Tae Kwon Do Theory: Plateaus

Tae kwon do training starts out as a very physical process. You learn new techniques, the basics of blocking, kicking, and punching, and must delve into the tough physical workouts. After progressing through the belt levels, and especially after finally achieving a black belt, one is left to start reflecting on the training and accomplishments that have accompanied one's tae kwon do training. I belive that tae kwon do training, much like many other "subjects" in life outside of tae kwon do training, can be related to a series of plateaus.

This theory isn't something I thought up on my own. Indeed from one of the first classes I took I was presented with the plateau theory and how it relates to tae kwon do. In simple terms, the inclines from one plateau to another can be seen a...Read entire article

Tae Kwon Do - The Hand-Foot Technique - A Way of Life

Tae kwon do means, literally, "the hand-foot technique". Without going into too much history, tae kwon do was thought to have come into existence over two thousand years ago at the end of the "B.C. era" in Korea. This was a tumultuous time for the region which required everyday people to learn some form of self-defense in case of attacks from nearby villages and surrounding states.

Taking a look at the words "hand-foot technique" it becomes obvious that the fundamentals behind tae kwon do deal with using one's body. The emphasis is on simple but powerful hand movements, kicks, and blocks. Although weapons certainly come into play in tae kwon do (and pretty much any other form of fighting), the basics of tae kwon do all deal with using one's own body as a means for attack and d...Read entire article

Tae Kwon Do - Martial Art

I've been taking tae kwon do for about 6 or 7 years now, and every time I practice I keep learning more. Sure there are the repetitious hand movements, blocks, kicks, drills, and warm up exercises, and performing those drills and exercises over and over and over again start to get mundane. But after you start to reflect on the intracacies of tae kwon do practice, you'll soon start to hone your body movements and take notice of the position of you arms, legs, hands, feet, head, etc. while performing each movement. It's only after recognizing and contemplating your body position that you'll realize why tae kwon do is a true martial art.

Tae kwon do is a way of life, there is no way around it. Once you commit to tae kwon do and get past the basics, you'll soon start associating e...Read entire article

Tae Kwon Do - Second Degree Black Belt Essay

Inspiration and Leadership

If obtaining first degree black belt in tae kwon do is like graduating from college, obtaining second degree would be the equivalent of getting a Master’s Degree. Training for first degree means intense physical workouts, memorization of form movements, trying to understand one’s body, and learning the relationship between your mind and body. Training for second degree continues with these experiences, and also brings teaching into the mix.

When I first started teaching some of the classes it would mostly be warm-ups and exercises. I concentrated on trying to remember which exercises to do and in which order to do them. After awhile the monotony of doing the same exercises in the same order became a factor, and at that point I decided to...Read entire article

Tae Kwon Do - First Degree Black Belt Essay