October 2009 – Performance Martial Arts Academy

Performance Shines During Fall Nationals

Team Performance Members from ATA Fall Nationals. Front Row: R. Spaulding, T. Sibley, Middle Row: M. Matthews, J. Hardy, B. Johnson, Back Row: M. Webb, Mr. Church, G.Sibley, Absent from Picture: J. Powell, Mrs. Hodges, and C. Sprout

The ATA Fall Nationals were held on October 21st through the 24th at the Wide World of Sports Arenas, Disney World, Florida. Ten members of the Performance Martial Arts Academy (nicknamed Team Performance) competed during the Fall Nationals, guided by Mr. Mitchell Church the schools owner and head instructor.

Mark Webb, 4th degree black belt, took 3rd place in Songahm Weapons.
Jennifer Powell, 3rd degree black belt, took 1st place in Songahm Forms, 1st place in Songahm Weapons and 2nd place in Sparring.
Mrs. Hodges, 2nd degree black belt, took 1st place 1st place in Songahm Forms, 1st place in Songahm Weapons, and 1st place in Sparring.
Jennifer Hardy, 2nd degree black belt, placed fourth in Songahm Forms.
Brittany Johnson, 2nd degree black belt, took 3rd place in Songahm Weapons.
Mizzani Matthews, 2nd degree black belt, took 1st in Sparring.
Ryan Spaulding, 1st degree black belt, had a strong showing, especially in sparring, at his 1st black belt competition!
Charlie Sprout, color belt, took 1st place in Songahm Forms, 2nd place in Songahm Weapons, and 1st place in sparring.
Tori Sibley, color belt, took 1st place in Songahm Forms, 1st place in Songahm Weapons, and 2nd place in Sparring.
Glen Sibley, color belt, took 2nd Place in XMA (Xtreme Martial Arts) Weapons, 2nd Place in Creative Weapons, 2nd Place in Songahm Forms, 1st Place in Songahm Weapons, and 3rd place in Sparring.

ATA Fall Nationals - Ms. Sibley Prepares to Spar

ATA Fall Nationals - Mr. Webb - 4th, 5th Degree Black Belt Group Bow in

ATA Fall Nationals - M. Matthews - Weapons

Songahm Taekwondo Forms

In Songahm Taekwondo, each rank has its own unique poom-sae (form) designed specifically for the techniques taught at that rank level. The form is part of a complete system of teaching the Songahm Taekwondo student.

Why must students learn forms? Many martial art styles have discontinued the use of the poom-sae or use them only for the purpose of testing or tournaments. This means they have taken the “do” (as in TaekwonDO), which means “the way”, out of their style. They have in essence taken the “art” out of “martial art.”

FORMS / POOM-SAE

The Korean word “poom-sae” means a “form” or “pattern of movements.” It is actually a planned series of movements that combines the physical skills (such as blocks, strikes, kicks, stances and more) with the mental skills (such as balance, coordination, discipline, strategy, focus and more). The target of these movements is an imaginary opponent of the practitioner’s own size.

The copyrighted Songahm forms have been arranged as a system to gradually increase the student’s skill, develop technical balance equally on the left and right side of the body, train muscles, and to develop students from the beginner level through the rank of Grand Master. This is why each Songahm form does not repeat most techniques more than twice and also why every technique which is done with a right arm/leg is also repeated with the left arm/leg.

These forms, designed by Eternal Grand Master H.U. Lee, were the first that truly emphasized the tradition of the art of Taekwondo, unlike older forms (hyung) which were based on Japanese and Okinawan Karate forms. Not only do the Songahm forms train you in each rank, but they are also excellent for using as a warm-up prior to a work out.

The “system” that encompasses the 18 Songahm forms is based on traditional philosophy, as well as being designed for for easy memorization.

FORM PHILOSOPHY

All goals require a poom-sae or pattern. Even in life we have structured patterns. When you’re born, you learn communication and basic skills in the home. A few years later, you are enrolled into kindergarten or elementary school. Following this comes high school. During high school, we begin to decide the direction we will take in life. We choose a college and/or a career goal. This is the pattern of the first part of our life. If you choose a good pattern, you can be a success. If your pattern is poor, you may not be as successful in your life endeavors.

Similarly, your chances of success in Songahm Taekwondo are much greater by following the solid series of patterns (forms) we have developed for our students.

Mr. Church (center) poses with Mr. Sibley (l) and Mr. Webb (r), the two men took 9 top place finishes during the Pittsburgh Tournament.

Mr. Webb and Mr. Sibley, both of the Performance Martial Arts Academy, competed on Friday and Saturday October 9th & 10th, at the ATA Super Regional Tournament, held at La Roche College in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
On Friday Night:
Mr. Webb a fourth degree black belt, placed 2nd in Traditional Songahm Weapons and Sparring, and also secured a 3rd place finish in Traditional Songahm Forms.
Mr. Sibley a color belt, placed 3rd in both Creative Forms and Weapons, 2nd in XMA (Xtreme Martial Arts) Forms and 3rd in XMA Weapons.
On Saturday:
Mr Sibley again competed, placing 2nd in Traditional Songahm Forms, and 3rd in Traditional Songahm Weapons.

In all the men secured a total of 9 top place finishes during the regional competition.

Performance Shines During Fall Nationals

ATA Fall Nationals – Ms. Sibley Prepares to Spar

Fall Nationals – Mr. Webb – 4th & 5th Degree Black Belt Group

ATA Fall Nationals – M. Matthews – Weapons

Songahm Taekwondo Forms

Performance in Pittsburgh’s Regional Tournament