Paying Attention

It is essential to be constantly aware of what are the limits within which you practice. Injuries in the do-jang most often occur when students fail to pay attention to their instruction or neglect the principles of limits. EVERYTHING has a limit. Another aspect of concentration is related to the power of “Ki” training. Ki training is the state of consciousness that may be characterized as meditation, and a heightened receptivity to learning. “With a calm mind, one is free from hesitation.”

Patience and Endurance

“If one’s mind is made up to learn, then there will be success.” Nothing can be learned without patience, while endurance is part of the dues one must pay to gain knowledge.

Sincerity in Practice

“If one does not practice regularly than do not face the enemy.” Perfection of techniques requires deeply ingrained habits, and a mental attitude of thoroughness. The perfection of techniques requires that they become second nature and reflexive. Perfection in the martial arts is like a jewel.

It is merely a rough stone until polished. If it is not polished, no one will ever know it’s inner beauty. Training is the same.

Speed

“Judge the chance and take the opportunity. Take the first opportunity and be quicker than the opponent.” Every technique requires speed. There is a counter defense to any known offense.

Therefore techniques must be done with great speed and efficiency.

Conservation of Energy

“The inner force is concealed until released.” Perhaps the most difficult aspect of the martial arts master is to learn how to conserve energy and to relax while under stress. Ki cannot be released if the body is stricken with inner tension and fear. Tension is also the greatest consumer of energy.

Even when the body is not in motion, one can exhaust himself simply by being tense. When you are calm, you are free from hesitation, and when you exhale the Ki sinks to the self.

These are the essential elements of conservation of energy.

Respect and Obedience

“All things in nature operate according to a rule. Mankind is one with nature.”

One of the most essential tests of character is whether the student is humble enough to subordinate his own personal ego to the rules of the do-jang and respect the gravity of his new powers. The martial arts is not a store bought item that you are entitled to because you pay for lessons. The burden is too great, the reflection larger than the individual.

Boredom

Everyone is expected to meet with boredom, a so called physiological phenomenon in human life.

According to statistics, this generally appears within the first three to six months from the commencement of classes. This is the period for learning only the fundamental techniques and power training for the eventual power and skill. Accordingly, physical tiredness together with impatience and doubt with regard to progress cause an overbearing sense of boredom.

Nevertheless, from the seventh month physical tiredness is reduced gradually while the power is gained steadily instilling in one the volition to continue. Therefore, the sixth month is definitely a turning point to decide eventual success or failure. One of the ways to overcome boredom is to attend the do-jang regularly and to familiarize yourself with the training aids.

Thoroughness

There is a common tendency among the beginners in the course of Tae Kwon Do training to get tired of repeating the same techniques and being curious to go on to new techniques. This is when they begin to lose concentration. They must realize how important it is to force the technique which they are learning until it becomes habit so it may respond automatically to any contingency.

However, this does not mean that one should learn only one particular techniques while neglecting others. The secret to making one an expert is to learn completely one by one especially the “pattern” and step by step through incessant practice daily even for a short period of time.

Economic Equipment

1. Practice Suit(Do-buk): Since it is not designed for grasping or protective purposes, but for the psychological aspect, one can easily train in ordinary clothes.

2. Training Aids: A bag filled with sand or piece of cloth suspended from a string can be used to train both hands and feet for speed and accuracy.

3.No urgent need for a gym: Tae Kwon Do can be practiced in any vacant and open air space.

4. Easy to propagate: Tae Kwon Do can be practiced singly or in a group. Therefore, one can exercise at anytime, in any place without a partner.

Theory of Power

It has often been asked by the enthusiasts of this noble art, “How does one obtain the power to create such devastating results, particularly in the case of women and children?” Power results from a combination of several factors. The training naturally produces a thoroughly fit person with all of his or her muscles in good shape, but it does not necessarily mean the acquisition of brute strength. The expert does not necessarily have to have the stamina to run a mile, nor does it follow that he or she must be able to lift a heavy weight.

Reaction Force

According to Newton’s Law of Force, every force has an equal and opposite force. Thus, if a car crashes into a wall with a force of 2000 pounds per square foot, the force the wall returns will be the same. By pressing down on one end of a see-saw with one ton, the other end would provide an upward force of the same strength. Therefore, if your opponent is rushing toward you at a high speed, by the slightest blow at his head, the force with which you hit his head would be that of his own onslaught plus that of your blow.

The two forces combined: his, which is large...and your, which is small, is quite impressive. This, then, is the reaction force of the opponent. Another reaction force is your own. A right lunge punch is aided by pulling the left fist to the hip with a sharp jerk of the abdomen.

Concentration

By applying the impact force onto the smallest target area, it will concentrate the force and therefore increase its effect. For example, the force of water coming out of a garden hose is greater if the orifice is smaller, conversely, the weight of a man spread out on snowshoes hardly makes an impression in the snow. The blows in Tae Kwon Do are often concentrated onto the edge of the open palm or the crook of the fingers. The shorter the time for concentration, the greater the power will be from the blow. It is very important to release your strength gradually so at the point of impact with the target will are able to concentrate the power quickly for the knockout blow.

Equilibrium

Balancing the body is of the utmost importance in Tae Kwon Do. In most cases, your opponent will find himself off-balanced. By keeping the body always in equilibrium, that is, well balanced, blows are more effective. Conversely, the unbalanced opponent is easily toppled. Movements must be made to flow smoothly and remain flexible.

Breath Control

You must also take into account the question of controlled breathing. Not only does controlled breathing affect stamina, a breath held at a critical moment softens the reception of a blow from an opponent. A breath taken at a critical moment can also help augment the blow. Students of this art must also learn that disguised breathing is important to conceal the outward signs of fatigue and to prevent the betrayal of impending exhaustion. As a rule, a sharp breath is exhaled at the point of impact of a technique and inhaled as soon as it is completed.

Summary

In summarizing, it is necessary to point out that principles of force outlined here hold just as true today in our modern technology and nuclear age, as it did centuries ago. It is certain that when you go through this art both in theory and in practice, you will find the scientific basis of motions and the real power which comes out of a small human body cannot fail to impress you.