Pal Jung Do Poomsae

Pal Jung Do Creative Poomsae

Pal Jung Do Poomsae are a new set of Poomsae created by the World Taekwonmudo Academy (WTA) based on the principles of oriental philosophy and medicine. The series of eight Poomsae are intended to improve breathing control; therefore health, technique, stepping skills and balance.

Pal Jung Do works by using your abdominal breathing control to move your internal energy (ki) around your body to not only your inner organs but to the relevant weapons needed when practicing the martial arts. The unique breathing exercises strengthen the inner body while the physical poomsae concentrates on correct traditional Taekwondo technique.

Grand Master Kim Yong Ho, 9th Dan, President of the World Taekwonmudo Academy (WTA) and Kim Chung Do Kwan, England, introduced Pal Jung Do Poomsae to England in 2002.

Along with Master Kim Sang Tae, a meditation master, Grand Master Kim developed eight new Kup Grade Poomsae; (Pal Jung Do Poomsae) to improve students breathing control, stepping skills and technical ability. Eight new breathing exercises were also introduced, one for each poomsae, designed to strengthen the internal organs through abdominal breathing control exercises.

At present Grand Master Kim is also introducing eight new Dan Grade Poomsae (Pal Mudo Poomsae) to members of the WTA.

Taekwondo One Step Sparring Blocking Position
Taekwondo One Step Sparring Blocking Position

HOW PAL JUNG DO DIFFER FROM OTHER POOMSAE.

All varieties of poomsae are basically just sets of movements which someone has made-up at some point in time. It’s what you get out of the Poomsae that makes the Poomsae and movements important. Pal Jung Do and Pal Mudo have been introduced to bring together and benefit both the physical and spiritual side of students training.

PHILOSOPHY OF PAL JUNG DO JUNBI’S (Poomsae Ready Position)

In oriental philosophy all parts of the body are linked like a chain. Hence, all bodily functions are represented on the hands and feet. By touching certain parts of your hands and using correct abdominal breathing, energy can be transferred to strengthen the relevant internal organs.

Instead of the traditional ready position at the start of a poomsae, Pal Jung Do uses a unique stepping-breathing exercise which gradually becomes more advanced depending on the level of poomsae. All eight of these exercises are designed to strengthen different internal organs and your mind.

In the table below are the names and meaning of the poomsae and which vital organs they help strengthen.

Pal Jung Do Poomsae

Foot that moves from ready position

Vital Organ

Meaning

Jung Shim

Left

Lungs Righteous Spirit
Jung Eui

Right

Large Intestines Righteous Loyalty
Jung Shin

Right

Stomach Righteous Faith
Jung Nyum

Left

Spleen Righteous Thought
Jung In

Right

Gallbladder Righteous Generosity
Jung Hyo

Left

Liver Righteous Filial Piety
Jung Haeng

Left

Heart Righteous Action
Jung Do

Right

Small Intestines Righteous Path

Breathing Control

Breathing connects all bodily functions. If you stop breathing for more than five minutes you will die. Breathing is life. Through breathing correctly into your lower abdomen (Ha-Danjeon) you can control your mood and state of mind. The more times you breathe the calmer you become.

In martial arts training you must be able to extend one breath to between one and five minutes. This can only be achieved by practicing exercises using your lower abdomen.

This is why in the martial arts you wear a belt. The knot should be placed over your abdomen and you should be able to just place your palm under the knot. When practicing inhaling push your abdomen out against the knot and when exhaling release the pressure.

Every traditional oriental martial art is based on breathing control not only for health benefits but by and moving your internal energy around your body you can generate incredible power.

By breathing into your Ha-Danjeon (about three inches below the navel) and breathing out in time with your Taekwondo movements you can maximise your power. Consequently by breathing using your Ha-Danjeon you relax the top half of your body so are automatically faster with your upper body and kicking techniques. Therefore because you increase your speed of technique you automatically generate more power.

Controlling your breathing is the only way you will have full 100% control over your body, which is the overall aim of any martial art. Learning to be in full control of your body and your mind.