Rhee Taekwon-do

Welcome to Rhee Taekwondo!

2011-09-28T19:59:00.000+10:00

Rhee Taekwondo is a traditional, non-competitive style of the Korean martial art form, Taekwondo. The art promotes self-defence, discipline, fitness and strength, and is suitable for everyone, regardless of age, gender, or size.

About Rhee Taekwondo:

Rhee Taekwondo was founded in the late sixties by Master Chong Chul Rhee, and has currently grown to hundreds of training centres across Australia and New Zealand. The three Master Rhee brothers are the sole graders of all Rhee Taekwondo students, and still currently teach at dojangs around Australia.

Training Centres and Times

2011-09-28T18:15:00.002+10:00

VICTORIA:

Prahran Dojang: - Victorian Head Office
RSL Hall, 301 High St, Prahran VIC 3181
Monday:
6pm - 7.30pm
Friday:
6pm - 7.30pm

Instructor: Master Rhee Chong Hyup
Phone: (03) 9527 6574

Noble Park Dojang:
Noble Park Primary School, Buckley Street, Noble Park VIC 3174
Monday:
6pm - 8pm
Wednesday:
6pm - 8pm

Instructor: Eric Shingles
email : eshingles@bigpond.com
Phone : (03) 9540 8753
Mob 0431 135 035

Narre Warren Dojang:
Don Bosco Primary School - New Gymnasium, 496 Princess Hwy, Narre Warren VIC
Monday:
5.15pm - 7.15pm
Thursday:
5.15pm - 7.15pm

Instructor: Shaun Cowell & David Pleydell
email : infonarretkd@yahoo.com.au

East Melbourne Dojang:
Church on Corner Victoria St and Hoddle St, East Melbourne, VIC 3002
Tuesday:
6pm-8.00pm
Thursday:
6pm-8.00pm

Enquires : Master Rhee Chong Hyup
Phone : (03) 9527 6574

Melbourne University Dojang:
Lazer Room, Sports Centre, Tin Alley, University of Melbourne, Parkville VIC 3052
Tuesday:
7.30pm - 9.30pm
Thursday:
7.30pm - 9.30pm

Instructor: Ying Lim
email: melbunirheetkd@gmail.com
Ying Lim (Melbourne University Tae Kwon Do - MUTKD Representative)
Mob 0405 796 594

Portland Dojang:
Monday:
6pm - 7.30pm
Wednesday:
6pm - 7.30pm

Contact Eric for details (see below)

Upwey Dojang:
Howarth Hall, Upwey Primary School, Darling Ave, Upwey VIC 3158
Tuesday
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Thursday
6:00pm - 8:00pm

Instructor: David Jewell
email : upweytkd@aanet.com.au
Phone: (03) 9754 2252

Warrnambool Dojang:
Warrnambool Theatre Company Hall, 95 Nicholson St, Warrnambool VIC 3280
Monday:
6.15pm - 7.45pm
Thursday:
6.15pm - 7.45pm

Instructor: Lawrence Goodwin
email : lgoodwin@swh.net.au
Phone : (03) 5563 1567
Mob 0409 415 174

Yallambie Dojang:
Streeton Primary School,Yallambie Rd, Yallambie VIC 3085
Tuesday:
6.15pm - 7.45pm
Thursday:
6:15pm - 7:45pm

Instructor: Tom Grice
email : tmgrice@bigpond.net.au
Phone : (03) 9458 2045
mob : 0419745541

Gippsland & Latrobe Valley Head office:
Kevin Johnston
PO Box 362, Morwell, Victoria 3840
Phone : (03) 5133 0748
mob : 0409 601 371

Boolarra Dojang:
Boolarra Memorial Hall, Christian Street, Boolarra VIC 3870
Monday:
6pm - onwards

Instructor: Teresina Farnham
contact: Gippsland & Latrobe Valley Head office (above)

Churchill Dojang:
Community Hall Shopping Centre, Churchill VIC 3842
Wednesday:
6pm - onwards

Instructor: Peter Depellegrini
contact: Gippsland & Latrobe Valley Head office (above)

Leongatha Dojang:
Masonic Hall, Corner Bruce Street & Church Street, Leongatha VIC 3953
Wednesday:
6pm - onwards

Instructor: Kevin Johnston
contact: Gippsland & Latrobe Valley Head office (above)

Moe Dojang:
St Keirans School Hall, Corner Lloyed Street & Wiriway Crescent, Moe VIC 3825
Thursday:
6pm - onwards

Instructor: Laurie and Jo-ann Larkins
contact: Gippsland & Latrobe Valley Head office (above)

Morwell Dojang:
Maryvale Campus, Kurnai College, Bridle Street, Morwell VIC 3840
Tuesday:
6pm - onwards
Saturday:
10am - onwards

Instructor: Kevin Johnston
contact: Gippsland & Latrobe Valley Head office (above)

Sale Dojang:
Anglican Cathedral Church of St Paul, 60 Marley Street, Sale VIC 3850
Tuesday:
6pm - onwards
Thursday:
6pm - onwards

Instructor: Andrew Obrien
contact: Gippsland & Latrobe Valley Head office (above)

Traralgon Dojang:
Lavalla Catholic College, Kosciusko Street, Traralgon VIC 3844
Friday: 6pm- onwards

Instructor: David Crawford
contact: Gippsland & Latrobe Valley Head office (above)

Need a hand with directions? Try Whereis.com. or Street-Directory.

Is there a club not on this list or in need of an update? Send in the details to readingnut@hotmail.com.

What's New

2011-06-12T12:13:00.002+10:00

28-September-2011

And a couple more.

12-June-2011

And a couple more changes.

09-June-2011

A couple of changes to the Tasmanian Dojangs.

19-April-2011

Just a couple of updates to the Training Centres and Times page.

23-March-2011

Exciting news!

We have a new club in Narre Warren with instructors Shaun Cowell and David Pleydell (who helped to co-create this website!)

And it's about time, hey? Just kidding - refer to their website on the links on the left, or the Training Centres and Times page for details.

18-February-2011

A few more updates to the links to other Rhee Taekwondo websites.

14-March-2010

A few updates to the links bar on the left =)

2-June-2008

Yes we're still alive and kicking (in case you're wondering). A minor update to the webpages' Training Centres and Times page.

Best of luck for those grading on Thursday!

25-March-2007

Hi all, just put up an update to the Warrandyte Dojang on the Training Centres and Times page, with a new training time, location and website!

7-March-2007

Congrats on another round of gradings! We've made the Gradings page more general (it's usually the first Thursday of the month - check with your instructor!)

No other updates for now, though if you have any comments, suggestions, etc, send us an email.

10-December-2006

The last grading for the year already??? Well done to those who went on Thursday. The Grading page has been updated. Thanks to all the instructors out there for getting us this far!

Also put up Prahran's Christmas break (22 Dec 06 - 22 Jan 07). Have a great Christmas and New Years' break everyone =D

10-September-2006

A touch up to the Menu bar.

8-September-2006

Congratulations to everyone who graded yesterday! The Grading page has been updated so you can start preparing for your next Grading in December ;).

27-August-2006

Another minor update: the exact date of the Melbourne Grading (7th Sept 2006) has been added to the Grading page.

Good luck everyone!

27-June-2006

Small update to the National Listings page thanks to a few additions given to us from Regional Instructor for the Gympie region, Paul Bailey. The additions are Gympie, Tin Can Bay and Cedar Pocket.

Thanks Paul!

4-June-2006

We've updated the Grading page for the June grading. Well done to everyone!

We've got up another two new links obtained from extracts of an old Rhee Taekwondo grading booklet. They are:

"What is Taekwondo": A brief introduction to taekwondo.

"Meet the Belts": Introduction the belt colours and the deeper meaning behind them.

6-April-2006

We have details of another VictoRHEEan club, in Yallambie! Have a look at the 'Training Centres and Times' page for more details. Special thanks goes to Michelle Grice for the details. Links to the map will be up this weekend.

And yes, a very special update coming soon...

27-March-2006

We've added another Korean film to the list of film suggestions on the Korean language page, 'Brotherhood of War', courtesy of Nathan Van der Klugt from Bundaberg, QLD. A big thank you for that! For more details about the film, follow the following link to Sony Pictures (http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/taegukgi/).

Also, we've increased all the font sizes so you don't have to strain your eyes.

A very interesting update coming up... stay tuned ;)

19-March-2006

Congratulations for those who graded to new belts! A minor change today to the Gradings page to update dates.

15-February-2006

An additional link has been added to the flexibility page. Topics include the different types of stretching and how muscles stretch.

National Listing

2011-06-12T10:50:00.001+10:00

Note: This is not a complete list.

In Alphabetical Order:

Australia

Australian Capital Territory
Canberra [Link]
Conder
Duffy *
Evatt
Forrest
Gilmore
Hawker
Hughes
Isabella Pl
Jerrabomberra *
Kambah
Macarthur
Nicolls
Palmerston
Queanbeyan
Red Hill
Uni Camberra
Wanniassa
Weston
Yarralumla
...other [Link]

New South Wales
Albion Park [Link]
Anna Bay [Link]
Balgownie [Link]
Baulkman Hills
Blacksmiths [Link][Link]
Blacktown
Bomaderry [Link]
Bondi
Branxton [Link][Link]
Brighton Le Sands
Bulli [Link]
Callala [Link]
Cambelltown
Campsie
Carlton *
Caringbah
Cessknok [Link][Link]
Concord West
Connells Point
Coogee [Link]
Charlestown[Link][Link]
Chatswood
Chester Hill
Clarence Town [Link][Link]
Culburra [Link]
Dapto [Link][Link]
Dora Creek [Link][Link]
Dungog [Link][Link]
Eleebana [Link][Link]
Epping
Fairfield
Figtree [Link]
Forster [Link]
Gerringong [Link]
Glendale [Link]
Greenacre
Gresford [Link][Link]
Goulburn [Link]
Gunnedah
Hornsby
Hurstville
Lake Cathie [Link]
Largs [Link][Link]
Leichardt
Liverpool
Lugarno
Maroubra
Maryland [Link][Link]
Malabar [Link]
Mayfield (Waratah)[Link][Link]
Medowie [Link][Link]
Merewetther [Link][Link]
Mollymook [Link]
Mount Annan
Muswellbrook [Link]
New Lambton [Link][Link]
Nowra [Link]
Oak Flats [Link]
Oatley
Paterson [Link][Link]
Pennant Hills
Penrith
Port Macquarie [Link]
Ramsgate
Randwick
Rathmines [Link][Link]
Raymond Terrace [Link][Link]
Riverwood
Rose Bay
Scone
Shellharbour [Link]
Singleton
Soldiers Point [Link][Link]
St Georges Basin [Link][Link]
Stockton [Link]
Stoud [Link]
Taree [Link]
The Junction [Link][Link]
Thornton [Link][Link]
Toormina [Link]
Tuggerah [Link]
Tuncurry [Link]
Ulladulla [Link]
Unandulla [Link]
Wauchope [Link]
Wollongong [Link]
Woodberry [Link][Link]

Northern Territory
Casurina
Parap [Link]

Queensland
Aikenvale [Link]
Alderly
Ashgrove West
Aspley
Atherton
Barden
Brisbane [Link]
Brown Plains
Buderim
Bundaberg [Link]
Burleigh Heads
Caboolture
Caloundra
Camp Hill
Castle Hill [Link]
Cedar Pocket
Chermside
Cleveland
Coolum
Cooroy
Currimundi
Darra
Deception Bay
Dimbulah
Edmonton
Enoggera
Eumundi [Link]
Ferny Grove
Gin Gin [Link]
Gold Coast [Link]
Gordonvale
Gympie
Heatley
Helensvale [Link]
Hermit Park [Link]
Hervey Bay [Link]
Hillcrest *
Indooroopilly
Innisfail
Ipswich
James Cook University [Link]
Kallangur
Kawana
Kenmore
Kingston
Kippa-Ring [Link]
Kirwan
Lagoon Pocket [Link]
Landsborough
Lawnton
Lutwyche
Macgregor
Malanda [Link]
Mareeba [Link]
Maroochydore
Maryborough [Link]
Mission Beach
Morningside [Link]
Mossman
Mt Gravatt
Nambour
New Farm
Newmarket
Nerang
Noosa
North Ward [Link]
Oonoomba [Link]
Pomona
Rasmussen [Link]
Ravenshoe
Redcliffe
Robina
Rockhampton
Salisbury
Sherwood
South Kolan [Link]
Southport
Spring Hill
St Lucia
Stratford
Sunnybank
Sunshine Coast [Link]
Tewantin
Tin Can Bay
Torquay
Townsville [Link]
Tweed Heads [Link]
Upper Caboolture
West End
Woree
Wulguru
Wynnum North
Yeronga
Yorkeys Knob

South Australia
Adelaide [Link][Link]
Adelaide University [Link]
Blackwood [Link][Link]
Blakeview [Link][Link]
Barossa [Link]
Christies Beach [Link][Link][Link]
Eden Hills [Link]
Elizabeth Grove [Link][Link]
Flinders University [Link][Link]
Gawler [Link][Link]
Glenelg [Link][Link]
Greenwith [Link]
Henley Beach [Link][Link]
Hilcrest [Link][Link]
Ingle Farm [Link][Link]
Kensington [Link][Link]
Marden [Link]
Mitcham [Link][Link]
Modbury [Link][Link]
Paradise [Link][Link]
Payneham [Link][Link]
Port Adelaide [Link][Link]
Port Augusta [Link]
Reynella [Link][Link][Link]
Robinvale [Link]
Salisbury [Link][Link]
Seaford [Link][Link][Link]
Tea Tree Gully [Link][Link]
Wentworth [Link]
Woodville [Link][Link]
Whyalla [Link]
Wynn Vale [Link][Link]

Tasmania
Burnie [Link]
Deloraine [Link]
Devonport [Link]
Ulverstone [Link]

Victoria
Boolarra [Link]
Churchill [Link]
East Melbourne [Link]
Gol Gol [Link]
Irymple [Link]
Leongatha [Link]
Merbein [Link]
Mildura [Link][Link]
Moe [Link]
Morwell [Link]
Noble Park [Link]
Portland [Link]
Prahran [Link]
Red Cliffs [Link]
Sale [Link]
Seymour
Traralgon [Link]
University of Melbourne [Link]
Upwey [Link]
Warrandyte [Link]
Warrnambool (Bushfield) [Link][Link]

Western Australia
Applecross [Link][Link]
Armadale [Link][Link]
Attadale [Link][Link]
Atwell [Link][Link]
Ballajura [Link][Link]
Bassendean [Link][Link]
Bayswater [Link][Link]
Bedford [Link][Link]
Beechwood [Link][Link]
Brentwood [Link]
Canningvale [Link][Link]
Carine [Link][Link]
Churchlands [Link][Link]
Como [Link]
Dalkeith [Link][Link]
Duncraig [Link][Link]
Fremantle [Link][Link]
Greenmount [Link][Link]
Kinross [Link][Link]
Melville [Link][Link]
Mt Claremont [Link][Link]
Mt Hawthorn [Link]
Mandurah [Link]
Morley [Link]
Mosman Park [Link][Link]
Noranda [Link][Link]
Ocean Reef [Link][Link]
Rossmoyne [Link][Link]
Subiaco [Link][Link]
Swanbourne [Link][Link]
Thornlie [Link][Link]
Victoria Park [Link][Link]
Woodvale [Link][Link]
Yangebup [Link][Link]
Yokine [Link][Link]

New Zealand

Johnsonville [Link]
Karori [Link]
Rongotai [Link]
Silverstream [Link]
Whitby [Link]

Need a hand with directions? Try Street-Directory or UBD Australia (UBD New Zealand)

*To be confirmed

Imagine maintaining a list like this...! Know of details that aren't here or need an update? Give us a hand by emailing readingnut@hotmail.com.

Tenets and Pledge

2005-08-26T19:04:00.000+10:00

Taekwon-Do Tenets

Taekwon-Do aims at achieving:

Etiquette.
Modesty.
Perseverance.
Self-Control.
Indomitable spirit.

Taekwon-Do Pledge

As a student of Taekwon-Do I do solemnly promise:

- To abide by the rules of the club.
- To obey the instructions of my instructor.
- To cultivate self-discipline and perseverance.
- To strive always to be modest, courteous and respectful to members senoir to me.
- To put the art into use only for Self-Defence and the defence of the weak and never show off my knowledge in the art.
- To respect the laws of the country at all times.
- To be honourable in my dealings with all my fellow men.

Gradings

2005-08-23T19:37:00.000+10:00

Gradings are held four times a year in various locations. As a general rule, Melbourne gradings are on the first Thursday of the month for each term (March, June, September, December), though there are a few exceptions.

Melbourne Grading location:
RSL Hall, 301 High St, Prahran VIC 3181

What is Taekwondo?

2005-08-18T21:44:00.000+10:00

(extract from a Rhee Taekwondo Grading booklet)

Tae Kwon-Do is the typical Korean Martial Art.

It is the "art of hand and foot fighting".

"TAE" literally means to jump or kick or smash with the foot.

"KWON" denotes a fist - chiefly to punch or destroy with the hand or fist.

"DO" means the art, or way, or method.

Thus taken collectively "Tae Kwon-Do" indicates the technique of un-armed combat for self-defence involving the skilled application of punches, flying kicks, blocks, dodges and interceptions with the hands, arms, feet for the rapid destruction of the opponent.

Tae Kwon-Do is the scientific Korean martial art which gives its practitioner not only an efficient form of self-defence but also a means of enhancing hie or her mental and physical well being.

Mental concentration, breathing and physical exercises of Tae Kwon-Do, besides producing tranquility and peace of mind also relax the joints, tone the muscles, strengthen the internal organs and develop agility, strength and stamina. Women adherents in addition acquire and maintain a beautiful form and figure. This art is thus beneficial for all ages and sexes.

Meet the Belts

2005-08-18T21:25:00.000+10:00

The Belt Ranking System
(Extract from a Rhee Taekwondo Grading booklet)

The six orders of coloured belts in Tae Kwon-Do have not been arbitrarily chosen for convenience sake, as many people believe. They are in fact steeped in tradition.

The colours of black, brown (red) and blue denoted the various levels of hierachy during the Silla Dynasty. The belts in themselves are indicative of a student's level of training because of the meanings behind the colours.

WHITE
Signifies the innocence of a beginning student who has no previous knowledge of Tae Kwon-Do. The white uniform symbolizes purity.

YELLOW
Signifies the earth from which a plant sprouts and takes root as the Tae Kwon-Do foundation is being laid. Also the sun which instigates the birth of the seed.

GREEN
Signifies the new plant's growth, gaining strength as the Tae Kwon-Do skills begin to develop.

BLUE
Signifies the heaven towards which the plant matures into a towering tree as training in Tae Kwon-Do progresses. The vastness of the sky indicating the beginning of a true understanding of technique.

BROWN
Signifies the tree taking solid root in the earth as technique becomes increasingly proficient (RED indicates danger, cautioning the student to exercise control and warning the opponent to stay away.)

BLACK
The opposite of white, therefore signifying the maturity and proficiency in Tae Kwon-Do. Black also indicates the endless universe and a realisation of the limitless techniques available. Also indicates the wearer's imperviousness to darkness and fear.

In deference to tradition, the black piping around the edge of the jacket worn by black belt holders is symbolic of the pure white shirt with black piping worn by the royal family and aristocrats during the Silla Dynasty, in Old Korea.

A student should not become preoccupied with achieving rank, realising that training and the stanard of technique are more important goals to strive for. Certainly, a would-be attcker will not be concerned with what colour belt his intended victim possesses.

Training Centre Locations

2005-08-15T09:50:00.000+10:00

Click on a suburb name to bring up a clubs details.
(Just a teaser at the moment, still in progress. ;))

Interview with Master Rhee - Australasian Fighting Arts Magazine

2005-08-11T13:18:00.000+10:00

Interview with Master Chong Chul Rhee, Australasian Fighting Arts Magazine, March 1985.

Master Rhee, can we discuss some of your military experiences - your time as instructor of the South Korean Marine Corps, for example?

"Yes, I was with the Marines for three years, teaching the art for unarmed combat purposes. During the Korean War this Marine Corps became known as the 'Demon Hunter Korean Marines'; the nick name was given by the President of the United States. They were very good fighters and they always trained very hard."

Did you modify the traditional techniques for military applications?

"Yes. Their purpose was simply to kill the enemy. So the training was slightly different from civilian training. Simple, deadly techniques. Plus some bayonet sparring and knife training."

Have you modified and updated the original art, over the years, for modern Australian conditions?

"Yes, today the art is more advanced in free-sparring, compared to the old days. Maybe slightly less power in individual techniques, but faster, more advanced combinations and free-sparring."

Do you recognize a need to constantly modify and update techniques and do you feel the art will change much in the future?

"I know many organisations hold tournaments and I can understand that as one of the ways to promote the art. But this is not the ultimate way to develop the art. Eventually, if they just keep promoting and developing championships, the real art will die. Maybe it will exist only as a sport so to prevent that eventuality; they should concentrate on developing more power, rather than just techniques for scoring under the points system. There's no power that way. As I said, some tournaments can be okay as one method of promotion but I don't see any importance in having tournaments in Rhee Tae kwon do. I want it to remain as a real Martial Art, not just sport. I notice, incidentally, that even in the United States where tournaments and sport used to be very popular, they are coming back to the traditional Martial Arts now. What is necessary is good training at the gym-good sparring with your partner, strong basics and pattern training. I believe that if you reach your personal goal in the nights training - whether it is in free sparring, patterns or whatever - then you are a champion. That way, every member can practise hard at each lesson to achieve their own personal goals."

We understand you had experience in boxing and weight training as a youth, Master Rhee?

"Yes. Boxing, weight training, plus gymnastics and basketball. But I decided to concentrate and specialize in Martial Arts."

What are your opinions of the various forms of supplementary training that martial artists can use? For example, running, bag and makiwara training, weight training etc.?

"Well it all depends what particular types of technique the martial artist wants to develop. The martial artist needs a special kind of muscle development for really powerful, fast martial arts techniques. For example, to develop more strength for, powerful punching - I don't think ordinary weight training is very helpful. We have had to study scientifically exactly which specific muscles have to be developed for greater punching power. The same need applies to kicking, jumping techniques etc. Running is certainly good, for developing stamina and leg strength for kicking power. I have some special swimming and water exercises, special techniques done in the water not only to develop certain muscles and techniques, but also for remedial purposes. For certain injuries, these exercises can help the bone structure come back to normal.

"We use the forging Post, of course, to condition the knuckles and the wrist etc. for destruction. The forging post is also very useful for developing hip power. And bag training is very useful for developing kicking power, speed and accuracy. The type of training and the desired effect is dependant upon the size of the bag being used. The larger bag is used more for power development. The smaller bag can be used for developing speed, accuracy and focus. It can be used more like a substitute partner - dodging, moving and developing actual fighting skills - rather than just power."

Do you place much emphasis on breaking and destruction techniques in your schools?

"Rhee Tae kwon do is a Martial Art; not just sport. People join for many, many reasons of course - discipline, exercise, self-defence, self-improvement, relief of stress. Each person has his or her own reason for joining Rhee Tae kwon do. But as I said, this is a true Martial Art. So each technique - whether you punch, kick, chop, elbow strike or whatever - must have real power. Therefore students should practise on the forging post and kicking bag to develop that power in each blow. Then, if they have to defend themselves, they have the power. Destruction techniques can be useful to show the power of the techniques.

"But, whatever their original reasons for joining, the art offers many other benefits. I believe good health is one of the most important things in life and we concentrate on helping our members achieve this whether they are children or adults, and whatever their occupation. Businessmen and professional people often find that their first benefits include losing weight and getting into good shape. Later, through our meditation, they are able to find a sanctuary from stress and mental tension.

"Everybody gets the self-defence benefits of course, and our members from the police and armed forces learn more for combat applications."

You don't approve of contact sparring training or protective equipment for martial artists?

"I don't believe there is any such thing as full contact training for martial artists. We have non-contact sparring, but some people misunderstand the concept of non contact sparring, They seem to think this means the opponent is not supposed to touch your body - or that you stop your techniques five inches short of the body. That is a misunderstanding of the term non-contact. In free sparring we focus the kick or punch, or any technique, to the opponent's body. But the opponent is always moving, blocking, dodging, deflecting. He does not stay there to receive the contact - otherwise he will be knocked down. So this is our way of practical free sparring.

"We don't need protective equipment, as techniques are controlled. Full speed, good power, but focussing just slightly short of the vital points. With protective equipment you don't improve speed and power. The principle is wrong. With protective gear, they don't have to control the technique and I believe it becomes just a sport. No belt system; no instructors; no students. With Protective equipment and contact sparring everybody will be the same, just kicking and punching, kicking and punching. It would become a sport. So during training we use full speed and power, focussing on the body but focussing short of vital points. Of course we can hit the target if we want to . . ."

Should Tae kwon do be Martial Art and Sport or pure Martial Art?

"Martial Art is quite different from sport. In addition to all the benefits gained from sport, Martial Art training also offers a complete philosophy and way of life, and if the martial artist needs to defend himself, he is able to do so very effectively.

"But it is up to the individual what he makes of the training. For those who are serious about their training it will be a true Martial Art, and this is how the instructor teaches it. But maybe to some students, who are less serious, it may be just a sport or exercise. So it is up to the individual's interpretation."

Do you deal strictly with students who get involved in activities that reflect badly on the school ~ street fighting for example?

"Yes. Members are always told they must never use the art, except for personal protection and self-defence - for peace and justice. The art must not be misused, as it can be very dangerous, deadly. Anyone who misuses the art is disqualified."

What is your attitude to students who 'look around'- visiting and training with other styles and instructors?

"It is up to the individual to make his own choice of instructor or school, but the intending student should be very serious about his selection of a school and master. It requires a very serious and well-informed decision. So far, there is no Martial Arts control body in Australia and some instructors are not qualified to teach. So the intending student should look very carefully at the school's history, reputation and quality. Then, once he has made his choice, he should stick with that school. There is no way that a student can make good progress in Martial Arts training by chopping and changing from one school or instructor to another. And in traditional Martial Arts practice, it shows very incorrect attitude to do that. The student should show loyalty to their school, their style and their master instructor. So our policy is that members look around and make their choice. When they choose a school they should stay there and train hard.

"If any Black Belt joins another Martial Art school to train then I recommend that he should stay there, rather than coming back to Rhee Tae kwon do. It is only when a student reaches 1st Degree Black Belt that he is fully ready to study the real essence of the art. That is only the beginning; he has not completed the study of the art. So, if at that stage the Black Belt also joins another school or Martial Art, I recommend that he should stay with that instructor or Master, and he is automatically disqualified from the art of Rhee Tae kwon do."

How long has Rhee Tae kwon do International been established in Australia and how substantial is the organisation?

"Nearly 20 years (as at 1985) now. We are one of the largest Martial Arts organisations in the world. We are very well established throughout Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific area with hundreds of instructors and assistant instructors, and schools in most cities and large towns, at universities, high schools, and Army and Air Force bases. Members everywhere, at all levels of society.

"We have our own publication to promote better understanding and stimulate an exchange of ideas among our members throughout Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific area. And soon we will publish our own training manual - very thick and fully illustrated - for members and Black Belts.

"To build up a strong organisation, there are many necessary components. Of course, the school must have a strong master and strong instructors. But good, dedicated members are also very important, most important for the organisation's future. The members must behave correctly, practise hard, and the instructors must correct their technique and then the forward growth can continue. With a strong organisation behind them, instructors can expand their branches."

What qualities do you look for in potential instructors for your organisation?

"Members who wish to become future instructors can apply after they have reached 1st Degree Black Belt. Then they can receive my special training for instructors. After proper training they receive certification with the organisation and can be appointed as instructors somewhere.

"But just because they get to Black Belt stage doesn't mean they can automatically become an instructor. Just because he has the physical skills and strong techniques - perhaps he can smash a dozen tiles, or jump over 10 people to kick the target - doesn't necessarily mean he can become an instructor. But at least if they reach Black Belt stage, they should be ready to accept my special training for instructors. In the instructor we have to develop more than just physical strength and good technique, He must learn how to teach, and have maturity, knowledge, loyalty, correct attitude and good character. The instructor must be able to influence the students in the right way."

How do you see the future of Rhee Tae kwon do and Martial Arts generally?

"Although we have been established here for almost 20 years (as at 1985) and have grown very strongly, in a way we are only beginning. I'm very confident that Rhee Tae kwon do will grow very strongly everywhere, especially in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific. All our instructors are specially selected, highly qualified and officially appointed by our organisation. I am very confident that we can continue to grow strongly and, in the future, have millions of members..."

Master Rhee (& brothers) Photos

2005-08-10T14:02:00.000+10:00

Click to enlarge:
See below for photo sources.

Photo Sources:
Rhee International Taekowndo Club: http://groups.msn.com/RheeInternationalTaeKwonDo/
Rhee TKD South Coast: http://www.rheesouthcoast.com/
Rhee TKD Bundaberg, Gin Gin, Bargara: http://www.kookaburra-tc.com.au/rtkd/rtkd.htm/
Rhee TKD Mollymook: http://mollymook.yourguide.com.au/viewclub.asp?clubid=240&pageid=359
Melbourne University Dojang

Jokes

2005-08-05T10:26:00.000+10:00

Jokes to do with Rhee Taekwondo, competitive forms of Taekwondo and other Martial Arts in general. Kick back ;) and have a chuckle...

Signs that Taekwondo has taken over your life:

The perceptive reader might notice that the few "signs" that seem rather specific and may well conclude that the author is speaking from experience!

0-5 You need to train more.
5-10 You still have a life, you need to work on this.
15-20 It's getting serious.
20-30 Let me recommend therapy.
30+ You are beyond all hope!

· People find it difficult to carry on a conversation with you since you keep shifting between stances and practicing kicks while talking to them.
· When tripping over your shoelaces you bounce up into fighting stance with a Kiup.
· You tie your bathrobe belt like an uniform belt; making sure that the ends are exactly even and the right way round.
· You go to sleep each night cuddling at least one martial arts weapon.
· You insist on your partner tying their bathrobe belt like an uniform belt.
· You accept change from the cashier using a perfect knife hand with the thumb carefully tucked in.
· Every time you handle a screwdriver or razor knife, etc. You just can't help changing grip from hammer to reverse to flip over to dagger grip etc. And your shop assistant is standing cautiously far, far away from you.
· When you're outside doing a bit of gardening you "practice" with all the neat weapons.
· You insist on showing your work colleagues your interesting set of bruises on your forearms and shins ever week.
· Tell your Rugby playing mate he is a pansy because he won’t train due to dislocated shoulder.
· You enjoy limping into work and explaining what injury you got this week.
· You shut the refrigerator door with a side thrust kick.
· You open doors with front kicks.
· Work chairs with high back are really good for practicing turning kicks.
· You open a door with a front kick and the door bashes the boss as he is walking in.
· The boss wants to know why the department has so many broken chairs.
· Switching a light on or off requires a knife hand strike.
· While using a knife hand strike to switch the lights on, you break the light switch and short out a fuse; leaving the house in the dark.
· You shop for clothes based on whether you can kick in them.
· The only clothes you'll wear are tight enough to reveal your fit physique but loose enough to spar in (when you get a spare minute).
· You actually look forward to being told to work out on the bag.
· The books in your toilet are Taekwondo patterns, and easy Korean for beginners.
· The Twelve Days of Christmas becomes: one boxing bag, two boxing gloves, three shin pads (includes an extra pad for the one you'll inevitably lose), four Tokaido gi's, five rolls of adhesive tape....twelve cases of Tiger Balm.
· You look for a place to live based on the amount of practice space it provides.
· While practicing patterns, you do an upper block and shatter the glass light fitting (needing several stitches and leaving the room in the dark).
· You look for a place to live based on the amount of head room it provides.
· In a boring meeting you start practicing staff techniques with a pencil.
· You refuse to wear shoes, and look scornfully aloof on those that need to during class.
· As your classmate withers in pain on the floor, you fantasize about the quickest way to put him out of his misery.
· You tell beginners that care is need not to be too aggressive, after you flatten some poor sod that tries to hit you.
· While sparring with beginners you keep stopping to tell them that they are not hitting you hard enough.
· When all your injuries heal, you go through withdrawals.
· You view new students as fresh meat.
· You look forward to working another technique line.
· You eagerly volunteer to be the instructor’s demonstration assistant.
· You believe that one and half hours is far too short for a training session.
· You enjoyed your last grading.
· You say to the shop assistant in the men's store, "Nice pants, but I don't think I can kick in them."
· "What was I doing in my office when I was spinning around and flailing my arms and legs? Ahhhhhmmmmmmm....."
· The only way to open and close doors is with spinning kicks.
· You have begun to master the reflex to commit a very messy murder when, directly after someone finds out you practice martial arts, they immediately ask: "Are you a Black Belt?"
· You have reached the phase of seeing everybody walking around with blinking little red cross-hairs on all their vital spots
· The only way to operate a lift is to backfist the correct floor button on the inside of the elevator, based on your memory of the button's location, before you get in far enough to see it.
· The local orthopaedic surgeons ask you take it easy because you are increasing their waiting lists.
· Your email tag line is: Pain is Joy.

Taekwondo Characters:

The Beginner - the nice person.

Just started and an awfully nice person. Often less than five foot and weights bugger all. Very concerned about hurting anyone, always stops to check that they have not damaged anyone (particularly after giving one of the class heavies the lightest of punches). Set objective: learn to hit the higher grades as hard as possible, its the only chance you'll get without them hitting back, and the bonus is if you do manage to hit them -it's their fault for being too slow.

The Beginner - the enthusiast.

Just started and really keen, and really want to get stuck in. Fond of keeping their shoes on in a class. Has a problem with distance, power and balance. This means the kick are a little wild and off target and often just a shade too heavy. Set objective: learn how to train without wearing Doc Martins.

The Young Gun.

Young and fit, instantly disliked by the old and the fat. More energy than a major nuclear generating site, and not even out of breath after sparring for ten minutes. Despite energy, technique, and stamina, it is possible to land a cunning blow on these as they do tend to be over confident (but then you'll feel really bad for hitting the "kid" for the rest of the session). Set objective: grow old like the rest of us.

The Bendy Toy.

So flexible you'll be convinced that they don't actually have any bones. When doing all those horrid position that the Evil Instructor insists upon for stretching, which you can't even begin to do, they'll be fully stretched out flat on the floor completely destroying your argument that these positions are totally impossible. Set Objective: get a stressful job like the rest of us and then you'll be stiff as a board.

The Smug Git.

Passed a couple of gradings, really quickly. No matter how complex the pattern just seem to remember it, they even know their left from their right. Made more progress in six months than you have in three years. Set objective: stand in front of me so I can see how it's done.

The Undercover Sneak.

Actually been doing Taekwondo for awhile, but is new to the class. They tend to keep their head down and baffle the rest of the class by being effortlessly good. However, they can be spotted by wearing uniforms that look just a little too worn and comfortable. Set objective: come out of the closet and wear your belt with pride.

The Grandfather.

Far too old to be doing this. Completely stiff, out of condition, and passed it. They start the class by covering themselves in deep heat cream and swallowing load of vitamin and supplement pills in an attempt to stave off the inevitable. Set Objective: find the fountain of youth.

The Martial Arts Film Fan.

Seen every martial arts film ever made, even the foreign ones (and there is a lot of those). Treats every sparring session as an audition for No:3 Bad Guy, putting in every conceivable combination until you are too dizzy even to think of a counter move, let alone block anything. Set Objective: get to go down the pub more and buy less DVDs.

The Gym Monster.

Spends just a shade too long in the gym. Has more muscles than the rest of the class put together. This tend to be a rather frightening and an off-putting sight when paired up for sparring. Actually they all turn out to be rather nice people, and all that weight training means that they can't run that fast or for any distance (keep out of harms way until they go red in the face and lightly dance around them). Set objective: Cut down on the piercing and tattoos, even if they do say "Mum".

The Class Heavy.

Currently in training for a full contact bare knuckled fight. Constantly keeps stopping the sparring to inform you that you need to hit him harder as he is in training (you are already giving it your all). Occasionally complements you on your kick which had no effect on him but broke a paving slab last time you were doing breaking. Set Objective: stop eating Desperate Dan Cow Pies for breakfast.

The Evil Instructor

The Evil Instructor will appear disguised as your favourite instructor, beware. Much like in Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey, do not be fooled by appearances -this is the Evil Instructor. He will start with push ups, more push ups, and then stomach crunches. Then triceps dips, lots of them, using a chair. Then the pain really starts. The bag is brought out, and you are made to work on it forever. Tasks will be set like run back and forth twenty thousand times; if failed the entire class will have to do more push ups. Set Objective: Keep taking the happy pills -please!

Martial Arts Dictionary

Aikido: A martial art which allows you to defeat your enemy without hurting him. Unless of course he does not know how to properly throw himself to the ground in which case he has his wrist broken in about 20 places. Also known a 'origami with people.'

Arnis: "Harness of the hand." A Filipino martial art, also known as eskrima and kali, centering around stick, blade and empty hand combat. Mispronanciation of the art guarantees a quick taste.

Back Kick: A kick where you turn your back on your opponent, then try to kick them.

Balisong: A Filipino martial art based around complex methods of opening small, very sharp, folding knives and then cutting your fingers off.

Bo: A long stick, similar to the English long staff but spelt differently.

Bokken: A stick that looks like a sword.

Buddhism: A religious doctrine and a marketing tool to populate Asia with statues of short fat bald men.

Chi: A biophysical energy generated through breathing techniques; which in defying the laws of physics, and the basic scientific common sense, allows the user to develop super human strength.

Dan: A term used in the Japanese martial arts for anyone who has achieved the rank of at least first-degree black belt.

Darn: The sound uttered when the wearer of a Dan realizes that his instructor will now him hit harder and more frequently.

Damn: The sound uttered by the black belt's partner- it's his turn now!

Dojo: "The place of the way." A training hall or gymnasium. Very similar to a B & D parlor but without the mistress.

Front Kick: A kick to the front, at last (see Back kick and Side kick).

Hakama: A skirt sometimes worn in the Martial Arts but we don't really like to talk about it.

Iaido: "Way of the sword." The modern art of drawing the samurai sword from its scabbard. A rather interesting art developed around the principle of "look how big mine is".

Judo: "Gentle way." A Japanese art where grown men roll around cuddling each other without apparently doing any damage. These men are often closet Hakama wearers.

Jujitsu: A lot like judo except that these boys like to inflict slightly more damage. Tend to get very angry when accused of being Hakama wearers and often are heard saying "You gotta a big mouth"

Karate: "Empty hand" or "China hand." The primary purpose of this art is the destruction of wood and other natural products. Most Karate styles have a placing on Greenpeace's most wanted list. This art will be outlawed by most countries by the turn of the century. Karate people enjoy pain, this is shown by their habit of fighting with their fists on their hips.

Kata: A series of prearranged maneuvers practiced in many of the Oriental martial arts in order to avoid free sparring or anything else that may involve pain.

Katana: A sharp metal stick that is incredably expensive to buy.

Kendo: A strange and unusual past-time involving hitting each other with sticks and making in-human sounds. Could be a cult ?

Ki - up: A loud shout design to startle your opponent and help the sale of sore throat sweets.

Kuk Sool Won: A combination of Kata, Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Zen, Jujitsu and Master definitions but of course the tapes for Kuk Sool Won are much more expensive.

Kung fu: A generic term for a majority of the Chinese martial arts. Many of these arts involve the emulation of animals. Many students of Praying Mantis spend years attempting to obtain the other four legs while students of Monkey Kung-fu tend to find themselves being carted off by men in white lab coats.

Master: A title bestowed on a martial artist who has attained advanced rank after long years of study or has started his own style after achieving kyu grades in at least 4 arts, or has completed the "Become a Master by Video" course available for only 19.95 per month.

Naginata: A stick with a sharp bit on the end.

Ninja: A rather confused individual who likes sneaking around at night in his pajamas.

Ninjutsu: The art of being confused and sneaking around in your pajamas

Nunchaku: Two sticks linked together with a chain.

Side Kick: Actually at kick to the front. No sense of direction some people.

Sparring: Bashing each other senseless in the hope that nobody realizes that you don't know any kata or techniques.

Tea Kwon do: The art of making a nice cuppa, normally with Earl Gray, as practiced by Captain Picard.

Taekwondo: An unusual martial art that relies on its followers to have the flexibility of a professional ballet dancer.

Tai chi chuan: Another unusual art that promises ultimate power from moving very slowly for many years. The drawback being that by the time you develop the ultimate power you are close to death anyway.

Tatami: "Straw mat." A mat usually measuring three by six feet and three inches thick (with bound straw inside.) Original purpose to prevent blood stains on the wooden floor.

Three sectional staff: Three sticks linked together with a chain.

Zen: The discipline of enlightenment related to the Buddhist doctrine that emphasizes meditation, discipline, and the direct transmission of teachings from master to student. Mostly taught by rather old and confused monks who have had one too many rocks fall on their heads during waterfall meditation. Works best when sitting in a cave facing a wall for 10 years or so.

Source: For joke sources, just click on the joke's title.

Korean Language

2005-08-04T22:36:00.000+10:00

This picture is from Barry's taekwondo http://www.barrel.net/language.php, but was originally from http://www.korea.com/. Click to enlarge.

Korean Terminology in Taekwondo:

Counting:

1 - 하나 - Hana
2 - 둘 - Tul
3 - 셋 - Set
4 - 넷 - Net
5 - 다섯 - Tasot
6 - 여섯 - Yosot
7 - 일곱 - Ilgob
8 - 여덟 - Yudol
9 - 아홉 - Ahop
10 - 열 - Yeol

Training Terminology:

Ready Stance - Joonbi
Attention Stance - Charyeot
Bow - Kyeongre
Start - Shijak
Stop - Kuman
Pause - Kallyo
Turn - Dora
About turn - Duirodora
Forward Stance - Jung gool sogi
Back Stance - Hu gool sogi
Guarding Stance - Dae bi makki
Horse Riding Stance - Ki ma soki
Punch - Jung kwon chi rugi
Chop - Su do te rigi
Strike - Te rigi
Block - Makki
Outer Forearm Block - Bakat palmok makki
Inner Forearm Block - An palmok makki
Knifehand - Suo do
Backfist - E kwon
Side Kick - Yop Chaki
Front Kick - Yap Chaki
Back Kick - Due Chaki
Turning Kick - Dol Yoe Chaki
Low Section - Ha dan
High Section - Sang dan
Mid Section - Jung dan
One Step Sparring - Il bo dae ryon
Three Step Sparring - Sam bo dae ryon
Free Sparring - Ja roo dae ryon
Pattern - Hyung
Four Directional - Sa chu chi ruki

Training Hall - Dojang
Instructor - Sabeomni
Student - Gwan won (Jeja)
Grade - Kup
Degree - Dan
Uniform - Dobok
Belt - Dhee

Other:
Hello - Ann yeong ha se yo
Thank-you - Kam sa ham ni da
You're Welcome - Cheon ma ne yo

Note: Some of these romanisations are only approximate.

Want to learn more about the Korean language and culture? Why not try a Korean movie?
These are ones to watch out for:
My Sassy Girl (comedy) - crazy Korean comedy
Old Boy (thriller) - unique, gory, and again crazy!
Autumn in My Heart (drama) - excrutiatingly depressing
Brotherhood of War (drama) - war film with a touch of taekwondo

The last I checked you can get a couple of these at JB Hifi, Borders or Sanity, etc.

Sources:
http://www.rheetkd.info/terminology.php
http://www.barrel.net/language.php
http://pusanweb.com/Exit/Mar97/knumbers.htm
http://www.seoulsearching.com/language/phrases.html

A History of Taekwondo

2005-08-04T22:22:00.000+10:00

For people interested in finding out more about Taekwondo, here's a compilation written by Instructor Mr David Jewell of the Upwey Dojang some years ago.

A History of Tae Kwon Do

by Mr David Jewell

Forms of self-defence are as old as mankind itself, and it would be impossible to trace hand and foot fighting of today back to any single beginning. Korea is a country with a much varied history, being at the cross roads of Asia. She was periodically invaded by the Mongols, the Manchurians, the Chinese and the Japanese but the indigenous people of what is now known as the Korean Peninsula hung on to their own identity.

Background

Early history of the Korean Peninsula is a melting pot of tribal warfare and invasion by the Mongols, the Manchu Ch'ing dynasties and other northern peoples. This period is, as far as Korea is concerned, chiefly Protohistory, a period when we have few facts and quite a lot of materials which are often of uncertain value. Early Chinese records tell us of some tribal groupings such as the Puyo, the Okcho, the Yemaek and the I-lou. In the spring of 109BC the Chinese began an invasion of northern Korea and established four commanderies with the hub of Chinese administration in Korea at Nangnang which endured for 400 years. This was a period of great Chinese influence on the Korean Peninsula which had the effect of unifying many of the local tribes. On a tributary to the Yalu river a group who considered themselves a branch of the Puyo peoples united to form Koguryo under the rule of King T'aejo (53 - 146AD). Early references to Koguryo reveal a people who were fierce fighters, and given to warfare. They lived in a mountainous area ill suited for agriculture and apparently turned their hunting activities into a professional military way of life.

During the fourth century AD there arose three distinct and strong kingdoms in Korea, Koguryo in the north with Silla and Paekche in the south. The small Kaya league nested between the two southern states having strong ties with the Wa State of Japan. Koguryo was to continue its expansion through an elite military class called the Kyondang, at the expense of its southern and northern neighbours until it reached its peak in the 5th Century AD, covering half of the Korean Peninsula and much of Manchuria. Some tomb paintings indicate a form of hand and foot fighting from this period separate in style to the Chinese martial art of kwonbop, introduced around 520AD and made popular in Korea between 1147 and 1170.

The early sixth century saw the introduction of Buddhism to Silla and the annexation of much of the Kaya States by Silla. Silla then formed an alliance with the T'ang of China, in order to co-ordinate an invasion of Paekche, the T'ang from the sea and the Silla forces led by General Kim Yu-sin from the land. In 661, with Paekche secured, the T'ang/Silla forces set upon Koguryo. In the following years the T'ang attempted to establish control of Paekche at which point Silla broke off its alliance and routed the T'ang from the Peninsula. As the result of a concerted effort in 667, aided by a Koguryo defector named Namsaeng, Koguryo finally fell to the Silla forces in 668. The unifying of the Korean peninsula was complete.

A partial answer to Silla's military success was its military institutions. Growing out of a semi-official body dedicated to the nurturing of talent amongst upper class young males, there emerged at this time an elite paramilitary youth Corp. These were known as the Hwarang who had among their ranks the young Kim Yu-sin, later to become the master swordsman and leading General. The Hwarang were organised on a clan or village basis with a fixed social structure and were a firm base for national morality and spirit. They learnt traditional values through communal life and rites and learnt mutual understanding and friendship through military arts, poetry and music. During the wars of unification the Hwarang fought fiercely in the vanguard and, although very young, were leaders skilled in many of the military ways and in martial arts, such as Wrestling, Soo Bak-Gi and Taek Kyon (primitive forms of foot fighting adapted from sport). The martial spirit of the Hwarang and of Silla is revealed in the five precepts for secular life given to them by the Buddhist monk Won'gwang (d.640AD).

* 1. Serve your lord with loyalty.
* 2. Serve your parents with filial piety.
* 3. Use good faith in your communication with friends.
* 4. Face battle without retreating.
* 5. When taking life, be selective.

What followed was a period of relative peace and the decline of the Hwarang as a military organisation. It became known as a group specialising in poetry, music and dance for enjoyment and fun. This period also saw the gradual weakening of the throne of Silla until 936 when Wang Kon, a very strong War-Lord, founded a new dynasty called Koryo, an abbreviation of Koguryo. It is from this that the modern name Korea is derived. It was during this time that Soo Bak once again became popular as a sporting activity and martial art. Koryo tried to repel or appease invaders until late in the Koryo Dynasty (the 13th Century) it had become a full-fledged participant in the Mongol adventure of conquest and one small fragment in the vast Mongol Empire which stretched eastward to the Danube. Koryo was the launching ground of the Mongols against Japan but their attempts were thwarted by heavy storms which the Japanese called "divine wind" (kamikazi). The 14th Century saw the expansion of the Chinese Ming and the contraction of the Mongol empire and the coming to power in Koryo of Yi Songgye in 1392 and the replacement of Buddhism by Confusionism as the State Religion. Confusionism advocated classical Chinese thinking which played down the physical side of life and replaced it with reading, poetry, music and other classical arts. This tended to stifle the development of Korean Martial Arts which became almost none existent.

The Yi Dynasty was to last until 1910, with various Kings introducing many social and cultural changes. Generally, it was a period of diplomacy more than continual war with Korea looking for assistance from Japan when threatened from the north, and looking to China when threatened from the south. Even so, Korea did spend many decades under the control of foreigners, particularly China. From the late 17th century through to the early 19th, Korea was known as the "Hermit Nation" because it turned away foreigners, particularly the Europeans who were expanding their own empires at this time. Towards the end of the 19th century Korea set up relations with many Western Nations in an effort to offset Japanese influence. In 1894 the Tonghak Rebellion brought both Japanese and Chinese troops onto Korean soil in an effort to protect their interests and to influence the Korean Monarchy. After the Sino-Japanese war (1894-95) and the Russo-Japanese war (1904-05) it was obvious that Korea was to come under Japanese protection. The final Yi Dynasty King was on the throne for only 24 days when a new treaty with Japan stripped him of all power and thus the annexation of Korea by Japan in 1910 was merely an acknowledgment of what had already happened. The Japanese were hard task masters and did all they could to subdue the Korean people, including the banning of the Korean language press and the compulsory teaching of Japanese in all the schools. Korean culture was frowned upon and the Korean people were forced into servitude, hiding much of their culture including their martial arts. When Japan became involved in World War II many Koreans, particularly those resident in Japan, were forced into the Japanese military. Towards the end of the war, the Americans invaded Korea to press back the Japanese but also in an effort to control the post-war occupation of the Korean Peninsula by the Soviets. In 1948 the Americans and Soviets proclaimed the division of Korea into the Republic of Korea (South), with Syngman RHEE as President, and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North). Both the Soviet controlled North and the American controlled South claimed the whole of Korea and in 1950 the North Korean military invaded south, resulting in the 'Korean War' lasting until the 27th July 1953.

Syngman Rhee (b. 26/4/1875 Whanghae - d. 19/7/65 Honolulu) was a very nationalistic Korean who went to the USA in 1904 to become the first Korean to obtain a Phd from an American University. After returning to Korea he found that he could not work under Japanese occupation so returned to the USA in 1912. Seven years later, in China, he was elected President of the Korean Provisional Government in exile and held this position for 20 years. During WWII he remained in the USA establishing his reputation with the Americans which resulted in Syngman Rhee being set up by the US as the new post war President of the Republic of Korea. He used strong arm tactics, including assassination of opponents, to maintain his presidency in elections in 1948,52,56 and 1960. He maintained dictatorial control over all levels of government until his downfall shortly after obvious rigging of the 1960 election. Student riots, with heavy casualties, resulted in a call from the National Assembly for Rhee's resignation. He resigned on the 27th April 1960 and went into exile in Hawaii where he died 5 years later. Rhee was replaced by constitutional liberalism in the Second Republic but instability in the new democracy led to a military coup on the 16th May 1961. General PARK Chung Hee dominated the military junta and terminated military rule at the end of 1962 to become the president of the Third Republic, being re-elected in 1967 and 71 until he dissolved the National Assembly and suspended the constitution in 1972 in the face of growing popular unrest. Park expanded the powers of the presidency and at the end of 1972 was directly elected president of the Fourth Republic. Despite great unrest in the Korean population he was re-elected in December 1978 but less than a year later he was assassinated by the head of his own Central Intelligence Agency. In 18 years Park had laid the basics for Korea's economic success through State planning, capitalist incentives, strict control and the abrogation of labour rights. His assassination caused another military coup on the 12 December 1979 resulting in the May 1980 domestic uprising in Kwangju. Brutally put down, the uprising resulted in CHUN Doo Hwan assuming the presidency and the beginning of the Fifth Republic in October 1980. Chun lifted martial law the following January and was elected president a month later. For the next four years he ran a repressive regime until he nominated his successor ROH Tae Woo, a former General of the 1979 coup. Pressure from Human Rights Activists, the USA, and the coming 1988 Olympics saw an election being held in December 1987 resulting in Roh being elected President with only 36% of the vote.

THE KOREAN KWANS

A group of Japanese archaeologist exploring the Tung-hua province of Manchuria in 1935, discovered 2 tombs that were dated to belong to the Tenth Kingdom of Koguryo (late 4th century). Murals painted on the ceiling of the Kakchu (Kak-Je) and Myong-chong temples depict figures in fighting postures. Guarding the Sok Kul An Buddhist cave Temple is a carved statue of Kumgang Yuksa, a famous warrior from the reign of King Hye-Gong (742-762) who also appears in a typical martial art pose. The appearance of these fighters in obvious martial poses shows that martial arts and fighting techniques go back a long way in Korea, to even before the known introduction of Kwonbop from China (520AD). These figures could equally represent open hand techniques of modern Tae Kwon Do or Karate but are most likely representative of the forebears of many modern asian fighting arts. To hold to the view that these figures show that Tae Kwon Do is thousands of years old is to be compared with saying that English is two thousand years old, it's just that it used to be called Anglo-latin. Also, to put things in further perspective, two small Babylonian works of art dating from between 3000 and 2000BC show two men fighting, one with a typical modern martial art block but no-one claims that Karate comes from Babylon1.

Although generally banned by the occupying Japanese, the Korean Martial Arts of Soo Bak, Tae Kyon, Kong Soo and Hwa Soo and others survived by being practiced in secret, whilst in later years, the Japanese martial arts were often learnt by Koreans from their invaders. Tae Kyon was secretly practiced and passed onto a handful of students by men like Han Il Dong and Duk Ki Song. Another student of the outlawed arts was Hwang Kee, the future founder of Tang Soo Do and the Moo Duk Kwan (martial arts School). By the age of 22, Kee had become expert in Soo Bak and Tae Kyon and in 1936 he travelled to Northern China to study the "T'ang method". He then worked until 1945 to combine the Korean and Chinese styles into Tang Soo Do (the way of T'ang hand). The original meaning of the term Karate was "T'ang Hand", Te meaning hand and Kara an ideogram to describe the Chinese T'ang. In 1936, Okinawan Masters got together at the behest of a newspaper to change the ideogram Kara to the one meaning "empty", as it has the same pronunciation2. In the later part of the Japanese occupation many Koreans went to Japan to further their education and to learn Martial Arts. One of these was Choi Yong-I, born in Korea in 1923 and started studying Korean Kempo at the age of nine. He went to Japan in 1938 to study aviation using the name Masutatsu Oyama but put more of his energies into the study of Karate to become, many decades later, the founder of Kyokushinkai Karate. Another Korean, Choi Hong Hi, went to Kyoto, Japan in 1937 to study calligraphy. Choi had been studying calligraphy and Tae Kyon in Korea under Han Il Dong and upon arrival in Japan he started to study Shotokan Karate as a student of a Korean named Kim, and after two years of intensive training he was presented with a first Dan Black Belt in Shotokan. He then went onto Tokyo University where he gained his second Dan and became an instructor at the YMCA. During WW 2, whereas Oyama stayed in Japan, Choi was forced to enlist in the Japanese army and was posted to Pyongyang in Korea where he became involved in the Korean Independence Movement, resulting in his imprisonment. Until his liberation at the end of the war he practiced and developed much of his martial art, later to be named Tae Kwon Do.

Tang Soo - TAE KYON - Kong Soo

Karate - Kung Fu

Soo Bahk - Hwa Soo

__________________________________________________________

CHUNG DO KWAN - Won Kook Lee - 1945

MOO DUK KWAN - Hwang Kee - 1945

YUN MOO KWAN - Sup Chun Sang - 1945

CHANG MOO KWAN - In Yoon Byung - 1946

CHI DO KWAN - Yon Kue Pyang - 1946

OH DO KWAN - Nam Tae Hi, Choi Hong Hi - 1953/54

JI DO KWAN - Gae Byang Yun - 1953/54

SONG MOO KWAN - Byung Chik Ro - 1953/54

__________________________________________________________

TAE KWON DO

11th April 1955

At the end of World War II and the liberation of the Southern end of the Korean Peninsula by the American Forces a number of Martial Art Schools sprouted like bamboo shoots after rain. These Kwan were established by masters of Korean and foreign martial arts, the biggest being the civilian school of Chung Do Kwan in Seoul, established by Won Kook Lee whilst Hwang Kee formed the Moo Duk Kwan towards the end of 1945. One of the Korean styles was known as Tang Soo ("Chinese Hand" after the Chinese Tang Dynasty) and in 1953 the Korea Tang Soo Association was formed but later replaced in 1960 by the more Korean name of the Soo Bahk Do Association. Also formed in 1953 was the Oh Do Kwan. Established by Choi Hong Hi and Nam Tae Hi this school was established within the military and was for military personnel only although it had strong links with the civilian Chung Do Kwan which Choi later commanded in 1954.

Choi had been teaching his martial art to his soldiers throughout his military career and had become instructor for the American Military Police School in Seoul as early as 1948. In 1949 he visited Fort Riley in the USA and introduced the American people to 'Korean Karate'. Given fast promotion within the Korean Armed Forces, Choi was named Chief of Staff in 1952 as a Brigadier General and a man of considerable influence in the war time forces of Syngman Rhee. Immediately after the war he organised the crack 29th Infantry Division which was to become instrumental in the spreading of Tae Kwon Do throughout the Korean Military.

Technically, 1955 signalled the beginning of Tae Kwon Do as a formally recognised art in Korea. During that year a special board comprising master instructors from various Kwans, historians and prominent leaders of society was formed. A number of names for the new martial art were submitted but on the 11th April, the board decided on the name of Tae Kwon Do submitted by General Choi. This name, meaning 'the way of foot and hand fighting', appealed to the newly nationalistic Koreans as a totally Korean expression and greatly resembled the ancient Korean art of Tae Kyon. Thus the name of Tae Kwon Do began to spread throughout Korea as their own martial art and in a few years it had spread to many nations across the world.

At this stage various Associations began to arise, the Korea Tae Kwon Do Association (1959), the Korea Soo Bahk Do Association (1960) replacing the earlier Korea Tang Soo Do Association, and the Korea Tae Soo Do Association (1961). The unification of the various Kwans was never smooth but by Presidential decree in 1962 the Korean Tae Kwon Do Association (KTA), with Choi Hong Hi as president, was declared to be the representative body of the Korean Martial Art and the body whose black belt qualification would be recognised by the government. In March 1965, the Soo Bahk Do Association attempted to unite with the Korea Tae Kwon Do Association but the effort was unsuccessful splitting the Moo Duk Kwan between the two associations. On the 22nd March 1966, General Choi formed the International Tae Kwon Do Federation (ITF) after almost a decade of establishing associations in many countries of South East Asia, Europe and North America. This period of the 1960s was one of great political unrest both inside and outside of the martial arts fraternity and the various associations were told by the government of Park Chung Hee to unify under the banner of the Korea Tae Kwon Do Association and to come under the auspices of the Korean Athletics Association on February 23 1963. This was not a totally smooth operation with some masters, such as Son Duk Sung of the Chung Do Kwan, preferring to leave Korea altogether. It was also during this period that General Choi Hong Hi, often known as the 'Father of Tae Kwon Do', started to lose his control of Tae Kwon Do.

At this point it is interesting to note the historic parallels between CHOI Hong Hi and PARK Chung Hee who were both Generals under President Syngman RHEE. Rhee was deposed on the 27th April 1960 by a constitutional democracy that was short lived. A coup lead by Park on the 16th May 1961 saw Park become President by the end of 1962. This was the year that Choi left Korea and was "promoted" to be the Korean Ambassador to Malaysia. Although he briefly returned to Korea in 1966 to establish the International Tae Kwon Do Federation (ITF) Choi never gained much political influence in Korea and finally moved the ITF headquarters to Toronto, Canada, in 1972, the year that Kukkiwon was opened. Choi had done much to spread Tae Kwon Do throughout the world whilst others were establishing a stronghold at home. As a further indicator to the almost total loss of influence of Choi in South Korea, Christopher Hill states in his 1992 book, "Olympic Politics", with reference to the 30th September 1981 vote by the IOC to decide on Seoul for the 1988 Olympics that "Kim Un-Yong dealt decisively with the rumour that General Choi, a Korean emigre in Canada, would stage an anti-Seoul demonstration, as some citizens of Nagoya had done, on environmental grounds, against their own city's bid. Kim did not believe the rumour, but he put five Taekwondo instructors on standby in case of trouble and there was no incident".

The early 1970s was the foundation period of two internationally known Tae Kwon Dos, one a traditional martial art and the other a progressive martial sport with the Olympics as its primary goal. In 1970, Kim Un Yong, a shrewd businessman and not a martial arts master, was elected as the new president of the Korean Tae Kwon Do Association and was instrumental in changing the direction of Tae Kwon Do from martial art to martial sport with an ultimate goal of the Olympic Games. He is also one of Korea's representatives with the International Olympic Committee (IOC). In 1972 an advanced training establishment was built, called Kukkiwon, now the Mecca of participants in sport Taekwondo. In May 1973 the first World Taekwondo championships were held at Kukkiwon in Seoul with over 30 countries participating and as a result of the international success of this event, the World Taekwondo Federation(WTF) was formed with Dr Kim Un Yong being elected foundation president. The WTF replaced the KTA. Taekwondo, now one of the national sports of Korea, is included as part of the school curriculum at all levels and as a requisite for military training. Modern Taekwondo in Korea has progressed so much towards being a sport that its ruling body in Korea, the WTF, comes under the control of the Korean Athletics Association and not the martial arts body known as the Ki Do Hae.When Jigaro Kano took aspects of the martial art Aikijujitsu and formed a safer sport form for use by all people as a means towards better health and fitness, he adopted the name "Judo" to describe the new sport. Taekwondo has not adopted any name changes but it is important to realise that there are today, many styles of the original martial art of Tae Kwon Do. Perhaps the only distiction between the various styles being in the spelling, with the sport style preferring to use a single word for Taekwondo. With the announcement that Taekwondo will be a full medal Olympic sport as of the Sydney 2000 Olympics it has completed its road from martial art to martial sport. There is really no reason that Art and Sport can't co-exist under the same name if people are educated as to its history.

References:
* Encyclopaedia Britannica
* 'The Martial Arts Companion' John Corcoran 1992
* 'Moo Duk Kwan Tae Kwon Do' Richard Chun 1975
* 'A History of Korea' William E. Henthorn 1971
* 'Tae Kwon Do' General Choi Hong Hi 1972
* 'The SBS World Guide' Peter Krien 1992
* 'What is Karate' Masutatsu Oyama 1966
* 'Tae Kwon Do Hyung (vol2)' Hee Il Cho 1984
* 'Inside Tae Kwon Do' Dec 1992 edition
* 'Tae Kwon Do' Mark McCarthy 1984
* 'Official WTF TKD' David Mitchell, M.A. Comm of G.B.1986
* 'The Overlook M.A. Dictionary' Emil Farkas, John Corcoran 1983
* 'Olympic Politics' Christopher Hill 1991
* 'The way of the Warrior' Howard Reid, Michael Croucher 1983
* 'Modern Karate' Steve Arneil, Bryan Dowler 1974
* The Way of the Warrior Howard Reid & Michael Croucher 1983
* Modern Karate Steve Arneil & Bryan Dowler 1974

Flexibility Training

2005-08-03T10:07:00.000+10:00

There is a part of Tae Kwon Do that many students tend to over look but can be the biggest factor in determing how well the student manages in perfecting many of the kicking techniques. Especially the more advanced kicking combinations and jumping kicks: Flexibility

For some people flexibility is never an issue as they are naturally flexible while others may struggle with it. Improved flexibility doesn't just mean you can kick higher, but kick higher and deliver more power as relaxed muscles won't be working against themself to get the leg up to the height you are trying to kick at. It also improves balance which helps when moving from one technique to another and better balance means you can kick/punch quicker and react quicker. Very useful in delivering strong kicks and punches but what I think is even a more important benefit is making it easy to block and evade an opponents techniques.

There are different types of flexibility. Dynamic Flexibility which we practice when doing leg raising exercises in warm ups and of course while doing most kicking techniques unless you hold the leg in position which then requires good Static Flexibility. We practice static flexibility when sitting down doing leg stretching.

To learn more about flexibility training and valuable routines that will help all levels check out the following website. There are plenty of free articles and links and the video/dvd while not produced to Hollywood standard contains great material well worth checking out and just may change the whole way you think about flexibility.

http://www.stadion.com

http://www.cmcrossroads.com/bradapp/docs/rec/stretching/

background

2005-07-25T16:42:00.000+10:00

Pattern Guide

2005-07-01T21:47:00.000+10:00

Here is a basic pattern guide if you ever need to refresh your memory.

Click on the pictures below to enlarge.

Chon-Ji Hyung - Yellow tip pattern (Grade 9):

Dan-Gun Hyung - Yellow belt pattern (Grade 8):

Do-San Hyung - Green tip pattern (Grade 7):

Won-Hyo Hyung - Green belt pattern (Grade 6):

Yul-Guk Hyung - Blue tip pattern (Grade 5):

Choong-Gun Hyung - Blue belt pattern (Grade 4):

Toi-Gye Hyung - Brown tip pattern (Grade 3):

Hwa-Rang Hyung - Brown belt pattern (Grade 2):

Choong-Moo Hyung - Black tip pattern (Grade 1):

Kwang-Gae Hyung - Black belt pattern (1st Dan):

These diagram are all obtained from the Korean Martial Arts Institute, http://www.mindspring.com/~kmai/kmai_students_3.html, and are only to be used as a guide - and not to replace your favourite/evil instructor...