Association of Academies of Martial Arts

• FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Should I try martial arts/self defense?

Sure! If you are wondering, give it a try. There is no better way to decide.

Which martial art should I try?

There are many martial arts styles, and many schools from which to choose. As long as the technique is properly taught, the best style to study depends on what you want. Some hard styles emphasize direct, powerful punches and kicks, while other soft styles emphasize flowing motions. Different schools may teach self defense, meditation, balance, flexibility, sparring, and personal growth, to varying degrees and with distinct approaches. If you want to know which style suits you best, check out several. Remember, the attitude of the instructor and the atmosphere of the class are as important as the style itself.

What is Taekwon Do?

Taekwon Do is a modern, hard style Korean martial art whose name means foot-hand- way. The name was coined in 1955 by General Choi Hong Hi, who founded the style and is now grand master and president of the International Taekwon Do Federation (ITF). Through international seminars, and the writing of a remarkable encyclopedia of Taekwon Do, General Choi has standardized many aspects of our art. Thus a practitioner in our style may train throughout the world and immediately recognize the techniques, exercises, and sparring rules. This standardization is nicely balanced by the individual teaching methods of each instructor. Taekwon Do is a refinement of many centuries of martial arts, particularly Japanese and Korean styles. Techniques include a wide array of foot, hand, elbow, and knee strikes, as well as throws and joint locks. Taekwon Do is distinguished from other arts largely by its wide arsenal of spectacular and effective kicking techniques. Much training time is devoted to learning the fast and powerful kicks that are possible through biomechanically correct body positioning. This allows the practitioner to train safely for many years, developing strength, balance, and flexibility.



• FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Should I try martial arts/self defense? Sure! If you are wondering, give it a try. There is no better way to decide. Which martial art should I try? There are many martial arts styles, and many schools from which to choose. As long as the technique is properly taught, the best style to study depends on what you want. Some hard styles emphasize direct, powerful punches and kicks, while other soft styles emphasize flowing motions. Different schools may teach self defense, meditation, balance, flexibility, sparring, and personal growth, to varying degrees and with distinct approaches. If you want to know which style suits you best, check out several. Remember, the attitude of the instructor and the atmosphere of the class are as important as the style itself. What is Taekwon Do? Taekwon Do is a modern, hard style Korean martial art whose name means foot-hand- way. The name was coined in 1955 by General Choi Hong Hi, who founded the style and is now grand master and president of the International Taekwon Do Federation (ITF). Through international seminars, and the writing of a remarkable encyclopedia of Taekwon Do, General Choi has standardized many aspects of our art. Thus a practitioner in our style may train throughout the world and immediately recognize the techniques, exercises, and sparring rules. This standardization is nicely balanced by the individual teaching methods of each instructor. Taekwon Do is a refinement of many centuries of martial arts, particularly Japanese and Korean styles. Techniques include a wide array of foot, hand, elbow, and knee strikes, as well as throws and joint locks. Taekwon Do is distinguished from other arts largely by its wide arsenal of spectacular and effective kicking techniques. Much training time is devoted to learning the fast and powerful kicks that are possible through biomechanically correct body positioning. This allows the practitioner to train safely for many years, developing strength, balance, and flexibility.