The Heart of Taekwondo's Philosophy
Curious about what drives Taekwondo beyond kicks and punches? Taekwondo is a martial art rooted in Korean Culture, blending physical training with a philosophy of personal growth. Taekwondo's values such as respect and perseverance inspire kids, adults, and athletes alike.
Whether you are a student or a parent, understanding Taekwondo's philosophy deepens its impact. This guide will explore Taekwondo's core values, their origins, and how they shape lives.
The Origins of Taekwondo's Philosophy
Taekwondo's roots trace back to 1940s Korea, blending ancient marital arts with Confucian and Buddhist principles. It is a martial art with a prominent cultural heritage which shapes Taekwondo's ethos.
Today, Taekwondo's values resonate at clubs worldwide, from Seoul to London (and even at Windsor Taekwondo). According to the international federation World Taekwondo, Taekwondo is the most inclusive and accessible combat sport, which combines the values of an ancient Asian heritage with the values of a global elite sport.
In the year 2000, Taekwondo was recognised as an Olympic sport, which solidifies it's international standing as a martial art today.
Core Values of Taekwondo: The Five Tenets
Taekwondo's core values are as follows:
- Courtesy (Ye Ui): Respect for others, shown through bowing and polite behaviour.
- Integrity (Yom Chi): Honesty and moral uprightness in actions.
- Perseverance (In Nae): Pushing through challenges to achieve goals.
- Self-Control (Guk Gi): Managing emotions and impulses.
- Indomitable Spirit (Baekjul Boolgool): Courage to face adversity.
These values guide Taekwondo students in school, work, and life. Alongside these five tenets of Taekwondo, the sport also teaches the following three physical skills:
- Poomsae (form)
- Kyorugi (sparring)
- Gyeokpa (breaking)
However, this post focuses on the philosophical values of Taekwondo - read on to find out more about how Taekwondo's core values can shape your life!
How Taekwondo's Philosophy Shapes Personal Growth
Taekwondo's philosophy helps personal growth by making one focus on self-improvement. The five tenets of Taekwondo, namely courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, and indomitable spirit, can all be used to foster personal growth. These values, taught in Taekwondo classes, can help students overcome fears and excel not just in sports, but also in school, work, and socially.
By pushing through challenges in the dojo, Taekwondo students drive their academic and career successes. By being honest in all their actions, Taekwondo students can build trust in their personal and networking relationships. Taekwondo students can also work on their personal development by managing their emotions, meaning that they can reduce impulsive reactions and as a result improve on their decision-making skills.
These are just some of the ways Taekwondo's core values can benefit your or your children's lives outside of Taekwondo training - there are many more!
Taekwondo's Values in the Dojo: Practical Applications
How are Taekwondo values applied in training? In class, Taekwondo instructors model integrity through giving honest feedback to their students. In turn, students express respect by bowing, and follow instructions to build on their discipline. Kids also learn how to respect others by being encouraged to support their peers during drills. Their perseverance is also tested through consistent practice for belt promotions, also known as Kup or Dan Gradings, depending on their level.
While Taekwondo club etiquette is applied in the dojo initially, it eventually becomes a habit in people's lives. As Taekwondo instructors constantly remind their students about politeness and respect, this eventually turns into good manners in all aspects of their lives. A study in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, by Kim et al. (2021), found that Taekwondo’s positive impact on etiquette was found to be greater as a student's Taekwondo training experience increased.
Benefits of Taekwondo's Philosophy for Kids and Adults
The values of Taekwondo apply whether you are 5 or 50 years old, beginner or black belt! No experience is required to be able to embrace Taekwondo's philosophy.
The first tenet of Taekwondo, courtesy, as listed above is applicable for kids and adults alike. Courtesy means showing respect and being polite, and so embodying this in everyday life can improve family dynamics.
If you want to know more about how Taekwondo can benefit kids specifically, read our blog.
Taekwondo's Philosophy in Everyday Life
Taekwondo's philosophy can be applied to real life, outside the dojo, every day. In fact, the application of martial arts values happens more often than we might notice.
One example of the use of Taekwondo principles in daily life is in the workplace. Practicing self-control helps adults in managing stress during meetings. In the same way, having the courage to face adversity means that indomitable spirit can help people overcome job challenges. Perseverance can also help tackle through tough projects.
Generally, Taekwondo values help in life as they emphasise self-improvement in all aspect of life.
Common Misconceptions About Taekwondo's Philosophy
It is not uncommon for people to have misconceptions about Taekwondo and its philosophy. Read on to understand Taekwondo's philosophy better and have the values of martial arts clarified...
One of the most common myths is that Taekwondo is a sport only about fighting. This is incorrect. In fact, Taekwondo's philosophy emphasises peace and growth. While fighting drills and competitions are an important branch of Taekwondo, it is a multifaceted sport. Taekwondo has a technical aspect to it where patterns are the focus. Likewise, a lot of Taekwondo classes incorporate some form of strengthening and fitness exercises to help you become stronger and fitter. Now that that myth is busted, let's move on to the next...
The second myth about Taekwondo is that the values taught are solely for kids. Kids can definitely benefit from Taekwondo classes in terms of applying the values to their behaviour and school, as they are starting to navigate their way in life. However, the same values are just as, if not more, advantageous for adults. Adults can apply the tenets of Taekwondo in their careers as well as relationships.
The final myth surrounding martial arts is that you need to be spiritual to practice Taekwondo. The reality is that Taekwondo's values are practical, not religious. Anyone can embrace Taekwondo's philosophy, regardless of background.
Getting Started with Taekwondo to Embrace Its Philosophy
Taekwondo's philosophy and life principles can transform your life - start now! Find a class, attend a trial, and practice the tenets of Taekwondo. Don't worry if you have no martial arts experience because every student begins with curiosity, not expertise.
If you're ready to embrace the Taekwondo philosophy, here’s your checklist to get ready for your trial class:
- What to Wear: Opt for loose, comfortable sportswear. Simply a set of leggings and a t-shirt works.
- What to Bring: Pack a water bottle!
- Equipment: Clubs typically supply pads or other equipment for beginners. No need to buy any supplies yet!
- Mindset: Arrive with an open mind. You don’t need to be fit or coordinated to start.
Pro Tip: Get there 10 minutes early to meet the instructor and ease your nerves.
To find your best local Taekwondo club, search for 'Taekwondo classes near me' on Google. Not sure what to expect? Read our beginner’s guide to Taekwondo for more tips.