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(in terms of number of practitioners worldwide)

Unlike grappling martial arts such as Judo and Aikido, or weapon based arts like Kendo and Ninjutsu, Taekwon-do teaches mostly striking techniques - punches, kicks and blocks. The weapon used is always the human body - no other paraphernalia is required. During the course of training, students learn a lot about themselves - about their strengths and weaknesses, about how to dig deep and overcome challenges. Students learn "good spirit"; with elements of positive thinking, self confidence, self motivation and self reliance.

Students line up in rank order in the training hall, and the lesson begins with a warm up. This prepares the body for the training session as well as working on overall fitness and flexibility. The warm up usually incorporates various simpler Taekwon-do techniques, and also features stretching to work on flexibility.

The lessons then cover anything from sparring techniques against kick shields for the sporting side; to "line work" where the students work up and down the hall in their lines, practicing various techniques; to self defence techniques for use against unarmed or armed opponents.

Often the class will be split, with higher grades being taught by one instructor, and lower grades being taught by another. This is especially the case with new beginners, who need the emphasis on the foundations of Taekwon-do.

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