Constant exercises are important for limbering up and for strengthening the muscles of the body. Such breathing and cries help the rhythm of the karate attack, focus more force in each blow or block, and psychologically invigorate a person while disconcerting the opponent. A cloth belt of a particular color represents degrees of achievement. The colors are in ascending order, white, green, purple, brown and black. The black belt signifies the highest proficiency and is qualified by degrees of honor or skill, the highest being the ninth or 10th degree.
Training is to improve health and increase awareness of self-defense.
Va. The purpose of the club is to spread the knowledge of the Korean martial art, which is over 2,000 years old. Taekwondo is an empty-hand, unarmed combat form that entails the use of the whole body. Tee means to kick or smash with the feet, kwon means to punch or destroy with the hand or fist, and do means way or method. Taekwondo is for self-defense and involves the application of techniques that include punching, jumping kicks, blocks, dodges and parrying actions with hands and feet. It helps to keep you in shape and gives you self-confidence, said Young Ra, a student at Oxford High School who has been taking taekwondo since the sixth grade.