Benefits of The ATA
American Taekwondo Association patch
We train our students to the best of their ability. Some students come to us in shape, while others have come to us 100 pounds overweight. Most come to us with limited flexibility. Adults start at any age, as we have had some adults who started as late as age 65, and have still earned their black belts. As a student, you are looked upon as an individual, never compared to anyone else. Our instructors will be there every step of the way. All that is expected is a willingness to try.
Here are some benefits you can expect from training in Taekwondo:
- ? Fitness – The principles of Taekwondo techniques are based on the design of your body. For power you develop the larger, powerful muscles of the torso. The speed of the techniques comes from the fast, agile muscles of the arms and legs. As you progress in Taekwondo, you will learn to coordinate this speed and power, and develop a concentration to focus all of your body’s strength into a small, hard striking surface like the edge of the hand or the heel of a foot.
? Self-Defense – When the speed and power developed through Taekwondo is used in a self-defense situation against the vulnerable parts of an attacker’s body, the results can be incredible. Taekwondo allows a woman to emphasize many of her natural physical strengths, such as power in the legs, while learning a method of self-defense efficient against a much larger opponent. Knowing you can defend yourself, your confidence will grow. And confidence alone is usually enough to deter potential attackers.
? Self-Confidence – This does not come naturally for many people, but self-confidence can be developed over a period of time. Through Taekwondo, as you accomplish new goals, your confidence level increases. Taekwondo instills a sense of discipline and self-confidence that can carry over to all aspects of your life.
? Travel Policy – Are you a businessman or woman whom travels to different areas for work? Perhaps you enjoy a workout while on your weekly family vacation?? Well then with your ATA membership you have the opportunity to train at our schools while you are away from home.? Always remember to check with your instructor out of respect, its always best to have your instructor obtain a training schedule for the school whom you wish to attend.
Sparing in Songahm Taekwondo
Gyeo-roo-gi (sparring) is the way that Taekwondo students prepare for self-defense.
In Songahm Taekwondo, a student first learns a form of preparatory moves known as 1-step sparring. This exchange of techniques is under strict control, and by memorizing these moves the student needs only practice distance and timing without the fear of responding to spontaneous techniques from an opponent. In this way, the basics of sparring can be safely developed before the student’s reflexes are challenged. 1-steps also help a student acquire the confidence they need for sparring with a real opponent.
Later in their training, a Songahm Taekwondo practitioner begins applying the basics they have learned from 1-steps into true sparring, which can be thought of as reflexive responses against an unplanned attack. Essentially, they learn to move beyond the predetermined series of movements they have relied upon in favor of spontaneous movements designed for true self defense.
Although we learn sparring as a form of self defense, it is also very important in Songahm Taekwondo for other reasons. It helps display proficiency in techniques, and for this reason at the Camo Belt level and beyond sparring is evaluated for purposes of advancing to the next rank. It is also an important part of tournaments, where students can display their abilities in a safe, controlled competitive environment while still showing respect to their opponent.
READ MOREATA Weapons Guide
The following are a list of the songahm taekwondo weapons approved for training in the American Taekwondo Association.
| Name | Picture | Information |
|---|---|---|
| Ssahng Jeol Bong (Nunchaku) |
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The Ssahng Jeol Bong is
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| Bahng Mahng Ee (Escrima Stick) |
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The Bahng Mahng Ee is a
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| Jee Pahng Ee (cane) |
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The
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| Gum Do (Sword) |
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Gumdo (Korean Sword) is designed to give students a chance to train with the most famous of all the martial art weapons.? Its purpose is to execute justice with the light of the sword that is as majestic and brilliant as the morning sunlight on the east sea.? It is a beautiful and powerful art that originated some 1,700 years ago on Mt. Baekdu in Korea.? It has been passed down through the ages, from warrior to warrior.Unlike other martial arts, Gumdo doesn’t require advanced athletic prowess, so it’s the perfect martial art for all ages. Students learn how to perform sword forms and one-step combinations, as well as methods in which to draw and sheathe their swords. Advanced Students may also practice sword self defense techniques, bamboo cutting and candle extinguishing.? Overall, a student will develop balance, coordination, concentration and focus through training with the Gumdo. |
| Sahm Dam Bong (3-Section Staff) |
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The three-section staff is one of the most difficult and versatile weapons within Taekwondo. More prevalent in Northern Systems, the three-section staff can be used as both a close-quarters weapon, a trapping weapon and as a long-range flexible whip-like weapon. |
| Sahn Knat (Kama) |
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The Sahn Knat or Kama are traditional farming implements similar to a sickle used for reaping crops and also employed as a weapon. Before being used in martial arts, the Sahn Knat was widely used to cut crops, mostly rice. The Sahn Knat is a formidable weapon, traditionally used in pairs, though in agricultural use it would be used one-handed, whilst the other hand grasped the stalks for cutting.? As a weapon, both the point and sharpened edge of the metal blade are called in to use, while the Sahn Knat could also be used to block, trap and disarm weapons used against the wielder. The hard edge of the Sahn Knat blade would traditionally be kept razor-sharp to enable efficient cutting of crops, which made it a lethal weapon in the right hands, though this is sometimes a cause of training accidents by unskilled wielders, for whom blunt training versions of the weapon are created. It is also a popular modern forms competition weapon. |
| Jahng Bong (Staff) |
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The Jahng Bong was used in
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| Dragon Wind Staff |  |
The Dragon Wind Staff, commonly referred to as a Wind Staff, is a telescoping staff.? When collapsed is 24″ in length, and when expanded is 6′.
The telescopic staff is a popular innovation, and was often disguised as a scroll tube. With the touch of a button, it instantly telescopes out to form a 6? staff. Pressing the button again causes the internal spring mechanism to retract the staff. Please note as of November, 2009 this Protech weapon is NOT allowed for use in any ATA tournament (including XMA or Creative). |
Songahm Taekwondo Forms
![forms[1]](http://www.performancemartialartsacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/forms1.png "forms[1]")
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.
READ MOREMr. Matthews Roundkicking Opponents Head
ATA 2009 World Championship - Mr. Matthews roundkicking his opponent to the head
MaryBeth knocks out an opponent at Orlando Fall Nationals 2007
MaryBeth Leon of the Performance Martial Arts Academy (Valdosta, GA) knocks out here sparring opponent during the ATA Orlando Fall Nationals 2007.? Notice the respect she awards her opponent by turning her back to the down opponent and going to one knee.