To put it simply, Taekwon-Do is a version of unarmed combat designed for self defence. It is more than just that however. It is the scientific use of the body in the method of self defence, a body that has gained the ultimate use of it's facilities through intensive physical and mental training. It is a martial art that has no equal in either power or technique. Though it is a martial art, it's discipline, technique, and mental training are the mortar for building a strong sense of justice, fortitude, humility and resolve. It is this mental conditioning that separates the true practitioner from the sensationalist, content with mastering only the fighting aspects of the art.

This is one of the reasons that Taekwon-Do is called an art of self defence. It implies a way of thinking and life, particularly in instilling a concept and spirit of strict self imposed discipline and an ideal of noble moral rearmament.

Tae	Kwon	Do

Tranlasted literally, "Tae" stands for jumping or flying to kick or smash with the foot, "Kwon" denotes the fist - chiefly to punch or destroy with the hand or fist. "Do" means an art or way - the right way paved by the saints and sages in the past. Thus taken collectively, "Taekwon-Do" indicates the mental training and the techniques of unarmed combat for self defence as well as health involving the skilled application of punches, kicks, blocks, and dodges with bare hands and feet to the rapid destruction of the moving opponent or opponents,

Taekwon-Do definitely enables the weak to possess a fine weapon together with a confidence to defend him or herself and defeat the opponent as well. Of course, wrongly applied, Taekwon-Do can be a lethal weapon, therefore mental training must always be stressed to prevent the student from misusing it.

Incessant training is essential to keep oneself in top form and physical condition. In training all the muscles of the human body will be used. From the use of ones muscles, it will be possible to harness all available power generated by every muscular contraction. It will then be necessary to deliver such power to the human target especially to where the most vulnerable points or vital spots of ones opponent are located, in particular, when the opponent is in motion. At this point it is necessary to remind the students of Taekwon-Do that this art of self defence is specially designed for swift retaliation against the moving aggressor.

Most of the devastating manoeuvres in Taekwon-Do are based specially on the initial impact of a blow plus the consequential additional force provided by the rebound of the opponents moving part of the body. Similarly, by using the attackers force of momentum, the slightest push is all that is needed to upset his or her equilibrium and to topple him or her.

In the case of the students of Taekwon-Do who have been in constant practice or the experts themselves, they spend no time thinking, as such an action comes automatically to them. Their actions in short have become conditioned reflexes. Therefore, strong emphasis is placed on regular training in order to master the techniques of attack and defence.

Hours spent on training will not be wasted, for surely you will reap a rich reward in the form of speedy reactions and deadly blows to rain down upon your enemy or in any case to save a life if and when the need arises.

Even if Taekwon-Do is practised for the sake of exercise alone, the enjoyment derived will justify the time invested and spent. As an exercise, it is suitable for the old and young, male and female.