Traditional TaekWonDo in Cyprus

Taekwon-Do

Many people practice Taekwon-Do for its self-defense benefits, but it is also an art that is studied and appreciated for its beauty and grace in movement. Through strict discipline, Taekwon-Do trains both the body and mind placing great emphasis on the development of moral character.

Taekwon-Do, the Korean Art of Self-Defense, traces its roots back through 1300 years of Korean history.

In ancient times it was called "Tae Kyon", and primarily involved kicking techniques. In later years, hand techniques were incorporated and the name "Taekwon-Do" was chosen.

"Tae" refers to all foot techniques which include blocks, jumps, strikes, thrusts and every possible use of the legs.
"Kwon", the Korean word for fist, represents all blows, strikes or the offensive absorption with the hand and arm.
"Do", the "Way or Path", is the same as that mentioned in the fundamental philosophy of other Asian martial art forms.

"DO" is the key element - an intrinsic spiritual awareness and perceptiveness that should be integrated into ones way of life. It represents all the things which lead to maturing, success, and to learning experiences outside of the school.

Taekwondo is characterized by it's fast, high and spinning kicks. There are multiple interpretations of the name taekwondo. Taekwondo is often translated as 'the way of hand and foot'.

Objectives of Taekwondo

to develop an appreciation for Taekwondo as a sport and as an art
to achieve physical fitness through positive participation
to improve mental discipline and emotional equanimity
to learn self-defense skills
to develop a sense of responsibility for one self and others

TaeKwonDo Tenets

THE TAEKWON-DO TENETS

The Doctrine of Taekwon-do is simple and mandatory. It should be memorized and lived by all students of Taekwon-do. COURTESY A person’s country, flag, parents and instructor should always be treated with the utmost respect. Courtesy and respect should be extended to all students in general and higher belts in particular, as well as any other human being.

INTEGRITY / MODESTY

Taekwon-do students are expected to be humble about their accomplishments. Braggarts and bullies have no place in the arts. A feeling of pride in achievement is good but it should not be broadcast idly about.

PERSEVERANCE From time to time, in any activity a person may become discouraged. This is particularly true if the activity is challenging enough to be truly worthwhile. One should never become a quitter. Never give up.

SELF-CONTROL

One should never lose his or her temper. Any personal skills learned over a period of time are seriously diminished if the person cannot retain control over emotions.

INDOMITABLE SPIRIT

In a way this is an expansion of all of the other points. A Taekwon-do person should use the skills and education to fight injustice. One should strive to overcome personal weakness in all things and be a credit to the art and to oneself, always.

Meaning Of Forms (Hyongs)

1. CH’ON-JI
Means the Heaven and Earth. The creation of the world or beginning of human history.
The pattern is two parts; one to represent the Heaven, the other to represent the Earth.
There are 19 movements.

2. TAN-GUN
This form is named after the Holy TAN-GUN, the legendary Founder of Korea, in the year 2334 B.C.
There are 21 movements.

3. TO-SAN
The pen-name of the patriot AN CH’ANG-HO (1876-1938 ) who devoted his entire life to furthering the education
of Korea and its Independence Movement.
There are 24 movements.

4. WON-HYO
Was the name of the noted Monk who introduced Buddhism to the Silla Dynasty in the year of 686 A.D.
There are 28 movements.

5. YUL-KOK
Is the pen-name of a great philosopher and scholar YII (1536-1584), nicknamed the “CONFUCIUS OF KOREA..”
There are 28 movements.

6. CHUNG-GUN
Is named after the patriot AN CHUNG-GUN who assassinated HIRO - BUMI ITO, the first Japanese Governor-General of
Korea, known as the man who played the leading part to the Japan-Korea merger.
The 32 movements refer to his age at death when he was executed at LUI - SHUNG prison.

7. T’OI-GYE
Is the pen-name of the noted scholar YI’HWANG (16th Century A.D. ) an authority on Neo-Confucianism.
The 37 movements of the pattern refer to his birthplace on 37’Latitude, the diagram (1) represents scholar.

8. HWA-RANG
Is named after the HWA-RANG Youth Group which originated in the Silla Dynasty about 1350 years ago.
This group eventually became the actual driving force for the unification of the three Kingdoms of Korea.
There are 29 movements.

9.   CH’UNG-MU
Was the given name to the Great Admiral YI SUN-SIN of the YI Dynasty.
He was reputed to have invented the first armored battleship (1592 A.D.) (KOBUKSON) which
was the forerunner of the present day submarine. The reason this pattern ends up with the left-
hand attack is to symbolize his regrettable death, having on chance to show his unrestrained
potentiality checked by the forced reservation of his loyalty to the king.
There are 30 movements.

Philosophy Behind Belt Color

WHITE.

The Color of light which gives the appearance of purity and brilliance, but when directed through a prism we can see that it is composed of all the other colors of the spectrum. So it is with the beginner, he is the seed hidden behind the white of winter’s snow without knowledge of the control of the mind over the body, which is basic to Taekwon-do.

YELLOW.

This represents the warmth of the winter’s sun that melts the snow and allows the seed to germinate like the student is beginning to see the sunlight.

GREEN.

This is the color of the sprout and represents the spring when growth and activity abound. This is the beginning of conscious and purposeful action, represents the seedling just beginning to grow.

BLUE.
This is the color of youth, ambition and rapid growth. The seedling is now reaching for the blue sky

RED.

This represents the summer’s sun that swelters with the intensity of the flowering arts. The student has good technical knowledge, which can be dangerous since he, or she still lacks control and discipline.

BLACK.

This is the color of mastery. No color added to this color can change or improve it. This completes a cycle that is now begun again. The student is approaching the beginning of Taekwon-do master..

Sport VS Art

Traditional TaeKwon-Do is the original art form of TaeKwon-Do. It differs from modernized form of
TaeKwon-Do and other martial art in that it does not emphasize competition.
Competition for titles and awards is alien to the true spirit of the martial arts.
A traditional martial art was never intended to be sport with winners and losers, but rather a path
towards each students own self-realization. In essence, the martial arts serve as a vehicle for personal
development. The newer “sport” Taekwon-Do is almost always full contact and is geared towards tournament
competition. In traditional TaeKwon-Do, the aim is to strengthen the mind and body and to promote creativity
through self-expression, not to break down or destroy. Emphasis is place on each students own self-improvement rather than on competition with others. When a martial art becomes a sport involving audiences and money-making events, it becomes something it was not intended to be. So many martial arts schools are still in the mindset that all we need to teach are the physical skills or the sport aspect of the martial art.
These schools are getting complacent because they are making a great deal of money teaching this way.