For more than 2,000 years, martial artists have been practicing one of the oldest disciplines still in existence, Tae Kwon Do. Tae Kwon Do is an ancient Korean martial arts discipline that can be traced as far back as the first century AD.
Tae Kwon Do is different from other martial arts disciplines in that it is very systematic and more scientific. Through body and mind training, students of this discipline work to achieve unity of the body, mind, and spirit. To find this unity, students synchronize their mind and movements in perfect harmony. Achieving this balance is useful in the practice of Tae Kwon Do and can have advantages in other areas of life.
Master S.H. Yu Martial Arts offers lessons in the ancient discipline of Tae Kwon Do for students in Elmwood Park, IL. Students of our Tae Kwon Do program will learn to master the training of their bodies and minds to achieve unity of the body, mind, and spirit. Sr. GrandMaster Yu can provide the training necessary to help you master the discipline of Tae Kwon Do and he is internationally certified by Kukkiwon World Tae Kwon Do Headquarters.
History of Tae Kwon Do
Many believe that Tae Kwon Do was developed in the ancient Korean kingdom of Koguryo. This is because fighters in the common stances of Tae Kwon Do are depicted in a mural found on the wall of a tomb from around this time (73 BC – 66 AD). There is more documentation of the existence of Tae Kwon Do from kingdoms after Koguryo that demonstrate the significance of the discipline in Korean society.
Tae Kwon Do developed as a martial arts discipline in the kingdom of Silla that existed from 57 BC to 935 AD. Silla was a small Korean kingdom that consistently fought off attacks from the larger surrounding Korean kingdoms. To help defend the Silla kingdom, Silla leader King Jin Heung formed a group of elite warriors known as the Hwarang. The “Hwarang” or “Flower of Youth” were members of the nobility who were trained in the fighting style of Tae Kwon Do and unarmed combat of Tae Kyon, the predecessor to Tae Kwon Do. The Hwarang were also taught philosophy, poetry, and history to develop their mind and spirit.
The Hwarang believed that developing the mind and spirit along with the body led to the development of confidence, character, and self-discipline. These are still the main principles of Tae Kwon Do training.
What is Tae Kwon Do?
Tae Kwon Do can be defined by the translation of the name itself. “Tae” can be translated as “foot” or “to step on;” “Kwon” translates to “hand,” “fist,” or “fight;” and “Do” translates to “discipline” or “way.” The goal of Tae Kwon Do is to achieve harmony between the foot, hand, and the way; or body and mind.
Students of Tae Kwon Do begin training with their fists and feet, or the “Tae” and “Kwon.” “Tae Kwon” can also be translated as “to step on fists,” which emphasizes controlling the fight to keep the peace. The “Do,” or the way, in Tae Kwon Do is the mindset of peace and self-discipline that students are expected to maintain. Therefore, students of Tae Kwon Do are trained to use their hands and feet while keeping a peaceful mindset to administer justice and peace.
Tae Kwon Do has many similar features to other styles of martial arts because different features from China, Japan, and other areas have been adopted into the discipline.
What Makes Tae Kwon Do Different?
While Tae Kwon Do shares some characteristics with other martial art forms, there are some key differences. Tae Kwon Do teaches active and dynamic foot movements and stances that are different from other martial arts. The principle of synchronization with your movements and the philosophy of synchronizing your body, mind, and spirit is also a unique aspect of Tae Kwon Do.
What Students Learn from Tae Kwon Do
The unity of the body, mind, and spirit is the main principle of Tae Kwon Do. Students develop this unity by synchronizing their stance with the confrontation for self-defense. The mind and body can only be unified with a peaceful mindset.
Taking the right stance is important in a confrontation because it will help control the engagement. Students must assess the situation (mind), take the appropriate stance to use their physical skills (body), to ensure a just and peaceful outcome (spirit/ life). This is how Tae Kwon Do training helps one bring harmony to body, mind, and spirit.
Learn Tae Kwon Do from Sr. GrandMaster Yu
Students who study Tae Kwon Do at Master S.H. Yu Martial Arts can learn from Sr. GrandMaster Yu, an internationally recognized expert. Sr. GrandMaster Yu is on the International Advisory Board of Kukkiwon World Tae Kwon Do Headquarters in Seoul, South Korea and is a Kukkiwon 9th Dan Tae Kwon Do expert.
Students can learn Tae Kwon Do from our 2nd and 3rd Dan instructors as well as our 4th through 6th Dan instructors who have all been trained by Sr. GrandMaster Yu. These instructors have the same passion for training their students in the ancient martial art of Tae Kwon Do.
Train with Sr. GrandMaster Yu
Those who are interested in training in Tae Kwon Do in Elmwood Park, IL can sign up for Tae Kwon Do classes at Master S.H. Yu Martial Arts located in Oak Park, IL. Give us a call at (708) 383-3456 to register for Tae Kwon Do classes or to learn more about our programs.
Related Tae Kwon Do Programs:
Tae Kwon Do Lessons Riverside, IL
Tae Kwon Do Programs Oak Park and River Forest, IL
Tae Kwon Do Classes Forest Park, IL
