The trigram for Pal Jang is three broken lines. It is about the earth. The spirit in this form is one of humility. The 1st geup student is learning the last of the Taekuk poomsae before going on to black belt level work. Maturity of skills and accuracy are expected with the performance of this… Read more

The trigram for Chil Jang is a solid line over 2 broken lines. It represents “gan”, or mountain. This form is introduced to the 2nd geup student. The spirit of this poomsae is firmness and strength. For the student, it is time to more carefully think about skills learned so far, and work to improve… Read more

The trigram for Yuk Jang is 2 broken lines that surround a solid line. This is the concept of “gam”, meaning water. It is meant for the 3rd geup student. The poomsae is performed with flowing but strong and flexible movements. At the beginning of the form, the sharp staccato cello introduces the movements, and… Read more

The trigram for Taekuk Oh Jang is 2 solid lines over a broken one. It is about “seon”, or wind, and it represents gentle power, both in name and movements. Oh Jang is for the 4th geup student. Several new movements are introduced, and it ends in a jump into cross stance. The performer of… Read more

The trigram for Sah Jang is 2 broken lines over a solid one. The spirit of this poomsae is thunder and it should be performed with power, and dignity. It begins with the sound of actual thunder, to establish the mood. It was composed as a darker theme, in a minor key, but one of… Read more

This form is introduced tp the 6th geup taekwondo student. A few new skills are added with this form. Taekuk Sam Jang is represented by a trigram with 2 outer solid lines and an inner broken line. The trigram for Sam Jang represents Ri, or fire. The performance of the poomsae should represent the spirit… Read more

This poomsae is introduced to the 7th geup student. It adds the high punch to the skills already learned practicing Il Jang. The trigram for Ee Jang is “tae”, meaning river. This is represented with the uppermost line of the trigram broken, and the other lines solid. Taekuk Ee Jang is performed with inner strength… Read more

This basic beginner’s poomsae is introduced to the 8th kup student.   Taekuk Il Jang is about heaven, or the sky.  It’s trigram is Keun, (pronounced “gun”), represented by 3 solid lines. At the beginning of the Il Jang music, there are 4 bars of time to allow the practitioner to assume ready stance –… Read more

Poomsae are choreographed attack and defense movements designed for Taekwondo students to learn and improve their skills. Taekuk is a set of 8 forms, each represented by the trigrams that circle the um and yang symbol in a way that demonstrates opposition and unity of the universe. For example, the trigrams for earth (imperfect, represented… Read more