Program of Study

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Program of Study
	Many beginning martial artists dream of one day reaching the black belt level. This is an ambitious goal requiring a commitment of time and attention comparable to pursuing a bachelor's degree from a four-year college. The curriculum of Tae Kwon Do can be divided into four basic parts:
Drills	Tae Kwon Do students begin drills from their first class, when they learn one or two basic stances and techniques. A significant portion of each class is dedicated to drilling particular techniques--alone or in combination, moving or standing still. This is the martial arts equivalent of playing scales and chords on the piano. A student practices each technique literally thousands of times until it becomes a part of his or her being. Many people believe that martial arts "masters" have learned the techniques so deeply that if they need to defend themselves, they can perform automatically, without thinking. This is true, but learning techniques at this level is really only the first stage of martial arts study. What seems like mastery is really only an introduction which must take place before real training can begin.
Forms	A form is a traditional sequence of techniques arranged in a specific order to distill and express essential concepts of motion and spirit. Forms are the heart of any martial art, and the serious martial artist practices them with great diligence. The Ji Do Kwan school uses the traditional Pal Gwe series of forms for students up to the black belt level. It uses the World Tae Kwon Do Federation black belt forms, but also adds a few traditional forms which are rarely seen outside Ji Do Kwan.
Sparring	Sparring is the term for simulated fighting, and depending on the individual, it can be one of the most exciting or most intimidating aspects of Tae Kwon Do training. In the Ji Do Kwan school, students are introduced to non-contact sparring only after they have developed well-controlled techniques. This helps prevent the types of injuries that can occur when inexperienced students spar prematurely--injuries stemming from lack of control, from improper aggression, or from a fear that they will be hurt. It was a high priority of Mr. Choi and continues to be essential to the Ji Do Kwan school today that students learn to trust each other while sparring. They learn to work with an opponent so that both improve, rather than attempting to dominate each other. Only as students gain experience, control, and mutual trust does the level of contact rise to keep pushing students to the edge of their abilities.
Breaks	The fourth and least frequently practiced area of study in Ji Do Kwan training is the breaking of solid targets. Most breaking occurs during tests: although a beginner may break only one pine board with a punch, more advanced students break larger numbers of boards with more difficult techniques. By the test for First Dan, students will be able to break a patio brick with their unprotected hands. Breaking boards and bricks is not the point of Tae Kwon Do study, but rather a way of testing the practitioner's strength, precision, and spirit. It is a way of measuring how all of the components of training come together into one instant of practice.
Testing	Periodically throughout Tae Kwon Do training, the school will get together to test students for promotion. The test is half examination and half ceremony, as the practitioner demonstrates the result of months of training. It is a time to reflect upon progress and to renew goals for the future. Tests are public events and present an opportunity for students to show friends, family, and peers a glimpse of what they spend their long hours studying. Each test is a significant milestone in a student's long journey along the Way, but it is important to remember that it is also just another day, another workout. Much more meaningful is the period of study that comes before the tests: the long period of training that happens one workout--indeed a single technique--at a time.