Yale Club Taekwondo
For all levels of experience and ages.
Taekwondo is a martial art with a proud tradition, and a wonderful way to challenge and train your mind, body, and soul.
We welcome you to join us.
About the Club
The Yale Taekwondo team welcomes members of all martial arts and at all levels of experience. Taekwondo is a great way to develop yourself physically, mentally and spiritually. Come join us!
Coaches
Master George Hwang (hwangsmartialarts@yahoo.com)
Master John WongMaster Jennie Choe
Officers
co-captain: Elizabeth Morley (elizabeth.morley@yale.edu)
co-captain: Xander de Vries (xander.devries@yale.edu)tournament coordinator: Bridget Hegarty (bridget.hegarty@yale.edu)
Regular Class Schedule (Venue: Payne Whitney Gym, 6th floor)
Beginners Class: MW, 8:00-9:00 PM
Intermediate and Advanced Class: MW, 9:00-10:00 PM
Open Class (everyone): F, 6:30-8:00 PMWhen attending classes:
- Come well-hydrated
- Dress comfortably
- Eat at least an hour beforehand
- Safety first! Don't overexert yourself, especially when you are just starting.
- Have fun.
About Taekwondo
tae. kwon. do: the way of the hand and foot
History
Taekwondo is a Korean martial art developed as recently as the 1940s by a group of Korean masters. Grand Master General Choi Hong Hi, 9th Dan has been recognized as the father and founder of modern Taekwondo. A combination of Okinawan karate, Chinese martial arts, and the ancient Korean traditions taekkyeon and gwonbeop (which were developed thousands of years ago), taekwondo was also adopted by the South Korean military in the 1940s and 1950s. The first unified style of taekwondo was governed by the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF). Taekwondo is one of only two Asian martial arts (aside from judo) that is an event in the Olympic Games. Today, people from all over the world practice this sport.
Poomsae
In ancient times, poomsae was practiced among the ruling class. The first pattern appeared in the first century. It is a special, fixed set of techniques and movements - Taekwondo itself is not an abstract philosophy but manifested in poomsae actions. It trains one's physical and mental abilities, as well as skills in offense and defense. Check out this YouTube channel for some examples of poomsae!
Terminology
Korean words can be confusing. Here are some of them:
Attention: Ch'a Ryut 차렷
Bow: Kyung Rye 경례
Ready Stance: Choon Bi 준비
Begin: Si Jak 시작
Attack: Kong Gyuk 공격
Stop: Keu Man 그만
Check out this website for more Taekwondo vocabulary.
Core Values
Respect
At Taekwondo, we show respect for our instructors, peers, seniors, flag and founder. "A society and a nation could not avoid chaos without its culture and social order being based on respect for the knowledge and the wisdom of its elders." - Encyclopaedia of Taekwon-Do, General Choi Hong Hi"
Teamwork
We work as a team and support one another through thick and thin.
Perseverance
We push ourselves harder each time, both physically and mentally. We will not be easily defeated or subdued.
Self-Control
We learn not to be impatient, but to control our desires and actions. Taekwondo is used for self-defense, not aggression.
The Team
Here are some of our members.
Master John T. Wong
Started TKD at East Coast Academy of Taekwondo in Bridgeport, CT and has been practicing on and off since then.
Yaw Abu
Yaw is actually a Ghanaian name that means "boy born on a Thursday". "The spontaneity of Taekwondo is what attracts me most to the sport."
Bridget Hegarty
Unofficial team photographer
"I go downhill skiing every chance I get!"
Jennie Choe
3rd degree black belt and 2nd year medical student.
Marc Lozano
Likes fishing and basketball, is from Florida.
Stefan Krastanov
"I like ice-cream. And board games."
Carole Nasrallah
"Sparring is fun!"
Stephanie Siow
"I like to smile randomly at my opponents to throw them off."
Brittany Smith
"I just love the sport and the philosophy."
Georgi Dumanov
Competed for the Bulgarian ITF Taekwondo Team.
Alumni
Here are some of our past members.
Izze Calabano
Likes the 360-turning-kick and mountain block
"You can call me Snapple."
Marc Lozano
Likes fishing and basketball, is from Florida.
Brittany Smith
"I just love the sport and the philosophy."
Montae Langston
Future lawyer and force to be reckoned with, both in the dojang and courtroom.
Yu Wang (George)
Hiking fan
"Everything is so good about TKD"
Andrew Yu
"Will work for beer."
Jesus Caro
"Inspiration for kicking comes from Sanji from OnePiece"
Gallery
Photos of us through the years, from 1996-2014.
Connect with us
Find us on Facebook or Email us!
Yale Taekwondo Facebook Page
Email: yaletaekwondo@gmail.com
