Five Benefits of Taekwondo

Ko Martial Arts

January 14, 2022


The definition of martial arts translates to "art of war ," which means the Roman god of war. The days of needing martial arts to prepare for war or physical battle are long gone. However, Taekwondo  value system is crucial in battling the wars of today: laziness, insecurity, and indifference.

Master Ko Presenting Black Belt to Student.


Here are five lessons taekwondo impresses on each of its students.


Self-Discipline and Self-Control


Committing to master a new Taekwondo  skill requires persistence and dedication. Consistently training despite your physical, mental, or emotional state promotes self-discipline. The repetitive practices of Taekwondo  demonstrate how strength-of-will enables you to reach all your goals. Students learn to regulate their emotions by training their bodies to operate under stress. Thinking clearly under pressure teaches self-control, increasing a person's ability to think critically and problem-solve in other areas of their lives.


Better Focus


The average attention span is 8 seconds long, shrinking nearly 25% over the last decade.* Screen time and social media only add to our children's lost ability to focus on anything for long. Taekwondo trains students to be present by ignoring distractions. While we can't have the same expectations for every age group, we build upon practices that continue to grow every student's ability to focus. Preschool-aged students learn to participate in a group, sit still, and look people in the eyes. Our older students expand upon that by keeping their bodies still and not thinking about other things. These skills spill over into our students' school, family, and social life, improving their focus in each of these areas.



Socialization Skills


Progressing through belt stripes and colors builds confidence. As students gain confidence in themselves, they learn how to be leaders. By repeatedly practicing physical and mental self-control, students sharpen their conflict resolution skills, allowing them to have difficult conversations while maintaining their calm, a valuable lesson for every aspect of life.

Martial Arts Student in Tournament Setting.

Respect


From our mindset to our language, respect is the bedrock of Taekwondo . Students are expected to use ma'am and sir when addressing their elders, helping them respect the person and their expertise. Pushing students to recognize the skillfulness of others affirms they are not always the expert in the room. Respect opens students' minds to learning from everyone around them and prevents assuming they know the intentions  or skill sets  of others.


Commitment 


Commitment is upheld through consistent attendance and practice. Students learn these skills through setting goals and achieving them, showing up even when they don't feel like it, and pushing through physical exertion. This demonstrates determination and builds confidence. Students see that they can achieve their goals in taekwondo and life by committing themselves to them. 


KOMA is committed to improving our community and our world, one student at a time. As excellence becomes a habit, we see our kids transform into the best version of themselves.