Tae Kwon Do: For Kicks. For Life.
SHARED By: Andrew Parra, Director of Tae Kwon Do
We spend so much time online today – even young kids – and are always just a few clicks away from instant gratification in the form of immediate access to news, music, sports scores, violent videos and games and communication with people around the world. Yes, we all understand that nearly every subject is searchable, but there are some things that just can’t be learned online, and tae kwon do teaches many of them.
The ancient Korean martial art is based on the balance for life, the ying and yang, and is about a critical mind-body connection we aren’t often given the chance to identify and develop. No matter where I’m teaching – be it the Upper East Side or Spanish Harlem – ying and yang mean the same thing. And while they may seem like lofty concepts for kids, they are relevant.
You have to train in ways some traditional sports don’t have to train.
Training for the Real World
Tae kwon do is about timing, muscle control and balance, as well as discipline, respect and focus. Many of these are attributes and skills which can serve a child well with friends, family, in school and later on the job. Even with my youngest students, discipline is so important. You have to come to class in your uniform and belt; you can’t talk in class without raising your hand; if you’re late, you need to ask, “May I join you?” This is all part of that basic courtesy and respect.
Fighting vs. Sparring
There’s a common misconception that tae kwon do is fighting. And I can understand how parents would be especially sensitive to that given kids’ early exposure to violence in video games, movies and the media, not to mention the real-life horrors that have recently dominated the news. But “fighting” has nothing to do with tae kwon do and I try to stay away from that word. It’s “sparring,” where you practice getting your form down with a moving target. Fighting implies malicious intent – that you want to hurt someone – and that’s not tae kwon do.
Tae kwon do is a sport, a form of self-defense, a philosophy and an art. Just look at the meaning of name. Tae is “foot,” kwon is “hand” and do is “discipline.” Translation: the discipline of the foot and hand. Tae kwon do teaches children the skills to put their best foot forward.