Poomsae is a compound word of Poom and Sae Poom means motion form character etc. Sae means figure form etc.
Poomsae is the motions conformed to the Taekwondo rule.
Poomsae is for trainee to practice by oneself without trainer.
Although there is no opponent the trainee could learn the techniques of attack and defence with Poomsae.
Poomsae is not just technique.
But it is the spirit of attack and defence with the spirit of Taekwondo and the essence of technique.
The trainee should learn Poomsae according to the Poomsae line.
Poomsae line is the line that shows the position and direction of foot movement.
Poomsae is a very important training course in Taekwondo and takes a big portion in Dan examination.
There are 25 official Poomsae which are divided roughly into 3 categories.
They are the Gupclass Poomsae from Taeguek 1 Jang to Taeguek 8 Jang Blackbelt Poomsae from Koryo to IIyeo and Palgwae Poomsae from Palgwae 1 Jang to Palgwae 8 Jang.
17 Poomsaes of Taeguek Poomsae and Blackbelt Poomsae are practiced all over the world.
While 40% are learning Taekwondo with Palgwae Poomsae also.
Poomsae consists of basic motion and Poom.
The content is well organized within the limit of each Poomsae.
This limit is called the Poomsae Line.
Poomsae Line is all marked in letters.
As Poomsae is formed with principles of universal philosophy the Poomsae Line puts various principles into practice such as Um of the Universal principle Yang of Palgwae Line Taeguek Poomsae attack and defence advance and withdrawal rapidity and slowness etc.
The soul of each Poomsae is the correct slowness and rapidity of breath and motion the correct movement of focus in speedy action practical application of motion and the universal philosophy of Taeguek and Palgwae.
Taeguek Poomsae
Anyone who starts Taekwondo learns basic motion based on the spirit of courtesy then learn Taeguek Poomsae.
Taeguek Poomsae is a required course for Gupclass to pass Dan examination.
It is designed for the beginner of Taekwondo with the philosophy of Taeguek.
The motion of Taeguek Poomsae follows to Palgwae Line of Um and Yang the ground philosophy of the universe.
And it repeats various body movements according to Um and Yang philosophy for the acquisition of technique and selfconfidence.
Blackbelt Poomsae
Blackbelt Poomsae is the next of the Taeguek Poomsae.
There are 9 Dans in Blackbelt Poomsae with philosophies such as Koryo Keumgang Taeback Pyongwon Shipjin Jitae Chonkwon Hansoo and Ilyeo.
Anyone who passes through Blackbelt attains a stage of completion the highest stage of martial arts.
Blackbelt Poomsae contains Korean tradition and natural philosophy.
Palgwae Poomsae
The motion of Taeguek and Palgwae Poomsae expresses the principle of heaven earth and universe.
And it also expresses numerous phenomena that occur in the universe.
There are eight names in Palgwae which are Gun Gon Jin Son Gam Ri Gan and Tae.
These names symbolize heaven earth thunder wind water fire mountain and pond respectively.
Before the creation of Taeguek Poomsae Palgwae Poomsae was required course for Gupclass but now it is an optional training.
Meaning
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Taegeuk 1 Jang represents the symbol of Keon one of the 8 Kwaes divination signs which means the heaven and yang. As the Keon symbolizes the beginning of the creation of all thing in the universe do does the Taegeuk 1 Jang in the training of Taekwondo. This poomsae is characterized by its easiness in practicing largely consisting of walking and basic actions such as araemakki momtongmakki momtongjireugi and apchagi. The 8th Kupgrade trainees practice this poomsae.
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Taegeuk 2 Jang symbolizes the Tae one of the 8 divination signs which signifies the inner firmness and the outer softness. An introduction of the olgulmakki is a new development of Taegeuk poomsae. The apchagi actions appear more frequently than in Taegeuk 1 Jang. The 7th Kupgrade trainees practice this poomsae.
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Taegeuk 3 Jang symbolizes the Ra one of the 8 divination signs which represent hot and bright. This is to encourage the trainees to harbor a sense of justice and ardor for training. A successful accomplishment of this poomsae will give the trainees a promotion to a blue belt. New actions are sonnalmokchigi and sonnal makki and dwitkubi stance. This poomsae is characterized by successive makki and chigi and continued jireugis. Emphasis is laid on the counterattacks against the opponents chigi. The 6th Kupgrade trainees practice this poomsae.
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Taegeuk 4 Jang symbolizes the Jin one of the 8 divination signs which represent the thunder meaning great power and dignity. New techniques are sonnalmomtongmakki pyonsonkkeutjireugi jebipoommokchigi yopchagi momtong bakkatmakki deungjumeokolgulapchigi and mikkeurombal slipping foot techniques. Various movements in preparation for the kyorugi and lot of dwitkubi cases characterize it. The 5th Kupgrade trainees practice this poomsae.
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Taegeuk 5 Jang symbolizes the Son one of the 8 divination signs which represent the wind meaning both mighty force and calmness according to its strength and weakness. New movements are mejumeokmaeryochigi palkupdollyochigi yopchagi
