What is the American Institute of Martial Virtue?
The American Institute of Martial Virtue is a
modern, comprehensive, integrated program of instruction in traditional Asian
martial arts. The training is both mental and physical. Mental aspects of
training involve the development of self-discipline, self-confidence, tolerance
and understanding. Physical training encompasses Karate (TaeKwon Do), Aikido,
and weapons.
Moo Duk Kwan is a type of TaeKwon Do. TaeKwonDo
is Karate, the generic term for the arts of kicking and punching developed
in Korea and Japan, respectively. Moo Duk Kwan means The Institute of Martial
Virtue. Prior to the standardization of Tae Kwon Do for Olympic competition,
Moo Duk Kwan was the most popular style of TaeKwonDo in the world. Moo Duk
Kwan emphasizes high ethical standards in conjunction with physical fitness
as a vehicle for developing community leaders. The system endeavors to instill
students with the wisdom, compassion and courage necessary to harness and
appropriately channel their efforts in productive directions for the benefit
of the community, however, if the need should ever arise, they will possess
the skills required to deal with any potentially lethal adversary. Leading
virtuous lives, they set moral examples for their peers and community; being
confident they have no fear of standing on principle for the greater good.
Aikido is a noncompetitive Japanese martial art which enables the
practitioner to blend with, redirect, neutralize and control an opponents
force, thereby avoiding direct conflict, and reducing the potential injury
to either party. Aikido does not rely on strength, so a small person can
easily dispatch a larger attacker if necessary. Finally, Aikido allows a
student to disarm an opponent, however, weapons training is restricted to
advanced students.
The University of Miami TaeKwon Do & Aikido
Club, under the direction of the American Moo Duk Kwan System, places
equal emphasis on training for Self-Defense, Art, and Sport. Founder of the
AMS, Todd D. Jones, began training in martial arts at the age of 13 in January,
1971. Currently, Mr. Jones holds advanced degrees in Moo Duk Kwan - TaeKwonDo
(Karate), Aikido, Iaido (Swordsmanship), and Kendo (Fencing). Mr. Jones was
a national karate champion in 1979, and held state titles from 1979 to 1983.
The AMS curriculum is the result of a continuous refinement process based
in university environments since 1975. The AMS has numerous programs, schools
and instructors located across the United Sates and overseas.