Maxwell Frederick Lerch -- Temporary Black Belt

Post date: Sep 29, 2014 3:29:21 PM

 What Tae Kwon Do Means to Me

             The real definition of Tae Kwon Do is “a modern Korean martial art similar to karate” according to the Oxford Dictionary of English. Its origin is Korean and means literally “art of hand and foot fighting,” in which tae is to kick, kwon is fist, and do is art or method. It is rumored that the first Tae Kwon Do techniques began in about 50 B.C. When Tae Kwon Do started Korea was divided into three distinct kingdoms. They were Silla, which was founded in about 57 B.C., Koguryo founded in 37 B.C., and Beak Je founded in about 18 B.C. It first appeared in the Koguryo kingdom, but Silla's Hwarang warriors are responsible for spreading the art throughout Korea. The Hwarang made a military academy for the sons of royalty in Silla called the Hwarang Do, which the form Hwarang is named after. Hwarang Do means ''the way of flowering manhood.'' They used a form of martial arts that is very similar to Tae Kwon Do but it is called Taek Kyon. It was spread out in the Korean peninsula because of the Hwarang Do, because they traveled around to learn about other religions and people. Their education was based on the Five Codes of Human Conduct, written by a Buddhist scholar, and they are fundamental education, Taek Kyon, and social skills. They have been changed and are now: Loyalty to your country, respect your parents, faithfulness to your spouse, loyalty to your friends, respect your siblings, respect your elders, respect your teachers, never take life unjustly, indomitable spirit, loyalty to your school, and finish what you begin. In 1945 the very first Tae Kwon Do school was started in Seoul, Korea.

         Modern Tae Kwon Do combines combat and self-defense techniques with sport and exercise. The name was invented by Choi Hong Hi who claimed to be the founder and creator of Tae Kwon Do by the International Tae Kwon Do Federation.

                To me Tae Kwon Do means a way of defending yourself in bad situations and a way to have a lot of fun. There is a lot of discipline involved in it and it is a good way to get rid of bad energy by working it off in class and testing your memory with all of the forms, form meanings, one-steps, and movements.  My favorite part of Tae Kwon Do is the board breaking because it is not like when we do basic movements in class because you are allowed to hit something that has a higher density than your hand or foot and learn to not hurt yourself. It is a good way to discipline yourself to do something and a very good way to stay in shape and keep moving. I think Tae Kwon Do helps with hand-eye coordination and with your reflexes because when I started, I did not have the best of reflexes and now I have very good reflexes.

                I would like to thank Master Samuelson, Mr. Netsch, Mr. Anderson, Ms. Kingsbury, Master Clinton, Master Gonzalez, Master Hammer, Master Ferguson, Master Deaton, Master Williams, Master McBroom, Master Maxwell, the other Master Maxwell, and the rest of the black belts for helping me through and teaching me everything I know. I would also like to thank my parents for driving me to class and paying for the classes that I am in.

             Information cited from: Taekwondo history world marital arts academy, Wikipedia, and the Oxford Dictionary of English.

Thank you all very much