Taekwondo today - Its development of the art and sport

Taekwondo today has also evovled into different aspects not mainly as self-defense and sparring as sport. It has also Taekwondo aerobics which is a set of movements performed by practioners accompanied along with music. Do not be surprised that even elders also take up Taekwondo aerobics to keep fit. But usually, movements for them might not be that vigorous. There is also more attention pay on demostrations like kicking of planks and pattern or poomsae.

Besides the sparring tournament, nowadays there are also pattern competitions or a combination of demostration competitions which consists of pattern, aerobics, board breaking, bricks and boards breaking and self-defense techniques. Taekwondo now have different aspects each being unique and interesting in their own ways. It is no longer only used as a self-defense but provides leisure as a sport and pleasure as demostration events.

There are perhaps some people who do not like the idea of today's Taekwondo as it seems that it has become more commercialized and might lose its traditional values. But I believe that despite these ongoing events and revolutionary changes, the basis of Taekwondo still must remain before the commencement of any activities as such. It is still about the main traditional values that a true Taekwondo practioner must hold on regardless one is actively participating in sparring, board breaking, poomsae, aerobics or a combination of everything. If not, it will be like a body without its soul. Taekwondo is not only about how well one can be in its aspects but also to understand the philosophies behind it. That, is then the true essence of Taekwondo.