Welcome to TG Taekwondo
Taekwondo
Tae means foot or kick, Kwon means hand or punch, Do means way of life -- Taekwondo is the way of developing the whole body and mental power!
Benefits of Body & Mind Coordination through Taekwondo
Self-Confidence
For many people self-confidence does not come naturally, but it can be developed over a period of time. Through Taekwondo, as you accomplish new goals, your confidence level increases. Taekwondo instills a sense of discipline and self-confidence that carries over into all aspects of your life. When a student enters a TG Taekwondo studio, the focus of the training is not only on physical strength and growth, but also on important skills that will help lead to personal successes in life. These life skills benefit our students inside the classroom and beyond. A strong body and a strong mind characterize healthy students, so that they can handle any situation that comes their way.
Self-Defense
When the speed and power developed through Taekwondo is used in self-defense against the vulnerable parts of an attacker's body, the results can be incredible. For example, Taekwondo allows a woman to emphasize many of her natural physical strengths, such as power in the legs, while learning a method of self-defense efficient against a much larger opponent. Knowing you can defend yourself, your confidence will grow, and confidence alone is usually enough to deter potential attackers.
Discipline & Self-Respect
Sometimes in life it becomes necessary to control your actions, though you may wish to express something that seems important to you. You should always be aware of what you do and say, of how it will affect others. Discipline yourself. When you can control what you do and say, you will know the satisfaction of having given your best, whether it is through outspokenness or silence at the right time. Your ability to discipline yourself will have a direct effect on the degree of success you have in attempting to reach your goals. Your self- respect will be something you deserve, something you earned.
Respect
The meaning of respect includes several things, all of which deal with your relationship with others. The degree to which you trust, love, and attempt to understand others, is the same degree of respect you have for them. If you ignore someone, your respect for that person is not great.
Attempt to extend yourself, to offer your undivided attention; not only will you benefit others, you will also gain from the experience yourself. Enrich your life by respecting others.
Fitness
The principles of Taekwondo techniques are based on the design of your body. For power you develop the larger muscles of the torso. The speed of the techniques comes from the fast, agile muscles of the arms and legs. As you progress in Taekwondo, you will learn to coordinate this speed and power, developing a concentration to focus all of your body's strength into a small, hard striking surface such as the edge of a hand or the heel of a foot.
Flexibility
Regardless of their fitness level, most students come to us with limited flexibility. TG Taekwondo starts each class with stretches to warm up the muscles, which improves flexibility and makes training easier and safer. At the end of each class, additional stretching cools down and further stretches the muscles.
Unique and Scientific Training
Instruction is based on traditional Taekwondo training complemented by modern Exercise Physiology, Kinesiology, Psychology, Functional Anatomy and Special/Adapted Physical Exercise.
Educational Philosophy
"A sound mind in a sound body." Students develop and motivate their mind by training their body. Our instructors motivate and inspire students to control their mind and gain the confidence to treat themselves with respect.
Fun Exercise
What is Tae Geuk 태극, 太極? Tae Geuk (literally, Tae is ‘magnitude’ and Geuk is ‘eternity’) is the name given to the red and blue circle on the Korean flag (Taegukki). Tae Geuk represents the unity of opposites that compose the cosmos. Its characteristics are often described as pacifism, unity, creative spirit, future spirit, eternity, and Um and Yang (Yin and Yang in Chinese). Um (earth, female - the blue lower half of the circle) and Yang (heaven, male - the red upper half) are themselves opposites in delicate balance. Remember that each is dependent upon the other: without night there is no day; without cold there is no hot; without winter there is no summer; without ugliness there is no beauty. By maintaining the balance and harmony of these opposing forces, characteristics and elements in everyday life, we experience the Do (or Tao in Chinese) that is at the heart of our chosen martial art: Taekwondo.
1. Courtesy 예의: Treat other people as you want to be treated!
Taekwondo students should attempt to practice the following elements of courtesy to build up their noble character and to conduct their training in an orderly manner.
2. Perseverance 인내: Never give up!
There is an old Asian saying, “Patience leads to virtue (or merit),” or, “One can make a peaceful home by being patient 100 times.” Certainly, happiness and prosperity most likely come to the patient person. To achieve something, whether it is a higher degree or the perfection of a technique, one must set this goal, then constantly persevere. One of the most important secrets to becoming a master of Taekwondo is to overcome every difficulty by perseverance. Confucius said, “One who is impatient in trivial matters can seldom achieve success in matters of great importance.”
3. Integrity 염치: Be honest!
In Taekwondo, the word integrity means the ability to define right and wrong and have the conscience, if wrong, to take responsibility.
4. Self-Control 극기: Think before you act!
This tenet is extremely important inside and outside the DoJang, whether students are conducting themselves in free sparring or in their personal affairs. A loss of self-control in free sparring can prove disastrous to both student and opponent. An inability to live and work within one’s competence or sphere also shows a lack of self-control. The stronger person is the one who wins over himself or herself, rather than someone else.
5. Indomitable Spirit 백절불굴의 정신: Try and try again!
“Here lie 300, who did their duty.” A simple epitaph for one of the greatest acts of courage known to humankind.
Although facing the superior forces of Xerxes, Leonidas and his 300 Spartans at Thermopylae showed the world the meaning of indomitable spirit. It is shown when the principles of a courageous person are pitted against overwhelming odds.
A serious student of Taekwondo will at all times be modest and honest. If confronted with injustice, however, he or she will deal with the antagonism without any fear or hesitation, but with indomitable spirit, regardless of who the opponent, or how great their number, may be.
Confucius declared, “It is an act of cowardice to fail to speak out against injustice.” As history has proven, those who pursue their dreams earnestly and energetically, with indomitable spirit, never fail to achieve their goals.
Why Black Belt?
How to be a BLACK BELT: Your belt is a part of your Taekwondo uniform. Always wear your belt proudly with your uniform, in a proper way. Higher-belt students(seniors) are expected to set a good example for junior students and to help them whenever necessary. You do not need to wash your belt. Why not?
Your sweat, blood, and dirt by training will turn your white belt
into a black belt someday.
Once you have a black belt, it will wear out into a white belt again.
Your old belts are the history of your training. That is why TG Taekwondo requires you to keep all old belts to make a history frame when you earn a black belt.
If we think of a division of the human body into head, waist, and legs, the waist is at the center of the three.
Tying the belt stands for the will to organize one's self and appearance.
In Taekwondo practice, the belt is necessary art, part of a trinity of jacket, pants, and belt. Belts are divided into three categories as uniforms for each level of achievement: colored belts, junior black belt (red-black), and black belt. The concept of the trinity in the Eastern philosophy is fundamental to the belief in the universe, which is understood as composed of heaven, earth, and people. The trinity is the source of all life. The upper garment of the uniform signifies heaven, the trousers the earth, and the belt the person. A person, in Korean belief, is a microcosm.
In wearing the belt around the waist, the two ends meet, after two rounds, at the center of the abdomen, called Dahn Jun. Then the belt makes a triangle shape to complete the knot. The shape of the triangle denotes the uniqueness of a person. The right side of the belt is the minus and left side the plus, so when tied together, they symbolize the harmony of mind and body. When the tie comes to the center to form a knot, the top is the sun and the bottom is the water. This knot is your body’s center and is where the energy for the mind and body originates. The meaning of this ceremonial process is to collect all energy within and without into the Dahn Jun so that the practitioners can utilize the Ki (기,energy, 氣) in the application of techniques.
Taekwondo's belt system starts with the 9th Gup and ends at the 9th Dan. Nine is the sum of the five components, heaven, earth, Yin and Yang. The Gup system in Taekwondo descends from 9 to 1, whereas the Dan system ascends from 1 to 9. This system stems from the Eastern belief that all life forms descend from heaven, live on earth, and return to where they came from. In the decimal system, 9 is also the highest number.
Tae means foot or kick, Kwon means hand or punch, Do means way of life -- Taekwondo is the way of developing the whole body and mental power!
Benefits of Body & Mind Coordination through Taekwondo
Self-Confidence
For many people self-confidence does not come naturally, but it can be developed over a period of time. Through Taekwondo, as you accomplish new goals, your confidence level increases. Taekwondo instills a sense of discipline and self-confidence that carries over into all aspects of your life. When a student enters a TG Taekwondo studio, the focus of the training is not only on physical strength and growth, but also on important skills that will help lead to personal successes in life. These life skills benefit our students inside the classroom and beyond. A strong body and a strong mind characterize healthy students, so that they can handle any situation that comes their way.
Self-Defense
When the speed and power developed through Taekwondo is used in self-defense against the vulnerable parts of an attacker's body, the results can be incredible. For example, Taekwondo allows a woman to emphasize many of her natural physical strengths, such as power in the legs, while learning a method of self-defense efficient against a much larger opponent. Knowing you can defend yourself, your confidence will grow, and confidence alone is usually enough to deter potential attackers.
Discipline & Self-Respect
Sometimes in life it becomes necessary to control your actions, though you may wish to express something that seems important to you. You should always be aware of what you do and say, of how it will affect others. Discipline yourself. When you can control what you do and say, you will know the satisfaction of having given your best, whether it is through outspokenness or silence at the right time. Your ability to discipline yourself will have a direct effect on the degree of success you have in attempting to reach your goals. Your self- respect will be something you deserve, something you earned.
Respect
The meaning of respect includes several things, all of which deal with your relationship with others. The degree to which you trust, love, and attempt to understand others, is the same degree of respect you have for them. If you ignore someone, your respect for that person is not great.
Attempt to extend yourself, to offer your undivided attention; not only will you benefit others, you will also gain from the experience yourself. Enrich your life by respecting others.
Fitness
The principles of Taekwondo techniques are based on the design of your body. For power you develop the larger muscles of the torso. The speed of the techniques comes from the fast, agile muscles of the arms and legs. As you progress in Taekwondo, you will learn to coordinate this speed and power, developing a concentration to focus all of your body's strength into a small, hard striking surface such as the edge of a hand or the heel of a foot.
Flexibility
Regardless of their fitness level, most students come to us with limited flexibility. TG Taekwondo starts each class with stretches to warm up the muscles, which improves flexibility and makes training easier and safer. At the end of each class, additional stretching cools down and further stretches the muscles.
Unique and Scientific Training
Instruction is based on traditional Taekwondo training complemented by modern Exercise Physiology, Kinesiology, Psychology, Functional Anatomy and Special/Adapted Physical Exercise.
Educational Philosophy
"A sound mind in a sound body." Students develop and motivate their mind by training their body. Our instructors motivate and inspire students to control their mind and gain the confidence to treat themselves with respect.
Fun Exercise
What is Tae Geuk 태극, 太極? Tae Geuk (literally, Tae is ‘magnitude’ and Geuk is ‘eternity’) is the name given to the red and blue circle on the Korean flag (Taegukki). Tae Geuk represents the unity of opposites that compose the cosmos. Its characteristics are often described as pacifism, unity, creative spirit, future spirit, eternity, and Um and Yang (Yin and Yang in Chinese). Um (earth, female - the blue lower half of the circle) and Yang (heaven, male - the red upper half) are themselves opposites in delicate balance. Remember that each is dependent upon the other: without night there is no day; without cold there is no hot; without winter there is no summer; without ugliness there is no beauty. By maintaining the balance and harmony of these opposing forces, characteristics and elements in everyday life, we experience the Do (or Tao in Chinese) that is at the heart of our chosen martial art: Taekwondo.
1. Courtesy 예의: Treat other people as you want to be treated!
Taekwondo students should attempt to practice the following elements of courtesy to build up their noble character and to conduct their training in an orderly manner.
2. Perseverance 인내: Never give up!
There is an old Asian saying, “Patience leads to virtue (or merit),” or, “One can make a peaceful home by being patient 100 times.” Certainly, happiness and prosperity most likely come to the patient person. To achieve something, whether it is a higher degree or the perfection of a technique, one must set this goal, then constantly persevere. One of the most important secrets to becoming a master of Taekwondo is to overcome every difficulty by perseverance. Confucius said, “One who is impatient in trivial matters can seldom achieve success in matters of great importance.”
3. Integrity 염치: Be honest!
In Taekwondo, the word integrity means the ability to define right and wrong and have the conscience, if wrong, to take responsibility.
4. Self-Control 극기: Think before you act!
This tenet is extremely important inside and outside the DoJang, whether students are conducting themselves in free sparring or in their personal affairs. A loss of self-control in free sparring can prove disastrous to both student and opponent. An inability to live and work within one’s competence or sphere also shows a lack of self-control. The stronger person is the one who wins over himself or herself, rather than someone else.
5. Indomitable Spirit 백절불굴의 정신: Try and try again!
“Here lie 300, who did their duty.” A simple epitaph for one of the greatest acts of courage known to humankind.
Although facing the superior forces of Xerxes, Leonidas and his 300 Spartans at Thermopylae showed the world the meaning of indomitable spirit. It is shown when the principles of a courageous person are pitted against overwhelming odds.
A serious student of Taekwondo will at all times be modest and honest. If confronted with injustice, however, he or she will deal with the antagonism without any fear or hesitation, but with indomitable spirit, regardless of who the opponent, or how great their number, may be.
Confucius declared, “It is an act of cowardice to fail to speak out against injustice.” As history has proven, those who pursue their dreams earnestly and energetically, with indomitable spirit, never fail to achieve their goals.
Why Black Belt?
How to be a BLACK BELT: Your belt is a part of your Taekwondo uniform. Always wear your belt proudly with your uniform, in a proper way. Higher-belt students(seniors) are expected to set a good example for junior students and to help them whenever necessary. You do not need to wash your belt. Why not?
Your sweat, blood, and dirt by training will turn your white belt
into a black belt someday.
Once you have a black belt, it will wear out into a white belt again.
Your old belts are the history of your training. That is why TG Taekwondo requires you to keep all old belts to make a history frame when you earn a black belt.
If we think of a division of the human body into head, waist, and legs, the waist is at the center of the three.
Tying the belt stands for the will to organize one's self and appearance.
In Taekwondo practice, the belt is necessary art, part of a trinity of jacket, pants, and belt. Belts are divided into three categories as uniforms for each level of achievement: colored belts, junior black belt (red-black), and black belt. The concept of the trinity in the Eastern philosophy is fundamental to the belief in the universe, which is understood as composed of heaven, earth, and people. The trinity is the source of all life. The upper garment of the uniform signifies heaven, the trousers the earth, and the belt the person. A person, in Korean belief, is a microcosm.
In wearing the belt around the waist, the two ends meet, after two rounds, at the center of the abdomen, called Dahn Jun. Then the belt makes a triangle shape to complete the knot. The shape of the triangle denotes the uniqueness of a person. The right side of the belt is the minus and left side the plus, so when tied together, they symbolize the harmony of mind and body. When the tie comes to the center to form a knot, the top is the sun and the bottom is the water. This knot is your body’s center and is where the energy for the mind and body originates. The meaning of this ceremonial process is to collect all energy within and without into the Dahn Jun so that the practitioners can utilize the Ki (기,energy, 氣) in the application of techniques.
Taekwondo's belt system starts with the 9th Gup and ends at the 9th Dan. Nine is the sum of the five components, heaven, earth, Yin and Yang. The Gup system in Taekwondo descends from 9 to 1, whereas the Dan system ascends from 1 to 9. This system stems from the Eastern belief that all life forms descend from heaven, live on earth, and return to where they came from. In the decimal system, 9 is also the highest number.