"Martial Art" is a broad term encompassing the many styles of physical discipline (fighting) arts that have been developed over the centuries. To say that the style of Songahm Taekwondo is just another "martial art" would be an uneducated evaluation of the "world's largest" centrally administered martial art. This system of teaching and training, developed by Grand Master Haeng Ung Lee and his staff of Master Instructors, is unequaled in the martial arts community.

For more information on the American Taekwondo Association visit ATA National Headquarters Website.

Songahm Taekwondo focuses on personal development of the mind and body. To say it is just self-defense would be to lose most of the valuable ideas and philosophy behind this ancient art. Self-defense is the fringe benefit that is gained by dedicating one's self to the values, philosophy and training of Songahm Taekwondo. Remember that you are in a true, traditional Taekwondo class. This is not a movie in which a person can be hit 100 times without falling to the ground. In the reality of Taekwondo, a person that has been hit by a powerful force or hand technique will fall with one to three techniques.

At the beginner level, do not focus on being a skilled martial artist within a month or two. You are building your foundation in Taekwondo. Trying to advance beyond your level without proper guidance would be like building a house on a foundation of concrete that had not dried. Though the house may still stand, the foundation would not be as strong and the appearance of the house may not be as presentable. Each class begins and ends with a bow. The white belt of the beginner indicates he is without knowledge of Taekwondo and as one progresses in knowledge, the color of the belt gets progressively darker: orange, yellow, camo, green, purple, blue, brown, red, red/black, and finally black.

Basic Taekwondo Commands in Korean
Chah Reot - Attention
June Bee - Ready
Keu Mahn - Stop
Bah Ro - Return to Ready Position
Keyong Nae - Bow
She Jahk - Start/Begin
Shi Uh - At Ease/Rest

Songahm Spirit of Taekwondo
As Taekwondo Event Begins:

"Sir/Ma'am: I will practice in the Spirit of Taekwondo
With Courtesy for Fellow Students
Loyalty for my Instructor
And Respect for my Juniors and Seniors, ...Sir/Ma'am!"

As Taekwondo Event Ends:

"Sir/Ma'am: I shall live with Perseverance in the Spirit of Taekwondo
Having Honor with Others
Integrity within myself
and Self Control in my Actions...Sir/Ma'am!"