What is taekwondo?
Taekwondo is a Korean martial art and combat sport that is known for its systematic and technical form. Taekwondo teaches more than just physically fighting with your fists & feet; it is a way of life for our body, mind, and spirit.
The Korean word taekwondo (sometimes stylized as Tae Kwon Do or TaeKwonDo in English) means:
- Tae: “foot”, “leg”, “step on”
- Kwon: “fist” or “fight”
- Do: “way” or “discipline”
From this perspective, taekwondo has been translated into multiple variable meanings, including: “the way of the foot & fist”, “the way of hand and foot fighting”, and “the art of hand and foot fighting”. Regardless of the transliteration, those that train in taekwondo understand a deeper meaning. For one, taekwondo is about using your feet and fists to stop fights and promote peace; and for two, taekwondo, as a discipline, teaches humility, courtesy, respect, and perseverance. Altogether, taekwondo is a way for us to promote peace in the world and within ourselves through self-discipline and self-control.
Tiger-Rock of Pensacola and Pace’s integrated martial arts program is rooted in taekwondo. In fact, our parent organization, Tiger-Rock Martial Arts International, was originally a taekwondo-only organization. Over time, we expanded our training system to incorporate other forms. Regardless, Tiger-Rock remains proud of our taekwondo roots and it forms the heart of everything that we teach our students.
A brief history on taekwondo
Taekwondo’s origins stretch across thousands of years of Korean history. It is believed that modern, organized taekwondo started to take shape during the Three Kingdoms era of Korean history (1st century BC to 7th century CE). Over the next few centuries, taekwondo would mirror Korean history, as it was influenced by Chinese and Japanese martial arts.
The first organizations designed to standardize the teaching and growth of taekwondo emerged after World War II. In fact, the word taekwondo itself was only coined in the 1950s in Korea. Taekwondo arrived in the United States by the late 1960s, starting on the West Coast and spreading eastward. Today, taekwondo is the most widely practiced form of martial arts in the United States and it is currently an Olympic sport.
Benefits of taekwondo training
Training in taekwondo offers many benefits, including:
- Improves mental health
- Reduces stress & anxiety
- Improves self-esteem and self-confidence
- A healthier self-image
- Improves cardiovascular health
- Improves agility and reflexes
- Strengthens your muscles and bones
- Sharpens your mental acuity
- Increases your physical keenness
Taekwondo is a workout, a combat sport, and also a rigorous self-defense system. Not only do you learn kicks and strikes, but also various tactics to de-escalate and escape danger. Taekwondo has an almost limitless versatility that makes it an invaluable martial arts for kids and adults alike.
Taekwondo is an integral part of the Tiger-Rock System
Just like taekwondo, the Tiger-Rock System evolved to incorporate other forms of martial arts. However, as mentioned previously, an enormous part of the Tiger-Rock curriculum has its foundations in taekwondo. As a Tiger-Rock student, you will learn important kicking and striking techniques as well as the key tenets of taekwondo.