TAE KWON DO & KI HAPKIDO
태 권 도
Tae Kwon Do 태권도 is a Korean Martial Arts, which was originally intended as unarmed self-defense.
Tae (태) means foot, representing the leg techniques of Tae Kwon Do. Kwon (권) translates as fist, meaning the hand techniques, and Do (도) describes the way or art, illustrating the philosophical and mental aspects.
A central focus of Tae Kwon Do is flexibility and speed. It differs from other Martial Arts in head high kicks and impressive leg techniques with jumps and spins.
Tae Kwon Do promotes not only physical fitness, but also coordination, concentration, self-confidence, self-control, discipline and respect.
History of Tae Kwon Do
The origins of Tae Kwon Do date back more than 2000 years, to the aera of the three kingdoms, when Taek Kyeon 택견 was practiced by different masters of Gogoryeo and the Hwarang warriors of the Shilla kingdom. However, Taek Kyeon, also called Subak, was mentioned for the first time only around 1800 in the Joseon dynasty.
During the Japanese occupation of Korea 1910-1945, the performance of any kind of Martial Arts was forbidden and was only practiced in underground groups or outside of Korea. From 1946 the Martial Arts, with influences of other Asian Martial Arts like Kung Fu and Karate, returned to Korea and spread in form of so called Kwans, Martial Art schools, which all had their own style. The Korean military also adapted the ancient Martial Art practices.
To unite the different forms and schools of the Korean Martial Arts, the Korean Tae Kwon Do Association (KTA) was founded in 1959, which later turned into the World Tae Kwon Do Federation (WTF) and since 2017 is called World Taekwondo (WT). Beside the World Taekwondo (WT) exists another well known school, the International Tae Kwon Do Federation (ITF). However, the World Taekwondo (WT) is the internationally accepted style, which is also practiced at the Olympic Games.
Philosophy of Tae Kwon Do
Tae Kwon Do is much more than just a physical sport. The central point is rather the philosophical core, which is based on the principal of Yin & Yang and the cosmic trinity (heaven-earth-man). The general wellfare of mankind and the creation of a peaceful world form the ultimate goal. The foundation for this is the single individual. Through the practice of Tae Kwon Do, each individual develops a positive, respectful and disciplined behavior as well as a strong, helpful and loyal personality with high ethical and moral values. The principles learned in training shall be applied in all areas of life. Hence, Tae Kwon Do offers a guide to live in unison with oneself and the world.
Representing these philosophical fundamentals, Tae Kwon Do has five tenets:
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예의 (yeo ui) courtesy, respect
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엄치 (eom chi) integrity
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인내 (in nae) perseverance
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극기 (geuk gi) self-control
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백절불굴 (baek jeol bul gul) indomitable spirit
Bruce’s Tae Kwon Do
My love for Tae Kwon Do began in my childhood in South Korea. As a child I was very shy and passive, which is why my father sent me to Tae Kwon Do at the age of eight. The regular training helped me develop an optimistic and self-confident personality and was the beginning of a big passion for Tae Kwon Do and other Asian Martial Arts like Hapkido, Jujitsu and Tai Chi.
In Tae Kwon Do und Hapkido I achieved the 6. Dan, as well as the master in Tai Chi und Qi Gong. As teenager I was involved in competitive sports and won the Korean Junior Championships in Tae Kwon Do among others. Additionally I trained in Jujitsu, Judo, Kali and Muay Thai. During my time in the USA I owned and directed the Omni Martial Arts Academy in Naples, Florida from 1994 to 2008.
기합기도
Ki Hapkido puts great emphasis on Ki 기 (also Qi), the energy or life force.
Ki Hapkido is a Martial Arts system that I developed, which combines traditional Hapkido techniques with specific Ki Gong (also Qi Gong) exercises and the application of meridians as well as acupressure points.
Ki Hapkido, with the use of energy flow, serves not only for self-defense, but has great benefits for the own personal health, similar to the effect of Qi Gong.
Ki Hapkido Academy
In 2018 I founded the Ki Hapkido Academy, where I regularly teach Ki Hapkido courses as well as self-defence courses. Interested? For further information I invite you to the Ki Hapkido Academy. Please click the link to get to the website.
