Taekwon-Do
background Information
Dojang Rules
The 5
Tenets of Taekwon-Do
Charter of Taekwon-Do
Training
Secrets
The
Theory of Power
Glossary of
Terms
Taekwon-Do and it it's
Imitators
DOJANG
RULES
1. All students are expected to conduct themselves in accordance
with the Student Oath and the Rules of the Dojang.
2. Show respect and follow instructions of all instructors and
black belts, addressing them according to their appropriate
titles or "Sir" or "Ma'am".
3. If students are present in the Dojang and the instructor is
not, the highest ranking student will call class to attention and
command everyone to bow to the instructor when he or she enters
the training hall.
4. All students and instructors come to attention and bow before
entering and leaving the training area and before addressing
instructors and senior blackbelts.
5. Be on time for all classes. If a student is late for class for
any reason he will wait at the edge of the class for permission
to enter the class.
6. Once a class begins, do not leave the training area without
permission from your instructor.
7. Refrain from unnecessary conversation, comments, or horseplay
during class and Dojang area.
8. Procedure for question to instructor:
a.) Raise the hand and wait for the instructor to acknowledge
them.
b.) He/she will then bow to the instructor, assume a stance, and
then ask question.
c.) After the question is answered, bow and thank the instructor.
d.) Commence with exercise.
9. Exercise control over your emotions and your tongue to ensure
that your behaviour and language is a credit to the Dojang.
10. all students will respect each other, and will endeavour to
keep the Dojang as they would their own home.
11. In order to prevent injuries:
Do not wear unnecessary jewelries while training, Do not chew
gum, Keep fingernails and toenails trimmed and smooth.
12. Free sparring Is allowed only when instructors or assistant
instructors are present, unless special permission is given.
13. Shoes are not allowed in the training area.
14. Smoking is not allowed in any area of the Dojang.
15. Dobok will be kept clean and worn during all classes.
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THE
5 TENETS OF TAEKWON-DO
EXPLANATION OF TENETS
Needless to say, the success or failure of Taekwon-Do training
depends largely on how one observes and implement the tenets of
Taekwon-Do which should serve as a guide for all serious students
of the art.
COURTESY (Ye Ui)
It can be said that courtesy is an unwritten regulation
prescribed by ancient teacher of philosophy as a means to
enlighten human being while maintaining a harmonious society. It
can further be as an ultimate criterion required of a mortal. Tae
kwon-Do students should attempt to practice the following
elements of courtesy to build up their noble character and to
conduct the training in an orderly manner as well.
1) Promote the spirit of mutual concessions.
2) Be ashamed of one's vices, contempting those of others.
3) Be polite to one another.
4) Encourage the sense of justice and humanity.
5) Distinguish instructor from student, senior from junior, and
elder from younger.
6) Behave oneself according to etiquette.
7) Respect others' possessions.
8) Handle matters with fairness and sincerity.
9) Refrain from giving or accepting a gift when in doubt.
INTEGRITY (Yomchi)
In Tae Kwon-Do, the word 'lntegrity" assumes a looser
definition than the one usually presented in a dictionary.One
must be able to define right and wrong and have the conscience,
if wrong, to feel guilt. Listed are some examples where integrity
is lacking.
1) Instructor who misrepresents himself and his art by presenting
improper techniques to his students because of a lack knowledge
or apathy.
2) Student who misrepresents himself by "fixing' breaking
materials before demonstration or examination.
3) Instructor who camouflages bad techniques with luxurious
training halls and equipment.
4) Instructor who camouflages false flattery to his students.
5) Student who request rank from an instructor or attempts to
purchase it.
6) Student who gains rank- for ego purposes or the feeling of
false "power''.
7)Instructor who teaches and promotes his art for materialistic
gains.
8) Student whose actions do not live up to his words.
9) Student who feels ashamed to seek opinions from his juniors.
PERSEVERANCE (In Nae)
There is an old Oriental saying "Patience leads to
virtue", "One can make a peaceful home by being patient
for one hundred times." Certainly, happiness and prosperity
are most likely brought to the patient person. To achieve
something, whether it is a higher degree or the perfection of a
technique, one must set his goal, then constantly persevere.
Robert Bruce learned his lesson of perseverance from the
persistent efforts of a lowly spider. It was this perseverance
and tenacity that finally enabled him to free Scotland in the
fourteenth century. One of the most important secrets in becoming
a leader of Taekwon-Do is to overcome every difficulty through
perseverance. Confucius said, "one who is impatient in
trivial matters can seldom achieve success in matters of great
importance."
SELF-CONTROL (Gukgi)
This tenet is extremely important while inside and outside of the
Dojang, whether conducting oneself in free-sparring or in one's
personal affairs. A loss of self-control in free-sparring can
prove disastrous to both student and opponent. An inability to
live and work within one's capability or sphere is also a lack of
self-control. According to Lao-Tzu, "the term of stronger is
the person who wins over oneself rather than someone else."
INDOMITABLE SPIRIT (Baekjol Bulgul)
"Here lie three hundred who did their duty", a simple
epitaph for one of the greatest acts of courage known to mankind.
Although facing the superior forces of Xerexes, Leonidas and his
three hundred Spartans at Thermopylae showed the world the
meaning of indomitable spirit. This kind of spirit is shown when
a courageous person and his principles are pitted against
overwhelming odds. A serious student of Taekwon-Do will at all
times be modest and honest. If confronted with injustice, he will
deal with the belligerent without fear or hesitation, with
lndomitable spirit, regardless of whosoever and however many the
number may be. Confucius declared, "it is an act of
cowardice to fail to speak out against injustice." As
history has proven, those who have pursued their dreams earnestly
and strenuously with indomitable spirit have never failed
toachieve their goals.
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CHARTER OF TAEKWON-DO (Taekwon-Do H'unjang)
PREAMBLE
Since TaeKwon-Do is an art of self-defense which aims at a noble
moral rearmament, high degree of intellectual achievement,
graceful techniques, and beauty of physical form, it can be
considered as a part of one's daily life, just as are breathing
and thinking. The founder of Taekwon-Do, General CHOI, Hong Hi,
defines its philosophy, principles, and purposes as follows so
that these might be applied to bring about the flowering of
morality, beauty, and power in harmony with the immortal spirit.
PART 1
Through scientific practice of Taekwon-Do one can
significantly improve his health and nourish his intellect. One
can be in a position to aid others in the cause of justice,
thereby promoting social ethics and morals, thus helping to bring
about a happier and a more peaceful society.
PART 2
In order to come to terms with life, in spite of
its detestable aspects, and with the idea of death, one ought to
continue studying the art of Taekwon-Do to learn techniques of
power and grace, and to enlarge his spiritual realm. Thus the
motivation to study shall be an inheritance of limitless value to
succeeding generations.
PART 3
Human beings come into the world with simple needs and desires.
They need not become avaricious but ought to remain always humble
and merciful. Never compromise their principles, nor be swayed by
selfish motives, to ensure freedom and independence of Taekwon-Do
so that it will be passed on in its purest form.
PART 4
Since all students of the art are subject to the
same rules of conduct and judged according to the same criteria
regardless of their stations in life, their origins, and their
religious convictions, they demonstrate to the world the
essential equality and brotherhood of man.
PART 5
Modem society is characteristic by selfish
preoccupation with material excess and unnecessary dependence
upon machines. Moral society is characteristic by
self-discipline, sacrifice, mutual help and devotion. Dedication
to the art can promote change toward moral society.
PART 6
Those who devote themselves to their fellows and
live according to the dictates of their consciences are always
helpful toward their juniors and show respect toward their
instructors and their seniors.
CONCLUSION
A beginning constitutes a significant part of
the whole endeavour. Therefore, students of Taekwon-Do should not
fail to take action whenever to do so might benefit the society.
If he behaves thus he himself will benefit the most.
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TRAINING
SECRETS OF TAEKWON-DO
An old proverb says that even heaven cannot make a diligent
worker poor. However, in Taekwon-Do diligence or intensive
training alone does not produce quality techniques. On the
contrary, instructions from a false or unqualified instructor
would be worse that not being taught at all because unscientific
movements not only reduce the power but require a tremendous
amount of time to correct. On the other hand, under the proper
guidance of a competent instructor, a student who trains
earnestly with dedication will learn the true techniques of
Taekwon-Do in a comparatively short period of time with less
effort.Students should keep in mind the following points:
1. Study, the theory of
power thoroughly.
2. Understand the purpose and method of each movement clearly.
3. Bring the movement of eyes, hands, feet, and breath into a
single coordinated action.
4. Choose the appropriate attacking tool for each vital spot.
5. Become familiar with the correct angle and distance for attack
and defense.
6. Keep both the arms and legs bent slightly while the movement
is in motion.
7. All movements must begin with a backward motion with very few
exceptions. However, once the movement is in motion it should not
be stopped before reaching the target.
8. Create a sine wave during the movement by utilizing the knee
spring properly.
9. Exhale briefly at the moment of each blow except in a
connecting motion.
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THEORY
OF POWER (HimUiWolli)
REACTION FORCE (Bandong Ryok)
CONCENTRATION (Jip Joong)
EQUILIBRIUM (Gyun Hyong)
BREATH CONTROL (Hohup Jojuhl)
MASS (Zilyang)
SPEED (Sokdo)
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GLOSSARY
OF TERMS
Dobok - Training outfit or suit
ITF - The International Taekwon-Do Federation
Dojang - Training area
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Last revised: May 31, 1998.