Martial Arts Online
Since Roman times and before, mankind has always had a lust for mortal combat, maybe the reason why ‘No Holds Barred’ fighting competitions such as UFC haven’t captured the public imagination the way boxing has is that it appears to be commercialized. Boasting about having ‘no rules’ is clearly transparent, of course there are rules!
Taekwondo is different. It is closer to boxing, it is for real. Very real. Although many arts such as Karate may have similar looking techniques as Taekwondo, they are nothing compared to the effectiveness of Taekwondo, where the techniques are scientifically proven and are under constant research in the universities of South Korea. The precise speed at each moment, body balance, positioning, angles of the body are all regulated and rigorously practiced until they become automated. Unless witnessed, it is difficult to appreciate the beauty and art of the movements. As one observer so aptly put it ‘watching Taekwondo performed by someone who knows what he’s doing shatters your sense of reality’.
Evolved from the ancient Korean art of Taekyon, modern Taekwondo is arguably Korea’s greatest gift to the world. The World Taekwondo Federation, based in South Korea, regulates Taekwondo. It is well known for being a lethal form of self-defense, applicable in all situations. It is said that a Taekwondo practitioner can meet an opponent any time and any place, and he/she uses his whole body as a weapon. The whole body is used to fend off attackers. Once the basic Taekwondo formula has been learned, the practitioner can utilize it for use in street situations, by harnessing the power of his/her body. In today’s dangerous world, a knowledge of self-defense is vital, just to survive, and protect your loved ones. The beauty of Taekwondo is that a seven stone woman can easily beat off a sixteen stone man with total confidence. She is given the choice whether to restrain, disable or even kill the aggressor. Size has absolutely nothing to do with it. Taekwondo evens the odds, and gives, otherwise vulnerable people, the total confidence and power to deal with any sort of attacker.
As training in Taekwondo progresses, the student begins to realize how everything fits in. The mist clears, and secrets which were otherwise hidden, reveal themselves. The student understands what it takes to defeat any opponent. It is not unknown for Taekwondo practitioners to be able to end a fight within seconds. When facing a Taekwondo practitioner, the opponent will not even know they’ve been hit (Taekwondo theory of speed and power) until they are lying on the ground, like a discarded piece of garbage. This may seem harsh, but the reality is that rapists and murderers are rife, and sometimes in order to protect your life, such action is vital. The student will learn how to double their power using the tools at their disposal, their own body. The mental conditioning learned serves well in all other aspects of life. Dealing with bereavement, losses and the trials of life become easier.
Taekwondo’s code forbids unfair assaults or unnecessary use of force. The practice of Taekwondo gives an individual an empowered metal attitude and modesty. It is true to say that the virtues of modesty and generosity are fundamentally based on self-confidence, and self-confidence also makes people generous in their attitudes towards weaker people.
Taekwondo is an excellent method of cardiovascular fitness. Within a month of training, you will sleep better. Your body will become more efficient at disposing waste, and the blood will circulate better through the body, preventing the development of coronary heart disease in the future. Blood vessels and arteries will become more supple, blood pressure will fall, and a general feeling of well-being will result. Many people who start Taekwondo, even in their thirties and forties speak of a feeling of energy in their day to day lives, how their working day becomes more productive, resulting in career development, promotions at work and new ideas being formed in their heads. Packing up and taking a new job, taking risks, professional and personal, become less daunting if the mind is unclouded and the outlook is positive.
Women can benefit tremendously from training. The body becomes more toned, and excess fat on the hips and legs is burned away from the special Taekwondo exercises. Weight loss is guaranteed, and a flat, toned abdominal region will result. Taekwondo exercises can develop a firm, solid stomach. For women who have given birth, Taekwondo is the way to regain your figure, tightening you body again, and strengthening the pelvic muscles, which are weakened through child-birth. Taekwondo is a total body workout from head to today. Fads such as Tae Bo are based on Taekwondo (Billy Blanks is a keen Taekwondo student), the exercises are all found within the art. Muscle tension and release exercises, they have to be experienced!
Taekwondo is a great way to get fit and build confidence in children. Taekwondo sets kids on the right path from an early age. Children who start Taekwondo, tend to remain physically fit into adulthood, and have less chance of becoming ill. Once they realize how Taekwondo is benefiting them, they will do nothing to jeopardize their training (junk food, smoking, drugs, alcohol, etc). They will learn to respect their bodies and people around them, becoming more generous human beings.
People require solace in today’s fast paced world, hence the popularity in self-help, motivational theories and self-development. People are turning to Eastern philosophies in search of peace of mind, happiness and inner warmth. Taekwondo can provide that, it can provide strength of mind, body and spirit, and alleviate the stresses and pressures of modern life.
London will host the next Olympics, 2012, as we know, Taekwondo is the only martial art recognised by the International Olympic Committee, so we will see a greater coverage of Taekwondo in the media in the next few years. So, overall, there is a favourable situation to the practice of Taekwondo in Britain.
People want to go out to find new friends, meet new people. There is no better way to do this than to join a club, where you will meet like minded people. People who care about their own health will be capable of caring for others, and friends like that are invaluable. Apart from just training, people can chat before classes, have fun training with their new friends, encourage each other to go that step further, to push themselves, congratulate them on successful execution of techniques, console them if they ever hit a plateau, and be there for each other, even staying after class to assist in stretching, techniques, etc. Taekwondo is a very social sport, and team-building is actively encouraged.
There have been many technological advances in Taekwondo. Numerous CDs and DVDs are now available, so that techniques practiced in class can be revised at home. Although a black belt instructor is vital, home study via computer or internet can greatly assist and make the learning process much faster. You will be bitten by the Taekwondo bug!
If still undecided about whether to take positive steps to radically transform your life, consider this quote:
“Choosing a goal may cause only a slight change in your life’s direction at first. It’s like one of those huge freighters at sea: If the captain shifts course by just a few degrees, it won’t be noticeable immediately. But in several hours or days, this change in direction will bring the ship to a completely different destination.”
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