Curriculum

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There are eight Taegeuk Poomsaes in the martial art of Taekwondo. Each Poomsae is built upon the previous one, adding more complicated movements, yet every form has unique characteristics and principles:

White Belts: Basic 1

White Belt w/Yellow Stripe: Basic 2

Yellow Belt: Tae Kwon Self Defense - One and Two

Orange Belt: Kibon Hana Form and Self Defense

Kibo Hana: The term Kibon Hana means “basic #1” – hana is the Korean term for the number 1 in the traditional Korean numbering system. Kibon Hana is a basic form (poomsae) often taught to introductory students at some Taekwondo schools, especially in Kukkiwon/WTF-style Taekwondo.

Tae Kwon Self Defense: There are eight Taegeuk Poomsae in the martial art of Taekwondo. Each Poomsae is built upon the previous one, adding more complicated movements, yet every form has unique characteristics and principles:

Green Belt: Taegeuk Il Jang Form and Self Defense

Keun meaning heaven: the spirit of a solid foundation. This is the most basic form of Taekwondo training. The movements are walking stance, front stance, low block, high block, inside block, middle punch, front kick. For the 8th Keup.

Purple Belt: Taegeuk Ee Jang Form and Self Defense

Tae meaning river: inner strength and external gentleness. After diligent practice of Taegeuk lL jang, now you have a stronger base to develop yourself further. There are more front kicks and block-kick-punch combinations in Taegeuk Ee jang. Techniques must be performed gently but with dynamic inner power. For the 7th Keup.

Blue Belt: Taegeuk Sam Jang Form and Self Defense

Ri meaning fi re: the spirit of enthusiasm. Through Taekwondo training, you have developed physical strength and inner power. Now is the stage where the more effort you put out, the more your enthusiasm and skills grow. New movements in Taegeuk Sahm jang are back stance, knife hand strike, knife hand block. The combinations of block-punch and block-kick require quick speed and the ability to coordinate your body to create integral forces. Put speed in defense and power in attacks. For the 6th Keup.

Brown Stripe Belt: Taegeuk Sa Jang Form and Self Defense

Jin meaning thunder: the spirit of undeniable power and dignity. There are more advanced movements in this Poomsae such as double knife hand blocks, finger tip thrust, swallow stance knife hand strike, consecutive side kicks, and cross stance back fist. To prepare for Kyuroogi practice, there are more transitional movements to help you to improve correct body shifting and coordination. This is for the 5th Keup

Brown Belt: Taegeuk Oh Jang Form and Self Defense

Sohn meaning wind: the spirit of gentle power. Taegeuk Oh jang is designed to develop the inner energy and kinetic force of the body with the application of the two opposite phenomena of nature. New movements are hammerfist, elbow strike, side kick with side punch, and jumping cross stance. Special attention is required in striking a specific target area with the elbow. For the 4th Keup.

Red Stripe: Taegeuk Yook Jang Form and Self Defense

Gam meaning water: the spirit of fl ow and ultimate fl exibility. Water symbolizes a constant flow and the ultimate flexibility. Not only must the techniques flow like water but the mind must be flexible as well. New techniques are single knifehand high section block, roundhouse kick, palm press block and pyunhee suhgi in the middle of the poomse. Special attention must be paid to the foot position right after executing the two roundhouse kicks. For the 3rd Keup.

Red Belt: Chil Jang Form and Self Defense

Gahn meaning mountain: the spirit of fi rmness and strength. A mountain is the spirit of firmness and strength. At this level the practitioner’s resolution for training Taekwondo starts firmly rooting in the heart. The meaning of self-improvement through Taekwondo becomes deeper daily. Therefore, it is recommended to reexamine all of the previously learned skills so that the base for progress is strongly secured. You may experience some difficulties and obstacles mentally and physically. Effort is required to get through this stage. New techniques are low double knife hand block, palm press block, scissors block, knee strike, middle section opening block, cross hand block, side punch, cat stance and horseriding stance. Focus on powerful and articulate execution in single movements and smooth transitions in combination techniques. For the 2nd Keup.

Black Stripe Belt: Taegeuk Pal Jang Form and Self Defense

Gon meaning earth: the spirit of humbleness. Taegeuk Pahl jang is the last promise before becoming a black belt. Perfection of all basic Taekwondo skills and maturity of character is the goal at this stage. New techniques are jump front kick, elbow strike, single mountain block, and uppercut. Accurate footwork is required for combinations. Required for the 1st Keup.

Deputy Belt: Koryo IL Form and Self Defense

Koryo poomsae symbolizes “seonbae” which means a learned man. Koryo (Goryeo or Goreyeo) is also the name of an important ancient Korean dynasty. Many “weaponless” Korean martial arts were developed during the Koryo dynasty.

Black Belt: Koryo Form and Self Defense

Koryo poomsae symbolizes “seonbae” which means a learned man. Koryo (Goryeo or Goreyeo) is also the name of an important ancient Korean dynasty. Many “weaponless” Korean martial arts were developed during the Koryo dynasty.