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Showing posts from January, 2023

Back to Basics: The Surprising Challenge of Taekwondo's Poomsae

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Taekwondo poomsae are known for their strict, formulaic movements. There's no denying they're highly standardized. However, this is the mainstream approach in Taekwondo, and I've had to embrace relearning them. Thankfully, Kukkiwon's official educational materials are quite generous. They've meticulously organized the poomsae tutorials, making them excellent resources for both instructors and self-learners. Kukkiwon's Educational Resources: A Boon for Learning and Teaching Kukkiwon categorizes Taegeuk Chapters 1 to 3 as entry-level poomsae, available in both English and Korean versions. The videos even include the Korean pronunciation of the movements, offering a great opportunity to pick up some Korean along the way. Here are the international versions of Taegeuk 1 to 3, along with their key movements: Taegeuk Il Jang (태극 1장) - Taegeuk Chapter 1 Key Movements: Narani Seogi (나란히 서기) : Parallel Ready Stance Ap Seogi (앞 서기) : Forward Stance Ap Kubi (앞굽이) : ...

My Boxing Evolution: Notes from the Ring

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Honestly, boxing isn't my primary discipline. While I hold professional boxing qualifications and certified coaching credentials , my relatively short time in the sport means I still find it challenging to spar with dedicated boxing specialists. However, after engaging with Muay Thai and Kickboxing, I developed a strong desire to execute clean, sharp boxing techniques. To achieve this, I sought guidance from various coaches, including those from a university team. For me, seeking instruction from the university team proved to be the most enriching experience. Training alongside professional athletes allowed me to quickly identify my weaknesses and grow from every "setback." Unfortunately, I couldn't remain at the university indefinitely, especially with the last three years completely disrupting my plans. But this doesn't mean progress has to stop. As I review various boxing resources available, I make an effort to integrate and synthesize the information. The pu...