Articles: Taekwondo

Visiting Korea: Land of the Morning Calm

Doug Cook, May 24, 2010

Having traveled to Korea on several occasions, I feel strongly that experiencing the culture of this vibrant nation firsthand is the way to fully understand the roots of taekwondo. In doing so, practitioners can make a geographical and historical connection with their physical training while sampling the unique heritage of the Korean people. More >>

Master Doug Cook jumping side kick

The Doctrine of Purpose

Doug Cook, December 14, 2009

It is widely accepted that martial arts were originally developed as tools of war intended for use by soldiers on the field of battle. More >>

Remaining True to the Art of Taekwondo

Remaining True to the Art

Doug Cook, October 5, 2009

I am always careful to remind my students that the practice of traditional taekwondo is not easy. I tell them that if it were, everyone would train. And it is not difficult to see why. More >>

Doug Cook Taekwondo

The Korean Connection: Taekwondo Training in the "Land of the Morning Calm" - Part 3

Doug Cook, March 16, 2009

Grandmaster Nam is an exceptional instructor, nimbly moving from one component of the taekwondo curriculum to the next. From basic movements he continues on with one-step sparring drills, fourteen in all, ranging from axe kick/round kick combinations to spread block/double upper cut in twist stance techniques More >>

Taekwondo practice

The Korean Connection: Taekwondo Training in the "Land of the Morning Calm" - Part 2

Doug Cook, March 9, 2009

In what to me represents the epitome of Korean hospitality, our group is invited to the headquarters of the Korean National Tourism Organization in downtown Seoul, for an official welcoming ceremony More >>

Master Doug Cook practicing Taekwondo

The Korean Connection: Taekwondo Training in the "Land of the Morning Calm" - Part 1

Doug Cook, March 2, 2009

Traditional taekwondo philosophy teaches us to cultivate, among other things, courage, perseverance and indomitable will. Clearly, these virtues go hand in hand with transforming dreams into reality. More >>

Taekwondo in the Beijing 2008 Olympics - The Results

Barbara Langley, September 4, 2008

It was sad enough that NBC did not cover the Taekwondo at the Olympics, and that the Lopez family did not sweep the gold, but what is worse is the unsportsmanlike actions of Cuban Angel Matos and his coach Leudis Gonzalez. More >>

Taekwondo in the Beijing 2008 Olympics, Aug 8-24

B. Langley, August 5, 2008

Taekwondo made its debut as an official full-medal sport in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia, where 103 athletes from 51 countries participated.  In 2004 the competition was held in Athens, Greece. More >>

Videos and Podcasts...


Episode 1

Episode 1.
Chinese Martial Arts Definitions

Episode 2

Episode 2.
Retreat Center Interview PART 1

Episode 3

Episode 3.
Retreat Center Interview PART 2

Episode 4

Episode 4.
Northern and Southern Chinese Styles


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