Big Sky State Games Taekwondo Competition

Taekwondo

Tae (to smash or kick with the foot) - Kwon (to strike with the hand or fist) - Do (the way or art of)

Taekwondo is probably most recognizable by its emphasis on kicking techniques although the hands and fists are equally important.

To the adept, Taekwondo is more than a sport or form of exercise. It is also a way of life, particularly because it instills a practice of strict, self-imposed discipline and an ideal of high moral re-armament. The tenets of the International Dae Myung Moo Do Federation (respect, et

iquette, loyalty, modesty, patience) enable practitioners to develop these attitudes within themselves and to offer this way of life to others who join our dojang (training hall) regimen. Taekwondo arms the weak with an effective weapon to defend himself or herself against violence and attempts at intimidation.

Regular training is necessary to keep oneself in top form and physical condition. Training the muscles of the body harnesses the available positive and negative powers generated by every muscular contraction and relaxation. The focus on skill, develops neural-muscular patterns of readiness to react appropriately to the attacker’s force or momentum. The slightest push or pull is all that is needed to upset the assailant’s equilibrium.

Several years of regular Taekwondo practice will condition your reflexes and temper your maturity toward assertive non-aggressive patience. You will find repeated emphasis is placed upon regular training to master the techniques of attack and defense. The hours you spend in training and practice outside of classtime will reward you with appropriate reactions to save a life or prevent injury should the need arise.

If you practice Taekwondo for the exercise alone, the enjoyment derived and results achieved will fully justify the time. As an exercise, it is equally suitable–with some considerations and adjustment of conditions–for the young and old alike.

History of Taekwondo

Taekwondo is a version of an ancient oriental form of unarmed combat. T’ae-Kyon, a primitive activity known in Korea about 1,300 years ago in the ancient Silla Dynasty, is the probably origin of the word Taekwondo.

In 1955, a special board of martial arts masters, historians and prominent leaders was selected to solve what to call the Korean martial arts. Taekwondo was unanimously chosen to describe all Korean martial arts.

The following is a likely translation of Taekwondo from Korean: “Tae” literally means to jump or kick or smash with the foot. “Kwon” denotes fist, primarily to punch or destroy with the hand or fist. “Do” means an art, way, or method. It would not be far distant to translate Taekwondo as “philosophies of training the mind to balance the body by activity and unite the facets of self by this art, way or method.

Though the origin of this form of exercise is difficult to find, modern historians generally agree that the earliest probable beginning may have been in India some 3,000 years ago. The Buddhist priest Bodhirhama, or Daruma Butsu (awakened Buddha), brought the activity to China.

The world today is familiar with the word Karate and mistakenly associates many thoughts of violence and related activities with it. This is probably because of the manner in which it was introduced to the western world. Popular martial arts movie makers, exploiters and users of the fringes of this art keep the true esoteric nature and benefits of this activity captive.

In ancient times, Korea was divided into three kingdoms: Koguryo, Baekchae and Silla, with the later being the smallest of the three. The sovereign, Chin-Hung, called up the strong and patriotic youths and formed a strong organization called Hwarang (flowering youth).

Hwarang-Do played a major role in the unifying of the three kingdoms. These youths of noble families were devoted to cultivating the mind and body in order to better serve Silla. Hwarang-Do follows a code of honr composed of rigid loyalty to the nation, respect and obedience to one’s parents, unswerving loyalty to friends, courage in battle and prudence using violence or taking a life. This code of honor remains the philosophical backbone of Taekwondo today.