Other Skills: Our Doboks Link Us to Our Inner-Power

There’s more to Taekwon-Do than performing the patterns, sparring, and breaking boards.   For instance, our dobok, or practice suit (translated to English), is important in our training.  General Choi describes the rationale behind the dobok design, fit, and proper black piping for the black belt holders.                                                                                   

Accordingly, he says there are five reasons why we wear a dobok:

  1. It instills pride as a practitioner of Taekwon-Do
  2. It identifies the individual’s capacity and degree of Taekwon-Do education attained
  3. The style of the dobok is symbolic of Taekwon-Do heritage and tradition
  4. Grade and degree changes, noted by belt color and/or stripes, create incentives for students while preserving humility
  5. It is incredibly efficient for the physicality of our training sessions

As we know, our doboks are white shirts, white pants, and a colored belt.  General Choi also mentions our doboks should not have any superfluous frills, designs, or piping. It’s important for students always to keep their doboks clean, wear them correctly, and treat them with respect owed to the art of Taekwon-Do.

How to Tie Our Belts and Fold Our Doboks

General Choi's book provides instructions for tying our belts and folding our doboks (if we’re not wearing them after training).

Belt Tying

Here is a YouTube video link to see how to properly tie your belt: https://youtu.be/XZnxn0nLMJY?si=sn-_-BUqTta1oL_0 .

It’s important to remember that both ends of your belt must be even.  Plus, if you have stripes on your belt, they must be on your left side.  And most of all, do not wash your belt.  Each belt represents all the hard work, practice, and sweat you invested into your training and achievements.  (Go Here to learn more about the belt colors, meanings, and testing requirements for each belt.)

Dobok Folding

Here is a YouTube video link that demonstrates how to fold your dobok similarly to General Choi’s book illustrations:  https://youtu.be/YuXkRKciLRg?si=4MnXNpmcd9BxZnb6 .

Our Inner-Power

General Choi understood the importance of wearing a dobok in a student’s Taekwon-Do journey to mastery. 

Recent academic studies have suggested that our clothes can influence our psychological processes, such as our behavior, cognitive abilities (attention, memory, and decision-making), and performance. Our doboks (a form of athletic wear and a uniform) also promote a sense of achievement and confidence within us. 

As we don our dobok and get ready for a Taekwon-Do class, remember that it has psychological power.  Our dobok symbolizes the five tenets of Taekwon-Do, as well as our strength, responsibility, and achievement.

So, when you wear your dobok, be mindful that it embodies the spirit and tradition of Taekwon-Do.  Therefore, be proud that you are pursuing a path of honor, courage, and integrity. Doing so will uplift and empower you and help you perform your best.

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