Tae Kwon Do is a Korean martial art that was developed over 20 centuries ago. The name, however, which literally means "the way of the hand and foot," dates back to the 1950s, when a group of Korean martial artists unified their individual art. Tae Kwon Do, which combines a wide range of kicking, punching, blocking, and stepping techniques, has developed into an effective system for self-defense, and is an excellent means to improve physical fitness and flexibility, and to develop mental and spiritual strength.

Today, Tae Kwon Do is practiced in over 140 countries and is both a popular martial art and international sport. Tae Kwon Do's popularity around the world has been growing at an incredible rate; it was an exhibition sport at the 1988 and 1992 Summer Olympic Games and has recently been recognized as an official Olympic medal sport.