Red Belt

Report: Leader and Follower

Taeguek Chil Jang

�        Symbol is Kahn meaning a mountain. 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 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. Powerful and articulate execution is required in single movements and smooth transitions in combination techniques. For the 2nd Gup. 

5 Self Defense Techniques

Breaking: multiple breaks as directed

Additional: Teach 6 classes; terminology; 140 push ups

Red with White stripe

Palgwe Chil Jang

�        Mountain: The seventh form symbolizes the immovable mountain. This form is characterized by stability in which moving and stopping occur at the appropriate times and for the appropriate reasons. This pattern reflects the need to combine movement and non-movement in response to an attack. The stability of a mountain comes from structural soundness and a form that is noble and majestic.

Taeguek Pal Jang

�        Symbol is Kohn meaning the Earth. The earth is the foundation of the growth for all life. It is this beginning of the life and all lives must return to where they began. Taegeuk Pahl jang is the last poomse before becoming a black belt. The end means a new beginning. Perfection of all basic Taekwondo skills and maturity of character is the goal at this stage. If pride, confidence, and dignity were the results of the training, honesty and humbleness are the prerequisites for the black belt stage. It is required to perfect Taegeuk Il jang to Taegeuk Pahl jang to be eligible to apply for the Ist Dan black belt test. New techniques are jump front kick, elbow strike, single mountain block, and uppercut. Accurate footwork is required for combinations. Required for the 1st Gup.

�    Tae Guek Pal Jang (Eighth Taegeuk Pattern) The unity of yin and yang is called 'taich'i'. In the Korean language, this is called T'aeguk. This explains the term Poomse Tae-guek. The word Taeguek comprises two Chinese characters: Tae meaning 'joyfulness' and Geuk meaning 'eternity'. Taegeuk is the philosophical idea from which our views on life and the universe are derived.

�    It has no form, no beginning, no ending. Nevertheless, everything is embodied in and has for its origin Taegeuk. From the Taegeuk are derived eight major philosophical concepts, each of which is represented by its respective Chinese character. Accordingly, movement lines along these patterns are traditionally represented by these eight symbols, or Palgue.

�    These Palgue are arranged in a circle with each across from its complimentary opposite. The pairs are: Keon/Gon, Tae/Gan, Ri/Gam, and Jin/Seon. The Taegeuk and Palgue patterns 1 through 8 are based upon these eight principles. The individual Palgue patterns do not have a directly corresponding 'gue' (or 'gwe') with which they are identified. Instead, one should bear in mind all facets of the palgue while performing these forms, noticing the different expressions as they happen. The Taegeuk patterns, however, correspond one-to-one.

�    During each form, one should focus on interpreting the pattern's corresponding 'gue' and expressing it throughout. Pal Jang is a series of actions applying the Gon (K’un in chinese) principle of Palgue. Gon symbolizes 'Earth'. The Earth is that from which all life springs, matures,and dies. Things take life from gon; they grow from it, drawing limitless energy from it. Gon is defined as being completely receptive. Its metaphysics pure yang. The earth is where the creative force of heaven and light (keon) is realized into physical form. The earth is always wordless; it hugs and grows everything. Gon is pure Yin: the end of the beginning, the dark side of a mountain, the evil element of all that is good. However, nothing can exist as pure Yin or Yang.

�    Therefore, even in a state of complete darkness there is still light to be found right around the corner.  

Additional: Terminology; 160 pushups

Red with Black stripe

Hyung Toi Gye  

�        Toi-Gye Yi Hwang (T'oegye by pen name) was born in On'gye-ri, Yean-huyôn (now Togye-dong, Tosanmyôn, Andong-gun) North Kyôngsang Province, on November 25, 1501, in the seventh year of the reign of King Yônsan of the Yi dynasty. He was the youngest of Yi Sik, a chinsa (a title conferred on a scholar who passed the civil service examination in the literary department), by occupation.

�        Yi Hwang was a child prodigy. At the age of six, Yi Hwang started to learn the Book of One Thousand letters from an old gentleman in his neighborhood. At the age of 12, he learned the Analects from his uncle, Yi U (Songjae by pen name). At the age of 19, T'oegye obtained the two-volume Sôngni Taejôn, which he finished, to find himself in a process of great awakening.

�        He came up to Seoul when he has 23 years old and resumed study at the National Academy. Yi Hwang passed the higher civil service examination in March in the year when he turned 34. With a relentless attitude, he took part in purges of corrupt government officials.

�        In a report to the monarch after an inspection tour of Ch'ungchông Province as a royal secret inspector at the age of 42, he ruthlessly attacked a provincial official who, neglecting an order from an honest magistrate, busied himself in amassing an illicit fortune by taking possession of government articles.

�        During forty years of public life, he served four kings (Chungjong, Injong, Myôngjong, and Sônjo). He focused on the importance of li (contrasting Yul-Guk) emphazing logic, intuition, and morals. He stressed cultivation of moral character, learning, and reflectrion to perfect self.

�        The 37 movements of the pattern refer to his birthplace on 37 degree latitude, the diagram represent scholar. Ancient man has not seen me, neither have I seen him. Though I have not seen him, I know what road he went by. Now that his road is before us, why should we not take it? The green hills-how can it be that they are green eternally flowing streams-how can it be; night and day do they never stand still. We also, we can never stop. We shall grow green eternally. I make my home in spoke and mist, The moon and wind are my friends; In times of peace by my King’s grace, As I grow old my health stays good; All that I hope for as I go on is to live without grave error.

Self Defense: 10 Self Defense techniques

Breaking: Blind combination break

Additional: Sparring tree; terminology; 180 push ups