Art & seoul; Taking coals to Newcastle? North Taekwondo devotees are heading for the Far East to spread the word in South Korea - birthplace of the martial art they love.

Byline: Stephanie Feng reports

FROM initial impressions you would not automatically assume Susan Taylor was a martial art expert. Stylish clothes and an arty haircut would probably lead you to thinking she was some kind of artist (and you'd be right she's been a designer for this newspaper for eight years).

But Susan is an expert and teacher in the martial art of Taekwondo and she has been invited as part of an elite troupe of 11 to teach near Seoul in South Korea, the country in which it was founded as part of an international martial arts festival.

The 10-day festival in October is being organised by Paris-based South Korean Taekwondo expert, Master Kim Yong Ho.

Master Kim founded the World Taekwon Mudo Academy which celebrates the spiritual as well as the physical aspect of the martial art.

He travels the world teaching and Darlington is one of two places in the UK he visits on his trips.

Master Kim invited Susan and her colleagues to South Korea after seeing them in action at their club.

Susan says: "We are very lucky to have met Master Kim Yong Ho as he only visits Britain twice a year.

"Master Kim is very knowledgeable but very calm and he knows things about you that you don't know yourself!

"He said he was very impressed with the standard of our club which is a great accolade.

"When we get to South Korea it will be our job to pass on the new techniques he has taught us."

Susan smiles, and adds: "It is a great honour to be asked to teach Taekwondo in the country where it is a national sport. It's a bit like carrying coals to Newcastle."

Susan has been interested in Taekwondo from an early age, she recalls: "The first I heard of it was when my sister and I used to go to dance classes when we were little and we used to go in when a Taekwondo class were coming out.

"I always wished I was going to do that instead."

But it wasn't until nine years ago she decided, with no other martial arts experience, to take up the sport.

She explains: "As a woman I felt it was important for me to be able to look after myself so I thought I'd give it a try. Taekwondo sorts your mind out and it gives you focus and determination.

"But it's very defensive, you would only use it in the worst kind of scenario. It's about keeping your head when you're under pressure."

The impact Taekwondo has had on Susan has carried on to everything, including day-to-day life.

She adds: "It makes you very strong minded it helps you to make decisions and to be confident.

"Actually It's helped my confidence loads in every way, even standing and speaking to people."

Susan's partner, Jason Lennie, 33, a bus driver, is also pleased Susan took up the martial art.

He comments: "Especially, when Susan works late and needs to walk back home alone - she can take care of herself."

The South Korean trip, which will include students aged from 12 to their mid-50s, will involve demonstrations in a number of universities and three days' meditation.

Susan, a third Dan, has been a martial arts instructor at the Darlington club - Kim Chung Do Kwan - for 18 months.

She teaches nine students, who practise on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

"South Korea is somewhere I have always wanted to go. I know it will be a massive difference culturally, but to go there to do something I love doing really is a great honour.

"I must admit I am a bit nervous though."

Although this is the first time the County Durham group have competed in South Korea they have previously travelled to demonstrations across Europe.

"We have competed in Paris, Geneva, a small town in Portugal and all over the UK," Susan comments.

"But this will be the biggest martial arts event we have ever been to."

The club's chief instructor, Ron Brennan, 57, is President of the British Mudo Academy, and a sixth Dan. He has learnt Taekwondo since he was 30.

He runs his own building company, Marcus Design and Build, in Darlington Ron says: "Susan is one of the best instructors we have.

"The sign of a good instructor is the quality of students they turn out.

"And she has good students, good technique, a very good mental attitude to the martial arts."

Perhaps the reason Susan is such an accomplished teacher is because she embraces the whole philosophy of the art of Taekwondo.

Susan adds: "Taekwondo has more kicking and punching than other martial art. But martial arts are not only physical but also mental.

"They help you to deal with things in your daily life.

"It helps me to be focused and determined. It also gives me much more energy, keeps me fit and gives me more confidence.

"A few years ago I would never have dreamt of standing in front of a room of people teaching them how to defend themselves and how to meditate.

"Now it comes very easily to me."

A BRIEF HISTORY OF MARTIAL ARTS THE word "martial" comes from Mars - the Roman god of war. So it follows that "martial arts" means the arts of war.

In other words, martial arts are about combat training - or at least, that is how they started out.

Modern martial arts are traditionally associated with Asian cultures. But they go back about 1,000 years and there are many different forms now practised in nearly every country around the world.

Some have links to spiritual or religious beliefs including Buddhism, Daoism and Hinduism.

The different disciplines are used to train not just the body but also the mind, bringing feelings of peace and harmony as well as the ability to either attack or - in some cases - defend.

A number of martial arts make an appearance in the Olympic Games. Some have even been adapted to become a form of dance.

Taekwondo is South Korea's traditional martial art and is also the national sport of the country. In Korean, the word tae means "foot"; Kwon means "fist", and do means "way", so Taekwondo means "the way of the fist and foot".

Traditional Taekwondo is not competition-oriented. The training involves a system of kicks, punches, blocks and also employs some take-downs or sweeps, throws and joint locks.

Taekwondo used to be called Taekyon or Subak during its history. But in 1955, it was given its official name, Taekwondo for the first time. Then the Korean Taekwondo Federation (KTF) was founded in 1965. The World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) followed in 1973.

Gradually it became one of the most popular modern amateur sports in the world.

In the 2000 Sydney Olympics Taekwondo was included as one of the competitions for the first time, introducing the discipline to a whole new audience.

Now Taekwondo is practised by almost 50 million people throughout 157 countries across the globe.

TAEKWONDO FACTFILE Taekwondo is a Korean martial art that combines combat techniques, self-defence, exercise, meditation and philosophy.

It is the national sport of South Korea.

There are two aspects of Taekwondo: one is sport-fighting, the other is artistic and spiritual.

Taekwondo is suitable for all age groups from around the age of six upwards.

It usually takes three years to attain the first Dan - the first Black Belt. Over a lifetime it is possible to achieve up to a ninth Dan.

The club Susan belongs to - Kim Chung Do Kwan - trains mainly in traditional Taekwondo, and it belongs to the World Taekwon Mudo Academy.

Grand Master Kim Yong Ho, ninth Dan, is the World Taekwondo Federation director, and founder and president of the World Taekwon Mudo Academy.

FUNDRAISING SUSAN and her colleagues at the Kim Chung Do Kwan club need sponsors to help fund their trip to Asia.

They need pounds 1,500 each for the trip - a total of pounds 16,500.

They are working hard at coming up with cash themselves and have planned fundraising evenings, a sponsored walk wearing their Taekwondo suits, a car wash event in a supermarket car park, bag packing, raffles, auctions and quiz nights.

If you would like to support them, ring Susan on 07724 527031 or email susan.taylo [e-mail] m.

If you are interested in joining classes at Kim Chung Do Kwan Taekwondo call [phone] or visit www.kimchungdo.com for more information.

CAPTION(S):

IN ACTION Susan Taylor training in her Taekwondo class.; KICK-OFF! Susan Taylor practising basic techniques in class with fellow student Matthew Walker. Pictures: Stephanie Feng