This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Essential Taekwondo

Master Chris Berlow, UMAC Briarcliff, Neighbor
“...most people foolishly enslave themselves to materialism as if they could live for thousands of years. And some people strive to bequeath a good spiritual legacy for coming generations, in this way, gaining immortality. ...the spirit is perpetual while material is not. Therefore, what we can do to leave behind something for the welfare of mankind is, perhaps, the most important thing in our lives.”
General Choi Hong Hi, Founder of Taekwon-Do

There are twenty-four patterns or forms in Taekwondo. And we have General Choi Hong Hi to thank for their development.

Reason for Patterns or Forms

Taekwondo forms are known as Poomse in Korean. Forms or pattern practice enables the student to go through many fundamental movements in succession, to develop…

  • sparring techniques

Find out what's happening in Pleasantville-Briarcliff Manorwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

  • breath control

  • fluid and smooth motions

    • Find out what's happening in Pleasantville-Briarcliff Manorwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

  • focus and concentration


    • The overall goal is to improve flexibility of movements, master body shifting, build muscle strength, tone, and memory, and learn rhythmical movements.


    To master forms, the student needs to know Taekwondo kicks, punches, blocks, and stances. Forms enable a student to acquire certain special techniques which cannot be obtained from either fundamental exercises or sparring. Accordingly, forms combine sparring, power, feats and characteristic beauty and are a more critical barometer in evaluating an individual’s technique.

    Watch a demonstration of one of my Black Belt classes performing Taebek on YouTube.


    Important Points While Performing Patterns

    1. Forms begin and end at exactly the same spot, indicating the student’s accuracy

  • Correct posture and facing must be maintained at all times

  • Muscles of the body should be either tensed or relaxed at proper critical moments

  • The exercise should be performed in a rhythmic movement with an absence of stiffness

  • Movement should be accelerated or decelerated according to instructions

  • Each pattern should be perfected before moving to the next form

  • Students should know the purpose of each movement

  • Students should perform each movement with realism


    • “...The 24 forms represent 24 hours, one day, or all my life.” - General Choi Hong Hi


    The generosity of the soul, the thoughtfulness of the master, the reason for living...this is what makes living a Black Belt life so fulfilling to me.


    What will you leave behind as a testament of your life and legacy?


    Thank you for this opportunity to serve you.


    Master Chris Berlow, 6th Dan

    Professional Martial Artist, Owner, and Author

    UMAC Briarcliff

    https://www.facebook.com/UMACbriarcliff

    http://itsnotaboutthebelt.com/

    http://empoweredmastery.com/


    We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

    The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

    More from Pleasantville-Briarcliff Manor