UNIFIED TAEKWON

UNIFIED TAEKWON-DO
I N T E R N A T I O N A L

OFFICIAL FORMS
Unified TaeKwon-Do has now completed the first eight of nine
official forms for use within UTI-Affiliated
schools and organizations.

WHY NEW FORMS ?

UTI FORM - 1 24 movements A L P H A	link to ALPHA page	ALPHA, the first Unified TaeKwon-Do form, comes from the Greek word *alpha* which means “*beginning*”. The 24 movements refer to the 24 hours of the day and remind the student that training is continuous, never-ending, as the end of one day is merely the beginning of another.
UTI FORM - 2 30 movements S U N	link to SUN page	SUN, the 2nd Unified TaeKwon-Do form has 30 movements and begins with the left open hand covering or shading the right closed fist, just as our own humility and gentleness govern our strength and power. The yellow-belt reminds the student of the suns energy and light which nourish all living things.
UTI FORM - 3 36 movements E A R T H	link to EARTH page	EARTH, the 3rd Unified TaeKwon-Do form has 36 movements and begins with the hands pointing down to the green earth from which all were created and to which all will return.
UTI FORM - 4 56 movements S K Y	link to SKY page	SKY is the 4th Unified TaeKwon-Do form made up of 56 movements.We begin and end looking toward the sky and heaven, through our hands, which symbolize the gifts and skills God has given us to protect and provide for others.
UTI FORM - 5 80 movements F I R E	link to FIRE page	The diagram of Unified TaeKwon-Do’s 5th form symbolizes both the source (below) and flames (above) of fire. Just as the heat, energy and light of fire depend on its fuel and spark, so does the intensity, direction and purpose of ones life depend on its foundation and spirit. As with fire, TaeKwon-Do can be a powerful tool when controlled, yet a danger when misused. This form should demonstrate the strength and beauty of TaeKwon-Do.
UTI FORM - 6 94 movements S T O R M	link to STORM page	STORM is the first form practiced by the Black-Belt, who has developed the skills necessary to begin advanced training. The floor diagram, at first, represents avoiding challenges, and defying guidance and authority by moving right (NE) and left (NW). Like the tree that is made stronger by the winds, our character is built through the obstacles we face. Now, focused on the cross ahead (N), we are able to confront adversity and the storms in life, head on, strengthened, and confident of victory.
UTI FORM - 7 COURAGE	link to COURAGE page	The diagram of Unified TaeKwon-Do’s 2nd Degree Black-Belt form, COURAGE, symbolizes how, when we face the many challenges of life, from all directions, we are able to hold our ground, impervious to fear and firm in our convictions. Persevering in faith, using the skills we’ve developed, sets free the courage necessary to face life’s battles. The form ends in an open-hand on-guard position signifying our readiness and determination to defend our beliefs.
UTI FORM -8 WISDOM	link to WISDOM page	The diagram of Unified TaeKwon-Do’s 3rd Dan Black-Belt form, signifies that the pursuit of wisdom is an indirect and complicated path where the North point represents the personal discernment one strives for. The seven triangles created represent the seven tenets of TaeKwon-Do and the path to Wisdom: Honour - Discipline - Humility - Patience - Charity - Discernment - Perseverance. The form displays a direct pursuit of knowledge represented by vigorous techniques moving toward the North point. The return to one’s beginning at the end of the form symbolizes the realization that ultimate truth is not an achievement fought for, but a gift received. This form is required for promotion to 4th Dan Black-Belt, Chief Instructor. "Wisdom" incorporates all new movements from both the International & World forms at the 4th & 5th Dan levels.
UTI FORM - 9 O M E G A		"Omega" is currently under development. This will be the final form in the Unified curriculum and will include movements from the international and world styles of TaeKwon-Do.

Since it's establishment in 1989, UTI's mandate has been to unify the "world" and "international" styles of TaeKwon-Do in the natural evolution of the art. Our goal is not to unify the WTF and the ITF politically, rather, it is to develop a style of TaeKwon-Do which incorporates the best from each of the two styles in a unified and superior method of training and education.

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UTI began the "unification" process by introducing a "step-sparring" curriculum which incorporated movements and combinations from both the "world" and "international" styles of TaeKwon-Do. These "step-sparring" combinations are a critical part or rank advancement and are suitable for use with either the WTF or ITF sets of forms.

We then established a superb rank-based "self-defense" curriculum, which incorporates techniques from other, grappling and self-defense arts, and which continues to evolve as we learn more and more about the body and how it works.

Thirdly, UTI developed a unique set of rank-based "four-direction-kick" drills, exclusive to the UTI, intended for use throughout the color-belt curriculum.

The final phase of UTI's curriculum evolution, is the development and implementation of our own set of "forms", superior in design to previous forms, and suitable for use in "unified", "world" or "international" style schools.

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Unified forms utilize movements from both the international and world styles of TaeKwon-Do in conjunction with its own unique and more effective methods of training.

For example, the first form ALPHA ( the Greek word which means "beginning" ) consists of 24 movements, representing the 24 hours of the day, indicating TaeKwon-Do training is continuous, never-ending. This form incorporates movements from both the ITF International's Chun-Ji and the WTF World's Taguek #1, as well as the movements from UTI's own one-step sparring combinations and 4-direction-kick drills at the beginner, white-belt level.

STORM, UTI's 6th Official Form, incorporates all new movements from the ITF's Gwang-Gae, Po-Eun and Ga-Baek as well as the WTF's Keumgang form. The 94 movements of STORM include a 100% symmetrical display of 1st Dan Black-Belt TaeKwon-Do training.

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There are many other reasons why both the ITF and WTF forms are inadequate, outdated, unsuitable, and why UTI "must" complete it's curriculum by offering this final gift to the TaeKwon-Do world.

All Unified TaeKwon-Do forms:
- are completely symmetrical: This makes them easier to learn and provides balanced physical training for the student.
- begin and end on "exactly" the same spot: UTI uses the natural directions of North, South, East and West in conjunction with a T-line (west & east) and a "center" C-line (north & south). The intersection of these lines mark the spot where each form begins and ends.
- begin in a different position than any other form: This makes each form easier to learn and easier to recognize.
- ends in a different movement than any other form: No two forms begin or end in the same way.
- have a unique and universal meaning: The "meanings" of UTI's Official Forms are unique and universal, appropriate and suitable for use within all settings, schools and cultures.
- incorporate all new movements from both the ITF & WTF forms from the same level
- include a natural progression of kicking techniques
- are designed to be viewed from the front (north) position: This makes the forms easier to teach, easier to recognize, and much more suitable for use in examinations and competitions
- take less space than many other forms: This makes UTI forms more suitable for instruction in group sessions
- designed for use at particular rank levels: UTI color-belt forms are designed for use through two "gup" rank levels. For example; "Alpha" is practiced by the 10th and 9th gup, "Sun" is practiced by the 8th and 7th gup, etc. UTI has developed one black-belt form for each "dan" level up to "Omega" which is practiced by the 4th Dan Black-Belt. UTI does not have a handful of "high-level" forms which very few would practice or even learn.

UTI's unique and comprehensive forms are designed to be used in addition to either or both of the ITF and WTF forms, or as a replacement for those and all other forms. UTI's forms can easily "stand on their own" but can also be used in conjunction with curriculums already in place.

Instructors who are dedicated to the development of TaeKwon-Do and the quality of the program they offer are quick to include UTI's forms in their school and/organization.

When practitioners and instructors of TaeKwon-Do realize and experience the all-inclusive thoroughness and quality of the UTI forms, they do not hesitate to use them exclusively.

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