Winner vs. Champion

Free match in a tournament is quite different from class sparring. In class there is no referee or judge, no points awarded, and no one is declared a winner. A tournament has all these, and after all the rounds of competition are done, there can be only one "winner." Thus, the intensity of emotional and physical determination is much greater in a tournament than in class. Herein lie both the strength and weakness of tournament competition.

Viewed correctly, a tournament is an opportunity for a student to test his or her skills (physical, mental, and emotional). It is an opportunity to "do your best" on that day at that time and in that place: an opportunity to push yourself to the limit of which you are capable. From this perspective, "winning" a trophy makes you a champion; it does not make you a winner.

The difference between a champion and a winner is crucial to an understanding of the positive value to be gained from participation in tournaments. A champion is someone whose skill, luck, and timing came together at a critical moment: a skillful fighter (and not necessarily the most skillful) is someone who had the good fortune to enter the tournament and meet other fighters whose skill and luck were less on that particular day. The next time, he or she may win, or may not.

Being a winner, unlike being a champion, is not a momentary thing. Being a winner is a matter of continuous attitude. A fighter who does his or her best each time he or she enters the ring is a winner; whether he or she prevails in the fight is unimportant. "Going for the gold" is merely a training aid to focus the mind and elicit the best the fighter has to give. The fighter who gives his or her best is a winner, win or lose in the ring. This becomes clearer if you bear in mind that the ring is merely a microcosm of life; performance in the ring is a reflection of performance in life.

A winner is not necessarily a champion, and a champion is not necessarily a winner. Everyone cannot be a champion, but everyone can be a winner. But it is difficult to be either if you refuse to enter the ring.

Each time we face an opponent in the ring, we, in truth, face ourselves. Our insides are bared, and all of our fears, angers, hatreds, and insecurities come out and fight against us. Thus, we are really fighting ourselves; our opponents become our partners and teachers, exposing for us our weakness and pointing the direction to transform them into strengths. Ultimately, the controlled conflict of free sparring opens the door to new levels of self awareness and understanding.

Curriculum Forms Guide

Meaning behind Poomse's
One aspect of Taekwondo is the Poomse (forms). These are similar to a floor exercise in gymnastics. Walking a pattern like this, you show that you control your techniques, you show strength. 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. The unity of Yin and Yang is called 'taich'i'. In the Korean language, this is called T'ae-guk. This explains the term Poomse Taeguk. The eight trigrams together are called Pal-gwe as in Poomse Palgwe...

Poomse Taeguk Ill Jang - Heaven
(South, Father) The first Taeguk/Palgwe is the beginning of all Poomses. The associated trigram represents Yang (heaven, light), therefore, this Poomse should be performed with the greatness of Heaven.

Poomse Taeguk Yee Jang - Lake
(South East, Youngest Daughter) In the depths of the lake are treasures and mysteries. The movements of this Taeguk/Palgwe should be performed knowing that man has limitations, but that we can overcome these limitations. This should lead to a feeling of joy, knowing that we can control our future.

Poomse Taeguk Som Jang - Fire
(East, Second Daughter) Fire contains a lot of energy. Fire helped man to survive, but on-the-other-hand had some catastrophical results. This form should be performed rhythmically, with some outbursts of energy.

Poomse Taeguk Sa Jang - Thunder
(North East, Eldest Son) Thunder comes from the sky and is absorbed by the earth. Thunder is one of the most powerful natural forces, circling, gyrating. This Taeguk/Palgwe should be performed with this in mind.

Poomse Taeguk Oh Jang - Wind
(South West, Eldest Daughter) Wind is a gentle force, but can sometimes be furious, destroying everything in its path. Poomse Taeguk/Palgwe Oh Jang should be performed like the wind: gently, but knowing the ability of mass destruction with a single movement.

Poomse Taeguk Yuk Jang - Water
(West, Second Son) Water can move a mountain. The movements of this Poomse should be performed like water. Sometimes standing still like water in a lake, sometimes thriving as a river.

Poomse Taeguk Chil Jang - Mountain
( North West, Youngest Son) Mountains will always look majestic, no matter the size. This Poomse should be performed with the feeling that all movements are majestic and deserving ofbe praise.

Poomse Taeguk Par Jang - Earth
(North, Mother) The associated trigram of this Poomse is Yin: the end of the beginning, the evil part of all that is good. Even in this darkness, there is still some light. Performing this
Taeguk/Palgwe, one should be aware that this is the last Taeguk/Palgwe to be learned, it also is the end of a circle, and therefore it is also the first, the second etc...

Both Palgwe's and Taeguk's are numbered from one to eight.
After this point, there is no longer a difference between the patterns.
The patterns below follow the Poomse Taeguks as well as the Poomse Palgwes.

Poomse Koryo
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.

Poomse 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).

Poomse TaeBaek
The legendary 'Dangoon' founded a nation in Taebaek, near Korea's biggest mountain Baekdoo. Baekdoo is a symbol for Korea. The definition of Taebaek is "lightness". Every movement in this Poomse must not only be exact and fast, but with determination and hardness.

Poomse Pyongwon
The definition of Pyongwon is "stretch, vast plain": big, majestic.

Poomse Sipjin
Sipjin stands for decimal. This Poomse represents the orderliness of the decimal system. It also means the endless development and growth in a systematic order: stability.

Rules and Conduct

Children's Rules

Obey and respect your parents.
Do your best in school.
Do your best in Taekwondo.
Clean up your room (Do your part around your house).
No Taekwondo outside of class.
Be on time for class.
Respect other classes.
Respect other classmates and instructors.
Be nice to your family members.
Do not leave Taekwondo until your parents are present.

Adult's Aims to Achieve

Courtesy
Integrity
Perseverance
Self-Control
Indomitable Spirit

Adult Class Conduct

No jewelry during class.
No candy/gum during class.
Be on time.
No talking during class.
Respect other classmates.

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