Tae Kwon Do is a form of martial art training from Korea that is derived from ancient martial arts that are over 2000 years old. Tae Kwon Do's goal is to help the student grow and develop in the areas of: courtesy, integrity, self confidence, self control, perseverance, commitment, and unbreakable spirit. Tae Kwon Do is NOT a cult or religious sect nor is Tae Kwon Do, as the movies depict, a violent militant group that teaches students to beat up people. Tae Kwon Do IS a very sensible method of consistent mental and physical training that is a year-round, life-time system of exercise and personal development. Taekwondo is famed for its employment of kicking techniques, which distinguishes it from martial arts such as karate or certain southern styles of kung fu. The rationale is that the leg is the longest and strongest weapon a martial artist has, and kicks thus have the greatest potential to execute powerful strikes without successful retaliation.

Tae Kwon Do is made of up four major components:

1. Sparring (Kyorugi)
2. Forms (Poomse)
3. Board Breaking
4. Self Defense

Tae means Feet
Kwon means Hands
Do means Mind

Loosely translated it means "The way of the hand and foot"

Belts are goals that are set for students to meet on their road to Tae Kwon Do training and personal improvement. To obtain the first belts, the goals are more easily met and involve more help from the instructor. Techniques are fairly simple early on and increase in difficulty as the student’s progress. Each student will progress at the speed that is equal to their personal abilities. Students under the age of 16, will earn a Junior Black Belt, or Poom. Adults earn a first degree Black Belt, or 1st Dan. Black Belts are ranked from 1st through 9th degree. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd degree Black Belts are considered journeyman level. 4th - 6th degree Black Belts are considered Master Instructors. 5th Degree Black Belts & 6th Degree Black Belts often hold the title Kwang Jang Nim (Head of a school or an association). 7th - 9th Degree Black Belts are considered Grand Masters.

Here are the following meanings of each belt color:

• No Belt-symbolizes pure, nothing, no knowledge, such as an unborn baby
• White-symbolizes the same as a no belt but the student senses with expectancy the first signs of a new birth
• Yellow-is the color of the sunrise in the morning the start of a new day. It symbolizes a new birth
• Green is the color of the spring season. The student is not starting to grow in the early stages of childhood.
• Blue-is the color of the sky, youth and ambition. This is a time comparable to early teenage years
• Brown-symbolizes the maturing plant that still seeks nourishment but is getting stronger
• Red-is the color f blood or the sun. The student is developing a strong foundation of his/her body and nature. Red also signifies a warning for danger. The student is now learning to express him/herself and give to others.
• Black-signifies the student is now learning the true meaning of tae Kwon Do. He/She is also becoming aware of the vast amount of knowledge and experience he/she must still accumulate. At this stage the student is like a young adult who’s learning to share what he/she’s gained.

Upon reaching 1st Dan black belt, a student will realize how much more there is to learn and continue their own training and move up the different levels of Dan. They also pass on what they have learned to new students and become an instructor. This is part of the circle of Tae Kwon Do -- passing on all the training once learned by teaching new students who may one day do the same. This keeps the art of Tae Kwon Do alive for many generations and is the principle on which Tae Kwon Do and the Martial Arts have sustained themselves for over 2000 years. The knowledge and art of Tae Kwon Do is a gift that is meant to be shared with others who strive to learn and to better themselves.