Courtesy
The emphasis on courtesy is apparent at a tae kwon do studio, or dojang. Students bow when entering and exiting the dojang to show respect to the place where they train. Students also bow to instructors and other students when they greet them. In addition, tae kwon do students do not interrupt others when they are speaking. Lessons on courtesy can be adapted to life outside the dojang. Tae kwon do students strive to respect others even if others do not always return that respect.
Integrity
Integrity refers to making the right choices. For example, in tae kwon do, integrity sometimes means taking a few minutes away from your own techniques to help a less-advanced student improve her moves. Integrity also means you refuse to try to steal students away from competing studios. Outside the dojang, integrity can make students more honest and considerate with family, friends and coworkers.
Perseverance
Tae kwon do classes are challenging. They usually include pushups, situps and significant kicking. In addition, you need to remember self-defense techniques, one-step sparring moves and choreographed routines, known as poomse. Tae kwon do can be daunting both physically and mentally. If you have the perseverance to continue the journey all the way to black belt, you can develop the willpower to persevere in other areas of your life.
Self-Control
Tae kwon do can give you the self-confidence to handle yourself in a fight. This martial art can also give you the self-control to verbally diffuse a confrontation before it gets physical. Tae kwon do techniques are for self-defense. You don't learn strikes and kicks to attack someone just because they upset you. Practitioners learn when to use their moves and when to hold them back. In tae kwon do classes, students learn to control punches and kicks so fellow students do not get seriously injured.
Indomitable Spirit
Tae kwon do students learn that giving up should not be an option when challenges seem insurmountable. For example, students sometimes break through stacks of boards as a way to develop indomitable spirit. This principle can help students overcome challenges and strive for success in jobs, relationships and school. Han's Tae Kwon Do says the indomitable spirit has "the courage and confidence to try again and not be subdued or overcome in the face of fear or failure."
