Poomsae or kata are a set of defined movements or ‘forms” that refer to various styles of combat practices that are practiced in Taekwondo, Karate and other martial arts. They are designed to help practitioners develop balance, coordination, power, and accuracy in their techniques, as well as to build mental focus and discipline.

Forms are an essential component of Taekwondo training, and serve as a way to practice and perfect the techniques and movements of the art. Each form has its own background history, techniques, training methods, and philosophies, and may be used for physical fitness, competition, or personal development. There are a total of 24 Taekwondo forms in the Chang-Hun system (representing the 24 hours of the day), each with its own set of unique movements and techniques. We practice 11 of them as part of our curriculum here at Stricklands Martial Arts.

The length of a Taekwondo form can vary greatly depending on the style and the purpose of each form. Some forms may only take a few second to perform, while others may take several minutes or even longer. Forms are never judged on how long they are, rather on intensity, precision and execution of all movements. The first form we practice here, To-San, is typically learned by beginners, and focuses on basic techniques and movements, such as blocks, strikes, kicks, and stances. The remaining forms are intermediate to advanced, and involve more complex movements and techniques, as well as a greater emphasis on speed, power, and accuracy.

Practicing form is beneficial for Taekwondo practitioners in several ways.

First, it provides a way to develop and perfect their techniques in a controlled environment, allowing them to individually improve their form motion (fluid body movement), balance, breath control and accuracy.

Second, form can be a valuable way to build mental focus and discipline. Practicing the same set of movements repeatedly requires a high level of concentration and focus, and can help practitioners to improve their mental endurance and resilience. Forms are performed as part of a belt promotion and in tournament competition, and the length of the form may be determined by the specific requirements of that event and individual schools.

Finally, form can be a way to build camaraderie and a sense of community among Taekwondo practitioners. Practicing and performing forms together can create a sense of unity and shared purpose among practitioners, and help to build relationships and connections within the Taekwondo class.

Overall, forms are an essential component of Taekwondo training, helping practitioners to develop their techniques, mental focus, and sense of community within the art. It is difficult to determine the most popular martial arts form as it can vary greatly depending on the region, culture, and personal preferences of the practitioner. However, some of the more well-known and widely practiced forms include Taekwondo, Karate, Judo and Kung Fu.

• Taekwondo, originating from South Korea, is a popular art that emphasizes high, powerful kicks and is known for its dynamic and acrobatic techniques.

• Karate, originating from Okinawa Japan, is a art that incorporates punches, kicks, knee strikes, open-hand techniques, and a variety of classical weapons, is widely practiced for both self-defense and sport.

• Judo, originating from Japan, is a grappling-based art that emphasizes throws and submissions and is widely practiced for both sport and self-defense.

• Kung Fu, originating from China, is a diverse collection of arts that encompasses a wide range of techniques, including strikes, kicks, grappling, and martial weapons use, and is often performed for self-defense, physical fitness, and personal development.