Discipline is absolutely necessary for each and every one of us, though it is not always a very easy thing to maintain. Life regularly requires us to have patience, to be focused and to control ourselves. Taekwondo, the traditional Korean martial arts, is the one that harmonizes all the above qualities. Not only the fast movement of the body but the process of transformation both body and mind through the art.
Once, I witnessed the first real-life Taekwondo at a school event. A group of students performed their skills for the audience. Their movements were very synchronized and accurate. Each kick was aimed at breaking a certain target. Every punch was made as a result of concentration. At that moment, even their feet were glistening with confidence. It was just another sport. It was a lifestyle.
Taekwondo was for me one of the most attractive things that it is an impeccable mixture of both the energetic bodily drill and the severe mental self-discipline. The person who is going to perform a high kick or a straight punch is required not only to use his strength but more. He needs concentration, proper breathing, and control.
Exercising connects the body with the mind, and the mind with the target. Such a kind of accord is indeed potent.
Respect is also among the main things in Taekwondo. Before a fight, you salute your opponent.
No matter who they are, you treat them with respect. It might be a small action, but the message of its is very strong. Imagine how different the world would be if every person gave others the same respect and used it in their daily life.
Next is perseveration. No one is a perfect human being, no one can do a perfect job overnight. It takes years of practise, failure, and stubbornness. Have you been falling, getting up, and doing it again? This method, however, is not only limited to martial arts. It is also the same attitude that you must have when you deal with any kind of problem in school, work, or with your personal goals.
Additionally, the Taekwondo is the quintessence of the Korean culture. Korean society is based on the ideas of respect for the elders, social harmony, and hard work. These values can be found in every class. Every bow, every kick, and every shout are the past and the culture. Practicing seems like being in a small Korea.
Sometimes, I can visualize how the military life would feel. To be dressed in the PT clothes, to be up at dawn, to be standing alongside others and to be listening to the drill sergeant. It would exhaust your body but also sharpen your brain. It would develop not only confidence but also the ability to keep your temper in check, i.e., it would not be a haughty kind of confidence but a silent one that you have within you.
This is not the confidence of fighting. It is rather about being one who is not easily put down in life. It is about trusting yourself that you can deal with any obstacle and still keep your cool.
If I were given a chance to learn Taekwondo, I would certainly say it is more than just a workout. It will be the process of my transformation, changing my thought, attitude, and way of living. Till then, I will keep picturing the sound of feet on the mat and the sharp cries that come with every hit. Maybe one day, I will be there as well, bringing the kick into the fold of discipline the Korean way.
This is my thought on Taekwondo and how it could enrich my life. If you could learn one Korean art or skill, which one would you choose?