Karate is a traditional Japanese martial art that originated in Okinawa, Japan. One of the most important aspects of karate is the different levels of attack and defense, which are divided into three main categories: Jodan, Chudan, and Gedan. These three levels refer to different areas of the body, and mastering these levels is essential for any karate practitioner who wants to become proficient in the art.

Jodan:

Jodan refers to the area of the body above the chest, including the face, head, and neck. Jodan techniques are high-level attacks that are used to strike the upper body and head of an opponent. Some examples of Jodan techniques include:

Jodan Uke (Upper Block) - This is a technique used to block incoming Jodan attacks. It is performed by raising the arm above the head to block the incoming attack.

Jodan Tsuki (Upper Punch) - This is a powerful punch aimed at the opponent's face or head. It is a high-level attack that requires speed and accuracy.

Jodan Keri (Upper Kick) - This is a high-level kick that is aimed at the opponent's head or face. It requires a lot of flexibility and balance to execute effectively.

Chudan:

Chudan refers to the area of the body between the chest and the waist, including the stomach and ribs. Chudan techniques are mid-level attacks that are used to strike the opponent's midsection. Some examples of Chudan techniques include:

Chudan Uke (Middle Block) - This is a technique used to block incoming Chudan attacks. It is performed by bringing the arm across the body to block the incoming attack.

Chudan Tsuki (Middle Punch) - This is a punch aimed at the opponent's stomach or ribs. It is a mid-level attack that requires speed and accuracy.

Chudan Keri (Middle Kick) - This is a kick aimed at the opponent's midsection. It requires balance and power to execute effectively.

Gedan:

Gedan refers to the area of the body below the waist, including the groin and legs. Gedan techniques are low-level attacks that are used to strike the opponent's lower body. Some examples of Gedan techniques include:

Gedan Barai (Low Block) - This is a technique used to block incoming Gedan attacks. It is performed by sweeping the arm across the body to block the incoming attack.

Gedan Tsuki (Low Punch) - This is a punch aimed at the opponent's legs or groin. It is a low-level attack that requires speed and accuracy.

Gedan Keri (Low Kick) - This is a kick aimed at the opponent's legs or groin. It requires balance and power to execute effectively.

In conclusion, mastering the different levels of attack and defense in karate is essential for anyone who wants to become a proficient karate practitioner. By understanding the techniques and principles behind Jodan, Chudan, and Gedan, you can develop a well-rounded skill set that will help you to defend yourself effectively in any situation. Remember, karate is not just about physical strength but also mental strength, discipline, and focus.

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Donnie Yen (born 27 July 1963) Yen was born in Guangzhou, China. also known as Yen Ji-dan, is a Hong Kong actor, Chinese martial artist. Films 1983 Shaolin Drunkard 1984 Drunken Tai Chi 1985 Mismatched Couples 1988 Tiger Cage 1989 In the Line of Duty 4: Witness 1990 Tiger Cage 2 1991 Holy Virgin vs. the Evil Dead Crystal Hunt 1992 Cheetah on Fire Once Upon a Time in China II New Dragon Gate Inn 1993 Iron Monkey Butterfly and Sword Hero Among Heroes 1994 Wing Chun Circus Kid 1995 Iron Monkey 2 The Saint of Gamblers 1996 Satan Returns 1997 Legend of the Wolf High Voltage Black Rose 2 1998 Ballistic Kiss Shanghai Affairs 1999 City of Darkness Moonlight Express 2000 Highlander: Endgame 2001 The Princess Blade 2002 Blade II Hero 2003 Shanghai Knights The Twins Effect 2004 The Twins Effect II Protege de la Rose Noire Love on the Rocks 2005 SPL: Sha Po Lang Seven Swords 2006 Stormbreaker Dragon Tiger Gate 2007 Flash Point 2008 An Empress and the Warriors Painted Skin Ip Man 2009 All’s Well, Ends Well 2009 The Founding of a Republic Bodyguards and Assassins 2010 14 Blades Ip Man 2 Legend of the Fist: The Return of Chen Zhen 2011 All’s Well, Ends Well 2011 The Lost Bladesman Wu Xia 2012 All’s Well, Ends Well 2012 2013 Together Special ID 2014 Golden Chicken 3 The Monkey King Iceman Kung Fu Jungle 2015 An Inspector Calls Ip Man 3 2016 Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny Iceman II Rogue One: A Star Wars Story 2017 XXX: Return of Xander Cage Chasing the Dragon American Revenge Yen is credited by many for contributing to the popularization of the traditional martial arts style known as Wing Chun. Yen’s mother, Bow-sim Mark, is a Fu Style Wudangquan and Tai Chi grandmaster, while his father, Klyster Yen, is a newspaper editor. When he was two years old, his family moved to Hong Kong, and then to Boston when he was 11. His younger sister, Chris Yen. Yen developed an interest in martial arts and began experimenting with various styles, including t’ai chi and other traditional Chinese martial arts. Yen then started karate when he was nine. Yen focused on practicing wushu seriously at the age of fourteen after dropping out of school. He to Beijing on a two-year training program with the Beijing Wushu Team. Yen finally started taekwondo at around the age of sixteen. (y) #donnieyen #donnie #yen

Taekwondo Historical Influences The oldest Korean martial arts were an amalgamation of unarmed combat styles developed by the three rival Korean Kingdoms of Goguryeo, Silla, and Baekje, where young men were trained in unarmed combat techniques to develop strength, speed, and survival skills. The most popular of these techniques was ssireum and subak, with taekkyeon being the most popular of the components of subak. The Northern Goguryeo kingdom was a dominant force in Northern Korea and North Eastern China prior to the 1st century CE, and again from the 3rd century to the 6th century. Before the fall of the Goguryeo Dynasty in the 6th century, the Shilla Kingdom asked for help in training its people for defense against pirate invasions. During this time a few select Silla warriors were given training in taekkyeon by the early masters from Goguryeo. These Silla warriors then became known as Hwarang or "blossoming knights." The Hwarang set up a military academy for the sons of royalty in Silla called Hwarang-do {???}, which means "flower-youth corps." The Hwarang studied taekkyeon, history, Confucian philosophy, ethics, Buddhist morality, social skills, and military tactics. The guiding principles of the Hwarang warriors were based on Won Gwang's five codes of human conduct and included loyalty, filial duty, trustworthiness, valor, and justice. In spite of Korea's rich history of ancient and martial arts, Korean martial arts faded during the late Joseon Dynasty. Korean society became highly centralized under Korean Confucianism, and martial arts were poorly regarded in a society whose ideals were epitomized by its scholar-kings. Formal practices of traditional martial arts such as subak and taekkyeon were reserved for sanctioned military uses. However, taekkyeon persisted into the 19th century as a folk game during the May-Dano festival, and was still taught as the formal military martial art throughout the Joseon Dynasty. Early progenitors of taekwondo - the founders of the nine original kwans - who were able to study in Japan were exposed to Japanese martial arts, including karate, judo, and kendo, while others were exposed to the martial arts of China and Manchuria, as well as to the indigenous Korean martial art of taekkyeon. Hwang Kee founder of Moo Duk Kwan, further incorporated elements of Korean Gwonbeop from the Muye Dobo Tongji into the style that eventually became Tang Soo Do.

Taekwondo Forms (patterns) The Korean terms hyeong, poomsae and teul are all used to refer to taekwondo forms or "patterns." These are equivalent to kata in karate. The word ''hyeong'' is often romanized as ''hyung'' - hyeong is the term usually used in traditional taekwondo (i.e., 1950s-1960s styles of Korean martial arts). ''Poomsae'' is sometimes romanized as ''pumsae'' or ''poomse'' - poomsae is the term officially used by Kukkiwon/WTF-style and ATA-style taekwondo. ''Teul'' is often romanized as ''tul'' - teul is the term usually used in ITF/Chang Hon-style taekwondo. A hyeong is a systematic, prearranged sequence of martial techniques that is performed either with or without the use of a weapon. In dojangs (taekwondo training gymnasiums) hyeong are used primarily as a form of interval training that is useful in developing mushin, proper kinetics and mental and physical fortitude. Hyeong may resemble combat, but are artistically non-combative and woven together so as to be an effective conditioning tool. One's aptitude for a particular hyeong may be evaluated in competition. In such competitions, hyeong are evaluated by a panel of judges who base the score on many factors including energy, precision, speed, and control. In Western competitions, there are two general classes of hyeong: creative and standard. Creative hyeong are created by the performer and are generally acrobatic in nature and do not necessarily reflect the kinetic principles intrinsic in any martial system. Different taekwondo styles and associations (ATA, ITF, GTF, WTF, etc.) use different taekwondo forms. Even within a single association, different schools in the association may use slightly different variations on the forms, or use different names for the same form (especially in older styles of taekwondo). This is especially true for beginner forms, which tend to be less standardized than mainstream forms.

Taekwondo Typical Curriculum While organizations such as ITF or Kukkiwon define the general style of taekwondo, individual clubs and schools tend to tailor their taekwondo practices. Although each taekwondo club or school is different, a student typically takes part in most or all of the following: Forms (called poomsae ??/?? he-yung or hyung also teul ? toul by ITF, poom'-sy or simply the English translations "pattern" or "form" by the WTF) - these serve the same function as kata in the study of karate, Sparring (called gyeorugi ??? gyee-oh-roo'-gee, or matseogi ??? mat-see-oh'-gee in the ITF) - sparring includes variations such as free-style sparring (in which competitors spar without interruption for several minutes); 7-, 3-, 2-, and 1-step sparring (in which students practice pre-arranged sparring combinations); and point sparring (in which sparring is interrupted and then resumed after each point is scored) Breaking (gyeokpa ?? gyee-ohk'-pah or weerok) - the breaking of boards is used for testing, training, and martial arts demonstrations. Demonstrations often also incorporate bricks, tiles, and blocks of ice or other materials. These techniques can be separated into three types: Power breaking – using straightforward techniques to break as many boards as possible Speed breaking – boards are held loosely by one edge, putting special focus on the speed required to perform the break Special techniques – breaking fewer boards but using jumping or flying techniques to attain greater height, distance, or to clear obstacles Self-defense techniques (hosinsool ???, hoh'-sin-sool) Learning the fundamental techniques of taekwondo; these generally include kicks, blocks, punches, and strikes, with somewhat less emphasis on grappling and holds Throwing and/or falling techniques (deonjigi ??? dee-on-jee'-gee and ddeoreojigi ???? dee-oh-ree-oh-jee'-gee) Both anaerobic and aerobic workout, including stretching Relaxation and meditation exercises, as well as breathing control A focus on mental and ethical discipline, etiquette, justice, respect, and self-confidence Examinations to progress to the next rank Development of personal success and leadership skills Though weapons training is not a formal part of most taekwondo federation curriculums, individual schools will often incorporate additional training with staffs, knives, sticks, etc.

Taekwondo Techniques Taekwondo is characterized by its emphasis on head-height kicks, jumping and spinning kicks, and fast kicking techniques. In fact, World Taekwondo Federation sparring competitions award additional points for strikes that incorporate spinning kicks. To facilitate fast, turning kicks, taekwondo generally adopts stances that are narrower and hence less-stable than the broader, wide stances used by martial arts such as karate. The tradeoff of decreased stability is believed to be worth the commensurate increase in agility, particularly in Kukkiwon-style taekwondo. Theory of Power The emphasis on speed and agility is a defining characteristic of taekwondo and has its origins in analyses undertaken by Choi Hong Hi. The results of that analysis are known by ITF practitioners as Choi's Theory of Power. Choi based his understanding of biomechanics and Newtonian physics as well as Chinese martial arts. For example, Choi observed that the power of a strike increases quadratically with the speed of the strike, but increases only linearly with the mass of the striking object. In other words, speed is more important than size in terms of generating power. This principle was incorporated into the early design of taekwondo and is still used. Choi also advocated a relax/strike principle for taekwondo; in other words, between blocks, kicks, and strikes the practitioner should relax the body, then tense the muscles only while performing the technique. It is believed that the relax/strike principle also increases the power of the technique, by conserving the body's energy. He expanded on this principle with his advocacy of the sine wave technique. This involves raising one's center of gravity between techniques, then lowering it as the technique is performed, producing the up-and-down movement from which the term "sine wave" is derived. The sine wave is generally practiced, however, only in some schools that follow ITF-style taekwondo. WTF/Kukkiwon-style taekwondo, for example, does not employ the sine wave and advocates a more uniform height during movements. The components of the Theory of Power include: Reaction Force - the principle that as the striking limb is brought forward, other parts of the body should be brought backward in order to provide more power to the striking limb. As an example, if the right leg is brought forward in a roundhouse kick, the right arm is brought backward to provide the reaction force. Concentration - the principle of bringing as many muscles as possible to bear on a strike, concentrating the area of impact into as small an area as possible. Equilibrium - maintaining a correct center-of-balance throughout a technique. Breath Control - the idea that during a strike one should exhale, with the exhalation concluding at the moment of impact. Mass - the principle of bringing as much of the body to bear on a strike as possible; again using the turning kick as an example, the idea would be to rotate the hip as well as the leg during the kick in order to take advantage of the hip's additional mass in terms of providing power to the kick. Speed - as previously noted, the speed of execution of a technique in taekwondo is deemed to be even more important than mass in terms of providing power.