품새
Poomsae Philosophy
TaeKwonDo poomsae is a combination of techniques that includes stances, blocks, punches, strikes and kicks arranged in a meaningful order in response to imaginary attacks coming from several directions.
Balance, focus, coordination, proper breath control and self discipline emerge as benefits of a continuous poomse practice. With repetition, the student begins to discover the mental and spiritual nature of TaeKwonDo. Watching a performance of one who has mastered a Poomse it is a breathtaking experience.
Poomsae practice is considered extremely important by TaeKwonDo masters. It comprises between 40 to 50% of testing requirements for promotion to a higher rank. It is impossible for the student to understand the art of TaeKwonDo without understanding Poomsae. Learning all the Taegeuks from1 to 8, plus Koryo are required for promotion to Yu Dan Ja (1st degree
Black Belt). The forms are learned in order, allowing the student to assimilate the more advanced forms. The student should never seek to learn an advanced poomsae form without the consent
and permission of their instructor. An apprentice who attempts to learn advance poomsae by itself could potentially miss the essence of the form and important foundational skills.
Each poomsae has it’s own distinct essence and character. Each is understood as a whole rather than an assortment of separate techniques. There is an inherent unity to each poomsae.
Ultimately this unity is perceived and understood by the student as he or she becomes able to perform the entire poomse in a fluid manner.
In addition to improving and developing the student’s understanding of the technical aspects, the poomsae also train the student’s mind and spirit. We are our own worst enemy. We must all overcome the tendencies to be complacent, lazy and to let our attention wander. Through practice we polish the rough edges of our character and eventually come to understand that TaeKwonDo is an art and much more than self defense.
According to the Word TaeKwonDo Federation ( W TF), each Taegeuk form is represented by Trigrams (originally derived from the I- Ching, or The Book of Changes). Each Trigram shows three Yao symbols or lines. Each symbol is either UM ( Yin in Chinese), representing the receptive (female) force of nature, or YANG, representing the creative (male) force of nature. These trigrams are similar to those found in the four corners of the South Korean flag. The word
Taegeuk refers to the Universe from which all things and values are derived. It is also the symbol that makes up the center of the South Korean flag and the source for its name. The Taegeuk is commonly associated with Korean Taoism philosophical values as well as Korean Shamanism.
The floor pattern (or Yeon-Mu) of each Taegeuk Poomsae is equivalent to the Trigram. On each line, a 180 degree turn is performed. If the turn is performed by pivoting in-place, the line is
considered to be a broken line ( Yin line). If the turn is per formed by moving the lead foot to the rear, the line is considered to be a solid line ( Yan line).
Nature of UM and YANG
Um and Yang (also known as Yin and Yang) are complementary opposites rather than absolutes. Although Um and Yang are opposing forces, they need and consume each other and work in unity. They each contain a seed of the opposite, transforming into the other. Nothing in the universe is totally Um or Yang in nature. Part of Um is in Yang and viceversa.
The qualities of each are not absolute; the opposition is relative and temporary. Um constantly becomes Yang while Yang changes to Um. They are dependent elements with an interdependent nature. Um cannot exist without Yang, just as there cannot be night without day.
When Um is excessive, Yang becomes deficient; when Yang becomes dominant, Um weakens. The imbalance makes the energy level of the weaker more intensely focused, which helps it become stronger in turn. They regain their balance as a pair until one dominates the other again.
Taijitu is a term which refers to a Chinese symbol for the concept of yin and yang. It is the universal symbol of the religion known as Taoism and is also of ten used by non-Taoists to represent the concept of opposites existing in harmony. The Taijitu consists of a rotated pattern inside a circle.
The state of balance and unbalance of the two forces constantly transforms themselves through expansion and condensation and fluctuates throughout life. The process of this transformation further divides into Um and Yang producing eight different phenomena called Palgwae. Between 1967 and 1971 Kukkiwon (The Korean house of TKD) style TKD made use of an older set of forms called the Palgwae forms developed by the Korea TKD Association (KTA) with input from some of the original nine Kwans of TKD. By 1970 additional Kwans hold joined the KTA so the newer set of
Taegeuk forms was developed to better represent inputs from all the participating Kawns. By 1971 the Palgwae forms were considered to be deprecated in favor of the newer Taegeuk forms.
What are the eight Trigrams
Palwae is the by-product of the transformational cycle of the Taegeuk, which in the end returns to Taegeuk.
The symbol for Um is a broken bar and for Yang a solid bar. The two divide into the four stages of Um and Yang and further divide into the eight trigrams. The term Bagua is the Feng Shui (means “the way of wind and water”) energy map comprised of eight life areas around a center. “Ba” translates to eight, and “Gua” means area, so “Bagua” means eight areas in Chinese. Each Bagua area has attributes associated with it.
You can activate a Gua by bringing in the color, element or shape. The octagonal trigram template is a common symbol for the term Bagua. The template has eight (Ba) areas (Guas), connecting two neighboring corners of the octagonal trigram towards the center to form one Gua. The center contains the Um ( Yin in Chinese) and Yang symbol, or Taijitu as per Taoist philosophy. Each of the “Guas” shows three Yao symbols, stretching in three rows from the center to the outer side. Each simple Yao symbol (line symbol) is either Um ( Yin in Chinese), representing the receptive (female) force of nature, or Yang, representing the creative (male) force of nature.
Balance is the first step toward harmony. Harmony is an ever changing state of balance. When two elements are in harmony, their energies are not just equally proportioned but blended together into a seamless whole. To be in harmony you must balance the Um and Yang energy in the body and in your lifestyle.
Select one of the belts below to learn more about the specific form or Poomsae for each Gup.
