Songahm Taekwondo History

Here is a little history regarding our style of Songahm Taekwondo.

Although we all agree that the technique of Taekwondo can be traced back in Korea over 1,300 years, it is historic fact that Taekwondo as an organized art is relatively modern. Even the oldest "Taekwondo" poome-sae (forms) are derived from Japanese and Okinawan poome-sae systems. The original poome-sae developed under the name "Taekwondo" were the Cheon-jee (or Chahng-hun) poome-sae developed in the mid 60's. Following this system were the Pal-gae poome-sae in the early 70's. Both sets of the preceding poome-sae systems were based on Japanese kata (forms) and did not demonstrate the incredible kicking skills of Taekwondo nor its traditional values or philosophy.

As a result of evaluating all the poome-sae systems and realizing the absence of tradition, Eternal Grand Master Haeng Ung Lee, assisted by Chief Master William Clark (with additional input by current Grand Master Soon Ho Lee, Chief Master In Ho Lee, and Chief Master Robert Allemier) developed a poome-sae system that encompassed the chah-gi (kicks), traditions, and philosophy of traditional Taekwondo. This system was known as "Songahm."

Excerpted from "The Way of Traditional Taekwondo", Volume A (Philosophy and Tradition). Rank titles have been updated to the current titles. To learn more about your martial art stop by the front desk to obtain your copy.