ˇ°Taekwondo
is Taekwondo, Makegeolli is Makegeolli!ˇ±
Master Chang 2003
Why
come to Korea
Korea is the birthplace of Taekwondo. For thousands
of years the Koreans have been practicing and improving their martial
art. Taekwondo is a huge part of Korea's heritage and tradition, but
it is also very much part of the present in Korea.
Most Koreans gain a black belt in the their teenage years, while those
that did not have to take it at least 1st Dan during their 3 years
military service. This makes Korea the home to the most Taekwondo
practitioners in the world, making Seoul the beating heart of Taekwondo.
For Taekwondo students a trip to Korea is a pilgrimage to the source
and flowing river of Taekwondo. The competetion season in Seoul is
unrivaled. Its sports universities produce the highest level of Taekwondo
students in the world, as a result the Korean team is the best on
Earth. Taekwondo is practieced and understood here in a way that many
can not rival. For Instructors who wish to compete on the international
level a trip to Korea to learn the latest training techniques is a
pre-requisit. For those who are serious about Taekwondo a trip to
Korea is not a question of if, it is a when.
In Korea Taekwondo can be seen in its original setting, as a functioning
part of Korean society. The parralels between Korean culture and the
philosophy of Taekwondo give a much deeper understanding of what Taekwondo
really is. Taekwondo is a very traditional activity in Korea as well
as being its modern national sport. In Korea is is possible to see
first hand these traditions alive today. To Koreans Taekwondo is a
life times commitment.
In many western countries Taekwondo is just seen as an other martial
art, but here in Korea the points that make Taekwondo so unique stand
out and our appreciated by all. For foreign people it is very difficult
to find or learn from people who have dedicated their whole life to
living the Taekwondo way.
In Korea the Taekowndo man takes on a different meaning to else where
in the world, to understand this it needs be seen in the original
enviroment. Here in Korea it is possible to see the mountains and
valleys that created the deepest parts of the Taekwondo philosophy,
influenced the way the Poomse were developed and are the foundation
of the history of Taekwondo and the Taekwondo way.
Life
in the Academy
In
the academy there is accommodation in individual and shared rooms.There
is space to relax after training with a large television and Internet
access. Washing up is done by the students.
Korean style food is provided but only dinner is prepared for students.
Nothing apart from
training is compulsory in SANGROK, however it is hoped that as Taekwondo
students all students live up to morals of Taekwondo.
Dinner is after training and is a good time to learn about each other
and to talk with Master Chang about martial arts, about Korea and
anything else. This is also a good time for each students to discuss
any points they may want to raise about their own training.
At the
weekends the many students like to go out and experience the joys
of Seoul life, it is recommended to follow the Koreans advice of where
to go, as like all fast moving cities, it changes all the time. There
is excellent shopping in Seoul and much to be seen and done. Information
about how to get to some of the main tourist and Taekwondo sights
has been saved on to the computer in SANGROK in English for students
by others who have been.
Training:
Training
is held every week day in the evenings. This is the main training
session of the day. These training sessions are high energy training,
focusing on intensive foot-work, kicks and sparring. In the early
afternoon there is an infromal training session with master Chang,
students work on their own individual problems or work on things that
they found difficult the evening before.
M aster Chang's unique style is evident in the more traditional aspects
of his Taekwondo too. In performing the Poomsae, the SANGROK style
emphesises the very same principals which rule its modern sides: executing
power with minimum effort, the flowning of movements, and above all,
the grace and beauty of the Taekwondo movements. Working on the Poomsae
is individual and each student practices his own level's Poomsae.
Students who stay for longer periods of time very often choose to
completely adopt to the SANGROK style and in that vain go back to
basics and build their ability from there.
After the evening sessions the students usually play indoor soccer
with Master Chang, thus improving their stamina and power even more,
just before collapsing, exohausted, into their dinner chiars.
Getting
To Korea
All flights
go to Incheon airport, from there it is an hour by bus to the Gym.
Email Master
Chang for directions and a note in Korean explaining where you need
to go. This will be
sent as an email attachment. It is very easy to get to from the airport.
The air port bus stops just a few meters from the academy. The bus
driver will tell you when to get off if you show him the note.
Fees
Fees vary on the amount of time that students spend
in the Academy. For any inquiries
please feel free to email Master Chang at SANGROK@gmail.com