Koryo poomse 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 Koryo, Palhae and down to Koryo, which is the background of organizing the Koryo poomse. Koryo introduces several new techniques and movements such as, double side kick, outward hand blade strike, arc hand strike, leg grab, palm-up spear hand strike, supported outer elbow strike, inward hammer fist strike, and the pushing hand ready stance.
The video on this page demonstrates KORYO from 4 basic angles, front, back, the left side and right side.
Some movements in KORYO are interpreted differently or changed for show and competition by many instructors, so check with yours before using this video as a reference to learn the form.
For example: front snap kicks and side kicks with the exception of the beginning knee strikes are typically done as high as you can do them instead of to the mid-section of your opponent. This is typical for demonstration purposes because it adds flare or shows the flexibility of the person performing it. Some individuals will drag their front foot back into walking stance after performing the low-section spear hand strike and some will drag the back foot forward. Many do not execute a forward elbow strike just before transitioning into horse riding stance and executing the supported side elbow strike. Just before performing the last line some will slide their left foot to the right while executing the hammer fist strike.
At one national competition I witnessed a gentlemen do this entire poomse tension style, like a robot This form is altered so much I cannot list all the variations I have personally seen. Even if you buy multiple books with the WTF endorsement, they may all show different ways of performing this form.
I try and stick with function versus show, so use this video only as a supplement to class time in order to remember the techniques and movements. Even though I have been practicing taekwondo for over 10 years, I never stop learning small details about each form. As a result I am always trying to improve the techniques I do and make them more accurate to their originally intended purposes.
Step 1
From the Ready stance (Joon Bi) with your hands by your belt, you open your hands (with the hands facing each other, finger tip to finger tip and palms up) and slowly move them towards your head When you reach chest level, you should flip them over (slowly) so they rise to form a triangle in front of your face Once in front of your face, you push the "triangle" out directly away from your face At the same time, you should slowly rise up on your toes when you start moving your hands and then sink back down to "flat" feet (flat on the ground) when you push the triangle out
Step 2
Turn left 90 degrees into a back stance, left foot forward and execute a double knife hand block
Step 3
With your right (rear) foot execute a double side kick (low and middle) and land forward on this right leg in a front stance
Step 4
Execute a knife hand strike (palm down) to the imaginary opponent's neck with your right hand and then quickly throw a punch with your left hand
Step 5
Move into a back stance by moving your forward leg back into position and at the same time, execute an inside block with your right arm
Step 6
Turn right 180 degrees into a back stance, right foot forward and execute a double knife hand block
Step 7
With your left (rear) foot execute a double side kick (low and middle) and land forward on this left leg in a front stance
Step 8
Execute a knife hand strike (palm down) to the imaginary opponent's neck with your left hand and then quickly throw a punch with your right hand
Step 9
Move into a back stance by moving your forward leg back into position and at the same time, execute an inside block with your left arm
Step 10
Turn left 90 degrees into a front stance (left leg forward) and execute a low knife hand block with your left hand and then throw an arc hand strike to the imaginary opponent's neck with your right hand
Step 11
Do a front kick with your rear (right) leg to mid section and go into a front stance, execute a low knife hand block with your right hand and then throw an arc hand strike to the imaginary opponent's neck with your left hand
Step 12
Do another front kick with your rear (left) leg to the mid section and go into a front stance, execute a low knife hand block with your left hand and then throw an arc hand strike to the imaginary opponent's neck with your right hand. At the end of this maneuver, yell or "Kihap".
Step 13
Execute a front kick with your rear (right) leg to the mid section and land in a front stance, grasp your imaginary opponent's ankle with your right hand and press down on the imaginary opponent's knee with your left hand to hyper extend the attacker knee
Step 14
Turn 180 degrees to the left, go into a front stance (right leg forward) and execute a double inner block
Step 15
Do a front kick with your rear (left) leg and land in a front stance, grasp your imaginary opponent's ankle with your left hand and press down on the imaginary opponent's knee with your right hand
Step 16
Move your left foot back into a walking stance and execute a double inner block
Step 17
Turn 90 degrees by stepping back with your right foot into a horse-riding stance and do a single knife hand block with your left hand (right hand on your belt in a fist)
Step 18
Punch your right hand into the palm of your left hand - keep your left arm extended. You will turn your left hand slightly from the knife hand block position - imagine grasping an opponent with your left hand and holding him while you strike him with a punch from your right hand.
Step 19
Cross your right foot over your left foot and execute a side kick with your left foot
Step 20
After "landing" your side kick turn 180 degrees and go into a front stance (right leg forward)
Step 21
Throw a groin finger strike with left hand while "grasping" your imaginary opponent with your right hand and "pulling" him until your right hand lands on your left shoulder
Step 22
Then slide your right foot back into a walking stance and execute a low block with your right arm (and bring your left fist to your belt)
Step 23
Step forward into a walking stance (with your left foot forward) and execute a down palm block with your left hand
Step 24
Step forward with your right foot into a horse-riding stance and throw an elbow strike (against an opponent on your right side - looks almost like an elbow "poke") with right fist enclosed by your left hand
Step 25
Then transition into a single knife hand block with your right hand (left hand on your belt in a fist)
Step 26
Punch your left hand into the palm of your right hand - keep your right arm extended. You will turn your right hand slightly from the knife hand block position - imagine grasping an opponent with your right hand and holding him while you strike him with a punch from your left hand.
Step 27
Cross your left foot over your right foot and execute a side kick with your right foot
Step 28
After "landing" your side kick turn 180 degrees and go into a front stance (left leg forward)
Step 29
Throw a groin finger strike with right hand while "grasping" your imaginary opponent with your left hand and "pulling" him until your left hand lands on your right shoulder
Step 30
Then slide your left foot back into a walking stance and execute a low block with your left arm (and bring your right fist to your belt)
Step 31
Step forward into a walking stance (with your right foot forward) and execute a down palm block with your right hand
Step 32
Step forward with your left foot into a horse-riding stance and throw an elbow strike (against an opponent on your left - looks almost like an elbow "poke") with left fist enclosed by your right hand
Step 33
Move your right foot next to your left so your feet are together and raise both hands above your head with palms open. Bring both hands down in a circular motion with your left fist striking your open right palm at the bottom of this circle. This is a slow technique and should take about 5 seconds (count to 5 in your head)
Step 34
Turn 180 degrees to the left into a front stance (with left leg forward) and execute a knife hand strike (palm down) with your left hand and then a low knife hand block with the same hand
Step 35
Step forward with your right foot into a front stance and execute a knife hand strike (palm up) with your right hand and then a low knife hand block with the same hand
Step 36
Step forward with your left foot into a front stance and execute a knife hand strike (palm up) with your left hand and then a low knife hand block with the same hand
Step 37
Step forward with your right foot into front stance and execute an arc hand strike to your imaginary opponent's neck with your right hand and yell "Kihap"
