Songahm Taekwondo – Performance Martial Arts Academy

ATA World Championships – Vialdores – Sparring Final Match

Mr. Ali Vialdores of Valdosta, Georgia’s Performance Martial Arts Academy , is shown here competing in his Final Match of sparring in the Mens 30-39 1st Degree Black Belts. During the 2010 Songahm Taekwondo World Championships, with competitors from over continents it was awesome.

Watch the other matches to see Mr. Ali Vialdores, reach his goal of being the New World Champion of Sparring.

ATA World Championships – Vialdores – Sparring Round 1

Mr. Ali Vialdores of Valdosta, Georgia’s Performance Martial Arts Academy , is shown here competing in his first round of sparring Mens 30-39 1st Degree Black Belts. During the 2010 Songahm Taekwondo World Championships, with competitors from over continents it was awesome.

Watch the other matches to see Mr. Ali Vialdores, reach his goal of being the New World Champion of Sparring.

Mrs Powell – Mini-Tournament – Traditional Form

Mrs Powell – Mini-Tournament ATA Valdosta, January 30th, 2010.? Video is of her Traditional Songahm Black Belt III Form.

Ms Johnson Competes in Songahm Forms

Ms. Johnson competes in the Songahm Forms competition at the ATA Regional Tournament in Perry Georgia.
Photo Courtesy of Mrs. Speldrick.

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.

ATA 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)		The Ssahng Jeol Bong is comprised of two short sticks connected by rope or chain.? The Ssahng Joel Bong can be practiced as a single or double weapon and is admired for its speed and complex twirls.? Consistent practice with the Ssahng Jeol Bong develops coordination and conditions muscles, especially the muscles of the arms and shoulders. The Ssahng Jeol Bong, also known as the Nunchuku, once served the farmer in harvesting his crops by separating the grain from the shaft.? The farmer would beat the crop with a tool that comprised of a long staff with a shorter stick attached to the end by a rope.? During times of fighting or war, this farm tool could easily be used as a weapon. Often called a Chul Te or Dur Ree Ge, it worked very similarly to a mace.? The length of the longer shaft allowed the warrior to stay at a safer distance from his opponent and would also aid in the generation of power in a strike.? As peace time prevailed, the warriors, with little to do but train, fashioned the Cuhl Te into smaller versions creating the design we are familiar with today.
Bahng Mahng Ee (Escrima Stick)		The Bahng Mahng Ee is a short stick.? It can be practiced as a single or double weapon. Practitioners like this weapon because of its challenging partner drills and disarms. The Bahng Mahng Ee was originally used as a tool such as a leverage bar for an ancient Korean ?backpack,? a laundry stick, and an ironing stick.? The ironing stick has a very interesting history.? Folded cloth would be placed on a flat rock surface and rhythmically struck with two specially designed sticks in order to flatten the wrinkles out.? The ?ironing rock? often became a place for the women ? mother and daughter or perhaps neighboring women ? to gather and work together.? By listening to the rhythm of how a woman beat the clothes, passersby could tell whether she was happy or sad.? The daily chore of using the sticks to beat clothes conditioned the upper body and taught the women how to strike forcefully and efficiently.? It was only natural for the women to pick up one or both of these sticks in the face of danger.
Jee Pahng Ee (cane)		The Jee Pahng Ee is an extremely effective weapon.? Of all the weapons that were and, in some cases, still are implemented to aid in daily domestic chores, the Jee Pahng Ee is the weapon that is most commonly still in use as a tool.? The cane can be taken anywhere because it is mainly implemented as a walking aid, and most people are completely unaware that the cane can also be wielded as a weapon.? The shaft of the cane is swung, using centrifugal force to generate powerful strikes.? The curve of the crook and the walking end of the cane are used for thrusts, and the crook is also used to hook wrists and ankles.
Gum Do (Sword)		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)		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)		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)		The Jahng Bong was used in daily domestic chores and doubled as an effective weapon against larger or multiple opponents at increased range.? The Jahng Bong uses leverage to generate powerful strikes the proper execution of which increases upper body and core strength.? (The Jahng Bong, is essentially a leaver, a slight motion by the user results in a faster, more forceful motion at the tip; thus enabling long-rang crushing and sweeping strikes.) ?The Jahng Bong, may also be used for thrusting strikes and for joint-locks. The Eighth degree black belt Master G. K. Lee says of the Jahng Bong, ?Personally, I think this is one of the most beautiful weapons to watch or use.? The combination of strength and skill needed to make it a truly effective weapon makes it one of the most respected of all weapons.?
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. A telescopic staff is a double weapon. You can fight with it as if fighting with two weapons,? a one-handed lighting fast strike weapon or a powerful two handed (long reaching) bo-staff. Please note as of November, 2009 this Protech weapon is NOT allowed for use in any ATA tournament (including XMA or Creative).