Basic Terminology

In Korean Martial Arts, practitioners follow the Five Tenets, which are intended to build character. To understand Tae Kwon Do, an individual must understand how the Five Tenets are used in everyday life.

1. Courtesy - Courtesy means bowing to your senior belts and your instructor. It requires acting in a respectful manner at all times. Not only must others in the school be treated with courtesy, but others outside of the school should be treated with the same courtesy and respect that you yourself would like to be treated with.
2. Integrity - Integrity requires a commitment to ethical and honest behavior in all aspects of one's life, even when it is not easy or convenient (especially when it is not easy or convenient). This means that in class you train hard and with your greatest effort, even when no one is looking. Instead of giving excuses, you must hold yourself responsible for the actions that you take and the choices that you make.
3. Perseverance - This is the willingness to keep trying even when something seems impossible to do, and is an essential part being successful in any Martial Art. Perseverance means that even though it might take weeks or months, possibly even years to reach your goals, you still keep trying without letting discouragement or frustration stop you.
4. Self-Control - The ability of a person to exert their will over the inhibitions, impulses, emotions or desires of their body or self. Patience. Discipline. Although this can mean many things to different people in different situations, this begins in the Dojang with paying attention to the instructor on the mat. One must remain at attention or in the ready stance without motion until the instructor allows you to do otherwise. Any martial art requires years of patient practice to even begin to understand and start to perfect. Without self-control, one would get frustrated and quit.
5. Winning (Indomitable) Spirit - This means that you have the right attitude regardless of whether you win or lose. Maintaining a positive, optimistic perspective allows you to remain focused and undiscouraged even if you fail the first time. Mixed with Perseverance, it helps you get up and try again.