The Duality of Taekwondo

Knife hand attack to the neck......side kick to the knee....backfist to the face.....Techniques we learn and teach everyday.

But what if we really executed these techniques on someone?  What kind of devastation would we cause?  Why do we teach and continue to practice such seemingly ugly, brutal, devastating techniques?

"Taeguk" is the concept of balance in Korean.  Also known as Ying and Yang in Chinese, it is the concept of balanced opposites:  Hot and Cold;  Light and Dark; Good and Evil.  It is symbolized by the red and blue half circles intertwined on the Korean Flag.  Each needs the other.  Neither can survive without its counterpart.  The circle created by the two halves represents completeness; infinity; wholeness.  If you take one half away, the balance is gone.

We have a dual challenge as martial artists when we practice and perform our techniques.  The first is to train and develop our  techniques with all the accuracy, power, snap and ferocity it was originally designed for.  Every time you perform a technique you should ask yourself:  "Would this really work"?

The opposite, complimentary challenge is to make them beautiful.  When we execute a knife-hand neck attack, or high-section side kick, someone watching should say...."Wow!"  The balance of devastating power, snap and accuracy coupled with the artistic beauty should inspire any onlooker.

The phrase "Martial Arts" in itself is a duality of words.  "Martial" meaning mortal combat based in warfare.  "Art" meaning something beautiful created from the soul or essence of man.  Here lies our challenge and responsibility as we train in Tae Kwon Do.  We practice techniques to carry on the tradition of the martial arts and to learn effective self-defense techniques.  I always say we are "preparing for the fight we hope never happens".  This is balanced with the "Do" of martial arts.  "The Way", we have chosen to follow.  A code of discipline, honor and respect for both ourselves and others.

We reach true unity of motion when we perform a technique not only with our bodies....but with our being.  When you put your heart, mind, spirit....your all...into a technique....then you have experienced the double beauty of devastating power and artistic beauty.

Keep training hard!

We study Tae Kwon Do

"Karate"....most Americans equate every martial art with this term. While seemingly harmless on the surface, blanketing all martial arts with the name "Karate" robs each of them of their own unique characteristics, history, and essence.


Karate is the Japanese martial art that was imported heavily into the US after the Second World War by US servicemen returning from the war, and Japanese nationals immigrating to the states.  It is ubiquitous in our language and thinking when it comes to the martial arts.  


So what is Taekwondo?  First off, it's a Korean martial art.  That's why the Korean flag hangs on the dojang (training space) wall, and on our uniforms, and why all the commands are in Korean.


If you break the word down into its three syllables:


Tae         Jumping, kicking with the foot
Kwon      Punching, smashing with the fist
Do           The Way



Taekwondo is a complete, integrated, and unique system of self-defense and personal improvement. We strengthen our bodies through the seemly endless series of kicks, punches, blocks, stances, push-ups, and sit-ups.  We also work to improve our minds and our personal character by following the rules of Taekwondo and the dojang, and trying to always live by the 5 Tenets of Taekwondo:  Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control, and Indomitable Spirit.  And by combing the physical and mental/character improvements, we work to change the world by making it a better place.



I get asked all the time by prospective students or their parents, "What's the difference between Karate and Taekwondo?"  I have developed a standard response over the years that consists of three things:  1) Taekwondo is a Korean martial art, while Karate is a Japanese art.  2) Taekwondo is a competitive sport not only a martial art.  3) Taekwondo is a kicking martial art, with some of the most powerful and dynamic kicking techniques in the world.


And finally, that it resonates with me.  


One of the reasons there are so many different martial arts, is the same reason there are so many different types of ice cream.  Not everyone likes, or is looking for the same thing.


Want to learn more about Taekwondo?  Your first stop should be the ATLU TKD Student Handbook.  Search the Internet.  Go buy some Taekwondo books.  Read as much as you can.


Is there anything wrong with Karate?  Of course not.  But we should be knowledgeable and proud that we study Taekwondo, and of its Korean origins and influences.


Have you ever been asked if you studied Karate?  If so, smile, be proud, and politely correct the questioner.  Explain the differences.
And tell them, "I study Taekwondo!"

Master Mast's Musings

I've never written a blog.  I actually lived BEFORE there were computers!  But times have changed, and so must I.  This blog will be about Taekwondo (of course).  Techical aspect, cultural aspects, insights into the philosophical aspects of the art, goings on around the Taekwondo community...and sometimes, just random stuff.

I look forward to hearing your feedback and engaging with you on-line.  Please don't hesitate to comment and propose ideas for future blog posts.

Best wishes,

Master Mast