Jhoon Rhee International`s Web Site

By Michael O'shea
Published: April 4, 2004 Copyright 2004 ParadeNet Inc

“If you asked me this question 30 years ago, I would have said tae kwon do was the best to keep you in top shape and build confidence,” says Grand Master Jhoon Rhee, the 10th-degree black belt who introduced tae kwon do to the U.S. in 1956. “But now I say the differences are not in the styles but in the individual instructors. If an instructor has knowledge, integrity and takes the students sincerely, the results will be good.”

Grand Master Jhoon Rhee recommends doing the following at home daily to get the most out of your program: one-leg stands to increase balance; flexibility exercises; and muscle-tone conditioning through push-ups, sit-ups, squats for the thighs; and standing on tip toes for the calf muscles.

A responsible teacher will challenge his or her students physically and mentally to help them reach their goals. “Under proper instruction, an individual develops the key elements of focus, balance, coordination, speed and power,” says Walter Eddie, the U.S. heavyweight tae kwon do champion in 1981 and a sixth-degree black belt. The right program also will contribute to your cardiovascular health, strength and flexibility.

Besides taking classes at a martial-arts school, you may be able to find programs such as kickboxing at your local gym. Certain instructors also teach out of their homes. But regardless of where your lessons are held, don’t pay for too many in advance. First make sure that you are comfortable with the instructor and the program.

Although there are hundreds of martial-arts styles to choose from (including those that are a blend of two or more), below are some of the prominent ones:

• Tae kwon do, the national martial art of Korea, emphasizes the use of hundreds of kicking techniques, from stationary to complicated aerial and spinning kicks. While kicking is the cornerstone, ji-do-kwon and some other styles focus on balancing the use of hands and feet. A favorite among kids, tae kwon do became an official Olympic sport at the 2000 Games.

• Kung fu originated in China more than 2000 years ago. Similar to karate, it draws on punches, strikes, kicks and throws. Unlike karate—in which closed-fist maneuvers are prevalent—kung fu uses open-handed and circular movements. Many styles also integrate a variety of weapons.

• Karate is a Japanese method of self-defense in which a person punches, strikes, kicks or blocks. Straight, rapid movements form the basis of defense and attack. Karate originated on the island of Okinawa in the 1600s and was directly influenced by early methods of kung fu.

• Tai chi, practiced as a daily form of fitness in China and around the world, is characterized by deliberately slow, rhythmic movements that are circular and continuous. It has caught on among older Americans, who tout its ability to improve balance, circulation and overall health.

• Kickboxing, which developed in the ’60s as a ring sport, combines the hand moves of boxing with kicks found in karate and other martial arts. In recent years, aerobic-style kickboxing classes have built a following among women looking for a fat-burning and body-toning workout.

• Judo, which descended from Jujutsu, and like wrestling, it uses throwing and flipping techniques. Dr. Jigoro Kano, president of the University of Education, Tokyo, developed Judo in 1882. He studied ancient forms of self-defense and combat and used the best of several techniques to create this martial art. Judo became an Olympic sport in 1964 and is practiced by millions of people worldwide.

• Aikido, which focuses not on attacking opponents but on using their own attacking energy to throw and defeat them. This is accomplished by moving in a circular motion that gets your attacker off balance. Joint twisting, grabbing and bending are its principle movements. Aikido was developed in Japan by Morihei Ueshiba around 1930.

Michael O’Shea, Ph.D., is a fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine.