On April 11, 1955, General Choi Hong Hi realized the culmination of his efforts to consolidate the many schools, or kwans, of martial arts in Korea under one common banner; the name chosen by a panel of martial arts masters - Taekwon-Do - was proposed by the General himself. Appointed to head the first organized martial arts board governing the art (the Korean Taekwon-Do Association - KTA - which was the predecessor to the International Taekwon-Do Federation - ITF), General Choi not only gave our martial art its name, but also developed and perfected the characteristics that make Taekwon-Do unique in the martial arts world. A combination of fitness, self discipline, scientific theory and tenets of behavior work to make Taekwon-Do one of the most popular - and most widely practiced - martial arts in the world.

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Taekwon-Do as it is taught in this dojang is about more than just kicks, punches, sparring and patterns. While all of these are important, what you will also learn here is the "Way" of Taekwon-Do. The five tenets espoused by our founder - Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self Control and Indomitable Spirit - provide us with not only a proper approach to martial arts training, but a way of life both in and out of the dojang. Through regular practice and training, students learn not only how to defend themselves and others, but also learn how to conduct themselves in all areas of their lives, as well as learning respect for everyone in their lives - including themselves. This is not a "pay for rank" school; students will earn every belt advancement. There is no "black belt club" here; a black belt will only be awarded after years of practice, sacrifice and hours of community service. Students may also choose to pay in a number of different formats; monthly, quarterly, semi-annually and annually. However, there are NO REQUIREMENTS for contracts, EVER. The 3, 6, and 12-month options are simply there to provide families with a discount for continued training.​​

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The information below details some general knowledge for the curious, as well as information that students will be required to learn and understand. For example, the tenets and the student oath will be recited to begin each class, so students should take the time to learn and memorize these as quickly as possible.

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Tenets of Taekwon-Do​
 

Courtesy

To be polite to one another
To behave oneself according to etiquette
To respect other’s possessions

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Integrity

To know right from wrong
To be honest and proud

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Perseverance

Patience to achieve a higher degree of perfection
Don’t be a quitter, try and try again

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Self Control

Control over one’s impulses, emotions, or actions

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Indomitable Spirit

A student of Taekwon-Do will at all times be modest and honest, but
If confronted with injustice, he will deal with the belligerent without fear or hesitation

regardless of whosoever and however many the number may be

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The Taekwon-Do Student Oath

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I shall observe the tenets of Taekwon-Do

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I shall respect my instructors and seniors.

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I shall NEVER MISUSE Taekwon-Do.

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I shall be a champion of Freedom and Justice.

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I shall build a more peaceful world.



Korean Numbers One to Ten (written as they are pronounced)



1. Hana                   follow the link below for an instructional video

2. Dool                               on proper pronunciation

3. Set

4. Net                http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yOqYzqUWCo

5. Da-sot

6. Ya-sot

7. Il-gop

8. Yo-dul

9. A-hop

10.Yoel





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Belt Colors and Meanings

 

White - Symbolizes innocence and purity. It is the beginning of your Taekwon-Do journey.​

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Yellow - Represents the Earth; just as a plant forms its roots in the ground so that a beautiful plant can grow, so you plant your Taekwon-Do roots here so a beautiful martial art can grow.

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Green - Represents the plant (your Taekwon-Do) starting to take shape.

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Blue - Represents the sky or the heavens. Just as a plant gains strength and grows up towards the blue sky, so your Taekwon-Do is strengthening and growing.

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Red - Represents danger. Opponents and the student should be wary; while this student is becoming very skilled in Taekwon-Do, they may still lack the necessary control over their technique and their emotions.

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Black - Represents maturity, as well as an imperviousness to darkness and fear. The student who reaches this level has mastered the basics and is ready to embark on the path of true learning.

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Grades and Degrees

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Students will be graded not only on their technical proficiency, but on their character development both in and out of the training area, or dojang. Once they have been deemed to have developed sufficiently for advancement, they will be recommended for testing. The ranking system for Taekwon-Do is broken into two groups; the first are the grade, or "gup", levels. All students start at the lowest gup, which is 10th gup, and progress towards the highest gup, which is 1st gup. Each gup has a belt color or color combination which identifies it. They are:

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10th gup - white belt

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9th gup - white belt/yellow stripe

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8th gup - yellow belt

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7th gup - yellow belt/green stripe

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6th gup - green belt

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5th gup - green belt/blue stripe

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4th gup - blue belt

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3rd gup - blue belt/red strip

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2nd gup - red belt

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1st gup - red belt/black stripe

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Once a student progresses to 1st gup and masters the requisite skills at that grade, they will be recommended to test for their first black belt (this can and will vary depending on the student's ability and propensity to practice outside of the dojang). Students will be required to demonstrate knowledge and proficiency of any and all techniques and patterns learned to this point; if they are successful in their testing they will be promoted to 1st degree, or I Dan, black belt. For their first black belt there is a 6-month probationary period during which time they must demonstrate their maturity and willingness to continue training. Once this period is complete, they will be issued their certificate and identification card and will forever be known as a Taekwon-Do black belt.

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Students who continue training will be promoted under the Dan system of rank, which goes from I Dan (1st degree) to IX Dan (9th degree). Each Dan rank is identified by a roman numeral at the end of the belt to signify the degree of the belt wearer. Additionally, the Dan ranks are divided into four groups. I-III Dan are considered novice ranks and are referred to in the dojang as bosabum (Bosabum-nim if in an instructor role). IV-VI Dan are considered expert ranks and are referred to in the dojang as Sabum-nim. VII and VIII DAN are considered Master ranks and are referred to in the dojang as Sayong-nim. Finally, IX Dan are considered Grand Masters and are referred to in the dojang as Suseung-nim.

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Additionally, though not typically, black belts can be referred to in the following manner:

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I Dan - Il Dan or Cho Dan

II Dan - Yi Dan

III Dan - Sam Dan

IV Dan - Sa Dan

V Dan - O Dan

VI Dan - Yuk Dan

VII Dan - Chil Dan

VIII Dan - Pal Dan

IX Dan - Gu Dan

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Per the current International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) by-laws, black belt students up to age 17 are considered "junior" black belts. Junior black belts are identified by a single white stripe running the length of the black belt from end to end. At age 18, the belt is converted to a solid black belt. ​

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