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What is Taekwondo Poomse?

Taekwondo Poomse is meant by a "Form" in which a self- practice is devised to be performed in following the Lines of Movement in a systematic and consecutive way against an imaginary opponent or multi-opponents by using various taekwondo techniques of hand and foot.

Through practicing Taekwondo Poomse, we can apply the techniques of hand and foot and the changes of stance learned from the basic techniques adaptably to an actual fighting. It also provides us with the effects on improving flexibility of body and being skilled in strength control, balance control, breath control, eye control and concentration of spirit, as well as cultivating martial art spirit through its mental discipline.

Taeguk:

This represents the most profound oriental philosophy from which philosophical views on the World, Cosmos and Life are derived. The Taeguk Poomse consists of different movements in sequence. The vital points of this Poomse are to make exact speed of breath, actions and move the body weight properly while executing speedy actions. Thus we can fully realize the main thought of Taeguk.

Improving your poomse

The learning of poomse is a spiritual experience. This is the dimension that transforms your poomse into something worthwhile. In martial arts, the path to the spirit is the body. The different elements of the poomse would have a lesser effect on their own. The joining of the elements leads to the transformation.

There are some things to focus on.

Body alignment

Is your body aligned in the most efficient way? For example. If your front stance is leaning to one side, you cannot deliver maximum power. The laws of physics will be against you because gravity will always try to pull you into the worst direction for a Taekwondoist. If your body is in alignment, the energy meridians are open and 'vital energy' can flow.

Balance
The question of balance is related to body alignment. If your body is aligned, then it is balanced. But it is not just about your body. If your mind and body are not balanced, then you are not balanced physically. For example, if you are thinking about the next technique before finishing the one that you are performing, you will tend to lean into the technique, thus upsetting your alignment and balance. If you technique is correct, and you are striking or blocking the correct parts, you are starting to control your body with your mind.

mooth breathing and delivery of power are indications that you have started to balance such internal and external factors.

No mind

Balance leads directly to the concept of 'no mind', or 'the empty space', In poomse, you should think about the movement that you are performing. Not the one that you just did or the coming one. This means that you need to be balanced between the past and the future. This is what the meditation experts call the 'here and now'. Learning to experience the moment as it is leads to a profound state of meditation, and poomse can help you to get there.

Do not mistake this for some kind of trance. The taekwondoist must show very Great Spirit and an extreme level of alertness. The power of the kihap and the focus of the eyes are clear indicators that the spirit is strong.