Tae Kwon Do

Tae Kwon Do is an "offensive" form of martial art rooted in Korea.  Tae Kwon-Do provides an integrated approach to the cultivation of the mind, body, and spirit. Tae Kwon Do is rooted in Korea from the combat warriors called "Hwarang" (Flowers of Youth) in the Soo Bak Ki system of martial arts which included Tae Kwon Do, Hap Ki Do and Moo Sa Sool (weaponry).  These warriors were from the Silla Kingdom in ancient Korea.  This army was comprised of teenagers, both boys and girls, taken from aristocratic families of Sillian society.  Soo Bak Ki was the system they trained in and was the original system of the OHTC Martial Arts Association.  It is still taught in its pure form in OHTC as well as the system later divided by other Masters into Tae Kwon Do and Hap Ki Do.  One soldier of the Hwarang was said to be worth ten of any other of the two warring Kingdoms of Bak Jae and Ko Goo Ryu.  The Hwarang endured a grueling regiment of training in Soo Bak Ki, which included Tae Kwon Do, and was directly responsible for Silla's utter dominance.  Tae Kwon Do's techniques rely on almost 80% kicking and flexibility.

Tae Kwon Do facilitates:

• A letting go of emotional tension
• An increase in concentration and awareness
• The improvement of health and awareness
• The build up of internal and external power through:
  a) Meditation techniques (Myong Sang Bub)
  b) Breathing techniques (Ki Gong Bub)
• Increased flexibility and stamina
• The gain of self defense skills through techniques such as:
  a) Kicking (skipping, jumping, flying, spinning, etc.)
  b) One step sparring and free sparring techniques
  c) Forms such as the Tae Geuk and Pal Gae forms
  d) Striking and blocking techniques