What is TaeKwon-Do
Translated literally, TaeKwon-Do means Feet, Hand, Art (or way) or the Art of Hand and Foot fighting. Taekwon-Do was officially named and recognised as a martial art on 11th April 1955. Its founder Grand Master General Choi Hong Hi (9th November 1918 to 15 June 2002) combined his knowledge the ancient Korean martial art of Taek Kyon and of Shotokan karate, a martial art he had learned while studying in Japan and developed what is currently recognised as one of today's most dynamic martial art.
The philosophical values and the goals of Taekwon-Do are firmly rooted in the traditional moral culture of the Orient. On the technical side, defensive and offensive techniques are based on principles of physics, particularly Newton's Law, which explains how to generate maximum force by increasing speed and mass during the execution of a movement.
As a martial art it developed into maturity in the Korean Military so there is also a strong emphasis on discipline and respect which students are expected to adopt both in and out of the Dojang (training hall). This creates a work out which strengthens both the body and the mind.