Chungs Blak Belt Academy

What is Tae Kwon Do?:
Tae Kwon Do is a traditional Martial Art that is practiced as a form of Self-Defense, Competition, and Exercise. The word "Tae" translates roughly to "Foot" and "Kwon" to "Hand". The word "Do" translates to a phrase refering to the study of art, which can most suitably be translated "The Way of Life". Together, "Tae Kwon Do" translates to "The Way of Foot and Hand". Foot coming first in the name indicates a strong emphasis being placed on kicking techniques. The foot is chiefly empolyed as the art's main weapon because of the superior reach and power that the legs provide. However, this does not mean that we neglect the rest of our bodies. Tae Kwon Do offers a plethora of techniques for the entire body making it a practical form of self-defense and a total body work out.

Hap Ki Do?:
Hap ki do translates to "the way of harmony". This art form is a system of self-defense characterized by its joint manipulations, locks, breaks, throws, and submissions. The art utilizes the shifting of momentum and dominate positioning as its primary weapons. The philosophy behind Hap Ki Do is that using levearage and proper technique can overcome any opponent regardless of strength or size.

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History:

Martial Arts as a form of self-defense, exercise, or religious practice has been around as long as man dreamed up the idea to do so. Arguably, the first structured system of martial arts that was taught was Pankration, a Greek art meaning "All Powers". Alexander "the Great" brought with him this art form as he conquered India which later influenced Asian martial arts. Regardless, we can trace our lineage to the Father of Tae Kwon Do, General Choi Hong Hi, and the Silla Dynasty Warriors practice of Taek Kyon before him.

How Tae Kwon Do Came to Be:

Approximately 1300 years ago three kingdoms; the Silla, Koguryo, and Baek Je Dynasties were in costant conflict. The Silla Dyansty, the smallest of the three, was under constant bombardment by the two larger Kingdoms. In retaliation Ching Heung, 24th King of the Silla Dynasty, formed the Hwa Rang Do Fighting Corps. Their use of spear, bow, and Taek Kyon inspired the Silla people to rise up and eventually unite what is now Korea, for the first time in its history. After the military was debased by the Yi Dynasty Civil Enlightenment, the Japanese Occupation was to occur creating yet another setback in the progression of the art. The Japanese Occupation (1909-1945) forbade the practice of Korean martial arts, but Taek Kyon was still practiced in secret. Gen. Choi Hong Hi was forced to join the Japanese Army, but spent 7 years in a Japanese prison for trying to overthrow the Japanese Government. This is where he had studied Japanese Karate, Korean Taek Kyon, and Chinese Ch'an-Fuah. Gen. Choi Hong Hi took these arts and, through rigorous scientific study over the course of many years, created what we now know as the art of Tae Kwon Do.