bad attitudes could become well behaved and respectful as a result of taking classes a few times per week. Respect is something that all instructors place great importance in during their classes. Martial arts kids are often very well behaved children no matter what social economic backgrounds they come from.
Martial arts training has so many great benefits covering physical, mental and emotional aspects that it's no wonder why it has become one of the most popular activities for both adults and children. However, it is important to point out that not all programs will produce the range of benefits discussed. Programs that teach just combat fighting techniques may not result in the desired mental and spiritual benefits so it is important to search around for the right school that will offer the benefits one wishes to achieve.
What is the meaning of Tae Kwon Do
Tae Kwon Do is made up of three separate parts. "Tae" means "foot," "to step on," or "leg"; "Kwon" means "fight," or "fist"; and "Do" means the "way" or "discipline." If we put these three parts together, we can see a couple of important ideas within Taekwondo.
- The First part of TaeKwonDo is the enlightened way of using "Tae" and "Kwon" which are comprised of your "fists" and "feet", or all the parts of the body that are represented by fists and feet.
- Second, it is a path to control a fight and in the end producing peace. This idea comes from the meaning of Tae Kwon "to put fists under control". Thus TaeKwonDo means "the right path of using all parts of the body to eliminate fights and help to work towards a world with peace."
TaeKwonDo has been developing along side the history of Korea and has also been called by many different names in throughout the course of it's history. In Korea, TaeKwonDo began as a martial art for defense called "Taekkyon" or "Subak," and was a way of challenging body and mind within the ancient kingdom of Koguryo, under the name of "Sunbae." In the time period of Shilla, it had become the staple of Hwarangdo which focused on producing leaders of the country.
TaeKwonDo today is similar to arts in other Asian countries and shares concepts and ideas with each of them, because in the course of its evolution it has obtained many different styles that existed in the martial arts of the countries surrounding Korea, like Japan and China.
But TaeKwonDo is very different from many oriental martial arts in a three aspects
- First, physically it is very dynamic with active movements that utilize an assortment of foot skills.
- Second, the aim is is to have the physical elements and movement blend with the students life as a whole not to be separate.
- Third, it possesses dynamic poomsae (see poomsae in the martial arts) from another perspective. TaeKwonDo can be characterized by unity: the unity of body, mind, and life, and the unity of the poomsae and confrontation. When you learn TaeKwonDo, you should make your mind peaceful and synchronize your mind with your moves, and grow this harmony to your life and society. This is how the principle of the physical moves, the principle of training ones mind, and the principle of life become whole.
TaeKwonDo is an attitude about life, just like any other aspect of ones life like having a job, raising a family, or fighting for something in which you believe in. What makes TaeKwonDo different from these is that it is an activity for survival in extremely important situation in ones life. One must always overcome the enemy that is trying to cause harm to you. But overcoming your opponent isn't enough to guarantee one's safety, because the enemy may recuperate and attempt to assault you again. In addition, there may be many other opponents than the one that was just overcome. One can't ever truly feel safe unless that person obtains a continued sense of peace. To internalize this concrete or lasting sense of peace, one needs wholeness. This is the aim of TaeKwonDo. Otherwise TaeKwonDo would be no different from any other street-fighting skills.
TaeKwonDo pursues harmonious growth and improvements in ones life through its unique activities. This is why one could say TaeKwonDo is a way of life. To ultimately enable ourselves to lead more valuable lives, we would do well by obtaining the guiding principles entrenched in TaeKwonDo.