Traditional Tae Kwon Do (Also known as “Korean Karate”) is a Korean martial art developed over thousands of years. It is intended to develop the whole person, mind, body and spirit. Practice of this art develops character through five major tenets: courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self control and indomitable spirit. Physically, it is a rigorous, balanced and full-body work-out emphasizing intelligent use of the body through mechanically sound movements. When taught, understood, and executed properly, it is a powerful and beautiful art!

Tae Kwon Do is characterized by its fast, high and spinning kicks. There are multiple interpretations of the name Tae Kwon Do. Tae Kwon Do is often translated as ‘the way of hand and foot.’

Tae = ‘Foot’ or ‘to kick’ or ‘to jump’
K’won = ‘Fist’ or ‘to strike or block with hand’
Do = ‘The way of’ or ‘art’

Put this together and Tae Kwon Do means: “The art of kicking and punching” or “The art of unarmed combat.”

Tae Kwon Do incorporates the abrupt linear movements of Karate and the flowing, circular patterns of Kung-fu with native kicking techniques. Over fifty typically Chinese circular hand movements can be identified in modern Taekwondo. A few of the earlier martial arts styles that contributed to Taekwondo are: T’ang-su, Taek Kyon, also known as Subak, Tae Kwon, Kwonpup and Tae Kwonpup. There are also influences from Judo, Karate, and Kung-fu.

Traditional Tae Kwon Do (as the art was originally conceived) is a very comprehensive and well-rounded art — giving relatively equal attention to
upper body as well as lower body and including sweeps, throws, and a variety of disarming techniqes from Hapkido, Ho Sin Sool, Akido and Judo in addition to a full complement of blocking, striking and kicking combinations…