United States Taekwondo Association hosts annual Poomsae Seminar at Chosun Taekwondo Academy

WARWICK ­— More than 60 students from as far away as Maryland, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts and New York City assembled March 3 at the Chosun Taekwondo Academy, located at 60 Galloway Road in Warwick, to learn and practice poomsae.
Poomsae is the single most important training element of the traditional Korean martial art of taekwondo.
Classical martial artsKnown in karate as kata, poomsae, or formal exercises, can be defined as a series of sequenced defensive and offensive techniques aimed at defeating multiple, imaginary attackers originating from different directions.
They represent the method by which the classical martial arts of China, Okinawa, Japan and Korea were transmitted from venerable master to worthy disciple across the centuries, and while they can be mistakenly construed as dance, they are anything but.
The annual event, hosted by the United States Taekwondo Association, a worldwide organization with headquarters in Warwick, whose mission it is to promote excellence in the traditional and evolving art of taekwondo, featured instruction in eight separate poomsae - some primordial, some modern - and lasted a full four hours.
The class was taught by Grandmaster Pablo Alejandro, 8th degree black belt, and Grandmaster Doug Cook, 7th degree black belt.
Founded in 1980 by martial arts-legend, the late Grandmaster Richard Chun and currently overseen by Cook, the USTA teaches a vast array of poomsae dating back more than 700 years.
“We view forms much as a nation’s armed forces would military drills," Cook said in the press release detailing the event. "With each repetition, our defensive movements and strategy is evaluated. We seek to amplify strengths and remedy weaknesses.
“As my late teacher, Grandmaster Chun said, 'Without forms, there is no taekwondo.'"
'The greatest benefit'The performance of poomsae allows men, women and children of all ages, from 4 to 80+ years old, to engage in the art of taekwondo without fear of injury since it is based on solo practice, never making any contact with another person.
“Poomsae can be practiced anywhere, any time<' Cook said. "In olden days, Korean martial artists would practice poomsae in the woods, under waterfalls and in the halls of ancient Buddhist temples. Today, forms can be practiced at home, in the office, or even on vacation. But the energy and feedback one receives in the training hall offers the greatest benefit.”
Essentials For information on the programs and exclusive poomsae classes offered by the Chosun Taekwondo Academy and the United States Taekwondo Association, visit www.chosuntkd.com, www.ustaweb.com, or call (845) 986-2288.
Interested parties may email the school at info@chosuntkd.com.