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Each rank in Songahm Taekwondo has basic moves (also known as techniques) that the practitioner must learn and demonstrate competence in before they may move on to their next rank. These techniques have been carefully developed to help the student maximize their potential at their current level of knowledge, as well as preparing them for the techniques they must learn in their next rank. In Songahm Taekwondo, everything builds on what has come before.
Although there are many moves in Songahm Taekwondo, and martial arts in general, they can usually be categorized into these types: hand movements (strikes and blocks), kicks and stances.
There are two basic types of hand motions. The first is striking, an offensive technique. The second is blocking, a defensive technique. To develop the quality of their techniques, one must focus on proper starting position, execution, rotation, direction, and ending position. To improve the power of hand movements, one can add body movements such as twisting the hips.
The term kicks is used to describe the element of foot motion. To develop the quality of technique in kicking, it's important to focus on the the stages of foot movements and body posture. The stages of kicking include the following: proper chamber, execution, rotation, direction and re-chamber. To achieve excellent kicking technique, movements of the foot must be combined with proper body posture.
Seo-Gi (stances) are structured body positions. In Songahm Taekwondo, their primary purpose is a training tool to allow students to execute techniques in conjunction with various body movements. By learning stances and executing techniques from these stances, they learn to add power to their techniques while remaining stable, and also to become more relaxed in executing their techniques over time. The secondary purpose of stances is conditioning, both in muscle development and in stretching.
It should also be noted that very few stances are actually developed for combat or sparring. Given the structured nature of stances, and the chaotic nature of combat, attempting to fight from a stance would actually put a Songahm Taekwondo practitioner at a disadvantage
Sparring
Gyeo-roo-gi (sparring) is the way that Taekwondo students prepare for self-defense.
In Songahm Taekwondo, a student first learns a form of preparatory moves known as 1-step sparring. This exchange of techniques is under strict control, and by memorizing these moves the student needs only practice distance and timing without the fear of responding to spontaneous techniques from an opponent. In this way, the basics of sparring can be safely developed before the student's reflexes are challenged. 1-steps also help a student acquire the confidence they need for sparring with a real opponent.
Later in their training, a Songahm Taekwondo practitioner begins applying the basics they have learned from 1-steps into true sparring, which can be thought of as reflexive responses against an unplanned attack. Essentially, they learn to move beyond the predetermined series of movements they have relied upon in favor of spontaneous movements designed for true self defense.
Although we learn sparring as a form of self defense, it is also very important in Songahm Taekwondo for other reasons. It helps display proficiency in techniques, and for this reason at the Camo Belt level and beyond sparring is evaluated for purposes of advancing to the next rank. It is also an important part of tournaments, where students can display their abilities in a safe, controlled competitive environment while still showing respect to their opponent.
In Songahm Taekwondo, each rank has its own unique poom-sae (form) designed specifically for the techniques taught at that rank level. The form is part of a complete system of teaching the Songahm Taekwondo student.
Why must students learn forms? Many martial art styles have discontinued the use of the poom-sae or use them only for the purpose of testing or tournaments. This means they have taken the "do" (as in TaekwonDO), which means "the way", out of their style. They have in essence taken the "art" out of "martial art."
The Korean word "poom-sae" means a "form" or "pattern of movements." It is actually a planned series of movements that combines the physical skills (such as blocks, strikes, kicks, stances and more) with the mental skills (such as balance, coordination, discipline, strategy, focus and more). The target of these movements is an imaginary opponent of the practitioner's own size.
The copyrighted Songahm forms have been arranged as a system to gradually increase the student's skill, develop technical balance equally on the left and right side of the body, train muscles, and to develop students from the beginner level through the rank of Grand Master. This is why each Songahm form does not repeat most techniques more than twice and also why every technique which is done with a right arm/leg is also repeated with the left arm/leg.
These forms, designed by Eternal Grand Master H.U. Lee, were the first that truly emphasized the tradition of the art of Taekwondo, unlike older forms (hyung) which were based on Japanese and Okinawan Karate forms. Not only do the Songahm forms train you in each rank, but they are also excellent for using as a warm-up prior to a work out.
The "system" that encompasses the 18 Songahm forms is based on traditional philosophy, as well as being designed for for easy memorization.
All goals require a poom-sae or pattern. Even in life we have structured patterns. When you're born, you learn communication and basic skills in the home. A few years later, you are enrolled into kindergarten or elementary school. Following this comes high school. During high school, we begin to decide the direction we will take in life. We choose a college and/or a career goal. This is the pattern of the first part of our life. If you choose a good pattern, you can be a success. If your pattern is poor, you may not be as successful in your life endeavors.
Similarly, your chances of success in Songahm Taekwondo are much greater by following the solid series of patterns (forms) we have developed for our students