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About Master MacLucas
Class Rules
Getting
Started
Tae Kwon Do Belt
System
The Taegeuk Forms
Tae
Kwon Do is translated as "the art of hand and foot fighting." But, it
is more than just that. It is a scientific use of the mind and body as
a method of self-defense. This is obtained through dedicated mental
and physical training.The martial art of Tae Kwan Do originated in what is today known as Korea. Korea originated from three separate kingdoms which were: Koguryo, Baek Je, and the smallest Shila (or Silla). Shila was constantly under attack from the two larger kingdoms, Koguryo and Baek Je. In order to survive and protect their valuables, the 24th king of Shila, (Chin Heung) organized a superior fighting corps called the Hwa Rang Do. The Hwa Rang Do was under constant mind and body development. Today, the five principles of their code (under the direction of Won Kang, a monk and scholar) are practiced in Tae Kwon Do. These are: Loyalty to the King; Obedience to parents; Honor and faith among friends; Perseverance in battle; and Killing with justice. Often, these are discussed in our studio as major principles of our art.
With
dedicated training, Shila began to overpower the enemies to the north and
west on the battlefield. In 935 A.D., a change of power took place
with Shila victorious. The kingdoms became one, known as "Koryo",
which is Korea today.Tae
Kyon (Tae Kwon Do) is still under study by historians. Many important
dates were not recorded. The study of tomb paintings reveal that the
Martial Art has been practiced from antiquity. Carvings in the stone
caves of Korea also reveal ancient blocking techniques and primitive
sparring.The
United States and the rest of western civilization were introduced to Tae
Kyon by Lt. Col. Choi, who was training troops in Kwang Ju for the military
of Korea. Many Americans stationed there during the war obtained
knowledge of the Martial Art. In the near future, Lt. Col. Choi was
moved to Fort Riley, just outside Topeka, Kansas. It was during this
time that Lt. Col Choi introduced the ancient Martial Art to middle America
and many schools began opening in the nation. In 1950, war broke out
in Korea and the Korean President (Sungman Rhee) ordered all Korean soldiers
to receive training in the art of Tae Kwon Do. When General Choi was
assigned to Che Ju Island (off the Korean coast), the Martial Art Fist was
raised as the flag and symbol of the 29th Infantry Division. This
became the central camp for military training in Tae Kwon Do."Tae
Kwon Do" received its name from "Tae Kyon." The name was submitted to
General Choi by a special board consisting of leading masters and
historians. He agreed on the name which is still used today.Tae Kwon Do traveled to the United States in the early 1960's. Korean Masters came to the United States to spread the knowledge of the art to Americans. The Martial Art continues to grow without decline. Public recognition for Tae Kwon Do is received through tournaments, demonstrations, and exhibitions throughout the world. No other martial art has received the recognition of Tae Kwon Do.
Tae
Kwon Do is practiced under the direction of many Korean Masters today.
It continues to grow, within the strict principles and guidelines of the
past. In order to become a united body, the World Tae Kwon Do
Federation was formed in Seoul, Korea in 1973.The following is an article from the Herald & Tribune, published Tuesday, October 17, 2006 by Heather E. Seay
Ed
MacLucas, owner and senior instructor of the Jonesborough Tae Kwon Do
Studio, was recently awarded 5th degree Black Belt status.
"There
were 14 katas I had to perform as well as a self-defense demonstration and
advanced kicking techniques," said MacLucas.
The
two and a half hour examination took place on July 29, 2006 in Asheville,
NC.
The
national organization of certification for the exam is the Independent Tae
Kwon Do Association. Master Jason Landaas of Asheville, NC was the
chairman of the examination board.
"I
started kind of late," said MacLucas, "I was 28 when I began training.
At first, I didn't even think I would get this far." MacLucas won't be
eligible to test again for six years - when he is 61.
If I am
going to keep training my students and they keep advancing then I need to
keep advancing as well," said MacLucas.
He
tested to meet the requirements for his 5th Dan promotion in order to be a
better master for his students.
Master MacLucas has 27 years of Tae Kwon
Do training, and has run the only Martial Arts studio in Jonesborough for 12
years.
The
Jonesborough TKD Studio is located in the Fox Plaza Shopping Center at 125
E. Jackson Blvd.
Students
can begin training when they are six years and older. Adult classes
are also available.
For
more information, please contact the studio at 753-3022.
2. Always bow to the instructor when addressing him or her to ask questions.
3. When addressed by the instructor, always respond with "yes sir", or "ma'am".
4. Talking when the instructor is giving instructions is strictly forbidden, and should be held to a minimum at all times.
5. If you come into class late, please wait until you are given permission by the instructor to join the class.
6. If you must leave early or need to be excused, please inform the instructor first.
7. If you are injured or hurt outside of class or especially in class, you must let the instructor know.
8. Please try to attend class 2 to 3 times per week in order to gain maximum benefit.
These rules of etiquette are designed to make our classes more uniform and enjoyable for everyone. If you are ever having a problem in class, please let me, or another instructor know.
Thank you,
Master MacLucas
The Introductory Special is a great way to introduce you to our school. You
will have the opportunity to meet the instructors and try out our classes at no obligation. It includes a uniform, a belt, and one week of lessons.
Participating in our classes will give you the "hands on" experience you need to make an educated decision to choose the best school for you or your
child.
Here's how easy it is to get started...
1. Make an appointment for your Introductory Classes
2. Purchase the Introductory Special
3. Arrive 10 minutes early to your first class so we may help you with your new uniform
and introduce you to your instructor
(423) 753-3022
| Gup Level | Belt |
|
I0th |
White |
| 9th | Yellow |
| 8th | Yellow/Black stripe |
| 7th | Orange |
| 6th | Orange/Black stripe |
| 5th | Green |
| 4th | Blue |
| 3rd | Brown |
| 2nd | Brown/Black stripe |
| 1st | Red |
| 1st Dan | Black |
Philosophy of the Forms
The Taegeuk forms are essentially paradigms of the tae kwon do system of martial arts. They contain the basic physical movements which must be mastered to become proficient in this discipline. In addition, they also contain the thoughts which accompany the practice of Tae Kwon Do, and from which Tae Kwon Do draws much of its social and humanistic worth.
All systems of self-defense inevitably lead the thoughtful practitioner to considerations of death, and consequently to considerations of the meaning of life; and this is why Taegeuk is inextricably bound to the ideas found in one of the noblest documents in the Orient addressing the meaning of life – the Jooyeok, the Book of Changes.
The Book of Changes is an ancient work composed by several Chinese sages over a period spanning many hundreds of years. It elaborates a theory in which the phenomenon of constant, shifting change, which is the human condition, is shown to possess a moral harmony. It analyzes the process in which two opposing metaphysical forces called um and yang (the Korean names for yin and yang) combine to generate new combinations; and this is seen as the conceptual mechanism which propitiates life and the universe.
Fuh Hi, the original author of the Book of Changes, who lived in the 13th century B.C., identified eight subsequent combinations derived from two primal forces, um and yang. He named them and arranged them in a circle to illustrate their harmonious relationships, and designated the character of each. These eight concepts, he showed, manifest themselves in all things, including our human destiny.
Keon, the first, is a concept which is pure um. It is the unbridled creative force associated with heaven and light. Tae, the second, is the concept of joy. Ri, the third, means fire and the sun, and it is interpreted as the creative passion. Jin, the fourth, symbolizes thunder, suggesting courage in the face of danger. Seon, the fifth, symbolizes wind, sometimes gentle, sometimes forceful. Gam, the sixth, means water, and the characteristics of constancy and flow. Gan, the seventh, means “top stop”, suggesting the wisdom of knowing where and when to stop.
Gon, the eighth, and keon, the first, are the keys to understanding the dialects of the great circle. Gon is a concept which is pure yang. Opposite keon, it symbolizes the yielding earth, which provides the substance and the limitations through which keon passes. The results are forms – forms, without which the universe is nothingness – physical manifestations infused with some measure of the creative force, the potential to rise to a higher place on the chain of being.
In gon, is realized the nature of keon; and in keon, the nature of gon. Each defines the other in the paradox from which creation itself is congealed into reality, and into time.
The eight Taegeuk forms are intended for the mental as well as the physical training of Tae Kwon Do practitioners, combining basic movements with philosophical thoughts. The student, in preparing himself for advancement, is urged to maintain a good balance in his own mind between his martial skills and the traditional values of tae kwon do.
Tae Kwon Do represents an Oriental philosophical view of the world, the cosmos, and life. Taegeuk is the Korean equivalent of the Chinese Tai Chi. The character “tae” means “bigness” and the character “geuk” means eternity. Thus, speaking philosophically, Taegeuk has neither the limitations of space nor time.
*This treatise was adapted from “TAEGEUK: the NEW FORMS of Tae Kwon Do” - by Pu Gill Gwon