Dragonfly Tae Kwon Do

What is Tae Kwon Do?

Tae Kwon Do (pronounced�with a long 'A', just as it is spelled) is a modern Korean martial art, characterized by fast, high, jumping, spinning kicks. It is an all-around program that offers self-defense training, physical exercise, and artistic expression; all taught by an experienced professional instructor.

Meaning of the Term "Tae Kwon Do"
Literally translated, Tae Kwon Do breaks down to "tae" meaning to kick with the foot, "kwon" meaning to punch or strike with the hand, and "do" meaning art or way. Therefore, Tae Kwon Do translates to "the art of kicking and punching."

Objectives of Tae Kwon Do

Tae Kwon Do is a type of physical fitness. The training required to perfect each technique requires the muscular involvement of the whole body. Tae Kwon Do training is one of the best means to reach physical fitness.

Tae Kwon Do is a discipline of both mind and body. Tae Kwon Do techniques look easy but are hard to learn. It takes concentration and effort to attain perfection. The mind and body must work in concert for a technique to be effective.

Tae Kwon Do is a martial art. Tae Kwon Do techniques may be used with�complete effectiveness. Self-control, mental discipline, and self-confidence allow students to tailor the power of their techniques to fit the situation.�� It uses only bare hands and feet, no weaponry, to fend off attackers.

Tae Kwon Do has become the most practiced martial art in the world. Its popularity may be attributed to it being an official Pan-American sport, a demonstration sport in the 1988 and 1992 Olympics, and a full medal sport in the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. However, its popularity is mainly due to its spectacular techniques and its being fun for all ages to learn and perform.

Physical benefits:

Taekwondo offers physical benefits above and beyond other sports, because the skills and techniques practiced exercise the entire body. Hand techniques, for example, involve the muscles of the legs, hip, and torso as well as the shoulders, chest, back, and arms. Kicking techniques involve the muscles of the legs, abdomen, stomach, sides, and back. The simple act of striking a target involves relaxing and then tensing almost all the muscles of the body. Since techniques are practiced on both right and left sides, muscle imbalances do not occur; the strength, co-ordination, flexibility, and agility of both sides of the body are improved. Ball sports, such as baseball, basketball, tennis, football, etc. tend to favor the player's already strong side and result in even further physical imbalance. Taekwondo does not contribute to that weakness, but effectively eliminates it.

Behavioral benefits:

We often comment, "There are no bench warmers in the martial arts." Every student can work hard and succeed. Students are not disappointed by being the last chosen for the team or by having to "sit out the season" while the more advanced or more popular players get all the play time. Everyone can achieve his or her personal best. Everyone can be a winner. The martial arts seek not to add stress with unhealthy competition, but to decrease stress with beneficial competition.

Mental benefits:

Taekwondo is filling two vital needs previously unrecognized in American society: the human needs to express emotion, and to live without fear...through a martial art such as Taekwondo, young people find an outlet for aggression and learn not to fear emotions...
Physicians too have become well aware of the worth of Taekwondo and are prescribing such a program as therapy for many of their patients. Over the years, it has been noted that those who practice Taekwondo are rarely ill and are generally more vigorous than the average person. Not only does Taekwondo training improve one's health physically, it also benefits one's mental attitude...