Taekwondo translated means “way of the foot and the fist.” Although it didn’t get its name until 1955, the martial art has been developed for more than 2,000 years. It’s an Olympic event, and there are numerous ata taekwondo schools in Atlanta. But where did this sport come from? Here are some things that you should know about its development:
Hwa Rang
Around 2300 BC, Korea was made up of several tribes that later united into a nation. By the 6th Century it was divided into 3 kingdoms: Koguryom, Paekje, and Silla. These kingdoms often warred against one another. They needed to train their people to protect their kingdom. Silla’s King, Chin Heung, created a group of warriors called the Hwa Rang. These warriors were well trained in the use of swords, spears, bows and arrows, and an ancient form of foot fighting called Soobak.
HOW EARLY CAN YOU START TAEKWONDO?
Posted: December 20, 2015
Martial arts training can be both fun and beneficial for people of all ages. This is especially so for children, who can learn such things as confidence and dedication, as well as how to remain physically fit. We often receive questions regarding how young parents can enroll their children in Atlanta taekwondo classes for kids. While there is no set minimum age for children to begin in martial arts, there are a few things you should keep in mind.
Each child is different when it comes to how young they will be able to excel in taekwondo. For example, Bruce Lee, who is probably the most well-known and highly acclaimed martial artist ever, began his training in martial arts at the age of 13. On the other hand, Jackie Chan, who has starred in some of the greatest martial arts movies in history, got his start at 7 years old.
There is little evidence to support the idea that children that start training earlier will excel more quickly. In fact, starting a child in martial arts too early can deter them from finding true success because they may become discouraged if they are unable to perform all of the duties expected of them. It isn’t until a person is able to recognize that they enjoy something that they will be dedicated to it in the long term.
THE RISE OF KARATE
Posted: December 18, 2015
The public exposure to karate is often limited to movies like The Karate Kid or Kung Fu Panda. You may know a bit more if you know someone that does karate or if you do karate yourself. Karate is one of the most popular forms of martial arts. You can find martial arts studios in Alpharetta that teach individuals of all ages about the benefits of karate. What you may not know is where exactly karate comes from and how it became to be such a popular form of martial arts in America. At Karate Atlanta, we love and appreciate the exciting history of karate that has made it what it is today.
Deep Roots
To begin, we first must know what the term “martial arts” means. Martial arts are codified systems and traditions of combat practices. They are practiced for many purposes including physical health and fitness, self-defense, competition, and entertainment. They are also practiced to develop yourself physically, mentally, and spiritually.Karate was developed from the indigenous martial arts on the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan, with some influence from Chinese martial arts. The practice of karate was brought to mainland Japan in the early 20th century during a period of cultural exchanges between China and Japan. Restrictions on weaponry also increased its popularity. Gichin Funakoshi is typically given credit for both introducing and popularizing karate on the mainland of Japan. He sought to modernize the practice of karate. Jigoro Kano, the founder of judo, developed the standard use of the white uniform and colored belts.
WHAT OUR CHILDREN CAN LEARN FROM THE KARATE KID MOVIE
Posted: December 15, 2015
As one of the most iconic movies of the 1980s, The Karate Kid is full of life lessons that anyone would be smart to take to heart. But especially if your child is about to take up karate here at Karate Atlanta or any other studio, it is important they know that it won’t only help them become a better athlete, but a better human being. Here are 5 life lessons kids can learn from The Karate Kid.
Take a Stand
When Mr. Miyagi asks Daniel if he wanted to start learning karate, he responded with, “I guess so.” Mr. Miyagi told him that it’s fine to walk down the right side of the road and it’s fine to walk down the left side of the road. But if you walk down the middle, you’ll eventually get squished.It’s important to make a decision and stick by it, constantly striving to accomplish your goals and stand up for what you believe in.
BASIC KARATE MOVES TO KNOW
Posted: December 11, 2015
Do you want to have a basic knowledge of simple karate moves? It can come in handy and is useful to know even though you hope you never have to use them. Here are a few basic moves you should know.
Proper Stance
Before doing any actual karate moves, it all starts with the proper stance. You must be stable and have a proper relationship between your feet and the floor. In order to do any other moves efficiently, your body must be completely balanced.