Richard Lim - September 2008
"Tae" means foot, "Kwon" leg and "Do" way. So, Taekwondo is loosely translated as " the way of the foot and fist". Practitioners are expected to develop not just their physical aspects, such as strength, skill and balance, but also mental discipline, etiquette and respect. This is important as Taekwondo represents not just a physical activity, but a philosophy that influences other areas of one's life.
My journey with Taekwondo has lasted several years thus far, and it has had an influence on me in a variety of ways. The most obvious benefit has been the physical fitness training has provided. Keeping ones body fit is important in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, avoiding sickness and staying energetic. It has also supported success in other sporting pursuits such as swimming and athletics.
Taekwondo has had a much deeper influence than just this however Training with peers and developing one's skills has helped to build confidence as I have aged and matured. It has also been satisfying to see these developments occur in others that have joined the club and continued to advance. As a student, training has been an effective way of relieving stress and tension through a physical workout.
Taekwondo requires focus and dedication to learn effectively. This self discipline and concentration has benefitted other aspects of my life too. For someone in my situation this has been most notably in studies, but has also influenced how I approach tasks in everyday life. When setting out to do something, one should always commit themselves to do the best they can.
Finally, from a personal perspective, one of the most important lessons Taekwondo has taught is that of perseverance. At times I have shown wavering committment to training for a number of reasons, not always very good. In the end, however I realised that this was only doing harm to myself and it was up to me to show the dedication required, which in hindsight should not have been difficult, as I have always enjoyed training. I have always returned though and although the journey thus far has been a bit disjointed, I am proud to finally be here with the belief that I am prepared to grade for my black belt.