Taekwondo is a martial art that in "today’s" form of self-defense has evolved by combining many different styles of martial arts that existed in Korea over the last 2,000 years and some martial arts styles from countries that surround Korea. Taekwondo incorporates the abrupt linear movements of Karate and the flowing, circular patterns of Kung-Fu with native kicking techniques. A few of the earlier martial arts styles that contributed to Taekwondo are: T'ang-su, Taek Kyon, also known as Subak, Tae Kwon, Kwonpup and Tae Kwonpup.
The earliest records of Taekwondo practice date back to about 50 B.C. During this time, Korea was divided into three kingdoms: Silla, which was founded on the Gyeongju plain in 57 B.C.; Goguryo, founded in the Yalu River Valley in 37 B.C.; and Baekje, founded in the southwestern area of the Korean peninsula in 18 B.C. (Park et. al, 1989). Tae Kyon ( also called Subak) is considered the earliest known form of Taekwondo. Paintings from this time period have been found on the ceiling of the Muyong-chong, a royal tomb from the Goguryo dynasty. The paintings show unarmed people using techniques that are very similar to the ones used by Taekwondo today.
Although Taekwondo first appeared in the Goguryo kingdom, it is the Silla's Hwarang warriors that are credited with the growth and spread of Taekwondo throughout Korea. Silla was the smallest of the three kingdoms and was always under attack by Japanese Pirates. Silla got help from King Gwanggaeto and his soldiers from the Goguryo kingdom to drive out the pirates. During this time a few select Sillan warriors were given training in Taek Kyon by the early masters from Goguryo. The Taek Kyon trained warriors then became known as the Hwarang. The Hwarang set up a military academy for the sons of royalty in Silla called Hwarang-do, which means "The way of flowering manhood." The Hwarang studied Taek Kyon, history, Confucian Philosophy, ethics, Buddhist Morality, and military tactics. The guiding principles of the Hwarang warriors were loyalty, filial duty, trustworthiness, valor, and justice (Yoo, 1990).
Within Korea there were five major martial art academies or Kwans. They were called Mooduk Kwan, Jido Kwan, Changmu Kwan, Chungdo Kwan, and Songmu Kwan. Within these schools lie a variety of styles such as KongSooDo, Tae Kyon, SooBakDo, TangSooDo, KwonPup, etc. The way of teaching and employing many of the techniques varied as much as the schools and in 1946 an attempt was made to unify Dojangs (training halls) and standardize instructional methods. Some of the leaders wanted to uphold the martial art character of the schools while others wished to create a combat sport. These meetings met with no success.
In 1955 a board of instructors, historians and prominent society members sat down to coordinate all the schools and select a name for the hopefully unified art. In April 1955 a new name was from a group of names by the board, it was Taekwondo.
On May 28, 1973 the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) was officially established at the Kukkiwon (headquarters) by Dr. Un Yon Kim. Located in Seoul, Korea the WTF is the governing body which preserves Taekwondo's roots and development, controls testing and testing requirements, and promotes the study of Taekwondo all over the world. In this way the WTF hopes to continue the unification of their native art. In 1975 the U.S. Amateur Athletes Union (AAU) accepted Taekwondo as an official sport. Taekwondo was also admitted to the General Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF) and the International Council of Military Sports (CISM) in 1976. In 1980 the WTF became an International Olympic Committee (IOC) recognized sports federation, making Taekwondo a demonstration sport for the 1988 and 1992 Olympic Games.
As many as 70 million people practice taekwondo today in over 200 countries and about eight million people have poom-dan certificates, according to the World Taekwondo Headquarters.
Taekwondo came into my life after a close family member went through a serious disease and it caused a short period of depression in me two years after diagnosis. I practiced diligently, training 6 days a week during my peak. I formed strong bonds with many students and truly enjoyed my time there. After receiving my first degree black belt, I practiced a few more months and then terminated mainly due to a heavy travel schedule for work. It was a way of life and helped focus my mind and body. My master (Yang) instilled in us to respect one another, the school, and our parents. He always kept things fresh and new, which made me want to keep coming back so as not to miss anything. Students in my class were from Pakistan, the UK, Ghana, Poland, Yemen, Vietnam, Korea, China, Egypt, Vietnam, (NYC – that’s a country, right?), Russia, Colombia, Haiti and probably a few others that I am forgetting. No matter what our differences in religion, politics, etc., we put them to the side while on the mat. We were one unit all learning together and from one another. His leadership was the glue that unified us as one.
Next, I will highlight a one hour interview with my master, Il Nam Yang (8th dan) from June 7, 2019. His wife (Moon Joo Yang, 5th dan) also participated in the discussion. They are the owners of Master Yang’s Martial Arts Center in Latham, New York. The interview was filled with passion and hear felt emotion from start to finish and gave me numerous chills.
I first asked when he started learning taekwondo and why.
He responded that he was eight years old and his mother wanted him to start. Master Yang was the middle child with five sisters. Having that many sisters can make a boy “soft” or tenuous and may have attributed to some of the bullying he endured. He apparently did not like taekwondo initially and his Master was strict and tough. However, back then students carried their taekwondo uniform in public and he got respect from this.
Master Yang expanded the discussion by saying he understands what younger kids are going through based on empathy as a child. He teaches how to make a network of friends. When he was a young child, life in Korea was not necessarily fair. Kids that came from families with money were favored by teachers and had more privileges. This made the poorer kids resent those with money, but his taekwondo master took that anger and repurposed it. His master taught him there was no difference between people based on money or status. To this day, this is a core belief and one that he teaches others. He believes you can empower anyone by teaching them how to get along with one another, including those with disabilities, or a mental illness. That is why they call it Martial Arts Family.
He is also a firm believer in keeping traditions, developing a culture that revolves around respect, and seems concerned with the way the WTF is changing in terms of being over commercialized. It sounded as if there is less importance on teaching respect, uniforms maybe changing with leggings being considered for women, and there are now aerobic dance performances.
Master Yang next talked about the importance of setting expectations for someone who is considering becoming a Master (4th dan, sa bum nim). It requires a deep understanding of the fundamentals, requires tremendous commitment, but most importantly one has to understand how to teach and help students, especially those with serious problems. He talked about the distinction and separation of the advice a friend gives versus a father or teacher.
When did you move to the US?
He moved in 1995 from Korea, knew no English and had very little time to study. The main reason for the move was that parents in Korea complained that students were too tired from his taekwondo class to go to school and to make it easier. He essentially could not teach the way he wanted to and he decided for a new opportunity in the U.S. Even while in the U.S., he had to modify the way he taught. Back in early days in New York he would whack students with a bamboo stick while they demonstrated a high block, but toned things down a bit for various reasons.
Besides spending time with your family and either building or renovating things, what do you like to do?
These days he likes to practice firing a pistol, rifle, or shotgun at a shooting range. Master Yang enjoys the focus required, and believes it is good to be properly trained in case needed in an emergency situation. He is also enjoying Jujitsu training (blue belt now) and learning different marital arts.
You have built a great family business and are well connected to the community with programs for kids including day care. Do any of your children plan to stay in this business when they get older to carry on the tradition?
His oldest child is 16 and is undecided on whether he may apply for college, but there is a possibility of a future in the family business. Currently, there appears to be no slowing down, although he does think about succession planning and seems to have a long time student and partner in Julius Gonsalves who may take over at some point in the future.
I conclude this article with a smile and the utmost respect for my master, his commitment to taekwondo and making a positive impact on the local community. ASAH!
