Taekwondo is one of the most common forms of martial arts in the world today. It traces its origins to Korea where it is both an art and a sport. The Korean interpretation of the name is as follows: “tae” means “to break with foot”, “kwon” means “to strike or to break with the fist”, and “do” means art, method or way. Taekwondo is a martial art that incorporates a number of different defense martial art styles borrowed from nations surrounding Korea. It is an art that has evolved for over 2000 years, with the modern one having aspects of some earlier styles such as T’ang-su, Kwon Su, Kwonpup, Subak(also called Taek kyon), Tae Kwonpup, judo, and Karate.

The earliest evidence of Taekwondo goes as far back as 50 BC. Martial art styles at the time involved a combination of various forms unarmed combat, aimed at developing speed, strength, and survival skills in young warriors. At this time, Korea was divided into 3 kingdoms, namely Koguryon (37BC- 668AD), Paekje (18BC- 600AD), and Silla (57BC- 935AD). Taekwondo was first developed in Koguryon, but the Silla kingdom is credited with its growth and influence. Silla unified the three kingdoms after it defeated the Paekje and Koguryon kingdoms in 600 AD and 668 AD respectively, led by an elite nobility of young men, called Hwa Rang Do(meaning the way of the flowering manhood).

The Hwa Rang Do warriors were devoted to developing the mind and body in service to the Silla kingdom. They spent their lives studying history, Taek kyon, Confucian philosophy, ethics, military tactics and Buddhist morality. They lived by an ancient honor-code referred to as “The 5 Codes of Human Conduct”. These were loyalty, trustworthiness, filial duty, justice, and valor. Over time, the Hwa Rang Do transformed from a military outfit to a group that specialized in music and poetry. Taek kyon became a recreational activity and a sport. When the Koryo Dynasty came to power in 936 AD, it reverted to being a military art.

People later traveled to different places to learn other forms of martial arts. Those who were experts in Subak also begun teaching the public. The Yi dynasty (1397-1907), oversaw the writing of the first Taekwondo book. It was also at this time that Subak gradually begun to fade with people preferring to use debate instead of military options to settle conflicts. Thus, the art reverted to being a recreational sport again. When Japan conquered Korea in 1909 and ruled there for 36years, the need to learn Subak as a military art was once again rekindled. After the liberation of Korea, there arose many variants of Taek kyon due to the influence of other forms of martial arts. The first Taekwondo School started at this time. Thereafter, more schools came about with each claiming to teach the ancient Subak. At the height of the Korean War, the various forms of Taek kyon were harmonized and referred to as Taekwondo.

Tae kwon do is one of the many ways that people exercise to keep in shape. You will find different places where you can get the training that you need. In Tae Kwon Do you will also have various types of tae kwon do equipment available to the interested students. These pieces of equipment are great for learning the different moves of tae kwon do.

While you will find that each discipline of karate to have its own moves and equipment these are different to the tae kwon do equipment. When you are practicing with this equipment you will notice that you need to learn how to coordinate your body so that you make the most out of the training session. As students learn tae kwon do in a series of steps the equipment will be ones that will help you to progress in your training.

When you begin your tae kwon do training it is important that you understand what part the tae kwon do equipment will play in your training sessions. By understanding this role you can prepare yourself for training. In your training sessions you will be shown the appropriate tae kwon do movements so that you don’t cause yourself any serious injurious.

When you look at the different types of tae kwon do equipment you will notice that each piece of equipment which is geared towards helping the students achieve their full potential. For the most part this equipment will be made from wood. While you can get hurt from the wooden equipment the injuries that you sustain will not be too severe.

By now you will understand just how important tae kwon do equipment is in the training process of this discipline of karate. These equipment pieces will help you to develop your skill and discipline in your chosen area of karate. For this reason make the most of the tae kwon do equipment.