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Welcome to the group of 180 million people around the world who practice the ancient Korean Martial Art of Taekwondo. While there are many other martial arts and many other schools of martial art, you have chosen to become the most recent member of the world's most prestigeous forms of martial arts training in one of the world's best schools. As you learn more about Taekwondo, its long history, its ancient tradition, rich heritage, and its bright future you will understand the truth of these claims.

Literally, Taekwondo means "the Way of the Foot and Fist". This martial art originated about 2000 years ago in the country now known as Korea. It developed as a method of training young elite nobles in the all the skills necessary for leading the people to a higher way of life and for defending the country against hostile outsiders. In its essence, Taekwondo is non-violent and non-aggressive. In this regard, Taekwondo teaches the student how NOT to fight. It is nonetheless, exceptionally effective as a means of defense. Practitioners are sworn "to be discreet in the use of Taekwondo, always using it justly". Its highest ideals are to strive for loyalty to country, love of family, respect for elders, and to be faithful and honorable.

Internationally, Taekwondo is governed by the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) which is an official member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). It was featured in the 1988 and the 1992 Olympic Games and will be a full medal sport for the first time in the 2000 Olympic Games to be held in Sidney, Australia. In the USA, Taekwondo is governed by the United States Taekwondo Union (USTU) which represents the sport to the United States Olympic Committee. Taekwondo World is a USTU member school. The school is also a member of the National Association of Professional Martial Artists (NAPMA) and of the Professional Taekwondo Federation (PTF).

At Taekwondo World students develop:

• Physical Fitness & Stamina - Taekwondo provides an extraordinary workout with attention to every area of the body.
• Mental Health - In our fast-paced world, stressful situations are everywhere. It is well known that physical exercise done properly and regularly serves to release stress and to relieve anxiety. An excellent Taekwondo workout induces a natural high. Most students have remarked how, despite sometimes having motivational difficulty coming to class regularly, they always "feel great" after a class.
• Intellectual Insight - The practice of Taekwondo is rooted in the concept of mental development through intense, dedicated physical activity. The ancients considered it "the Way" (Do). Modern students are, or become, seekers. They are excited by the journey.
• Personal Growth - Taekwondo aims at the development of the individual person. The goal is not the conquering of someone else, but truly, the mastery of oneself.
• Social Awareness - All the goals of the ancient Code of Honor apply today: Loyalty, Obedience, Love, Faithfulness, Respect, Honor. Students become skilled in leadership and they are expected to lead.

The physical benefits go on and on. Physical exercise is, in and of itself, essential to maintaining good health. Not only does the practitioner look better, he/she is constantly reaching new levels of good health and well-being. Our bodies function as a complex system of complex systems. To the extent that we can improve the function of any aspect of our physicality, we improve the entire physical self. (On the other hand, to the extent that we ignore or take for granted any aspect of our whole being, we jeopardize whatever state of good health we currently enjoy.)

On the mental level, the taekwondoist develops greater ability to focus (concentrate), greater adeptness at observing situations, making correct decisions, and acting on them decisively with long term, unwavering committment. The student will observe that the body and the mind will get more in sync and all activities will be not only easier to perform, but coping will reach new levels. The "change of pace" provides a mechanism for stress relief and rejuvenation.

Socially, you will meet others who have the same aspirations as yourself. As we practice together, we learn to help each other achieve goals. In the beginning we are followers. In time, we inevitably become leaders. We forge the social skills and attitudes necessary for "making a difference".

Spiritual development (not to be confused with religious beliefs and practices) is the highest of goals sought by martial arts practitioners since the practice was first organized and formalized. Here the student seeks far more than knowledge. He/she seeks understanding, wisdom, enlightenment.

Since very few, if any, of these benefits can be conferred by any person on another, but rather must be sought after and discovered by the learner, let's begin the journey.