Many people believe that Taekwondo and other martial arts are rooted in mystical components and were only meant for warriors on a battlefield. While there are roots from centuries past, today’s style of martial have become more modernized and focused on different aspects. The days where warriors would train hours on end daily to prepare for the rigor of hand-to-hand combat and to become masters of weaponry no longer exists. Today’s martial artist trains to better themselves mentally and physically. Martial arts have been converted into systems that challenge the individual at their skill level.
Don’t get me wrong, today’s styles of martial arts focus is on self-defense, it’s just against a different enemy. Today we focus on bully self-defense, stranger danger, and defending oneself against criminals looking to do harm. We practice striking, grappling, throws, and weapons so that we gain the knowledge and confidence to protect ourselves and others if needed. However, the main purpose of today’s martial arts is to create the best version of oneself. We use the techniques as an avenue to engage our community in a different way to learn self-control, confidence, focus, discipline, respect, integrity and so much more. We use the techniques to get a unique and individualized workout to increase our cardiovascular and muscular strength, endurance, and dexterity. We use the techniques to teach us how to control our thoughts and our breathing to create mental clarity.
Today’s martial artists aren’t the Samurai, the Ninja, or the Hwarang. Today’s martial artists are lawyers, doctors, first responders, parents, accountants, grandparents, kids and so much more. Classes are taught, not drilled like centuries past and now families participate in family martial arts classes together! The best part is it doesn’t take multiple hours a day with a singular focus to become the best version of yourself or to become a black belt. At Legendary Black Belt Academy in Richardson, TX It takes 1-2 classes per week or 300 hours total to achieve the first goal of black belt.