Etiquette & Tenets
TaeKwon-do Etiquette (Ye Jol)
This is the most important aspect of TaeKwon-Do Training and Education. Understanding the Tenets of TaeKwon-Do is key to this principle. As stated elsewhere, these are Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self Control and Indomitable Spirit
The Tenets of TaeKwon-Do
Wherever you train in the world, in whatever discipline, you will be judged not only on your Physical Skills but mainly on your Personal Ones. Further to this, certain specific rules should be observed:
1. Bowing
-
At every occasion, the Student must Bow facing inwards when entering and leaving the DoJang.
-
Bow when approaching Senior Grades even if thy are otherwise your Peers or Juniors outside the DoJang.
-
To bow correctly, assume Charyots (Attention) Stance. On the command ‘Kyongae’ flex the Hips to 15° with the hands 30cm from the body in front of the body-line and say ‘Tae Kwon’ whilst maintaining eye contact before resuming Charyots Sogi. The Senior Grade bows after the Junior Grade and stands up from the bow earlier.
-
Bowing can be traced back to 551 B.C. when it was established as a custom in the book of Li-Ching.
2. Addressing Members of Your DoJang
-
Address Senior Grades as “Sir” or “Ma’am”
-
Show equal courtesy to your Senior and Junior Grades
-
The following terms apply in relation to certain individuals:
-
Instructor = Sabumnim
-
International Instructor = Gookgae Sabumnim
-
Master = Sa Hyung
-
Grandmaster = Sa Syung
-
3. Conduct in the Do Jang
-
Do not talk When an Instructor is Talking or Explaining Technique
-
After bowing to enter the DoJang, commands must be followed as stated by the Instructor
-
Martial Arts Training requires Self-Discipline and the completeion of Instructions
-
Whilst in the DoJang, do not eat or drink unless instructed to do so, do not talk when a Senior Grade is talking or whilst lined up unless as ked a specific question by the Instructor and above all, do not swear in the DoJang
-
Upon leaving the DoJang, the Student is expected to be positive and encouraging when talking about the DoJang and Instructor. Raising concerns or issues with the Instructor is a legitimate source of discussion, but must be after the Class has finished or outside Class times.
-
Within the Class, if you have a technical or theoretical question regarding any exercise or Sparring, raise your hand and what for acknowledgment when asking a question.
4. Lining up in Class
-
The most senior grade lines up at the top right position in the DoJang when facing the front. The next highest grade Student then lines up behind this individual and so on until that column is filled. A new Column to the left on the Senior Column then forms in the same order and so on until the Do Jang is evenly filled.
5. Korean Terminology
-
Commands may sometimes only be given in the Korean language, which is why Korean Terminology is assessed at every Grading Examination.
6. Education
-
It is the responsibility of a person of a certain grade to ensure that individuals of a lower grade than themselves observe correct Etiquette and behaviour in the DoJang.
-
A higher ranking Student may be asked to teach technique to lower ranking students on the Instruction of the Sabumnim.
7. Personal Standards
-
Do not arrive late to Class or forget basic items such as your Belt, Sparring Equipment or Attendance Card.
-
Ensure your DoBok is clean and ironed at all times and that you have tied loose hair back and remove all Jewellery.
-
Ensure your appearance is one that be used as an example to the General Public as a Student of TaeKwon-Do.
8. Respect
-
Please call your instructor Sir or Miss . Always bow to your instructor, as they will bow to you, showing mutual respect. Interupting your instructor or talking when they are teaching, is a sign of disrespect. Please always be mindful that instructors, sacrifice much of his or her spare time and energy to teach Taekwondo because of their committment to the art, so please be considerate of their time and patience and be careful not take this for granted.
9. Be Prepared
-
Some students often forget their attendance record, suit or belt which is also a sign of disrespect. Being prepared and organised is a form of self-discipline and shows self-respect, please always be well prepared for your class. This goes both ways and a Black Belt instructor must also show mutual respect for his or her students, setting a very high standard, being beyond reproach and never tire of teaching.