Seneca Taekwondo, Mixed Martial Arts, Self-Defense, Karate, Muay Thai, Kick Boxing, Exercise, Fitness and After-School Programs featuring, World Taekwondo Federation, Master Alan Bastien from, Seneca College Martial Arts. Page 3.

The many faces of taekwondo

Taekwondo is a traditional martial art which, translated literally, means the art of hand and foot fighting.

It combines sharp, strong angular movements with graceful and free-flowing circular motions to produce

a harmonious marriage of beauty and power. With the addition of its own devastating kicking techniques,

taekwondo is a complete, integrated and unique system of self-defense and personal improvement.

It is no wonder that taekwondo is the fastest-growing martial art in the world today. Its appeal is universal,

as a practical means of self-defense and a satisfying, complete regimen of physical conditioning.

Taekwondo is also a valuable aid to improved concentration and mental performance.

The aim of taekwondo: Body, Mind and Spirit working as One

The art of taekwondo offers its riches to anyone who sincerely undertakes its study. Within the training hall,

there are no age, sex or racial barriers; everybody begins equally, as White Belts. Under the watchful eye of

the Master Instructor, each student progresses at his or her own pace, according to individual effort and ability.

Taekwondo training addresses the whole individual - Body, Mind and Spirit; and it involves a

great deal more than physical technique. To be sure, the student of taekwondo is expected to

develop strength, stamina, quickness, flexibility, coordination and balance.

Along with a variety of effective hand and foot self-defense techniques, theses physical skills

are fundamental to the art, and can be perfected only through dedication and tireless practice.

However, the road to true mastery also requires that formidable physical accomplishments be

balanced with the equally important mental characteristics of patience, humility, self-control,

perseverance, concentration and respect. These too, must be practiced faithfully, both in and

out of class.

Gradually, the lessons of the training hall begin to colour other aspects of life. Mind, Body and

Spirit become unified and transformed. Living becomes richer and more enjoyable.

Martial Arts "Magic": The long road to honest achievement

How long will it take? This is a question we all ask when starting out. How long to Black Belt?

How long before I can do those fancy spinning kicks?

The only possible answer to such questions is that it takes as long as it takes. There are no

magic short cuts, no secret techniques, no mystical practices or occult books that will instantly

transform a person into a martial artist.

Public attention tends to focus on the flashy aspects of the martial arts - the dramatic wood

and brick breaking techniques, the fast paced sparring, the beautiful patterns and the razzle-

dazzle demonstrations. However, the actual training consists of very little flash.

Real taekwondo training is a great deal of hard work. It requires constant dedicated practice

and tireless physical conditioning. With correct instruction and sufficient perseverance,

anyone can attain their full potential in the art of taekwondo - that level of skill which, to the

untrained eye, appears to be magic.

It usually requires at least several years of serious study and practice to reach the Black Belt

level. Gaining in skill, the students advancement is marked by the award of colour belts which

signify class rank.

Belts and respect are earned, not given. Each new belt can be worn as a symbol of honest

accomplishment. However, it remains only a symbol. The truly successful student is the one

who has learned to enjoy walking the path instead of worrying too much about the

destination.

Taekwondo And Tradition: The proud heritage of the Hwarang Dan

The origins of taekwondo can be traced back to the Hwarang Dan in the sixth century AD. The

Hwarang Dan subjected themselves to rigorous mental discipline and severe physical hardship

in order to condition the body and will to great strength and long endurance.

The Hwarang Dan studied the fighting styles of wild animals and adapted the techniques of

nature to their own advantage. In addition, certain Buddhist exercises in intense concentration

were applied to the style to create a harmonious integration of mind body and spirit.

There is no doubt that the ethical spirit of the art may be trace directly to the code of conduct

of the Hwarang Dan, which stressed courage, honesty, integrity, persistence and indomitable

spirit.

To consider taekwondo as simply a sport, or a means to get in shape is to deny the proud

heritage of almost 2000 years.

Competitive taekwondo: an exciting international sport

The phenomenal growth of taekwondo has brought about many international tournaments

where the general public can see taekwondo demonstrated, and practitioners of the art can

test their skills in tough hard fought competition.

Largely through the efforts of the World Taekwondo Federation, taekwondo as a competitive

sport has made great advances in recent years - rules have become standardized, the quality

of judging has risen steadily and increased emphasis has been placed on the safety of the

competitors.

The acceptance of taekwondo by the International Olympic Committee spurred great interest

throughout the world, and men, women and children of all nations are helping to bring the art

of taekwondo to the international arena.