Tae Kwon Do is the Korean art of self-defense. Literally translated, TAE means "to kick" or "to strike with the foot," KWON means "fist" or "to strike with the hand," and DO means "discipline" or "art."Tae Kwon Do is much more than the physical aspects of martial arts. It is designed as a nonviolent form of self-defense and a system of complete body exercises, as well as a guide to practicing a disciplined way of life.It includes physical techniques, mental discipline, and a deep philosophy.

Tae Kwon Do techniques consist of strikes, kicks and blocks.It is generally considered a "linear" form of martial arts as opposed to a "circular" form.For example, the Tae Kwon Do practitioner strikes opponents with hard surfaces of their bodies - the fist or the heel of the foot - rather than parry and circle. The shortest distance between two points is a straight line.Therefore, Tae Kwon Do depends on quick, powerful strikes and kicks, such as the jab, reverse punch and side kick to defend against an attack.

Tae Kwon Do is not just a physical action.Control separates training in the dojang (school) from fighting in the street. The Tae Kwon Do student learns how to throw strikes and kicks with devastating speed and force for self-defense, yet, through training, they learn how to control their movement with the exact precision to snap a kick within inches of their sparring partner. Regardless of age, students can learn a discipline of the mind and body that remains with them throughout their lives.

The origin of Tae Kwon Do is obscured by more than 5,000 years of Korean history. Although the history is quite lengthy, this brief summarization will acquaint you with its growth and struggle to survive.

The evolution of Tae Kwon Do is supported by historical evidence. Since the human race has existed on earth, people have had to develop personal skill in fighting to obtain food and defend against wild animals. Thus, martial arts existed all over the world for use as a basis for survival. In some areas the martial arts flourished and developed into more than just a means of survival. Such an art is Tae Kwon Do.

The earliest records of Tae Kwon Do date back to about 50 B.C. During this time, Korea was divided into three kingdoms: Silla, which was founded in the Kyongju plain in 57 B.C.; Koguryo, founded in the Yalu River Valley in 37 B.C. and Baekche, founded in the southwestern area of the Korean peninsula in 18 B.C. Evidence of the practice of Taek-Kyon (the earliest form of Tae Kwon Do) has been found in paintings on the ceiling of the Muyong-chong, a royal tomb from the Koguryo dynasty. These and other mural paintings show unarmed combatants using techniques that are virtually identical to those of modern-day Tae Kwon Do. Of particular interest are the details that show the use of the knife hand, fist and classical fighting stances -- all components of modern Tae Kwon Do.

In, 1945 Korea was liberated from 36 years of Japanese rule and a number of Koreans made a special effort to revitalize the traditional art of Tae Kwon Do. Experience, wisdom and imagination have helped in man's development of Tae Kwon Do into an art form, not just for use in self-defense. After twenty centuries of struggling to exist, it is now practiced in over 120 countries with its following totaling some 21 million. It is generally regarded as the most popular martial art and is the only one represented in the Olympics.