Which Hyung Set Do You Like Most?

[stoneheart]

So, those of you who have seen the different sets, which do you like the most? Why?

I've seen the songham, chang hon, palgwe/taeguks... I like the Songham forms the best if executed in the manner I prefer with varying levels of speed. There should be focus or kime displayed as well, and I dislike the exhalation of breath made on every single block or strike by many TKD martial artists. I also would like for there to be understanding of bunkai shown, but I understand from talking to a few TKD black belts that the bunkai in TKD forms are fairly straight forward.

I like the chang hon forms next (always thought Toi gye was cool when I practiced TKD). The WTF forms seem the most simplistic to me.

Me: an Okinawan karate stylist dabbling with kenpo and silat. Still looking for my permanent home in the martial arts.

 

[Makalakumu]

Right now, I am a big fan of the pyung ahn hyungs. These forms contain a wide variety of knowledge and can really round out a fighter if one understands them. Everything from striking, throws, joint locks, and pressure points can be found in this set...

 

[spud]

When I was doing TKD (WTF) we learnt the taeguks which I thought has a really nice feel to them. I was recently checking them out on a web site (sorry I remember which one) & it had two versions of each, one Korean & one American. The thing I found odd was just how much the timing had changed, a lot of emphasis on the slow not a lot if any on the fast controlled moves I remember doing. Maybe that’s the way it’s universally done these days.


Cheers & thanks for making me think a little more about the good old days.

 

[stoneheart]

Upnorthkyosa,

More than one instructor has told me that you can become an excellent fighter based on just mastering the pinan kata. I agree. They only seem boring and unimaginative if you don't practice the bunkai behind them!

 

[karatekid1975]

I agree with upnorthkyosa. I really like the pyung ahns. I do TKD and the Taegeuks now, but they seem so "simplistic" to me after learning the pyung ahns. BUT even the Taegeuks can have good bunkai behind them. I am starting to learn that from a friend of mine.

 

[jfarnsworth]

I guess mine would have to be bias because I only learned the Chong-Ji series. I learned Chong-Ji through Po-Eun before I left. Every now and then I'll still practice them to keep 'em in mind.

 

[Fluffy]

Songahm forms were my first all the way to 4th Degree (Sok-Bong) I study the ITF material now. But the Songahm material flows and I love all the kicks. I still practice all the forms, but have lost the one-steps and sparring segs, and don't care to re-learn them - to tell you the truth.

-Fluffy