If you live in Kerikeri and want to learn a Martial Art for self defence, a new hobby, to meet new people, for fitness or for competition; we believe Taekwon-Do will provide for your individual needs.
Why Join Taekwon-Do?
“… Taekwon-Do is a version of unarmed combat designed for the purpose of 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 its 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, its 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.”
written by the founder, General Choi Hong Hi
The quote opposite highlights two important features of International Taekwon-Do. First, how it differs from other martial arts, and secondly, the importance of moral development in International Taekwon-Do.
It is its scientific foundation that separates International Taekwon-Do from other martial arts. Its techniques are founded in an understanding of human anatomy and Newtonian physics. Power is generated by relaxing muscles during movements to maximise acceleration, and tensed suddenly at the conclusion of movements to maximise the concentration of force.
Improve Fitness
Here is how International Taekwon-Do can improve your fitness. Current theory defines ten elements of fitness. Most forms of physical activity develop some or most of the items on the list. International Taekwon-Do is a rare fitness activity that requires all ten elements of fitness:
Learn a Martial Art
Broadly, martial arts can be categorised as weapon styles or unarmed styles. Weapon styles are very cool, but we can’t carry weapons around for self defence. We have laws against that in New Zealand.
Unarmed styles of martial arts can be further classified into striking styles and grappling styles. Here it comes down to preference. International Taekwon-Do is a striking style of martial art – we kick and punch (and strike and thrust and block and cross-cut). We also practise releasing from grabs and breakfalls; we don’t spend a lot of time grappling.
The “ART” of Martial Arts
Of course, martial arts are more than just self defence. They are an art form, and the art of International Taekwon-Do is beautiful to watch. We have a set of 24 patterns, or tul (kata in Karate, or forms in some martial arts), which together are called the Chang-Hon style. It takes years to learn and master all 24 patterns – we learn the final pattern at 6th degree black belt.
In recent years our competitors have made huge impact on the international tournament scene and were placed first at the ITF World Championships hosted in Wellington, 2011 and again at the ITF World Cup in Sydney 2018.
International Taekwon-Do comes from Korea
Martial arts may also be classified by origin. Taekwon-Do comes from Korea. It is a new martial art, named in 1955, and it is heavily based on scientific principles: we develop power by understanding how the human body works, and understanding the physics of what power is.
Find out what the benefits of belonging to International Taekwon-Do are here.
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