| When seen on television or across the silver screen, | | | | but to encourage and enlighten. The basics, which are |
| martial arts appear a striking phenomena, an art | | | | founded in simple conditioning exercises and stances, |
| performed with incredible force and daunting physical | | | | paired with meditation that facilitate focus, can be |
| power. In practice, the masters and students we see in | | | | easily taught and learned under a proper master. |
| the classrooms and gymnasiums seem exuberant, | | | | Learning Kung Fu, benefits not only the body, but the |
| disciplined and full of vigor. We often find ourselves | | | | mind and soul, as it reworks the muscles in action and |
| admiring martial arts and their practitioners, but very | | | | engulfs the self into a higher level of awareness. |
| seldom do we consider attempting them. For | | | | Taekwondo is growing in the international spotlight, and |
| ourselves, we may wonder if we're past the age | | | | is in fact the most popular martial art in the world with |
| where we could ever learn such an art. For our | | | | the largest number of practitioners. It is the national |
| children, we ask if they are too young to comprehend | | | | sport of South Korea, and an art with a very |
| and appreciate it. The truth, however, is that martial | | | | interesting history due to the Japanese occupation of |
| arts can be learned at any age. | | | | Korea a century ago. |
| Like any new physical routine, a person must first | | | | Taekwondo, like many other martial arts, focuses on |
| evaluate their past and current health in order to | | | | several areas of effect, namely combat, self-defense, |
| determine where they would like to see their future | | | | sport and meditation. There is a great emphasis on the |
| health. The great thing about martial arts is that no | | | | legs, as the founders of the art believed that the legs |
| matter where one is in their current health, there is a | | | | are the longest and strongest part of the human body, |
| martial art suitable to take them where they would like | | | | thus the greatest weapon and foundation. It is an art |
| to be. | | | | that focuses on the development of strength, speed, |
| Kung Fu is more well known by name than content. It | | | | balance and overall stamina, which is great for one of |
| is a martial art deeply rooted in Chinese history and | | | | ambitious mind and body. |
| philosophy, brought to light in modern pop culture by | | | | There is a martial art for every and any one out there |
| cinema and famous martial artists such as Bruce Lee, | | | | willing to put forth the time and effort, regardless of |
| Jackie Chan, and Jet Li. While portrayed in the media | | | | age, gender, or even weight and current health. |
| as a powerhouse physical force, an action staple, and | | | | Practicing the arts does not only help to discipline the |
| highly combative art, Kung Fu actually encompasses | | | | mind and body, but raise self awareness and security. |
| so much more than that. | | | | Kung Fu and Taekwondo are only two examples of a |
| The aforementioned martial artists and films that they | | | | very diverse set of martial arts, a person only needs |
| have starred in or inspired, can make Kung Fu seem | | | | to look a bit further or wider to find one to fit their life. |
| quite intimidating. Yet, the art is not meant to intimidate, | | | | |