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Tae Kwon Do… the Way
of the Hand and Foot
By Christy L. Riley
Tae Kwon Do is more than being able to break boards and say “Hi-yah!”
It is a way of life and an alternative to fighting with one’s fists or
feet.
Jackie Chan once said, “Do not let circumstances control you; you
change your circumstances.”
A good martial artist knows that you have to pick and choose your own
battles. Tae Kwon Do means “the way of the hand and foot”. Tae means
“to kick or smash with the feet”, Kwon means “to punch or destroy with
the hand or fist”, and Do means “way or method”.
In 1955, Korea declared Tae Kwon Do to be its national Martial Art.
Before that, there were various names for Martial Arts practiced in
Korea. Tae Kwon Do like any Martial Art developed as a means to protect
and defend oneself. A Tae Kwon Do class has its own structure.
When class begins, everyone lines up according to belt ranks and
everyone bows to show respect to the dojo, training place. A student or
a black belt leads warm-ups, which helps prepare students for the
blocking, kicking, punching and other aspects of class. Following
warm-ups, a black belt or student leads basic techniques that are
taught to beginners. Next, students separate into groups in accordance
to belt ranks, which are taught by black belts. Classes are always open
for anyone wishing to check out the action.
For anyone wishing to be in a Tae Kwon Do class, it is always open to
anyone wanting to observe. Tae Kwon Do at the Greenville YMCA is
available, and parents are encouraged to take the class with their
children. Many families are already in Tae Kwon Do; in fact, some have
even become black belts!
Anyone who is interested may contact the Greenville YMCA. In addition,
you can check out the class on Facebook. Classes are on Tuesday and
Thursday evenings. Parents, friends, and family watch classes; you too
can be a part of class.
For some students in the Darke County YMCA Tae Kwon Do Club, being a
Martial Artist is a family affair. When asked the greatest benefits for
their children in the Martial Arts, parents said:
• It helps me to pay more attention to my son’s
activities;
• It increased respect, discipline, and
self-confidence;
• It helped to improve balance and gave my 7-year-son
something to look forward to;
• It has helped to build strength, balance, and
ability to concentrate;
• It has not only helped to improve my 10-year-old
son’s ability to defend himself but also taught him respect; and
• It has helped my 9-year-old son understand control,
an alternative to fighting, and not to be a bully.
Those parents polled unanimously agreed they would recommend Tae Kwon
Do to anyone. Tae Kwon Do not only helps children to become better and
more well-rounded individuals, but it also helps adults and teens to
gain a better understanding of life and gain other character building
traits. Of course, it is up to you to decide if Tae Kwon Do is for you.
You have to decide if this class is a right fit or not.
“[Being] a black belt [has helped me to be able] to think and react in
a way that is appropriate to [almost] all aspects of my life. I use my
knowledge… for living in a manner which makes me proud of who I am and
how I handle life’s stresses that come before me,” said a black belt
who has been in Tae Kwon for 2 ½ decades.
All the black belts polled said that being a martial artist is not just
a twice a week thing set aside for an hour and a half; it is a way of
life. A good martial artist knows that learning never ends, even after
you receive your black belt.
The greatest reward about being a black belt is seeing those students
you taught promoted to the next belt rank.
“Knowing I became strong enough to overcome such a task that I set
forth for myself,” replied a black belt. It is also, a life-long
commitment to bettering oneself by never being afraid to learn
something new. For anyone wanting to be a martial artist, know that the
benefits go beyond the physical; it becomes a way of life and a chance
to make the world better one person at a time.
Read a detailed article on Tae Kwon Do Here
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