Picking Taekwondo Over Other Martial Arts
There are countless different forms of martial arts in the world, and every style has its own philosophies, techniques, and priorities. From karate and judo to krav maga and escrima, it isn’t a question of which style is the best one, rather the question is simply which martial art style is right for you?
Taekwondo, for example, emphasizes strong kicking and punching techniques. These are combined with mobile flourishes and powerful blocks intended for defense. In comparison, tai chi is a style that focuses on formal movements and sequences designed for meditation and calm, while wing-chun chooses to teach minimal movement and energy conservation techniques. While all martial arts are good and have their benefits, deciding what is important to you should always be the first step.
What Makes Taekwondo Stand Out?
While other martial arts like karate and jiu-jitsu emphasize hand-to-hand combat, taekwondo is a Korean martial art that emphasizes kicks, defense, and mobility. When deciding what kind of martial art is right for you or your child, there are a few things you should keep in mind. The key features of taekwondo include:
- Prioritize Conditioning and Fitness – Taekwondo puts a heavy emphasis on strength building, body flexibility, and physical condition. While all martial arts involve a degree of endurance training, taekwondo has a heavier focus on the body than most.
- Focus on Self-Defense – By utilizing proper grounding techniques, proper blocking, and kicks that allow for mobility, taekwondo is a perfect martial art for self-defense training.
- Unarmed Combat Style – There are many different martial art forms that focus on weapon training, or reinforce the concept of fighting with different kinds of weapons. Taekwondo is a great option if you specifically want to learn to fight unarmed, or specifically do not want to train with weapons while still practicing dynamic martial artform.
- Emphasis on Kicks and Mobility – While many other martial arts, such as Jiu-Jitsu or Karate, focus more on punches, grappling, or palm strikes, taekwondo puts its own unique emphasis on dynamic acrobatics and kicks that allow you to move quickly when needed.
The diversity in martial arts styles offers various philosophies, techniques, and priorities designed to meet different needs and preferences. When choosing a martial art, it’s crucial to consider what specifically you’re looking to gain.
Taekwondo stands out for its emphasis on kicks, mobility, and fitness conditioning, making it an excellent choice for those prioritizing self-defense without the use of weapons. While discipline and dedication are constants across all martial arts, understanding the particular training focus of each style – such as taekwondo’s unique emphasis on powerful movements and skillful self-defense – can greatly assist you in making an informed decision about which martial art is most suited to your personal goals.