TAEKWONDO – (A KOREAN MARTIAL ART)
Health being considered as the most valuable form of wealth is a strong opinion that has been advocated since time immemorial. A hale and hearty body is a key to a healthy mind. A well balanced diet and a regular fitness regime is what it takes to keep one in good shape. Though the end destination is good health there are several means of getting there depending on what form of exercise appeals the most for an individual. While some take the anaerobic root through weight training / body building by sweating it out at the gym, others do it the aerobic way that include either indulgence in an outdoor sport, aerobics, jogging or yoga. But the most rigorous of them all is choosing to do it the martial arts way.
Martial arts depict an array of fighting forms where the human body is used as a weapon to both defend as well as counter attack a perpetrator. In other words it can be termed as an art of combat. The human body is probably the most complex system in the world and there are so many mysteries that are yet to be unraveled. A journey on the path of martial arts helps one to discover many fascinating truths of what the human body is capable of as we get to exercise those muscles of the body whose existence is not felt during the normal day to day routine. The usage of different parts of the body in varied proportions and styles gave rise to several forms of martial arts and makes each of those unique in their own way.
The evolution of various martial art forms across continents goes back to several centuries and each of them has a history to back it up. While the African slaves that were taken as captives to Latin America used Capoeira that was a fighting form disguised as a dance, the ancient warriors of Greece used Pankratia to prove their superiority as warriors. While the French revolutionaries took up to a brutal martial art called Savate, the Russian soldiers choose a technique that is designed to cripple an opponent called Sambo. Going a step further for a war stricken country that has always lived amidst hostile neighbors Israeli commandos that are considered as the best in class took up to Krav Maga to completely annihilate their adversaries in a man to man combative situation.
But all of these above variations have evolved from the seat of martial arts that is South East Asia where these fighting forms go beyond just the physical application. Arts such as Taekwondo, Hapkido (both from Korea), Aikido, Judo, Jiu-jitsu, Nin-Jitsu (all from Japan), Karate (Okinawa – Japan), Kung Fu (China), Penchak Sitat (Indonesia / Malaysia) and Muay Thai (Thailand) give an equal importance to the development of one’s inner self as much as they do to strengthening the physical exterior.
Different art forms primarily rely on specific body parts and techniques. While a chop / punch from Karate or Western boxing is considered powerful, Kung Fu derives its inspiration from Animal postures, Muay Thai relies heavily on the use of knees & elbows, Hapkido’s forte lies in crippling the opponent through a variety of locks and chokes, Aikido focuses on leveraging the opponent’s power and strength to his own disadvantage, Judo & Jiu-Jitsu are based on grappling methods but one art above all emphasizes on the most lethal strike a human body can deliver – “The Kick” and that art is called the “Taekwondo”. Though this elegant Asian art form was promoted in 1961 by the formation of the Korean Taekwondo Association and was elected as the National sport of Korea ten years later in 1971.The World Taekwondo Federation is formed in 1973 in may 28th by 9 kwans and it was got showcased on the world stage for the first time by the Koreans in the 1988 Olympic games and Asian Games in 1986 at Seoul and it later went on to become an official Olympic sport in the year 2000 at Sydney.
Though its origin is shrouded in mystery, just as its other cousin oriental fighting forms Taekwondo has also existed over the last several centuries. Translated literally "Tae" stands for jumping or flying primarily 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. Unlike most of the other martial arts Taekwondo primarily relies on the usage of the most powerful part of the body the leg / feet during a fight. The leg has 4 more times more mass and almost twice the reach of the hand and a powerful blow dealt to the vulnerable parts of the opponent’s body could prove to be lethal. It is said that the mountainous terrains of Korea helped the people in developing strong legs that in turn proved very handy for this art form.
Etiquette is a very much a part of the everyday life for a martial artist and a typical day at the Taekwondo institute begins with a traditional bow (‘Kunyeh’) in an attention position (‘Charyot Seogi‘). Bowing to your teacher would be in reverence to the person from whom you would be gaining the knowledge from and bowing to your fellow participants would once again personify a mark of respect to the ones you are going to train with irrespective of whoever they are. A bow should be done with a sense of openness and respect and these elements forma part of a very valuable message this martial art would give both to an individual as well as the world at large.
A good warm up routine is absolutely essential in order to avoid muscle pulls & injuries before one begins practicing the kicks and punches. A strong back and a pair of agile legs hold the key to delivering effective kicks and hence the lower body exercises are of paramount importance in this art. The session begins with brisk jog preferably on the toes in forward, backward, sideward & zigzag directions followed by a hop and a walk on the heels as well as on the knife edge of the foot. These help in not only strengthening your feet but also in the appropriate positioning of them while dealing a particular type of kick. Practicing the clockwise & anticlockwise turns particularly helps in seamlessly executing moving kicks on the turn.
Once the body gains an initial momentum on finishing the above it is time to focus on one of the most important aspects of Taekwondo which is Flexibility. While arts such as boxing primarily rely on the limb’s mass & hardness to deliver powerful strikes, Taekwondo heavily relies on speed that arises out of flexibility to deliver the same impact. In other words power is directly equivalent to speed which in turn is directly proportionate to the flexibility of the respective limbs.
Stretching is the key to flexibility as it contributes to the suppleness of your body parts. It is best to begin with an array of “Static stretching” exercises such as head, shoulder and hand rotations / hand stretches. This is followed by a string of exercises that focus on strengthening the back such as hip rotations & a variety of forward, backward & side bending movements. In addition to flexing the concerned muscles the maximum advantage out of these exercises can be derived when these are synchronized along with the breathing patterns (timely inhale and exhale) thus benefitting the respiratory system. In addition to this the mind becomes wonderfully focused on the technique that is being practiced thus bringing about synchronization between the body movement, breath control and the intent of the mind. This system is commonly followed by the Yogic philosophy as well. Just as “Static Stretching” assists in Flexibility “Dynamic Stretching” in addition to it also helps in increasing the muscular length on one hand and agility on the other.
If Flexibility were to be considered as one of the pillars for Agility, Stamina would undoubtedly be the other. One can build stamina & endurance by performing various body conditioning exercises such as the jumps. It is truly amazing to see the number of single, double & alternate leg jumps one gets exposed to that are performed back and forth, cross & sideways when they enter the world of Taekwondo as this art form relies heavily on the employment of many different kicks in the mid air. The beauty of this art arises out of the speed with which one delivers multiple kicks in the air before landing back on the ground. These acrobatic kicks add beauty to this art and that is exactly why Taekwondo is considered to be an exotic art when it comes to public demonstration. Hence any Taekwondo exponent is expected to gain proficiency in the various forms of jumps if they are to bring that colorful effect while performing in front of an audience.
While jumps constitute one vertical of the body conditioning regime; other exercises that are performed in push up or squatting position and those that are done lying flat on the back or stomach and sitting on the bottom help in working out every single inch of your body right from your upper to lower back which is right from the spine to the hip joints to the entire length of the legs. On the other side it also helps in strengthening your core in the form a strong abdomen. Most of these exercises have a lot of resemblance to the postures described in Yoga but the key difference is that these are done with higher speed in Taekwondo as against a leisurely pace in Yoga. This is mainly because this is one martial art that beats every other form of martial art when it comes to speed.
As the very heart of Taekwondo is to employ several different kinds of kicks it becomes increasingly important for one to focus on particularly developing a strong pair of lithe legs. While raising oneself on toes helps in strengthening the calf muscles, the front & side sit ups stretch the hip, thigh & hamstring muscles. The various side and front splits help in expanding the muscle length through stretching and this would be an extremely critical ingredient when it comes to delivering the high kicks in Taekwondo. The comfort level with which one splits his / her leg apart clearly determines the extent to which they would be able to deliver the high kicks with ease.
Given the very nature of this art a variety of front, side, round, spin and back kicks are employed while being stationary at one place or on the move both on the ground as well as in mid air. Depending on how proficient one gets with the basics, the number of kicks to be practiced and the level of complexity keep going up.
As a beginner one gets to learn the basic kicks such as the leg raise, inner crescent (also called as the inner edge), outer crescent (also called the outer edge) kicks followed by the thrust, (front snap) and axe (downhill) kicks. All these kicks are executed in the front and its effectiveness is best felt when they are dealt at the face level. These also help in the basic conditioning of your legs as they get being raised to above your head level.
While it is important for one to gain proficiency in these basic front side kicks it becomes equally important for one to practice the side and roundhouse kicks and that is when one starts gets to flex the other portion of the leg muscles as well as it is important for us to get the leg into a chamber position where the thigh, knee and the shin are raised in a ‘V’ shaped formation parallel to the ground. The side kick is particularly useful in ensuring that one does not become vulnerable by exposing the front portion of their body to their opponents. On the other hand the roundhouse kick is one of the most commonly used kicks in Kyorugi (Sparring regimes) or during tournaments as it can be executed alternatively with both legs while directly facing the opponent frontwards or sideways. If executed well to the face it is more like a slap with the leg and can lead to a proper knock out.
Talking about knockout one kick that has almost a zero percent failure if struck with adequate power on the opponents face is the spin kick. The spin kick gains its power from the momentum the body generates through its natural spinning movement and when the leg is positioned in a way that the heel comes in contact with the face particularly on the cheek, nose, temple or neck it is bound to be lethal and can take some of the most powerful opponents down in a jiffy.
While an opponent can anticipate a spin kick coming his way if one is not quick enough while turning another equally effective kick that can deliver a knockout blow is the back kick. It derives its inspiration from an animal movement and hence is also called as the rear horse kick. This kick is particularly effective if one is attacked from behind and the target portion of this kick is aimed at the opponent’s solar plexus. More often than not any hit to the solar plexus can cause in breathlessness among the opponent thus forcing him to submit.
As these pretty much sum up the basic kicks the key differentiating factor in Taekwondo when compared to the other martial arts are the numerous colorful and acrobatic kicks that are employed which make it a delightful sight to watch. The emphasis on high kicking techniques governs supreme in the art of Taekwondo though they are used in almost all the martial arts. Moving, turning and mid air jumping kicks are the very trademark of this fighting form and that is where the students are made to practice several turns and jumps. In addition to the knee level & double leg jumps across all directions, a combination of a simultaneous mid air turn & jump helps build the solid foundation that is required to execute the advanced level kicks.
All of the basic kicks such as the thrust, side, roundhouse, spin and back kicks that are delivered while in mid air put one at an advantage as he is delivering the kicks from a greater elevation when compared to his opponent. But a jumping kick coupled with a turn makes it a deadly combination and that is where the famous Tornado kick has gained popularity over the years. One makes almost a 360 degree turn by raising one leg at the knee in the air and moving in an anticlockwise direction with a quick jump before delivering an inner crescent or a round house kick with the other leg. In addition to looking flamboyant this kick is extremely helpful and people gain expertise in this kick after years of practice.
Going a step further a combination of the Tornado and jumping spin kick result in an even more glitzy kick called the 520 kick where one turns leaping forward with the knee up in the air in clockwise direction and executes a spin kick in the air with the other leg. In other words leaping & turning in the front distinguishes this from the normal jump spin kick that is done with a jump on the spot.
Usage of these colorful kicks makes it an absolutely scintillating experience to watch a Taekwondo exhibition particularly when the martial artists break multiple tiles with great degree of finesse and accuracy while in mid air. The artistry of this very art is exhibited in the manner in which the performers go through their motions with very high levels of acrobatics and speed which simultaneously generates the required amount of power.
While power and speed are important and they come with improved flexibility it is balance that plays an even more paramount role in order for one to quickly regain control while in combat. That is why in most Taekwondo classes we would witness the students moving on their toes with their heels not touching the ground during the initial minutes of warm up. As flexibility holds the key people have to gaining the proficiency of standing on one leg while the other is held in mid air as that helps in building the element of balance. While talking about balance it is not just physical balance that matters but retaining a mental equilibrium without being flustered despite being struck by an opponent ensures greater success during combat.
After rigorously exercising the lower limbs it is time to work the upper body which seems relatively easier in the present context but the only catch to it is that one would have to do so by getting into a “Horse Stance”. (It is so named due to the similarity of the position one would take while on a horse back). Students are made to practice a variety of punches, chops and blocks while in this stance as a large part of the body weight is supported by the thighs and calf muscles. You can never get away from not using your legs in Taekwondo remarks the wise Master. The longer one gets to stay in a Horse stance position the better it is for their endurance and concentration.
A good fighter’s is judged not just based on well he can attack but also in terms of how well can he defend. That is where the concept of mastering the various forms of blocks comes into play. While blocking the opponent’s blows it helps a fighter in honing is reflexes as the entire motion is carried out in great speed. “Defensive techniques are not be ignored as it is not just about how well can one hit but it is also about how well can they prevent themselves from getting hit” comments the wise master once again.
A good martial artist is one that can disarm an opponent with the minimum use of power and that is where the array of various self defense techniques come into play where the opponent’s body movement / momentum is used against him / her by deftly intercepting those parts of the body before they reach their intended point of impact. It is said that a master can predict an opponent’s plan even with the slightest movement of the body with which he / she intends to strike with. And that happens when the reflexes get sharpened with constant repetition of these movements. Having a good reflex not only helps in defense but it also does in quickly launching a counter attack. The faster one manages to transition from a defensive mode to a counter attack mode the better chance they would have to overpower their opponent with surprise.
After several months of dedicated practice the students get tested if they are worthy of the next level belt. People start of with a White belt followed by the various colored belts namely Yellow, Green, Blue and Red (each of them has 2 levels) before they get to the Black belt stage. The entire process could take a bare minimum of 3 years or more purely depending on the individual’s potential, zeal and enthusiasm to excel. The belt test includes the test of stamina, proficiency of kicks, punches, blocks & self defense techniques, display of strength through breaking of tiles, presentation of a series of rhythmic movements that involves a combination of blocks, kicks & punches called the “Poomsae” and finally followed by sparring with an opponent at the more advanced stages. People have to really work hard and sweat it out to earn their next level belt.
In other words the human body & mind are put to a comprehensive test. Breaking a tile is not just about physical toughness but it has more to do with the fact that all the mental energy is focused on one point in one solitary direction that in turn enables one to annihilate hard substances. An element that helps in the same is breath control through ‘Kihap’ where one yells while striking with the fist or leg. A loud Kihap demonstrates a stronger fighting spirit and the resolute to go on and on in a combat. While this helps in increasing the power of concentration of the individual practicing it on one hand it could very easily be a distracting factor for the opponent.
Talking about concentration one area where this coupled with memory makes a difference is while executing a series of predefined moves – “Poomsae”. It is one area where not just the posture and grace of the body need but also the manner in which one seamlessly executes each of the moves in exactly the same fashion as prescribed by the classical teachers. Each of the Poomsae represents a certain element of nature which is in turn associated with a certain set of virtues that helps in developing a rounded personality. There are about 17 different kinds of Poomsae in all and the Black belt Dan 1 level demands proficiency in the first 8 ones that are also called the Taegeuks. The first eight Poomsaes stand for Heaven, Joy, Fire, Thunder, Wind, Water, Mountain and Earth. The Poomsaes have a great association with the various aspects of life and human behavior and hence focus on preaching the righteous way to live. The more one gets to progress in this area the further goes their understanding to the underlying philosophy of the same. It is not just something one gets to practice at a mere physical level to gain the next level belt promotion but it goes much beyond that if one performs these in unison of mind and body by embodying the very spirit of what each of these forms stand for. The beauty of the Poomsae is exemplified by 3 key principles namely Body Alignment, Balance and No mind. While body alignment opens up the energy meridians, the balance talks about controlling the body with the mind and the concept of No mind talks about completely focusing on the present. In other words a martial artist while performing Poomsae has to concentrate on his present move without thinking about the one he just did or the one about to come. This means one needs to be balanced between the past and the future which is popularly called the ‘here and now’ by meditation experts. A Poomsae offers us with great degree of learning and also a path towards leading a fuller life filled with inner peace and harmony. The symbols of Taegeuk 1, 3, 6 & 8 that stand for Heaven (Keon), Fire (Ri), Water (Kam) and Earth (Kon) are also represented on the South Korean national flag.
The human body is designed to last several hundreds of years and the lack of proper exercise coupled with inadequate nutrition has reduced this by at least 4 to 5 times. Often most people take the easier route of not exercising and by not putting their body through pain during their young age results in a situation where the body gets back to them with vengeance by giving them a lot of pain during the later part of their lives. A martial art fitness regime unravels several benefits to the physical body thus contributing to not just increasing the life span but also making it a healthy one too.
There are several advantages of Taekwondo as it provides higher levels of physical fitness by positively impacting the various systems of the human body:
Respiratory system: It strengthens the lungs and the body tissues by supplying more oxygen. The better one breathes the healthier they get. It not only helps in increasing ones stamina and endurance but also has a simultaneous effect on increasing the longevity.
Circulatory system: Helps in increase of blood supply, especially in the form of red blood cells and hemoglobin. This contributes to bringing about an overall glow and radiance to the body.
Excretory system: With an increase in metabolic rate the digestive system works in a lot more efficient manner and that aids in timely, smooth and efficient waste elimination.
Cardiac benefits: While the respiratory system brings about more oxygen in take to the body the circulatory system ensures that more blood rich with oxygen gets pumped into the heart. It conditions the heart thus providing more reserve for emergencies.
Muscle development & Weight reduction: As 90% of the art focuses on practicing so many kinds of kicks, it is the most effective way of burning calories as the high repetitive, low resistant movements result in the exchange of flabby tissue to lean tissue which in turn produces a flexible and toned body.
General health: It helps in burning fat, shaping one’s muscles, promotes better sleep and above all it is a huge stress buster.
When applied in the right spirit coupled with a few meditative techniques it goes way beyond just the mere physical level. It contributes to the emotional, psychological & spiritual aspects of a human being.
Constant repetitive movements teach patience & resolve to overcome any difficulty.
The tremendous power generated from one's body develops the self-confidence to meet any opponent, resistance or adversity.
Sparring teaches humility, courage, alertness & accuracy coupled with adaptability as well as restraint & self-control.
Pattern teaches flexibility, grace, balance and coordination, while the fundamental exercises develop endurance and teach the method, principle and purpose.
A true martial artist has the ability to accept the various opposite consequences of life with the same level of equanimity. In other words that is what exemplifies the concept of Yin and Yang. Yin is all about absorption as much as Yang is about reflection. In other words human mind assimilates and responds to the environment around. This happens like a back and forth motion and that is why Yin and Yang are synonymous with contraction and expansion. This is similar to a punch where throwing a fist is Yang and pulling it back is Yin. One motion cannot happen without the other and one cannot stay in one of these phases forever. So is the case with life as it is a cycle, where one gets to pass through the ups and downs. Just as a good martial artist is at ease while being in either of these phases so is an individual that masters the art of living by adeptly treating the opposite phases of life with same poise and composure. A martial artist can always retain his balance if stay anchored from the within. In other words one can stay unfazed from any of the external factors if they have the strength coming from the within. And this as per the Tao philosophy happens if an individual entity becomes a part of the surrounding without prejudging it rather than a lone entity that is buffeted by seemingly chaotic forces. The key is the attainment internal equilibrium. And as they say in Taoism it is not something that can be handed over to the other person; it is for one to gain through self experience.
Though one can win against several adversaries the true victory for a martial artist comes when he gets to defeat the enemy within himself such as anger, fear and hatred. A life of a hundred years does not hold much purpose if these enemies go unconquered as against even a single day when all these demons are suppressed and quashed. While most of the principles of Taekwondo derive from the centuries old Hwarang philosophy they have all boiled down to five tenets in the form of Etiquette, Modesty, Perseverance, Self Control and above all an Indomitable Spirit help in achieving this conquest.
Let me illustrate the five tenets in greater detail. While the Etiquette talks about being polite and respectful to an individual be it teachers, fellow colleagues or any human being one comes in contact with, Modesty is all about eliminating the ego and ensuring the sense of equality with all other human beings irrespective of their background or experience and this typically holds good for people that have attained a higher degree of success or achievement in the society. Perseverance hints at patience that is needed to attain mastery in anything in life while self control calls for restraint from show of strength through display of humility. And finally the Indomitable spirit is all about displaying the courage and fortitude to overcome the most difficult or adverse of situations by retaining the fighting spirit.
Just as we get our next generation enrolled into various academic / technical courses that equip them to keep pace with the dynamic external world it would equally help if we enable them to look within to explore, tap and unleash their inner potential through the medium of martial arts.
Taekwondo is not just for growing children but it is meant for one and all irrespective of their age provided they do not have any specific physical ailments or conditions that might prevent them from doing so. If one is relatively in a healthy condition irrespective of how old they are it is never too late for them to start discovering this beautiful world of Taekwondo. It is better late than never for one to start anything good in their lives.
To summarize practice of martial arts contributes not only towards building a healthy body and a healthy mind but it also helps in cultivating the inner spirit. It is a never ending journey that helps one to tread the zone of the unknown with bravery and fortitude.
“Often the greatest honor or courage a man or woman can display is in retreat from an antagonist or an adversary they know they can defeat”. To conclude I would like to interpret the views of one of the greatest martial artists that ever lived on this planet - Bruce lee, “A martial art is beyond just a fight science, it is a philosophy and a way of life”.