Introduction to Bai Rui Taekwon-Do and the Authentic Art
Heritage and Authority: Bai Rui Taekwon-Do follows the original and authentic Art formulated by the Father of the Art, General Choi Hong Hi, and the school's founder, Senior Master Charles Birch. The school maintains a well-established reputation for high-quality instruction.
Methodology and Standards: The school does not promise an easy path through the ranks. Lowering standards is viewed as a destruction of the quality and fabric of the Art and the student's sense of achievement.
Scope of the Art: Taekwon-Do is not limited to kicking and punching. It includes:
A fascinating history.
A code of conduct second to none.
An incredibly numerous range of techniques that can constitute a life's work.
Personal Development: The Art is a voyage of self-discovery where students identify strengths and weaknesses. Training enables students to challenge weaknesses, enhance strengths, and increase self-control and confidence.
The Literal Meaning of Taekwon-Do:
Tae: Jumping, flying, to smash or kick with the foot.
Kwon: Fist, to punch, or to destroy with hand or fist.
Do: Art or Way.
Historical Origins: Taekwon-Do originated in Korea. General Choi Hong Hi (9th Degree) is the Father of Taekwon-Do who presented the Art to the world on 11th April 1955.
Biography of Senior Master Charles Birch and School History
Introduction to the Art: Senior Master Charles Birch was introduced to Taekwon-Do in 1982 in New Zealand by his wife, Margaret Birch, to engage in a whole-family activity. This became his passion.
Mission to Australia: In 1986, General Choi Hong Hi asked Charles Birch (then at the rank of 1st Gup / Black Stripe) to go to Australia "To teach good Taekwon-Do."
Founding of Bai Rui: The Bai Rui School was formed and the name adopted on 1st May 1988. However, Senior Master Birch originally founded the school on 11th April 1988 in Brisbane.
Early Growth: The first class held only 5 students, 4 of whom were his immediate family members.
End of Life and Legacy: Senior Master Birch passed away on 23 July 2015 as an 8th Dan Senior Master and the school's Chief Instructor.
International Connections:
Promoted to Master by Senior Grandmaster Charles Sereff.
Senior Grandmaster Charles Sereff formed the United States Taekwon-Do Federation (USTF), which heavily influenced Bai Rui.
Since Sereff's passing in 2022, the USTF continues to support the school.
Principles: Senior Master Birch followed General Choi's teachings without wavering, maintaining loyalty to the General, Senior Grandmaster Sereff, and the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF). He challenged any force seeking to diminish the ITF's standards or ethics.
Taekwon-Do Rank Systems and Belt Theory
Belt Significance:
White Belt: Signifies the innocence of the beginner who has no previous knowledge of Taekwon-Do.
Yellow Belt: Signifies the earth from which a plant sprouts and takes root as the Taekwon-Do foundation is laid.
Green Belt: Signifies the plant's growth as the Taekwon-Do skill begins to develop.
Blue Belt: Signifies the heaven toward which the plant matures into a towering tree.
Rank Hierarchy:
Student Ranks (Gup): There are 10 Gup levels. 10th Gup (White Belt) is the lowest, and 1st Gup (Red Belt with Black Stripe) is the highest.
Black Belt Ranks (Dan): There are 9 Dan ranks.
Novice (1st - 3rd Dan): Boo Sabum.
Expert (4th - 6th Dan): Sabum.
Master (7th Dan): Sahyun.
Senior Master (8th Dan): So-nim Sahyun.
Grand Master (9th Dan): Sasung.
Korean Terminology and Counting
Counting 1 to 10:
One: Hana
Two: Dool
Three: Set
Four: Net
Five: Dasot
Six: Yasot
Seven: Ilgop
Eight: Yodul
Nine: Ahop
Ten: Yul
Commands and Terms:
Attention: Charyot
Parallel Ready Stance: Narani Junbi Sogi
At Ease: Swiyo
Bow or Salute: Kyong Ye
Uniform: Dobok
Training Hall / Gymnasium: Do Jang
Pattern: Tul
Ready Position: Junbi
Begin: Si-jak
Stop: Guman
Yell: Kihap
Break: Hechyo
Restart: Gasok
Face the flag: Kuk-ki-yea tae-hae
Sit or kneel: Anj-oh
Meditate: Muk-nyom
Return: Baro
Class finished: Ee-Sang
Thank you very much: Ko-Map Sum-Nee-Da
Definitions and Classifications of Techniques
Fundamental Movement: A technique not used in a previous pattern.
Release: Breaking free from an opponent to create distance from the attacker, not to continue the confrontation.
Multiple Kicking: Double, triple, etc., kicks performed with the same foot with a very brief intermediate time that does not cut movement continuity. Performed with one breath per movement and a normal sine wave movement when finishing. Can be stationary or jumping.
Consecutive Kick: Two or more kicks with the same foot against a single or several opponents in succession. If they are the same kick, they must be performed to different directions.
Combination Kick: Two or more kicks using alternating feet against a single or several opponents in succession.
Mid Air Kick: Performed with no directional movement (i.e., straight up).
Flying Kick: Performed with either one motion on the spot or several motions while running.
Joint Lock: A grappling technique involving manipulation of an opponent’s joint such that the joint reaches its maximal degree of motion.
Joint Attack: A direct strike to an opponent’s joint or taking the joint past its maximal degree of motion.
Movement Systems: Sine Wave and Breath Control
Continuous Motion:
Definition: Two or more consecutive movements with two or more sine waves, with one breath in and two or more breaths out.
Process: For a two-movement sequence: DOWN-UP-DOWN-UP-DOWN. Each movement should finish on each execution.
Breath: One inhalation and a short sharp exhale on each movement.
Example: Movements 13 and 14 in Dan-Gun.
Connecting Motion:
Definition: Two movements performed with one sine wave and one breath at the end of the second technique.
Process: DOWN-UP-DOWN.
Example: Movements 16 & 17 and 19 & 20 in Yul-Gok.
Stance Specification and Geometry
Attention Stance (Charyot Sogi):
Width: 0.0 shoulder width.
Weight: 50% front / 50% rear.
Details: Heels together forming a 45∘ angle; legs straight. Arms dropped naturally with elbows partially bent. Hands lightly clenched, showing 1.5 strike knuckles. Eyes face slightly above the horizon.
Parallel Ready Stance (Narani Junbi Sogi):
Width: 1.0 shoulder width (measured from footswords).
Details: Hands lightly clenched, 5cm apart, and 7cm from the abdomen. Elbows 10cm from floating ribs. Upper arms forward at 30∘, lower arms bent at 40∘.
Walking Stance (Gunnun Sogi):
Length: 1.5 shoulder width (measured from big toes).
Width: 1.0 shoulder width (measured from center of insteps).
Weight: 50% front / 50% rear.
Details: Back leg knee locked. Front leg knee in line with back of heel. Front foot points front; back foot points no more than 25∘ outward. Named after the front foot.
L Stance (Niunja Sogi):
Length: 1.5 shoulder width (measured from front big toe to rear footsword).
Width: 2.5cm (measured from inside front heel to back heel).
Weight: 30% front / 70% rear.
Details: Rear knee bent so kneecap is over toes. Rear hip aligned with inner knee joint. Front foot points 15∘ in; back foot points 15∘ in from side. Named after the rear foot.
Sitting Stance (Annun Sogi):
Width: 1.5 shoulder width (measured from inside big toes).
Weight: 50% front / 50% rear.
Details: Feet parallel. Knees bent over balls of feet. Chest/abdomen pushed out, hips pulled back. Muscles tensed with emphasis on footswords.
Fixed Stance (Gojung Sogi):
Length: 1.5 shoulder width (from big toe to inside big toe).
Width: 2.5cm.
Weight: 50% front / 50% rear.
Details: Knees bent evenly. Foot angles same as L-Stance (15∘). Named after the front foot.
Close Ready Stance ‘A’ (Moa Junbi Sogi ‘A’):
Details: Feet together and parallel. Left hand wraps right fist. Hands 30cm in front of the philtrum. Bottom of hand level with philtrum at 110∘ from the body.