The History of Tae Kwon Do
Since the establishment of the ancient Korean state in 2332 B.C., the Korean people have had to fight to protect their independence from the Chinese, the Mongols, and the Japanese. Like other fighting peoples, they developed a systematic art of self-defense. The earliest known name of this martial art was Soo Bak, meaning "Punching and Butting."

In the Sixth Century A.D., three separate kingdoms developed on the Korean Peninsula, the large kingdoms of Koguryo and Baek Je, and the small kingdom of Silla. The three kingdoms, along with Japan, constantly attacked Silla, which at the time was weak and disorganized. The major turning point for Silla was the reign of Chin Heung, the 24th King, who established the Hwa Rang. The Hwa Rang were warriors who were disciplined at an early age to endure all types of weather and hardships, and were highly trained in swordsmanship and the use of bow and spear. As fighters, they were legendary. The Hwa Rang further developed Soo Bak, which was primarily practiced as an art, by adding hand techniques and kicks. They added mental discipline and principles to transform a festival sport into a useful combat skill. This new art became known as Tae Kyon. With their fighting skills, the Hwa Rang began to be victorious over Koguryo and Baek Je. Eventually, Silla subdued both kingdoms, and, in 935 A.D., the name Koryo was given to the unified kingdom on the peninsula. Tae Kyon prospered in Koryo for 500 years until the beginning of the Yi Dynasty. Under these rulers, anything related to the military or military training was discouraged. Tae Kyon did not die out, however, but was practiced in secret and passed on from generation to generation.

In 1909, Japan conquered the weakened Korea and began an occupation of the land that lasted until the end of World War II. During the Japanese occupation, they strictly banned all forms of martial arts on pain of death. Practitioners of Tae Kyon taught in secret to keep the art alive. After the Japanese occupation ended in 1945, exiled Koreans returned with other forms of martial arts they had studied elsewhere. Some of these were combined with the ancient art of Tae Kyon. In 1955, the name Taekwondo (sometimes spelled "Tae Kwon Do") was given to the martial art that emerged—"Tae" for a kick or strike with the foot, "Kwon" for a punch or strike with the fist, and "Do" for the "way of." Thus the name signifies "The way of striking with hand and foot."

In 1985, the National AAU Taekwondo Union became the United States Taekwondo Union (USTU). In August, 1987, Taekwondo was included as an official sport in the 10th Pan-American Games held in Indianapolis, Indiana, with 26 participating nations. In 1992, Taekwondo was again included as a demonstration sport in the Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. In August 2000, Taekwondo became a full medal sport in the Olympics in Sydney, Australia. Today, 2 million students practice Taekwondo in the U.S. and over 22 million participate worldwide, with these figures growing rapidly every year.

The Korean flag is called "Taeguek," which means "the origin of all things in the Universe." The red and blue portions of the circle in the middle symbolize the "um" and "yang" (yin and yang) theory of eternal duality, the interaction of positive and negative forces. The four bar designs or "gye" in the corners of the flag are based on this um and yang principle. The location of the four gye represent the four points of the compass. "Ee-gye," in the lower-left corner indicates dawn and early sunlight as the sun rises in the East. "Kyn-gye," in the upper-left corner represents bright sunshine when the sun is directly overhead in the South at mid-day. "Kam-gye," in the upper-right corner symbolizes twilight as the sun sets in the West. "Kon-gye," in the lower-right corner represents darkness when the sun is out of sight in the North.

The History of Hap Ki Do
This Korean style of martial arts came from the Hwarang youth group that originated in the Silla Dynasty. During this Dynasty, it was felt that the security of many lay in the strength, mental and physical endurance of a select few. Each king gathered about him an elite group of young nobleman. Knights who were highly diciplined, adhered to a strict code of ethics and were extremely proficient in the act of killing with their bare hands. The Hwarang movement was the most influential driving force that brought the three fighting kingdoms of Korea together.

For 500 years, this secret art for was practiced and refined by devoted monks. Many of them branched off and developed their own styles of fighting. The most effective and devastating of which was the birth place of modern Taekwondo - Tae-Kyon.

Hap-Ki-Do translated, means "The way of coordinated power". Hap is coordination, Ki means the essence of power, and Do means the art, or method.

The History of JUDO
Judo, or the Way of Gentleness, an ideal form of physical exercise and a reliable system of self-defense, was specially created from a traditional Japanese martial art called Jujitsu.

Over a hundred years ago Jigoro Kano mastered swordsmanship and hand to and combat. Feeling the hunger for more martial arts, he set forth to design a new martial art that would reflect the concept of maximum efficiency in the use of physical and mental energy. The martial art he is known for creating is called Kodokan judo. Although created in 1882, the concepts and techniques of judo taught at the Kodokan today are the ones originally devised by Oh Sensi Jigoro Kano.

Jigoro Kano was born in 1960 in Hyogo Prefecture, created Kodokan judo in 1882,The year after he graduated from Tokyo Imperial University. In 1909 he became the first Japanese member of the International Olympic Committe. He died at sea in 1938 while returning from the IOC meeting in Cairo.

What is Kum Do?
Kum (sword) Do (method) is an ancient Korean art of sword play. Developed approximately 3000 years ago and was then called "Ke - Ak Bong" which means ancient ceremonial religious dancing and "Bong Hee". Kum Do is developed in three stages and is practiced with a wooden stick, then a wooden sword, and finally the blade. Historical legend implies that the japanese borrowed the sword techniques from Korea and developed their art of Kendo before the period of history in which Japanese samurai prevailed.

During Korea's Silla Dynasty, Queen Jin Heung, the 24th ruler in this period, developed the Hwarang, "Flowers of Youth" and organized Kum Do, Which was then known as Kum Sul (technique). These systems were taught only to individuals whose moral character was unquestionable and who were to become court guards. In addition, the systems were taught to the royal court for their personal self-defense.

Until the date of 1886, Kum Sul remained an art of only the noble class. In 1886, the second to the last king of Korea, Dae Woon Kun, proclaimed that all government officials, leaders and members of the royal court were to be taught the art of Kum Sul. In 1904, which is six years before the 35 year occupation of Korea by Japan, Kum Sul was commissioned to be taught as a weapon of battle to military personnel.

With the Japnese occupation in 1910, Kum Sul began its change into Kum Do. The art incorporated Kendo's straight forward movements with its own circular techniques.

Modern Kum Do practioners are not given belts to denote their level of progress. Instead of the traditional white uniform, colorful attire in luxurious fabrics can be worn. This may be the royal influence on the art

The History of the Nunchaku "Than Do Li Ga"
Some 350 years ago during the Japanese occupation of Okinawa, the invading warlords prohibited the use of traditional weapons such as guns, swords, and spears. The Okinawans turned to Katrate and Kobu-do (means the use of karate weapons) ie. the bo, the staff, the sai "a short sword with a couple prongs sticking out at the handle"; kama a sickle; and a surushin, which is a length of rope with weights attached to both ends, for protection. Most Kobu-do weapons were farm implements (tools) which the farmers of that time converted them into effective protective devices. The easiest to define is the nuchaku. The forerunner of it was a instrument used to pound grain. The nunchaku was constructed of two hard wood sticks which were securely connected by a rope braided from horse's tail. (Today the sticks are held together with a piece of rope or chain.) Because of its innocent appearance, the nunchaku could easily be mistaken for a toy or harmless bundle of sticks. In any defensive situation, however, it can be used to strike, block, hit, twist and pinch an opponent.

Those early practitioners of karate in Okinawa quickly incorporated the art of kobu-do because of its effectiveness, and today the many movements of both of the arts are alike. Therefore, it is very important that the nunckaku student also have a sound base knowledge of karate basics.

The History of the Bo Staff "Jang Bong"
The Long staff is an excellent weapon to choose but one of the more impractical ones because of its size. It is a piece of hard wood ranging in different lengths but the most comman lenght is 6 feet. As you see it cannot be easily concealed or carried around in your car or on your person. Still, it has remained a favorite weapon of my styles for years because of its versatility and beauty when used in the hands of a master.

Because of its length, the staff is is often used to block the nunchaku, knikes or any other weapons. The techniques of the staff are used today by most military forces when they teach rifle or punja stick fighting. It is a common belief that the original staff was used as a walking stick and for a prod for cattle or qoats but became a weapon in the hands of the skilled martial artist.

The History of the Knife "Kal"
The knife serves as a tool for eating and working and it is the most common weapon in the world today. It has deep roots from ancient times for defense and attack and still remains the favorite weapon of defense today.

The martial arts knife is a little different from the regular knife because of its construction. This type of knife will have a blade guard for protecting the hand of the user from the blade, this can also be used for gripping purposes, and a finger spot which the little finger wraps around when holding the knife for defense. You'll find the finger spot on the blade, it is smooth and should not cut the hand. The handle will be very hard, for it is also used for striking, and the balde will be double bladed at the end. Its purpose is for cutting and slashing foreward or backwards, but not doulbed all the way down, for the protection of the user and for blocks.

The knife is considered the most dangerous weapon available for the beginner, because it is not just effective for defense, but can kill you when practicing if you handle it improperly "sloppily or carelessly". This is why we practice our techniques with a rubber or wooden "Aikido" knife until such time as we are very proficient and a margin of safety is assured.

The History of the Short Stick. "Dan Bong"
The short stick is used defensively and offensively. This weapon is used just like a police baton of old. It is used to block most types weapons including a sword, knife, long staff "Bo", or a short staff. It is also used as an effective offensive tool in striking your opponents vital areas. It can be thrusted, swung at the opponent.

This Dan Bong is about six to eight inches long and has a cord attached at the bottom. you need to loop this cord over you thumb and then swing the bottom portion over the back of your hand until it is firmly held in the palm.

What are the benefits of Tae Kwon Do?
Tae Kwon Do is a frm of oriental martial arts composed of diverse offensive and defensive movements using one's hand and feet. Tae Kwon Do requires great mental concentration and it produces almost incredible power. Also it creates spiritual balance through physical activity. What is the merit of Tae Kwon Do? Tae Kwon Do, even a kind of martial art, is a better way to train and to shape the body like an aerobic. Therefore practicing Tae Kwon Do is very good for health and is a great help to increase one's mental culture and to improve one's mind. Tae Kwon Do is suitable for all aged people and is especially a very favorite sport for young people.