Koryo 고려 [golyeo] – Korea
Koryo is the name of an ancient Korean dynasty (AD918 – 1392). The English word Korea is derived from the name Koryo. Koryo’s legacy to the Korean people is very significant, as they successfully defeated and thus defended Korea from the attacking aggression of the Mongolian Empire, who was sweeping the known world at the time.
In Poomsae, Koryo the spirit of the Koryo dynasty should be emphasized. Consequently every motion of the Poomsae should show a strong conviction like that shown by the Koryo people in their struggle with Mongolians.
Koryo poomsae symbolizes “seonbae” which means a learned man who is characterized by a strong martial spirit as well as a righteous learned man’s spirit. The spirit had been inherited through the ages of Koguryo, Palhae and down to Koryo, which is the background of organizing the Koryo poomsae. The line of the poomsae represents the Chinese letter which means “seonbae” or “seonbi,” a learned man or a man of virtue in the Korean language.
| Koryo | |
| 0 | Tongmilgi Ready Stance: Gather your spirit and power in a short time |
| 1 | Back Stance Hand Knife Supporting Block |
| 2 | Double Side Kick first kick to the knee & second side kick to the face → Long Stance Reverse Hand Knife Strike |
| 3 | keep stance Left Punch |
| 4 | move right foot back to Back Stance Right Middle Block |
| 5 | Back Stance Hand Knife Supporting Block |
| 6 | Double Side Kick first kick to the knee & second side kick to the face → Long Stance Reverse Hand Knife Strike |
| 7 | keep stance Right Punch |
| 8 | move left foot back to Back Stance Left Middle Block |
| 9 | Long Stance Hand Knife Low Block → Arc Hand Strike attacks the opponent’s uvula |
| 10 | Front Kick → Long Stance Hand Knife Low Block → Arc Hand Strike pull the arc hand to the waist when front kick perform, locate two fists naturally in front of chest |
| 11 | Front Kick → Long Stance Hand Knife Low Block → Arc Hand Strike w/Kihap pull the arc hand to the waist when front kick perform, locate two fists naturally in front of chest |
| 12 | Front Kick → Long Stance Arc Hand Knee Breaking Right hand grabs the opponent’s ankle and heel to lift it up, should be positioned below the elbow of the other arm. Left arc hand should start from the waist with the palm upward and hit just below the knee joint |
| 13 | step in with long stance & turn around Long Stance Inner Forearm Cleaving Block when right foot is in front, right hand should be crossed outside |
| 14 | Left Front Kick → Long Stance Arc Hand Knee Breaking |
| 15 | Walking Stance Inner Forearm Cleaving Block when left foot is in front, left hand should be crossed outside |
| 16 | Horse-riding Stance One Hand Knife Block |
| 17 | keep stance Target Punch bend the wrist and hit the palm, do not grab the fist, at the height of the solar plexus level |
| 18 | Right Front Cross Stance Side Kick pulling hand to the waist simultaneously, maintaining knee height → Long Stance Hand Knife Thrust placing side kick down simultaneously, back of the hand should be upward before thrusting. |
| 19 | pulling right foot Walking Stance Low Block |
| 20 | Walking Stance Palm Pushing Down Block → Horse-riding Stance Elbow Strike until right fist is in front of right chest, do not lift left elbow and keep left palm open |
| 21 | keep stance One Hand Knife Block |
| 22 | keep stance Target Punch bend the wrist and hit the palm, do not grab the fist, at the height of the solar plexus level |
| 23 | Left Front Cross Stance Side Kick pulling hand to the waist simultaneously, maintaining knee height → Long Stance Hand Knife Thrust placing side kick down simultaneously, back of the hand should be upward before thrusting |
| 24 | pulling left foot Walking Stance Low Block |
| 25 | Walking Stance Palm Pushing Down Block → Horse-riding Stance Elbow Strike until left fist is in front of left chest, do not lift right elbow and keep right palm open |
| 26 | pulling left foot Attention Stance Target Hammer Fist Strike |
| 27 | turning around Long Stance Left Reverse Hand Knife Strike → Left Hand Knife Low Block |
| 28 | Long Stance Right Hand Knife Strike → Right Hand Knife Low Block |
| 29 | Long Stance Left Hand Knife Strike → Left Hand Knife Low Block |
| 30 | Long Stance Right Arc Hand Strike |
| Tongmilgi Ready Stance |
Tongmilgi Ready Stance Raise open hands with finger tip to finger tip and palms up to form a triangle up to neck level.
Arc Hand Strike (Tiger’s Mouth strike) The Striking surface centers at the webbing between the thumb and index finger, though the intent is that the impact falls on the first joint of the index finger and the thumb.
Front Cross Stance step with the ball of the front foot.
Target Hammer Fist Strike Lift both hands above head, then bring hands down in a circular motion symmetrically for 5 seconds. As both hands reach the shoulder height, start to clench left fist.
| Color Belts (~11 yr) | 3 valid points of kicking or punching |
| Color Belts (12 yr ~) | 3 valid points of kicking or punching 1 valid point of kicking to head |
| Jr.Black Belt #2 | 10 valid points of kicking or punching Sparring with 2 or more opponents |
| Black Belts | 3 valid points of kicking or punching 1 valid point of kicking to head |