Registration

 

Martial arts training is year round so there is no set time for registration in Taekwondo as in other sports. Picayune Taekwondo allows students to take a free class before enrollment to see if martial arts training is right for you or your child.

 

Membership

 

Picayune Taekwondo offers one, three , six, and twelve month memberships. We offer cheaper fees for the longer memberships to encourage long term training as the benifits of martial arts training occours over time.

 

 

Other Costs

 

 

What is Taekwondo?

 

Many people have questions about Taekwondo and how it compares to other martial arts training. Taekwondo means "the way of the hand and foot." It is the traditional martial art of Korea. Its power and grace have made it popular the world over, and it is now featured as an Olympic sport. The five tenets of Taekwondo are Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control, and Indomitable Spirit

 

The History of Taekwondo

 

The Hwa Rang were encouraged to travel in order to know the country and the people.  There traveling warriors were responsible for the spread of Taek Kyon throughout Korea during the Silla dynasty, which lasted from A.D. 935.  During this period, Taek Kyon was known as Subak and during the reign of King Uijong (1147-1170), its emphasis changed from physical fitness to a fighting art.
 

Prior to the Yi dynasty (1397 – 1907), the art was restricted to the military nobility, but the first book was written to promote the art among the general public.  The widely available book was responsible for the growth and popularity of the art among the common people and for the survival of Subak during this era.  During the second half of the Yi dynasty, political conflicts and de-emphasize of military activities in favor of more scholarly pursuits led to a significant reduction in the practice of the art.  The art returned once again to the role of physical fitness and recreation, except not the general population maintained the art and not the nobility.  Subak as an art became fragmented and its practice continued to decline until only incomplete remnants remained.  What limited knowledge remained was passed down from one generation to the next within individual families that generally practiced it in secret.
 

Korea’s fighting arts experienced resurgence in 1909 when the Japanese invaded Korea and banned the practice of all martial arts for native Koreans during the 36 year occupation.  Korean patriots, fueled by hatred of their oppressors, organized themselves into underground fractions and traveled to remote Buddhist temples to study the martial arts.  Others left Korea to study the martial arts in China and even Japan.  In Korea, Subak/Taek Kyon was kept alive through the efforts of a number of famous masters of the Korean martial arts.  The nature of the martial arts changed when, in 1942, first Judo and then Karate and Kung Fu were officially introduced.  After the liberation of Korea in 1945, a variety of Korean martial arts flourished throughout the country.
 

The first kwan (school) to teach a native Korean style of martial art was opened in 1945 in Yong Chun, Seoul.  This dojang (gymnasium) was named the Chung Do Kwan.  Later the same year, the Moo Duk Kwan and the Chi Do Kwan were founded.  Seven other major schools opened between 1953 and the early 1960s.  Although each school claimed to teach the traditional Korean martial art, each emphasized a different aspect of Taek Kyon/Subak and various names emerged for each system.  Styles became known as Soo Bahk Do, Kwon Bop, Kong Soo Do, Tae Soo Do, Dang Soo Do and Tang Soo Do.
 

For the next 10 years dissension between the various kwans prevented the formation of a central regulating board, but the martial arts hand gained a foothold in the military.  In 1952, President Syngman Rhee watched a demonstration by Korean martial arts masters and ordered training in the martial arts to be adopted as part of regular military training.
 

Following the end of the Korean War in 1953, the Korean 29th Infantry Division was established on Che Ju island and was responsible for all Taek Kyon training in the Korean Army.  Two years later, a meeting was convened to unify the various Kwans under a common name.  Of the original masters who did not become part of the unified art, only Hapkido remains as a recognized separate art in itself.  The name of Tae Soo Do was accepted by the majority of kwan masters, who agreed to merge their various styles for the mutual benefit of all schools.  However, two years later, in 1957, the name was once again changed, this time to the familiar Taekwondo Taekwondo has been the recognized name for the Korean martial arts since that day.
 

 

The Tenets of Taekwondo

 

Courtesy is the behavior that comes from a respectful attitude.  Respect is the attitude that stems from humility.  Each student must recognize how much there is to learn and that it is necessary to have someone teach the way.  It is respect that will enable the student to be open to learning that comes from the instructor and from the deep places in the heart from where spirituality is nourished.  This is why I bow to my instructor; this is why I bow as I enter and leave the dojang; this is why I bow to myself whenever I practice alone before the wall of mirrors in the dojang or in my basement.
 

Integrity is the completeness one attains from adhering to a code of values, i.e. sincerity, honesty and loyalty toward oneself and others.  Wrong doing can lean to a path of personal deceit and destruction and the feeling of guilt is the conscious mind allowing one to see the error of his ways.
 

Perseverance is the nectar of sweat that yields the honey of accomplishment.  The martial arts are a lifelong venture.  This venture can begun by the timid; but it can only be continued by those who discover perseverance within themselves.  This quality can be learned as long as the student simply says “one more try”.  Perseverance means that one has learned the art of living with adversity while still keeping one’s sights on goals.
 

Self-Control, mastery over one’s own behavior, is a vital component in the maturing process.  So many children have benefited from their experience with martial arts because they have learned self-control.  This enables them to direct their energies in creative ways as attaining better grades in school, more respect and acceptance of responsibility from teachers and parents, and develops in a circle of friends based on the positive human values of gentleness and caring rather than rowdiness and intimidation.
 

Indomitable Spirit is the will to do one’s best with all one has, against even the most insurmountable odds.  It reflects a personal desire to achieve, through setting goals and living with the results, and resetting goals with the values appreciated through failures.
 

In the final analysis, it is these five qualities of spirit that will keep the martial artist on the mountain of life, regardless of the body’s physical limitations the years bring forth.  To develop and to cherish these qualities and then to practice them, will enable the martial artist to face any and all terrain on the mountain of life where family, work, leisure, friendships and spirituality flow like streams into a lake, running over with water for everything living.

 

Why learn Taekwondo?

 

Taekwondo (TKD) is a great way to get the daily exercise you and your children need. TKD can also give you more energy, body flexibility, endurance, and confidence. In addition to learning standard forms and techniques, TKD focuses on positive attitude development - a character trait that can benefit anyone throughout life.

 

Why should I choose Picayune Taekwondo?

 

We are very proud of our school and the quality of its students and instructors. Our main goal is to make martial arts training safe, enjoyable and rewarding. All of our instructors are trained in not only Taekwondo techniques, but also teaching, coaching and classroom management skills. Picayune Taekwondo requires its instructors to re-certify every three years. Before being certified, our trainees must study for years to qualify as a certified instructor at Picayune Taekwondo. Our blackbelts are internationally ranked through the International Taekwondo Federation (ITF).

The goal of our instruction is to teach students to become better people, to achieve their own goals and develop leadership skills.

 

What are Forms or Patterns?

 

Every movement of Taekwondo is scientifically designed with specific purpose. Constant repetition teaches patience and the resolve to overcome any difficulty. The tremendous power generated form one's training develops the self-confidence to meet any opponent, at any place, and in any situation. Patterns teach flexibility, grace, balance, and coordination.

 

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