Etiquette

Taekwon-Do emphasizes etiquette, both due to the art’s martial beginnings and as a way to practice courtesy and intentionality. Just as there are norms and customs in other settings — shaking hands when meeting a new client at work, for example, or leaving a tip for one’s waiter in American restaurant — Taekwon-Do classes have their own etiquette and customs. Some of these are described below as a reference for students.

General EtiquettE

Some of the customs of the dojang are listed below, selected from the protocols of the ITF. If you have questions about these, please feel free to ask your Taekwon-Do instructor, or email info@trilliumtkd.com.

It is not permitted to wear shoes in the training hall (dojang), this includes parents and visitors.
No smoking, no beverages (except water), no foods or chewing gum are allowed in the Dojang.
Swearing and inappropriate words are not tolerated in the Dojang.
It is not permitted to leave the Dobok or personal items in the Dojang. Help to keep it clean and tidy at all times.
Students should not indulge in idle chatter in the Dojang. Silence is the rule in the training hall; this helps students to concentrate on learning.
Concentration in training. Don’t do something that could obstruct the learning of other students or yourself.
The Dobok should be used only when training or in during competition, never as casual wear.
The belt should never touch, fall or be placed on the floor.
When tidying up the Dobok or belt, the student must turn 180 degrees to the left, avoiding to be in front of the Senior, it is the only case in which the student turns his back to present a flawless look in front of his Instructor/Master.
It is considered rude to touch a Senior Dobok or belt.
Always bow before entering or leaving the Dojang.

Class Opening Ceremony

Line Up — At a signal from the instructor or senior student, the class lines up.

The class forms up in lines with equal spacing between the students. Lines are from highest rank to lowest rank; the senior student will be at the far right of the first line. After each line is formed, the students will assume a parallel stance in an “at ease” position.
Attention stance (charyot) — The class is ordered to come to attention (cha-ryeot).

The entire class comes to attention at the same time.
Face the flags (kuk-ki-yea tae-hae) — After the instructor turns to face the flag, the senior student orders the class to face the flag (guk-gi-e dae-ha-yeo).

The entire class turns to face the flag at the same time. (Note that not all classes have flags, so this part may be omitted.)
Salute (kyong-ye) — After the instructor salutes the flag by putting the right underfist over his/her heart, the senior student orders the class to salute the flag (gyeong-nye).

The entire class salutes the flag at the same time, by putting their right underfists over their hearts. (Note that not all classes have flags, so this part may be omitted.)
Return to attention stance (baro) — the senior student orders the class to return to their previous position of (baro).

The entire class drops their right arm at the same time, turns toward the front of the class, and comes to attention. (Note that not all classes have flags, so this part may be omitted.)
Kneel (anj-oh) — After the instructor kneels down in a sitting position, the senior student orders the class to kneel (anj-oh).

The class kneels down one row at a time – the first row kneeling down first, the second row kneeling down second, and so on. When kneeling down, the student first place the left knee on the ground beside the right foot, then places the right knee on the ground next to the left kneel before sitting back. The hands should not touch the floor.
Meditate (muk-nyom) — At an indication from the instructor (usually by bowing his/her head), the senior student instructs the class to meditate (mung-nyeom). The entire class bows their head and meditates.

During this time, the student should turn their focus to the class ahead. All thoughts or concerns about other things in their daily lives should be pushed off until the class is finished. This meditation time should be used to ensure that the class training is not interfered with. It also ensures that the student has time in their life to escape from their daily pressures.
Return to attention stance (baro) — After an appropriate amount of time, the senior student will end the meditation by rapidly clapping his/her hands together twice. After the instructor rises and assumes a parallel stance in an “at ease” position, the senior student orders the class to return to their previous position of (baro).

The class rises up one row at a time, and assumes a parallel stance in an “at ease” position – the first row rising up first, the second row rising up second, and so on. When rising up, the student first brings up up the right foot, placing it next to the left knee, then stands up bringing the left foot next to the right foot. The hands should not touch the floor.
Attention stance (charyot) — At an indication from the instructor (usually coming to attention), the senior student orders the class to come to attention (charyot).

The entire class comes to attention at the same time.
Face the Instructor (sa-bum nim gae) — The senior student orders the class to face the instructor (sa-beom-nim kke).

The entire class turns to face the instructor at the same time.
Bow (kyong-ye) — The senior student orders the class to bow to the instructor (kyong-ye). The entire class bows to the instructor at the same time, and the instructor returns the bow.

All members of the class should ensure that their bow is slightly lower than, and just before that of the instructor. The students return to the upright position slightly after the instructor has returned to his/her upright position. The entire class then turns toward the front of the do-jang, and remains at attention.

The class is now in session.

Class Closing Ceremony

The formal end of class is similar to the beginning, with some minor changes.

Line Up — At a signal from the instructor or senior student, the class lines up.
Attention stance (charyot) — The class is ordered to come to attention (cha-ryeot).
Face the flags (kuk-ki-yea tae-hae) — After the instructor turns to face the flag, the senior student orders the class to face the flag. (Note that not all classes have flags, so this part may be omitted.)
Salute (kyong-ye) — After the instructor salutes the flag by putting the right underfist over his/her heart, the senior student orders the class to salute the flag. (Note that not all classes have flags, so this part may be omitted.)
Return to attention stance (baro) — the senior student orders the class to return to their previous position of (baro). (Note that not all classes have flags, so this part may be omitted.)
Kneel (anj-oh) — After the instructor kneels down in a sitting position, the senior student orders the class to kneel (anj-oh).
Meditate (muk-nyom) — At an indication from the instructor (usually by bowing his/her head), the senior student instructs the class to meditate (mung-nyeom). The entire class bows their head and meditates.
Return to attention stance (baro) — After an appropriate amount of time, the senior student will end the meditation by rapidly clapping his/her hands together twice. After the instructor rises and assumes a parallel stance in an “at ease” position, the senior student orders the class to return to their previous position of (baro).
Attention stance (charyot) — At an indication from the instructor (usually coming to attention), the senior student orders the class to come to attention (charyot).
Face the Instructor (sa-bum nim gae) — The senior student orders the class to face the instructor (sa-beom-nim kke).
Bow (kyong-ye) — The senior student orders the class to bow to the instructor (kyong-ye). The entire class bows to the instructor at the same time, and the instructor returns the bow.
Face the assistant instructor (boo sa-bum nim gae) — The class should turn to face the assistant instructor.
Bow (kyong-ye) — Bow to the assistant instructor (kyong-ye). The entire class bows to the instructor at the same time, and the instructor returns the bow.
Dismissal (ee-sang) — The instructor formally dismisses class with the Korean word “ee-sang”.
Thank you very much (ko-map sum-nee-da) — The class thanks the instructor with the Korean phrase “ko-map sum-nee-da”.

Class is now ended.