Jane Week #10 - AHHHHH
In taekwondo, kihap (기합) is “a shout or yell made before, during, or after a technique” (“About”). In taekwondo, the outcry is used as a means to put power behind a punch or kick.
When I had first joined my martial art dojang in eighth grade, I distinctly remember being apprehensive about letting out what felt like a primal squall beyond my comfort. I didn’t see the point in doing something that made me uncomfortable. Especially considering I started this sport relatively late compared to my friends and peers, I felt particularly more embarrassed to let go of my reluctance.
Fast forward a year and a half, my friends and I were practicing Form Five (or Taeguk Oh Jang) for our first championship. Now, this championship wasn’t anything crazy: it was low-key and nothing really competitive. Still, we were excited to perform our synchronized poomsae. It was then and there I was able to truly let go of my inhibitions.
In poomsaes (or forms), the athlete should only kihap at the exact parts that call for it. This is meant to increase confidence, which in turn increases the power of the action, as aforementioned: kihap-ing results in a “strong exhale” that “remove[s] air from [people’s] diaphragms and brings more power and speed to attacks (“4 Reasons”).
I am proud to say that I no longer feel abashed about this important aspect of the one sport I truly pursued. Taekwondo, and any sport really, allows its athletes to push past not only their physical limitations, but also their mental ones as well.
Works Cited
“4 Reasons Why Martial Artists Shout.” Akula Taekwondo, 11 May 2020, akulatkd.com/2020/05/11/martial-arts-shout/. Accessed 29 January 2025.
“About Yell.” Yell ( 기합 Kihap ) | Basics Fundamentals | Taekwondo Preschool, www.taekwondopreschool.com/kihap.html. Accessed 28 January 2025.
Hey Jane! I am not going to lie, the only time I have encountered different kinds of martial arts is on my TV screen and in my couple months of karate when I was like eight. But I liked the way you developed you story, starting with definition of the word to your own introduction to it to your overcoming what that meant it to--it felt heartfelt and was well written. I think that oftentimes, when we come to something we do not feel comfortable doing, we build up and chalk it up to be this huge feat we have to cross. That's the "mental" struggle you were talking about. But when we are finally forced, or rather force ourselves to come face to face with it, it becomes quite small. It's a funny thing too, but I at least spend so much of my time and energy hyper-focusing on what this moment is going to look like, how it could go so wrong, what it could lead to. This piece was refreshing and quite relatable. I look forward to reading more of your work this semester!
ReplyDeleteHi Jane! First of all, the picture you selected is great, striking the right balance of informational and silly. I also laughed at your description of a kihap as "a primal squall beyond [your] comfort." Your blog has shown me just how tough it can be to produce a kihap, even if it seems like "just" a yell. The only time I have come close to something like a kihap is when I was five, trying to break a plank of plywood at a night fair. I suppose I was trying to imitate the cool martial artists I saw on TV. I succeeded (yay!), but my mom made fun of me all the way home, and I never tried again. So I appreciate how you managed to let go of your inhibitions about the kihap through the synchronized poomsae. Though your blog is not about the importance of community, it made me consider how being in a strong group increases one's confidence. Otherwise, your blog is a succinct story that is enjoyable to read, and I look forward to hearing more stories about your life.
ReplyDeleteHi Jane! To start off, I love the topic you wrote about. I haven't talked to many people who also do martial arts, so it's really cool to see someone talk about it. In terms of a kihap, I totally relate. I remember the first time I walked into a martial art dojang and saw everyone practicing their poomsaes with kihaps. When I was first learning my poomsae, I couldn't properly do a kihap like everyone else. It felt awkward and I honestly felt a little embarrassed. Years later, I understand that there's truly nothing to be embarrassed about, and instead doing a kihap not only adds power to techniques but also demonstrates a sense of pride. Your experience I think is the perfect example of your last statement, growing not just physically, but also mentally through athletics. Fighting through the embarrassment and embracing the art. I look forward to reading your post next week!
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