Mat Chat: Courtesy🙏

We have 5 tenets of Taekwondo. They include:

Courtesy 여의 ye-wee

Integrity 염치 yom-chee

Perseverance 인냬 ee-nay

Self-Control 극기 gook gee

Indomitable Spirit 백절불굴 beckjool boolgool

Today we’re doing a deep dive into Courtesy!

Courtesy is defined in the dictionary as

“the showing of politeness in one’s attitude and behaviour toward others.”

Oxford Dictionary

How does courtesy fit with the other 4 tenets of Taekwondo?

Courtesy during training on the mats, enables the actions which occur with the other tenents.

But what do you mean Shawn?

I mean, we are practicing a new technique with a partner.. we are showing our perseverance and indomitable spirit by continuing to train.. however if we are not courteous, our partner wouldn’t be helping us along the way!

If we were not courteous, our Sabumnim 사범님 (Master or Instructor) would be less inclined to go above and beyond for us.

Being courteous opens so many doors both on and off of our mats, I believe it may be the most important tenet!

But wait, there’s more!

How can we teach dangerous striking techniques and takedowns if the practitioners lack courtesy? It means there is a high chance they will abuse their skills and abilities.

Bowing 경례 Kyung Nae is one way to show courtesy in taekwondo. The Korean and Japanese people also bow as a part of their culture. Both Korean and Japanese culture is said to be very courteous.

Courtesy on the mats is shown when passing equipment between Taekwondoin (practitioner of taekwondo). Whenever we pass equipment we bow to each other, while using two hands to pass the equipment.

We show courtesy to our opponent at the beginning and the end of a sparring match, or training drill. We bow and shake hands to show our courtesy.

We show courtesy when an instructor is talking, we stand straight with our hands behind our backs. If we are sitting down, we make sure to have our back straight with good posture and listen to what the Sabumnim has to say.

How does courtesy transfer off the mats?

We let others go ahead of us, we hold the door for people, we say please and thank you, we offer our seat on the bus to that elderly person.

We generally think about other people, even before ourselves.

This makes me proud to be a Taekwondoin!

Courtesy is correct etiquette and manners, at the table, in the classroom, at the workplace, at a friend’s house, at a restaurant, etc.

EVERYWHERE!

Taekwondo teaches people to be courteous, which makes more people in the world courteous. This makes the world (even slightly) more courteous. Little victories with individual Taekwondoin makes it worthwhile!

Courtesy and respect just two aspects of Taekwondo that set it apart; Taekwondo is opposed to violence and hurting others. Every single poomsae begins with a block, because we’re trying NOT to fight!

Stay humble, Train hard, be courteous.

See you on the mats!👊