Tae Kwon Do is an ancient martial art that has been practiced for more than 2,000 years. It was developed in ancient Korea and may have started in the first century AD.
Tae Kwon Do shares similarities with other forms of martial arts, but it is more scientific and systematic in its execution. Students of Tae Kwon Do practice to achieve unity between the mind, body, and spirit through intense training of the body and mind. By synchronizing their movements with their mind, they can find the harmony between their body and mind which holds many advantages in Tae Kwon Do training as well as real life situations.
Martial arts students in Forest Park, IL who are interested in learning the ancient art of Tae Kwon Do can take lessons at Master S.H. Yu Martial Arts. Our Tae Kwon Do classes will help students master the training of their body and mind and synchronize them to achieve unity through their training. Students of Master S.H. Yu Martial Arts can learn Tae Kwon Do from Sr. GrandMaster Yu who is internationally trained and certified by Kukkiwon World Tae Kwon Do Headquarters.
History of Tae Kwon Do
Evidence of the practice of Tae Kwon Do is found as far back as the first century AD in a mural painted on the wall of a tomb. This mural is believed to be from the Korean Kingdom of Koguryo between 73 BC and 66 AD and it depicts fighters in the unique stances of Tae Kwon Do. There is a much stronger historical record of the practice of Tae Kwon Do from subsequent Korean kingdoms that demonstrates its significance in Korean society and the military.
Tae Kwon Do as we know it developed in the kingdom of Silla (57 BC – 935 AD). Silla was surrounded by larger and more powerful Korean kingdoms and constantly found itself under attack. The king of Silla, Jin Heung, created a class of elite warriors known as the “Hwarang” or “Flower of Youth” who were highly trained in Tae Kwon Do and Tae Kyon, an older iteration of Tae Kwon Do, to help protect the kingdom from invasion. The warriors of the Hwarang were carefully chosen and often the sons of nobility and they were taught philosophy, poetry, and history in addition to their fighting training.
The philosophy behind the Hwarang is that a well-rounded education developed the mind and the spirit. Synchronizing the development of the mind and spirit with the training of the body was thought to develop character, confidence, and self-discipline. The ancient philosophies of the Hwarang are still central to the practice of Tae Kwon Do.
What is Tae Kwon Do?
Translating the name “Tae Kwon Do” is key to understanding the core meaning of the martial art:
- “Tae” – foot or to step on
- “Kwon” – hand, fist, or fight
- “Do” – discipline or way
The goal of Tae Kwon Do training is to unite these principles to find harmony between the body (hand and foot), mind (discipline) and spirit (way).
Training begins with the use of fists and feet, or the “Tae” and “Kwon.” Tae Kwon Do training emphasizes the principle of controlling fights to find peace. Another translation of “Tae Kwon” is “to step on fists,” or to control or calm the fight. When you combine this principle with that of the “Do,” or self-discipline, you have the true meaning of Tae Kwon Do, to defeat injustice and bring a peaceful solution through the mindful use of hands and feet.
Tae Kwon Do shares some similarities with other martial arts disciplines as features of other martial arts have been adopted into its practice. However, Tae Kwon Do still has many distinctive features.
What Makes Tae Kwon Do Unique?
The main difference of Tae Kwon Do from the other martial arts disciplines is the emphasis on dynamic hand and foot movements. These movements are very precise and scientific and are meant to be synched up with the mind. This synchronization between mind, body, and spirit that can be applied to every day circumstances is a defining characteristic that sets Tae Kwon Do apart from other martial arts.
What Students Learn from Tae Kwon Do
By practicing Tae Kwon Do, students will learn how to achieve harmony between their body, mind, and spirit and react confidently in compromising situations. Students must have a peaceful mindset and the stances they take should help control the situation. Taking the right stance to control the engagement (body) after assessing the situation (mind) will help ensure that justice is defeated and peace is maintained (spirit).
Learn Tae Kwon Do from a Legend
Students of Master S.H. Yu Martial Arts have the opportunity to learn Tae Kwon Do from an internationally recognized expert. Sr. GrandMaster Yu is a 9th Dan Tae Kwon Do expert who is on the International Advisory Board of Kukkiwon World Tae Kwon Do Headquarters in Seoul, South Korea. We also have 2nd and 3rd Dan instructors and 4th through 6th Dan instructors who have received Tae Kwon Do training from Sr. GrandMaster Yu. All of our instructors teach Tae Kwon Do with passion and commitment.
Contact Us
If you live in Forest Park, IL and are interested in training in the ancient martial art of Tae Kwon Do, contact Master S.H. Yu Martial Arts to sign up for lessons. You can reach us at (708) 383-3456 for more information.
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