Do u like forms?

[AceHBK]

How many of you all actually like forms?
I can barely remember my older forms as I progress and I know I will need to know them when it comes time to test for BB.
I am taking lessons from a friend one on one in nothern & southern shaolin kung fu. I love the forms that i have learned.

Have any of you gone thru this?
TKD forms now seem so rigid and hard to me now.
My master has now started doing one steps using forms instea dof just regular street fighting scenarios so that stances can be better instilled.

how many of you still really work on forms and is there a big benefit to them?

[Flying Crane]

How many of you all actually like forms?
I can barely remember my older forms as I progress and I know I will need to know them when it comes time to test for BB.
I am taking lessons from a friend one on one in nothern & southern shaolin kung fu. I love the forms that i have learned.

Have any of you gone thru this?
TKD forms now seem so rigid and hard to me now.
My master has now started doing one steps using forms instea dof just regular street fighting scenarios so that stances can be better instilled.

how many of you still really work on forms and is there a big benefit to them?

I do forms a lot. Unfortunately, much of my training time is by myself. Working with partners is very important, but when that is not possible, forms can be a great way to train.

Fortunately for me, I like my forms, which are Chinese and Kenpo. They are a catalog of the system and I find them interesting and challenging to do well. There are several threads in the Martialtalk forums that discuss the pros and cons of forms training. Not everyone likes them, but many do.

It may be that you are discovering that you like Chinese martial arts better than Tae Kwon Do. It often happens, where someone begins training in one system, then discovers another that speaks to you in a way that the first one didn't. This is something for you to think about, and decide how you really feel. Maybe you want to switch over completely, or maybe you want to continue doing both. It is your decision to make.

[Gemini]

Yes, I like forms, and practice them daily. I really didn't initially, because I thought they were just something I had to do just because someone said so. Later on, as I began to learn how to do them correctly, it was a much different story. Personally, I attribute a large improvement in my punching power from forms. Also, controlled breathing, which later went on to help me in sparring. You could say it's a coincidence if you want, but you'll never convince me of that. I'm not a big believer in coincidence.

I also REALLY enjoy watching someone execute a form. Not even neessarily TKD, just someone that can make me "feel" it.

I know I'm the exception, not the rule, but hey, I'm good with that. :)

[Kacey]

I enjoy patterns - as others have said, I practice alone most of the time, and there is only so much shadow-boxing one can do! But I have always liked patterns the best - they have always come more easily to me than any other aspect of TKD, and I think that they show, more than any other aspect, the integration of "martial" with "art". Sparring is a lot of fun, and there is artistry there, but it's just not the same to me.

A lot of people believe that patterns are something that must be learned to move on to the next rank - a nuisance necessary for promotion. I disagree. Performing movements in patterns is deceptively simple, and deceptively difficult. I could teach any average person off the street (assuming average physical condition and coordination) any pattern through I Dan in a short time - but the performance, no matter athletic, would lack the artistry that only comes through understanding a pattern, it's individual movements and how they relate, how to make each movement distinct and yet flow into the next movement, and how to apply each movement to a self-defense situation.

The best martial artists I have ever seen were good at patterns. Their understanding of techniques was greater, they were more fluid in their movements, they were able to apply them better... I have seen MAs who are good at sparring and not at patterns, and I have seen MAs who are good at patterns and not at sparring... but the best MAs I have seen are very proficient at patterns, and that proficiency carries over into sparring - not the other way around. At least, that's my opinion.

[Aqua4ever]

I love forms. I find they give amazing satisfaction when you complete them, they feel really good when you're having an on day, and if it's an off day you can start wherever there's difficulty, and work on specifics. It's like you're constantly competing against yourself to improve, and the results depend on you, unlike sparring where your opponent controls a lot of what you end up doing.
That's just my 17 yr old perspective. I know my younger instructor makes fun of me for my love of patterns, he doesn't understand the draw compared to sparring, but his dad is cool at working with me on them
Aqua

[terryl965]

I love to do poomse and it is a great relaxer to me anyway. They seem to bring out the inner peace in me.
Terry

[bluemtn]

I like the forms now I'm starting to understand the meaning more. It's interesting to see them broke down, and applied to an "attacker".

[Last Fearner]

I too love doing forms. I always have, right from the start. My original instructors were a good influence on me that way. When most of the other students did their forms at testing and tournaments, they seemed like lifeless memorized patterns. When I imagine attackers from every angle, and perform defense as though I am fighting for my life, it becomes more real - - alive. My head snaps to one direction, my eyes see the attacker moving in, and I know the audience sees him through me. When I finish my form, and the audience applaudes with enthusiasm, I know I have drawn them in to this imaginary combat scenario, and I feel good.

To me, forms are fun, and excellent exercise. If you finish a single form, and are not completely winded, you did not give it your all. If you are performing several poomse in a sequence, then you learn to pace yourself. Doing forms builds muscle tone near the bone that increases overall strength that does not come from any other kind of exercise. Forms are the physical "art" of Taekwondo, they are the solo exercise, the first stage of simulated street combat, and a way to demonstrate to an audience one aspect of Martial Art training.

Sr. Master Eisenhart

[Laborn]

Taeguk forms ...no...Praying mantis forms, yes.

[Faye]

Yep, I love forms. We still do traditional forms, very similiar to the tang so doo folks. It's very exhausting though

[Makalakumu]

Yep, I love forms. We still do traditional forms, very similiar to the tang so doo folks. It's very exhausting though

Which forms if I might ask?

[bluemtn]

Half the forms are very similar to TSD/ Shotokan (Pyung Ahn), and the other half is Korean (Kuk mu's). I like the pyung ahns much more; however, I do like kuk mu 4 out of the other 3.

I know- they're all Korean, but I don't know how else to put it.

[AceHBK]

It may be that you are discovering that you like Chinese martial arts better than Tae Kwon Do. It often happens, where someone begins training in one system, then discovers another that speaks to you in a way that the first one didn't. This is something for you to think about, and decide how you really feel. Maybe you want to switch over completely, or maybe you want to continue doing both. It is your decision to make.

I think that is happening as well, but since I started out with this and have done so for a year now, I refuse to quit.
I was wondering has this happened to other people.
I felt bad yesterday when I had practice and when my instructor told me to start my form, i damn near started a kung fu form without thinking and had to catch myself.

I think i just may need to refocus. There are somethings that I am now not starting to like about TKD and I guess it is a dry spot that we all go thru and I just have to fight thru it.

[bluemtn]

I think that is happening as well, but since I started out with this and have done so for a year now, I refuse to quit.
I was wondering has this happened to other people.
I felt bad yesterday when I had practice and when my instructor told me to start my form, i damn near started a kung fu form without thinking and had to catch myself.

I think i just may need to refocus. There are somethings that I am now not starting to like about TKD and I guess it is a dry spot that we all go thru and I just have to fight thru it.

There is a certain belt level that seems to be the hardest for people to go through. For me, it was green/ purple. It just seemed like things were just standing still, and it didn't help that the old instructor kind of lost his interest in teaching. I've gone to another class/ same affiliation, and now it is a bit better. It might just be where you are at in your training, because other people have brought this up too.

[Faye]

Which forms if I might ask?

Pinan forms.. basaii (spelling?), corea, niangi?? (i'm sorry i can't spell them)

[Faye]

Half the forms are very similar to TSD/ Shotokan (Pyung Ahn), and the other half is Korean (Kuk mu's). I like the pyung ahns much more; however, I do like kuk mu 4 out of the other 3.

I know- they're all Korean, but I don't know how else to put it.

I love Pyung Ahn forms!! My favorite is #5. :)

[Makalakumu]

That is my favorite also. Why do you like it so much?

[Faye]

That is my favorite also. Why do you like it so much?

sorry, you mean pyung ahn 5? It is a very challenging form for me. The most amazing part of this form (that is, if you do it right), switching from a front stance to back stance quick, the big jump.. i just love to watch it too.

[bluemtn]

My favorite is pyung 3- I guess because it's a little strange. I just can't quite wrap my mind around the first 4 moves of #5 yet, but it's my #2 fave.

[Faye]

My favorite is pyung 3- I guess because it's a little strange. I just can't quite wrap my mind around the first 4 moves of #5 yet, but it's my #2 fave.

BTW, everyone talks about taegeuak and stuff, i thought I was the only one doing pyung, when i first started, i thought my school was a TSD school .. how bizarre!!

[bluemtn]

I was real confused for awhile there, too. I knew what my instructor told me at my first class there, but still with everyone else talking about theirs and TSD... We even have TSD people come and compete at our yearly tournament, because it's all so similar.

[Makalakumu]

Have you checked out some of the pyung ahn application threads in the TSD forum? There is a lot of good stuff in those forms beyong just the looks. I'm glad you think they are fun. I think they are fun also. I like getting the jump on pyung ahn five as high as I can. I really feel a ton of hang time.

[bluemtn]

I don't get the jump very high, but I do go out kind of far. I do the same for pyung ahn #3 at the end. I did check out TSD forum- very cool.

[Faye]

I don't get the jump very high, but I do go out kind of far. I do the same for pyung ahn #3 at the end. I did check out TSD forum- very cool.

There's a jump on pyung ahn 3??? what is that?

[karatekid1975]

OMG!! I love the pyung forms. I don't do TSD anymore, but I do practice the forms still. Pyung ahn ee dan is my all time fav. Don't ask me why, but I love that form.

Anyways, yes, I do love forms. I'm a forms "geek." I like, next to pyung ahn ee dan, Taegeuk 7 and 8. 7 reminds me of pyung ahn sam dan a bit (bits and pieces of it anyways).

I agree that there's more to a form than just learning them for promotions. A form is like "story." there's so much behind each one, reguardless of style. I love picking each move apart and trying to figure out what each move is for. I do have some work to do, but it's been fun so far.

[stone_dragone]

Personally, I'm a big fan of forms. I feel that they are the heart and soul of a martial art. They are, however, only of serious benefit (i.e. more than just a cardio-dance) if one takes the time to understand them. As long as you seek to know "why is the side kick to the knee? What is the reaction gonna be? How does the next technique relate to the previous one?" and so on and so forth, then they are like a book that you can read and re-read over and over again. My two bits...

[hong kong fooey]

I myself really like my forms. and it's good to begins to go through at least once a day to get ready for your black belt. I have to know all my forms for my Brown belt testing so I am in the process of going through them everyday.

[cali_tkdbruin]

Practicing poomse is one of the best things I enjoy about training in Taekwondo. So far I've got the WTF's Taegeuks and Palgwes ingrained in my mind and body, and now I'm into the lower BB poomse (Koryo, Kumgang, Taebek, etc). Forms are such a good method of practicing all of our various TKD techniques. If one is really focused and concentrates on performing the forms properly, instead of just going through the motions, poomse can be a really good workout. It's also a great way to train if your training partners aren't around... :mst:

[Faye]

Speaking of forms, i'm just curious what other schools are like.. we have to do all the forms we've learned for the every rank test... do you just do your most current form, or all?

[karatekid1975]

We don't do ALL of them for testing, but you better know all of them, because you don't know which ones will be called. For my first gup test, I had to do 5 out of 7 Taegeuks (didn't know 8 yet ... or wasn't supposed to hehehehehe) out of order. I messed up Taegeuk 5 (don't know why, I like that form) and I had to do it over and nailed it on the second try and I still passed .... thank goodness.

[Makalakumu]

Speaking of forms, i'm just curious what other schools are like.. we have to do all the forms we've learned for the every rank test... do you just do your most current form, or all?

I will have my students show them all. They also need to show an evolving understanding of the lower ranking forms.

[allpet]

After 12 years og TKD I HATED them!!! They almost made me sick. :barf: Started training other things. Then i met a Kenpo guy who was a former TKD & TSD stylist. He showed med some of the selfdefence applications of some of the odd movements. Made me laugh... :boing1:

Now I almost never train them but i train all the applications: Joint locks, throws and chokes etc.

[AceHBK]

Speaking of forms, i'm just curious what other schools are like.. we have to do all the forms we've learned for the every rank test... do you just do your most current form, or all?

I was gonna ask this question next....lol

We only do the most current for belt testing but I know it will come back to haunt me b/c for BB I will have to know all of them.

[Miles]

I enjoy training in poomsae. I try to think about the meaning behind the form and the movements. I find performing poomsae is meditative for me.

As far as testing, there is a compulsory poomsae required for each rank (except for BBs) but I can ( and do :) request a prior poomsae to ensure that it is still practiced adequately. BBs must perform every poomsae through that which is required for their requested rank.

When we do poomsae in class, everyone does the lowest poomsae and we work through to the highest poomsae that the students know.

Miles

[hong kong fooey]

I like pyung 5 the most I am starting to get the handle of it. Im with TKDGIRL I can't seem to grasp the first 4 moves

[FearlessFreep]

I enjoy doing forms. Exercise, and loosening up. Also helping to look at the full art and to find those other techniques that you don't often think about.

Both the schools I've trained in required knowing all the forms up to you current rank for testing, not just your current one. This makes testing longer and harder as you go up.

[Faye]

I enjoy doing forms. Exercise, and loosening up. Also helping to look at the full art and to find those other techniques that you don't often think about.

Both the schools I've trained in required knowing all the forms up to you current rank for testing, not just your current one. This makes testing longer and harder as you go up.

Yes, our forms are done last (well, before sparring), and it is really really tiring to do all those for the test.

[bluemtn]

There's a jump on pyung ahn 3??? what is that?

I don't know if we're doing it slightly different (I know that does happen at times)- but it's placed at the very last move.

[karatekid1975]

Yes there is. Well, the way I learned it in TSD, it's not really a jump, it's more of a "hop" but it's there.

[Marginal]

I like forms. I like nitpicking my execution, and they also make good conditioning tools. Wish I had more room to actually practice them without compromises.

[karatekid1975]

I like forms. I like nitpicking my execution, and they also make good conditioning tools. Wish I had more room to actually practice them without compromises.

You sound like me. I'm VERY nitpicky about my technique in forms (once I know them by heart, I drill them like crazy).

[FearlessFreep]

I don't have to be, my last instructor was nitpicky and drilled it into us!: ) Proper foot placement, consistancy, relaxing between moves, power and pop in moves; all sorts of little angles and positions, balance and control

[Adept]

I enjoy forms. It's very relaxing to work hard at them, being as much of a perfectionist about the movements as I can.

[TigerWoman]

I find that more women like forms then men. Yes, I like forms. Those that like-even love forms have succeeded in them and recognize their value. I find them a good general workout both for memory and exercise. Sometimes I just go for detail and don't go through much, other times I go through all 21.

When I started out in TKD, we had to know our previous and present belt level form for testing. Then it was changed to just the belt level form, easier for those testing IMO but not exactly good. So I continued to review all learned forms at least once a week usually at home. By the time I got to black belt, the forms were pretty ingrained in me.

Also, when I did the forms in class, I practiced with low stances to build up strength. I notice alot of people just practice the general moves without pressing themselves. I figure if you aren't breathing hard by the end of it, it wasn't to max power. If you don't practice it to max power, it will never be there in testing.

We do forms for BB testing after the first workout, initial energy-glycogen is tapped but still the beginning of the test. So doing the forms full out power is more difficult and having good memory, technique, breathing and strength helps alot. It comes from hard practice. TW

[FearlessFreep]

I once watched my instructor do Taegeuk Il-Jang and he was red faced and breathing hard and said that that's the way it should be done, with power and snap

[AceHBK]

I feel bad now cause seems like only me and one other person dislikes forms.
I am a blue belt now and can only remember my purple belt form.
I can teach other students everything BUT forms. I dont even remember white belt form...yea I know shame on me. For some reason I learn it cause I have too but other than that, I dont have a love bone in my body for it.

*sighs*

[allpet]

Another way to put it is that those who love forms stay in taekwondo. Most often those that don't find something else... Don't feel bad about it. :ultracool

[Flying Crane]

I feel bad now cause seems like only me and one other person dislikes forms.
I am a blue belt now and can only remember my purple belt form.
I can teach other students everything BUT forms. I dont even remember white belt form...yea I know shame on me. For some reason I learn it cause I have too but other than that, I dont have a love bone in my body for it.

*sighs*

Except that in your opening post for this thread you stated that you love the Chinese forms you learned. Maybe this is a sign that you would rather be training the Chinese arts. Give it some thought.

[AceHBK]

Except that in your opening post for this thread you stated that you love the Chinese forms you learned. Maybe this is a sign that you would rather be training the Chinese arts. Give it some thought.

Ahhhhhhh!!!!!!
i do prefer chinese forms over korean forms.
They flow a lot easier to me.

U r right Flying Crane.
I will start taking a new attitude on TKD forms & hopefully that will help.
I see my master doing his form and he works hard in them and I can tell the love and dedication for them. I dont have that same love when I do it. The first thing that comes to mind (mind...i dont say this...lol)when he says, "today is forms day" I am like ...awww *****,not f'n forms. this will b a b.s. day. I know that is bad.

This will spark a new thread for me ....

[Yeti]

Yes...yes I do.
I try to practice them every day and try to adapt as many real-world applications from each as I can.