Taekwondo Poomsae is meant by a "Form" in which a self-practice is devised to be performed in
following the lines of movement in a systematic and consecutive way against an imaginary opponent
or multi-opponents by using various Taekwondo technics of hand and foot.
Through practising Taekwondo Poomsae, we can apply the technics of hand and foot and the
changes of stance learned from the basic technics adaptably to an actual fighting. It also provides
us with the effection improving flexibility of body and being skilled in strength control, balance
control, breath control, eye control and concentration of spirit, as well as cultivating martial art spirit
through its mental discipline.
A taekwondo 'Poomsae' comprises various stance, each with its peculiar nature but each blending
into the other. A 'poomsae' consists of about two dozen stances interconnected. Blocking,
punching, striking, thrusting and kicking are among Taekwondo Poomsae, and these are properly
carried out with hands, fists and feet to the vital sport of the body or target at which they aimed, and
the stances accordingly chnge forward stance, back stance, cat stance and horseriding stance, etc.
as the situation requires. Most typical 'Poomsae' are Palgwe I-VIII, Taeguk I-VIII, koryo, Kumgang,
Taeback, Pyongwon, Shipjin, Jitae, Chunkwon, Hansoo and Ilyeo,
The terms of Taekwondo
Kyorumsae (the basic kyorumsae) foot : Concentrate the left foot and move the right foot
one step backward. Bend the knee a little. Keep the pose comfortable.hand : Keep the attack and
defend pose with the fist clenched slightly.pivot : pivot the weight.
Competition : The competition is conducted by two contestants who attack and defend the
opponent through the technical systems. It is divided 3 systems such as order competition, training
competition, fight competition etc.
Koryo poomsae : It means sonbae (senior). Sonbae expresses strong militaristic spirit and
straightforward scholar spirit. It consists of the disposition through the sonbae's spirit developed
from Koguryo-Balhae-Koryo.
Kumgang poomsae : The word "Kumgang" has originally the meaning of being too strong to be
broken. The Poomsae "Kumgang" is named after Mount Kumgang, symbol of solidity. The main
motions are strong and powerful such as Santul makki, Kumgang makki.The basic movements of
TaekwondoThere are a number of basic arts in the basic movements of Taekwondo. The 14
Taekwondo techniques have been selected as the basic movements of taekwondo. The leader
should train them correctly and perfectly so that other techniques may be easily applicable.
Kawisonkkeut (scissor's finger-tips) : The forefinger and the middle finger are stretched
with the fingers opened apart from each other and the ring finger and little finger are rolled into the
palm, the second joint of the ring finger supported by the thumb. The finger tips of both forefinger
and the middle finger are used. This is applied only to the tzireugi techniques, usually attacking the
opponent's both eyes.
Meaning of each Poomsae:
TAEGUK : This represents the most profound oriental philosophy from which philosophical views
on the world, cosmos and life are derived. The Taeguk Poomsae consists of different movements in
sequence. The vital points of this Poomsae are to make exact the speed of breath and action and
move the body weight properly while executing speedy actions. Thus we can fully realize the main
thought of Taeguk.
PALGWE : Supplementary Training.
The thought of Plagwe, another concept of the ancient Oriental Philosophy, implies symbolically all
the phenomena of man and universe.
KORYO : Koryo is the name of an ancient dynasty in the Korean peninsula. Teh Enlish name of
"Korea" originated from the name of this "Koryo" dynasty with which was famed for the valiant spirit
of its people which tey defeated the Mongolian aggression. Koryo Poomsae is based on spirit of /
sonbae(Sonbi) which was inherited from Koruryo to Balhae and to Koryo. Songae means strong
martial art and honest spirit of scholars.
KUMGANG : The word "Kumgang" has originally the meaning of being too strong to be broken.
Also in Buddhism, what can break off every agony of mind with combination of wisdom and virtue is
called "Kumgang". The Poomsae "Kumgang"is named after Mount Kumgang, symbol of solidity.
"kumgan"is also anlogous of "diamond".
TAEBACK : "Taeback" is the ancient name of Mount Paekdu where the legendary Tangun
founded a nation for the first time in the Korean peninsula 4,329 years ago on Tangun calendar
(1996 A.D.=4329 Tangun year). Poomsae "Taeback" takes its principles of movement from the word
"Taeback" which means being looked up to as sacred.
PYONGWON : "Pyongwon" is meant by 'vast plain'. The plain is a source of sustaining the human
life and, on the other hand, a great open plain stretching out endlessly gives us a feeling of majesty
that is different from what we feel with a mountain or the sea. An application of the providence of
the plain which is blessed with abundance and grace as well as boundless vastness into the
practice of Taekwondo is Poomse Pyongwon (plain).
SHIPJIN : Shipjin has the meaning of 'decimal system' which stands for a symbolical figure of 10
meaning endless development and growth in a systematic order. In Poomse shipjin, stability is
sought in every chnage of movements.
JITAE : According to the oriental belief, all living things come from and return to the earth(Jitae is
derived from the meaning of the earth). Teh earth is indeed the orining and terminal of life. Living
things as well as all the natural phenomena of the earth Poomsae "Jitae" is the movement which
supplies these features of the earth.
CHUNKWON : Chunkown" signifies the sky. From ancient times the orientals have always
believed and worshipped the sky as ruler of the universe and human beings. Teh infinitely vast sky
may be a mysterious and profound world of imagination in the eyes of finite human beings.
Poomsae Chunkwon is composed of the motions which are full of piery and vitality.
HANSOO : Poomsae "hansoo" derived from the word 'water' is typical with its fluidity and
adaptability as manifested in the nature of water.
ILYEO : "Ilyeo" signifies oneness.
In buddhism the state of spiritual cultivation is said to be "Ilyeo"(oneness), in which body and mind,
I(subject) and you(object), spirit and substance are unified into oneness. Teh ultimate ideal of
Taekwondo lies in this state of Ilyeo. The final goal Taekwondo pursues is indeed a discipline in
which we concentrate attention pursues is indeed a discipline in which we concentrate attention on
every movement, shaking off all worldly thoughts and obsessions. |