Literally translated,

taekwondo is defined as ‘foot-hand way,’
or the art of smashing with hands and feet. These translations,
while direct, are incomplete at best since they only hint at the
myriad of moral and ethical benefits associated with this noble,
Korean discipline. For decades taekwondo has been the perfect
vehicle for cultivating inner strength, extraordinary endurance,
and an effective arsenal of defensive skills. In its current iteration
it can be thought of as a direct reflection of modern society’s
desire for a ritualized discipline devoid of religious dogma, but
complete with both physically and spiritually enhanced sets of
ethical principles by which to live. Beyond this, as the reader
will soon come to realize, lies a universe filled with intangibles
relating to the very essence of the art.