By Staff Writer, Garen Srapyan
According to the Oxford dictionary, Taekwondo is “the right way of using all parts of the body to stop fights and help to build a better, more peaceful world.”

A traditional Korean martial art, Taekwondo teaches more than just physical fighting skills. All over the world, it is considered a discipline that illustrates ways of uprooting the spirit and life through the intense training of the body and mind.
The literal translation of Taekwondo can be broken down into three words: “Tae”, means “foot,” “leg,” or “to step on”, “Kwon” means “fist” or “fight”, and “Do” means the “way” or “discipline”. There are two very important concepts to these words when put together. All parts of the body are represented by the fists and feet and it is also the way to control and relax and calm fights with the intention of wanting peace.
Taekwondo developed in the midst of Korea’s 5000 year-long history. It has been called many different names, first being born as a defense martial art called “Subak” or “Taekkyon” and later developed as a way of training the body and mind of the ancient kingdom of Koguryo. In the beginning periods of Silla, Taekwondo was the backbone of “Hwarangdo,” which is most known to have produced leaders of the country.
Similar to the martial arts of other oriental countries, Taekwondo has gained many different styles from countries such as China and Japan.
Taekwondo is a very dynamic sport, which involves active foot movements and skills. These fierce physical movements are in relation to the life and the mind as a whole.
“It improves one’s life by adding balance, [we] all eat everyday, sleep everyday, but lack the exercise,” said Third Degree Black Belt James Park, instructor at Dae-Myung Academy.
Taekwondo is characterized by unity, such as the unity of body, mind, and life, and the unity of the pose and altercation. When this sport is done, the mind is peaceful and it is synchronized with the movements. This harmony is extended to one’s life and society.
Park feels that nowadays children are “spoiled and don’t listen to their parents.” Taekwondo gives one an “outside perspective on how to improve character” and tell them “to respect their parents.”
In Taekwondo, the principle of physical movements, mind training, and life all become one and the same, which will eventually produce great destructive power. It has been known as the way of life, like having a job, raising a family, or trying to fight for a cause to get the voice heard.
“There are three main philosophies: respect, humility, and patience. It helps with daily life, school, and interaction with people,” said First Degree Black Belt Roma Pasamba (’06).
Today, Taekwondo has become a global sport that has gained an international reputation and now is an official game in the Olympics.
http://www.wtf.org/site/about_taekwondo/intro_taekwondo.htm