Complete Taekwondo Poomsae

by Kyu Hyung Lee, Kyu Hyung Lee

Complete Taekwondo Poomsae is the most complete reference book available on the Taegeuk, Palgwae and Black Belt Poomsae of WTF style Taekwondo. Grandmasters Kyu Hung Lee and Sang H. Kim have combined their extensive taekwondo knowledge to teach you not only the 25 official taekwondo poomsae, but the meaning of the forms, the principles of Poomsae performance and the philosophy that underlies the techniques. Each Poomsae is thoroughly illustrated with clear and technically precise photos. The instructional text is supplemented with information about the meaning, movement line and symbol of each form as well as the correct execution of each new movement introduced in the form. In addition to the 25 official Poomsae, the authors explain Poomsae theory and principles to help you understand the underlying concepts of Poomsae practice. Topics covered characteristics of poomsae, 13 fundamental taekwondo techniques, stance, vital targets, bodily wapons, structural principles of poomsae, poomsae creating, movement principles, performance tips, mastery, terminology, origin of Taegeuk and Palgwae, meaning of the trigrams, and complete Korean and English poomsae terminology. Much of this information has never before been translated into English. The following Poomsae are Poomsae Taegeuk Il Jang Poomsae Taegeuk Ee Jang Poomsae Taegeuk Sam Jang Poomsae Taegeuk Sah Jang Poomsae Taegeuk Oh Jang Poomsae Taegeuk Yuk Jang Poomsae Taegeuk Chil Jang Poomsae Taegeuk Pal Jang Poomsae Palgwae Il Jang Poomsae Palgwae Ee Jang Poomsae Palgwae Sam Jang Poomsae Palgwae Sah Jang Poomsae Palgwae Oh Jang Poomsae Palgwae Yuk Jang Poomsae Palgwae Chil Jang Poomsae Palgwae Pal Jang Poomsae Koryo Poomsae Keumgang Poomsae Taebaek Poomsae Pyongwon Poomsae Sipjin Poomsae Jitae Poomsae Cheonkwon Poomsae Hansoo Poomse Ilyeo

Genres: Martial Arts

460 pages, Paperback

First published January 20, 2007

Reviews

[Lynette Caulkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so grateful for this book! I've only read the first division, as I'm studying to attain black belt and have only been taught the Taeguk poomsaes so far. The later divisions for the blackbelt poomsaes will be there for me when I reach that level.

This book has detailed information about the background stories for each poomsae, a pattern diagram page showing snapshots in the footprint of the poomsae's pattern, and then pages and pages of detailed photographs showing the whole form step by step. These photos are captioned with explicit descriptions of the motions performed. This makes it possible to refresh my mind on poomsaes that were learned many months ago, and to visually compare target portions, such as all the endings or all the beginning sequences.

4 stars instead of 5 because it took me a bit of puzzling to figure out that the sequence of the photos sometimes jumps into right-to-left instead of left-to-right. But they are all numbered, so if you pay attention to those you'll be fine.

This book is slightly dated, and Kukkiwon details get changed periodically, so make sure you don't need to change little details about the technique involved in motions, but this will definitely help with maintaining the overall structure of the poomsaes. Remember to heed your master's teaching above other sources like this, and wait until you've been taught forms before studying them.

[Michael Nolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well done. Comprehensive.

[Rella · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent reference for Palgwe, taegeuk, and black belt forms.

[Nessie Ines · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent update!