Tae kwon do is a Korean martial art. Tae kwon do is the national sport of South Korea. It is also regarded as the world's most popular martial art in terms of number of practitioners, and sparring, or kyeorugi, is an official Olympic sporting event. In Korean, tae (태; 跆) means "to trample with the foot"; kwon means "fist"; and do means "way"; so taekwondo is loosely translated as "the way of the foot and fist".

Tae kwon do's popularity has resulted in the varied evolution of the martial art into several domains: as with many other arts, it combines combat techniques, self-defense, sport, exercise, meditation and philosophy.

There are two main systems of Tae kwon do: Kukkiwon system, whos sparring system named "Shihap Kyorugi" is an event at the summer Olympics and is governed by the World Tae kwon do Federation (WTF); and International Tae kwon do Federation (ITF), which was founded by General Choi Hong Hi, the father of Tae kwon do. Although there are great doctrinal and technical differences among the two tae kwon do styles and organizations, the art in general emphasizes kicks thrown from a mobile stance, employing the leg's greater reach and power (compared to the arm). Circular motions that generate power are of central importance. Also important to the generation of power is the movement of the hips while performing a punch or a block. Tae kwon do training generally includes a system of blocks, punches, and open-handed strikes and may also include various take-downs or sweeps, throws, and joint locks.

First and foremost, the Tae Kwon Do practiced here RPI is focused on teaching a highly effective form of self defense. You will be taught techniques that will neutralize the attacks of an enemy and to disable an opponent. Techniques range in severity from holds, throws, and blocks that will merely stop or hurt an opponent, to strikes that are designed to break bone.

Every exercise that we practice, from blocking drills and forms that ingrain the techniques into instinct, to sparring that teaches how to see attacks coming, to conditioning that prepares our bodies for the punishment that it can take during a fight, is done with self defense in mind.

Of course, such hard training requires, and will develop, a strong and athletic body. For many people, this byproduct of the art becomes a reason in itself for continuing practice. Physical activity includes aerobic (blocking drills and forms) as well as anaerobic activity (sparring), strength training (pushups), and stretching (kicking drills). Regular practice will help you develop your body, maintain your health, and give you more energy.

Whether it is doing one more push up than you thought you could do, controlling your body through a complicated form that required both strength and balance, or focusing your energy into a punch that will break a board, Tae Kwon Do demands a firm control of mind over body. As the body becomes a physical manifestation of the mind, inattention, confusion, and lack of resolve will show themselves physically. Likewise, clarity of thought, focus, and confidence will result in clean, quick, crisp techniques. For many people, the strength of will and clarity of thought that is developed at practice becomes goes beyond Tae Kwon Do into day to day life.

In addition to the higher level mental benefits, many people find that they enjoy Tae Kwon Do, just as they will many sports. It can be challenging, exciting, and accessible for many people.