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Like any martial art properly taught and properly
practiced, Taekwondo is a non-agressive and ethical system of self-defense.
Taekwondo developed from humble beginnings over 1,000 years ago and has since spread internationally to become one of the world's most successful and popular martial arts. Its practitioners enjoy physical and mental discipline, as well as excellent fitness and the ability to defend themselves if necessary. Taekwondo is not only a combat sport, but is also a way of life for enthusiasts around the globe.
The word Taekwondo itself is made up of three Chinese/Korean words: Tae, meaning to kick or jump; Kwon, meaning fist or hand; and Do, which means "the way." Loosely (if not literally), it can be thought of as "The Way of the Hand and Foot."
While famous for its wide range of kicks, Taekwondo also emphasizes breaking power, such as splitting wood and bricks using only the bare hands and feet. Training involves a variety of techniques, to include punching, kicking, dodging, jumping, parrying and blocking. Taekwondo also focuses on sparring and learning formal patterns of movement called forms.
The style of Taekwondo supported by the ATA is known as Songahm Taekwondo, a style specifically developed over 20 years' time by
Eternal
Grand Master H.U. Lee to make it accessible to anyone willing to learn, and to truly reflect Taekwondo and the strength and beauty of its kicking techniques.
For more information, please use the links to the left, or choose from the convenient list below:
- History: A brief history of Taekwondo, from its humble beginnings to its current
place in our world
- Songahm Taekwondo: Why is our style of Taekwondo so special and effective? Find out!
- Belts: Completely lost when it comes to our belt ranking system? Learn how it all breaks down here
- Benefits: Taekwondo doesn't just look cool, it can also help improve your life
- Life Skills: Our Taekwondo helps people learn and master several important skills
