Poomsae

 

The patterns (poomsae) in Tae Kwon-Do are an excellent method of training. They are sequences of attacking and defensive techniques against one or more imaginary opponents, which should be performed with power and focus.  The patterns are designed to make the movements into reflex actions rather than conscious thought. The patterns also contain hidden information for the more senior or mature students which include vital point attacks and pressure point work. Poomses originate from the book 'I Ching', a Chinese oracle. The I Ching has 64 hexagrams, a combination of two sets of three lines, closed or broken. The sets of three lines are called trigrams. The closed lines represent Yang, the open lines Yin. In the chinese language, the unity of Yin and Yang is called 'taich'i'. In the Korean language, the unity is called T'ae-guk. This explains the term Poomse Taegeuk. They form a good workout and train your body to execute moves needed to train in Tae Kwon-Do. In performing the patterns, there are four elements that are considered; direction, pattern, stance and technique. If you are doing your patterns correctly you should be physically very tired and work up a good sweat! Advanced students, such as Black Belts, study the patterns carefully exploiting the powerful techniques they contain, as many of the moves are deceptively effective. All patterns have a meaning taken from Korean history from which the student is encouraged to read. They give an insight into the history of Taekwon-Do and Korea and the development of the art.

 

 

A few general hints on patterns.
• They should begin and end at the same spot, and on average take 1 – 2 minutes to complete.
• Correct posture and facing should be maintained, back straight and not twisted.
• Proper breathing should be maintained, The diaphragm must be engaged in deep breathing, shallow breathing concentrated in the upper abdomen results in raised shoulders and stressed muscles.
•  You should always look first towards the direction of the technique to be performed - do not look at your feet, or those people around you.
• The muscles of the body should be tensed or relaxed at the right moment, all the way through. The moves should also be performed with an absence of stiffness and a nice flowing tempo with movements accelerated and decelerated at the correct times. (Try doing the pattern slowly, and then the moves very quickly).  All techniques therefore, should be performed with precision, accuracy and power.
• Every pattern should be perfected before going on to the next otherwise you'll just get all the movement confused between patterns.
• As you advance, constantly refresh the "older" patterns so that you don't forget them

 

Black Belt Poomse

Koryo - (Korea) -  is the name of an old Korean Dynasty. The people from the Koryo-period defeated the Mongolian aggressors. Their spirit is reflected in the movements of the Poomse Koryo. Each movement of this Poomse represents the strength and energy needed to control the Mongols.The new techniques appearing in this poomsae are kodeum-chagi, opeun-sonnal-bakkat-chigi, sonnal- arae-makki, khaljaebi-mureup-nullo-kkokki, momtong-hecho-makki, jumeok- pyojeok-jireugi, pyonson-kkeut-jecho-jireugi, batang-son-nullo-makki, palkup-yop-chagi, me-jumeok-arae-pyojeok-chigi, etc, which only black-belters can practice. The jumbi-seogi is the tong-milgi that requires mental concentration by positioning the hand in between the upper abdomen and the lower abdomen where "sin"[divine] and "jeong"[spirit] converge. The line of poomsae represents the Chinese letter, which means "seonbae" or "seonbi", a learned man or a man virtue in the Korean language.

Keumgang - The definition of Keumgang is "Too strong to be broken", or "diamond". The movements of the Poomse Keumgang are as beautiful as the Keumgang-san (a Korean mountain) and as strong as Keumgang-seok (diamond). Keumgang has the significance of "hardness" and "ponder", The Keumgang Mountain on the Korean peninsula, which is regarded as the centre of national spirit, and the "Keumgang Yeoksa"[Keumgang warrior] as named by Buddha, who represents the mightiest warrior, are the background of denominating this poomsae. New techniques introduced in this poomsae are batangson-teok-chigi, han-son-nal-momtong-an-makki, Keumgang-makki, santeoul-makki, kheun dol-tzogi [large hinge], and the hak-dari-seogi. The poomsae line is symbolic of the Chinese letter. The movement should be powerful and well balanced so as to befit the black belt's dignity

Taebaek - Taebaek is the name of a mountain with the meaning of "bright mountain", where Tangun, the founder of the nation of Korean people, reigned the country, and the bright mountain symbolizes sacredness of soul and Tangun's thought of "hongik ingan"[humanitarian ideal]. There are numerous sites known as Taebaek, but Mt. Paektu, which has been typically known as the cradle of Korean people, is the background naming the Taebaek poomsae. New techniques introduced in this poomsae are sonnal-arae-hecho-makki, sonnal-opeo-japki [grabbing], japhin-son-mok-ppaegi [pulling out the caught wrist], Kumkang-momtong-makki, deung-jumeok-olgul-bakkat-chigi, dol-tzeogi [hinge], etc. The line of poomsae is like a Chinese letter, which symbolized the bridge between the Heaven and the earth, signifying human beings founded the nation by the Heaven's order. The poomsae movements are largely composed of momtong-makkis and chigis. Every movement in this Poomsae must not only be exact en fast, but with determination and hardness.

Pyongwon - The definition of Pyongwon is "stretch, vast plain": big, majestic. It is also the place where we conduct our lives. A vast, open plain that stretches away in all directions imparts a feeling of majesty and like. It is this feeling of abundance and boundlessness that is the foundation of this form. The poomsae Pyongwon was based on the idea of peace and struggle resulting from the principles of origin and use. The new techniques introduced in this poomsae are palkup-ollyo-chigi, kodureo- olgul-yop-makki, dangkyo-teok-jireugi, meongye-chigi, hecho-santeul-makki, etc. The jumbi-seogi is the moa-seogi-wen-kyop-son [left overlapping hands], which requires concentration of force in the beginning and source of human life. The line of poomsae means the origin and transformation of the plain. The movements of this form should be done with a reserved grace to reflect this concept.

Sipjin - The word "Sipjin" derived from the thought of 10 longevity, which advocates there are ten creatures of long life, namely, sun, moon, mountain, water, stone, pine-tree, herb of eternal youth, tortoise, deer, and crane. They are 2 heavenly bodies, 3 natural resources, 2 plants and 3 animals, all giving human beings faith, hope and love. The poomsae Sipjin symbolizes those things. The new techniques introduced in this poomsae are hwangso-makki [bull makki], son-badak[palm]-kodureo-makki, opeun-son-nal-jireugi, son-nal-arae-makki, bawi-milgi [rock pushing], son-nal-deung-momtong-hecho-makki, kodeo-olligi [lifting up], chettari-jireugi [fork-shape jireugi], son-nal-otkoreo-arae-makki, son-nal-deung-momtong-makki, which counts 10. The Chinese letter meaning ten is the form of the poomsae line, which signifies an infinite numbering of the decimal system and ceaseless development. Through this form, stability and balance are strived for. The movements of this form should be performed with precision and control

Jitae - is derived from the meaning of the earth. All things evolve from and return to the earth, the earth is he beginning and the end of life. The word "Jitae" means a man standing on the ground with two feet, looking over the sky. A man on the earth represents the way of struggling for human life, such as kicking, trading and jumping on the ground. Therefore, the poomsae symbolizes various aspects occurring in the course of human being's struggle for existence. The new techniques introduced in this poomsae are han-son-nal-olgul-makki, keumkang-momtong-jireugi, and me-jumeok-yop-pyojeok-chigi only, and the poomsae line signified a man standing on earth to spring up toward the heaven. The movements of this form should be done with emphasis on solidly rooted stances to represent out connection with the earth

Chonkwon - The word "Chonkwon" means the Heaven's Great Mighty, which is the origin of all the creature and itself the cosmos. Its infinite competence signifies the creation, change and completion. Human beings have used the name of Heaven for all principal earthly shapes and meanings because they felt afraid of the Heaven's mighty. Over 4,000 years ago, the founder of the Korean people, "Hwanin" meant the heavenly King. He settled down in the "heavenly" town as the capital near the heavenly sea and heavenly mountain, where the Han people as the heavenly race gave birth to the proper through and action from which Taekwondo was originated. The poomsae Chunkwon is based on such sublime history and thoughts.The motions of Cheonkwon are full of piety and vitality.

The new techniques introduced in this poomsae are nalgae-pyogi [wing opening], bam-jumeok-sosum-chigi [knuckle protruding fist springing chigi], hwidullo-makki [swinging makki], hwidullo-jabadangkigi [swinging and drawing], keumgang-yop-jireugi, taesan-milgi, etc., and a crouched walking manner.

The characteristics of movements are large actions and arm sections forming gentle curves, thus symbolizing the greatness of Chunkwon thought. The poomsae line "T" symbolizes a man coming down from the heaven, submitting to the will of Heaven, being endowed power by the Heaven and worshiping the Heaven, which means the oneness between the Heaven and a human being

Hansu - The word "Hansu" means water is the source of substance preserving the life and growing all the creatures. Hansu symbolizes birth of a life and growth, strength & weakness, magnanimity & harmony, and adaptability. Especially, "han" has the various meanings, namely, the name of a country, numerousness, largeness, evenness, length and even the heaven and the root of evening, among others. Above all, the above significances, is the background of organizing this poomsae.

The new techniques introduced in this poomsae are son-nal-deung-momtong-hecho-makki, me-jumeok-yang-yopkuri[both flanks]-chigi, kodureo-khaljaebi, an-palmok-arae- pyojeok-makki, son-nal-keumgang-makki, etc., and also modum-bal as a stance.

Actions should be practiced softly like water but continuously like a drop of water gathering to make an ocean. The poomsae line symbolizes the Chinese letter that means water.

Ilyeo - Ilyeo means the thought of a great Buddhist priest of Silla Dynasty, Saint Wonhyo, which is characterized by the philosophy of oneness of mind [spirit] and body [material]. It teaches that a point, a line or a circle ends up all in one. Therefore, the poomsae Ilyeo represents the harmonization of spirit and body, which is the essence of martial art, after a long training of various types of techniques and spiritual cultivation for completion of Taekwondo practice.

The new techniques introduced in this poomsae are son-nal-olgul-makki, wesanteul-yop-chagi, du-son-pyo[two opened hands]-bitureo-jabadangkigi [twisting and pulling], twio- yop-chagi and the first stance of ogeum[knee back]-hakdari-seogi. Jumbi-seogi is the bo-jumeok-moa-seogi [wrapped-up fist moa-seogi], in which, as the last step of poomsae training, two wrapped-up fists are placed in front of the chin, which has the significance of unification and moderation, so that the spiritual energy can flow freely into the body as well as the two hands. The line of poomsae symbolizes the Buddist mark [swastika], in commemoration of saint Wonhyo, which means a state of perfect selflessness in Buddhism where origin, substance and service come into congruity. The ultimate ideal of Tae Kwon Do can be found in this state. It is a discipline in which we concentrate on every movement leaving all materialistics    thoughts, obsessions and external influences behind.