Our Guiding Principles
At Pacific International Taekwondo, everything we teach is built upon five fundamental principles.
These Five Tenets of Taekwondo aren’t just words we recite—they’re values we live by, both on and off the training floor. They guide how we treat each other, how we approach challenges, and how we grow as individuals.
- Courtesy – showing respect in every interaction
- Integrity – being honest with yourself and others
- Perserverence – pushing through challenges to achieve your goals
- Self Control – mastering your emotions and reactions
- Indomitable Spirit – an unbreakable will to overcome adversity
1. Courtesy (예의 – Ye Ui)
Showing respect in every interaction
Courtesy begins the moment you step onto the training floor and extends into every aspect of your life. It’s about treating instructors, training partners, and yourself with genuine respect. We bow not out of subservience, but as an acknowledgment of mutual respect and the learning journey we share.
In practice, courtesy means:
- Listening when others speak
- Helping newer students without judgment
- Acknowledging the effort and progress of those around you
- Speaking kindly, even when correcting or being corrected
This principle teaches us that strength without respect is merely aggression, and that true martial artists build others up rather than tearing them down.
O2. Integrity (염치 – Yeom Chi)
Being honest with yourself and others
Integrity is the foundation of trust—both in your relationships and in your own self-development. It means being truthful about your abilities, honest about your mistakes, and genuine in your efforts. There are no shortcuts in Taekwondo, and integrity keeps us accountable to the path we’ve chosen.
At Pacific International Taekwondo, we encourage students to:
- Own their mistakes and learn from them
- Practice with honesty, even when no one is watching
- Speak truthfully and keep their commitments
- Recognize that character is built in the small, everyday choices
When you train with integrity, every technique becomes more than just a physical movement—it becomes a reflection of who you are and who you’re becoming.
O3. Perseverance (인내 – In Nae)
Pushing through challenges to achieve your goals
Perseverance is what separates those who try from those who succeed. The journey from white belt to black belt isn’t easy—there will be techniques that frustrate you, gradings that challenge you, and moments when progress feels slow. Perseverance is the inner strength that keeps you training when things get difficult.
We teach our students that:
- Progress isn’t always linear—plateaus are part of growth
- Every black belt was once a white belt who refused to quit
- The struggle itself builds character and resilience
- Small, consistent efforts compound into extraordinary results over time
This tenet reminds us that the obstacles we face aren’t roadblocks—they’re the very things that make us stronger, more capable, and more confident in all areas of life.
4. Self-Control (극기 – Geuk Gi)
Mastering your reactions and emotions
Self-control is perhaps the most practical tenet in everyday life. It’s the ability to remain calm under pressure, to think before reacting, and to channel your energy productively rather than destructively. In Taekwondo, we develop physical power—but self-control ensures that power is used wisely and responsibly.
Self-control manifests as:
- Staying composed when sparring or facing challenges
- Knowing when to speak and when to listen
- Managing frustration during difficult training sessions
- Making conscious choices rather than impulsive reactions
We teach that true strength isn’t about how hard you can hit—it’s about knowing when not to. Self-control gives you the discipline to pursue your goals, the patience to see them through, and the wisdom to use your abilities appropriately.
5. Indomitable Spirit (백절불굴 – Baekjul Boolgool)
An unbreakable will to overcome adversity
Indomitable spirit is the fire within that refuses to be extinguished. It’s the courage to face fear, the determination to stand up after being knocked down, and the unwavering belief that you can overcome whatever challenges life presents. This tenet is about developing mental toughness that serves you far beyond the training hall.
An indomitable spirit means:
- Facing your fears rather than avoiding them
- Believing in yourself even when others doubt you
- Finding strength you didn’t know you had
- Refusing to let setbacks define your future
At Pacific International Taekwondo, we’ve seen countless students discover this spirit within themselves—the shy child who finds their voice, the anxious adult who learns to stand tall, the person who thought they couldn’t and then proved themselves wrong.
Living the Tenets
These five tenets aren’t separate ideals—they work together to create well-rounded individuals. When practiced consistently, they transform not just your Taekwondo skills, but your entire approach to life.
Whether you’re 6 or 60, these principles provide a framework for becoming the best version of yourself. They guide us through difficult conversations, help us make better decisions, and give us the strength to pursue our goals with confidence and character.
This is what makes Taekwondo more than just a martial art—it’s a pathway to personal excellence.