University of Pennsylvania
TAE KWON DO CLUB
About   Getting Started

About our Club

Tae Kwon Do is a Korean martial art which requires the use of only the hands and feet, without weapons. The main goal of Tae Kwon Do is to achieve total mind and body control.

The University of Pennsylvania Tae Kwon Do Club (ITF) is one of the oldest student martial arts group at Penn, founded by a (then) medical student, Anthony D'Amico in 1985. It is currently led by several of his students, black belts and master black belts, who continue to offer the students at Penn, Tae Kwon Do in a traditional setting which emphasizes both mental and physical conditioning. Classes are offered to students approximately three times a week, and are intended to challenge the body physically through aerobic and muscular conditioning while using the energy generated to create a better awareness of mental focus and control. Students are encouraged to apply this deeper focus and awareness both inside and outside the training room - into their campus experience. Through the mastering of forms and techniques, Tae Kwon Do encourages individual growth and enlightenment within a NON-competitve environment. We encourage individual achievement in a group-supporting environment where students are given equal opportunity to better themselves in both martial arts and their life pursuits.

tae

Tae Kwon Do Aims to Achieve:

  • Courtesy
  • Integrity
  • Self-control
  • Perseverance
  • Indomitable Spirit

 

kwon

Beginners welcome in all classes

The University of Pennsylvania Tae Kwon Do Club accepts beginners and novices in Tae Kwon Do to all classes. All members of the University City community interested in learning this Korean martial art, taught in a traditional setting, are welcome to attend any class. New and advance students train together with an emphasis on techniques and mental/physical conditioning, though beginners are usually introduce to basic technique on a one-to-one basis. [ get started ]

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Theory of Power

  • Reaction Force
  • Concentration
  • Equilibrium
  • Breath Control
  • Speed

How Do I Get Started?

Wether you are new to Tae Kwon Do or to martial arts all together, you are welcome to come to any or all of our classes. Students train together, from beginners to black belts, in a friendly supportive environment with no discrimination towards ability, sex, race, etc. We encourage people to come visit the club so they may decide whether it might offer them what they are looking for in a martial art.

If you have never done any martial arts before, don't worry, beginners are welcome in all classes. All levels will start the class together, and beginners will break out with senior students to be taught level appropriate techniques. When you come, be sure to wear comfortable exercise clothing (i.e.., sweat pants and a t-shirt) and don't worry about shoes!

If you already have experience in Tae Kwon Do or another martial art, feel free to bring your uniform and belt if you desire (especially if you hold the rank of black belt) -- ranking within our club for colored belts will be determined later, on an individual basis.

Should you have any questions not covered here or elsewhere on this web site, please feel free to contact us.

respectfully,
Master Felice Macera

Schedule

Classes for the fall semester are set, and since the locations vary, please refer to the calendar for room locations on any given day. If classes are scheduled as "Zoom," email info@upenntkd.org for the link.

For the fall and spring semesters, classes are held in either the ARCH rm304 (ARCH), Houston Hall (Hous), Hill College House (Hill), Irvine Auditorium (Irvine), or Vance Hall, Hoover Aud. (Vance) « click for map », on Mon., Weds., and Fri., but please check back to this page or contact us for possible class time and/or location changes. In the summer, and warm weather, we may hold classes outdoors, in which case you will find us on the green in front of College Hall.

* Note: if trying to view this embedded calendar in Safari on an iPhone, you need to go to "Settings" -> "Safari" -> and uncheck "Prevent Cross-Site Tracking" under "PRIVACY & SECURITY."

Meet Our Instructors

Master Macera started with the club in 1985 and took over in 1995 when Master D'Amico relocated to Boston.

  • Master Felice Macera

    Sah-Bum-Nim

    Fifth Degree Black Belt
    Student of Master D'Amico since 1987

  • Master Joke Bradt

    Instructor

    Fourth Degree Black Belt

  • Malcolm Jones

    Instructor

    Third Degree Black Belt

  • Kate Smith photo

    Kate Smith

    Instructor

    Second Degree Black Belt

  • Master Anthony D'Amico

    Club Founder

    Eighth Degree Black Belt

  • Grand Master Ye Bong Choi

    Grand Master

    Ninth Degree Black Belt
    Instructor to Master D'Amico
    more information

Rule Sheet

TAE KWON DO is a Korean martial art, which requires the use of only hands and feet, without weapons. The main goal of Tae Kwon-Do is to achieve total mind and body control.

Tae Kwon Do Aims to Achieve

  • Courtesy
  • Integrity
  • Self-Control
  • Perseverance
  • Indomitable Spirit
  •  

    Theory of Power

  • Reaction Force
  • Concentration
  • Equilibrium
  • Breath Control
  • Speed
  • School Rules

    1) Students must bow to the flags, Sah-Bum-Nim (Instructor) and all other high-ranking belts when entering or leaving the Toe-Chang (place of practice).

    2) Students must always RESPECT and OBEY the Sah-Bum-Nim and all other high-ranking belts.

    3) Students must use the words "SIR" and "MAAM" when speaking to a Sah-Bum-Nim or other high-ranking belts.

    4) When a Sah-Bum-Nim enters the Toe-Chang, the highest-ranking belt must call the class to attention and have the class bow.

    5) There should be an absence of unnecessary conversations in the Toe-Chang.

    6) Students must take class; they are not allowed to practice by themselves when class is in session.

    7) When a student must leave the Toe-Chang during training, he or she must first receive permission from the Sah-Bum-Nim.

    8) The Toe-Chang must always be kept clean.

    Basic Terminology

    Instructor Sah-Bum-Nim   Flags Ku-Kay
    Attention Cha-Ryoth   Dismissed Hecha
    Bow Kyung-Nae   One (1) Ha-Na
    Ready Jhoon-Be   Two (2) Tul
    Begin Shi-Jak   Three (3) Si-Et
    Stop Ko-Man, Ba-Ro   Four (4) Ni-Et
    Form Hyung   Five (5) Ta-Sut
    At Ease Shee-Ut   Six (6) Yo-Sut
    Turn Around Tiro-Dira   Seven (7) Il-Gop
    Uniform Do-Bok   Eight (8) Yo-Dul
    Place of Practice Toe-Chang   Nine (9) Ah-Hop
    Thank You Com-Sum-Nee-Da   Ten (10) Yul

     

    These rules must be read and memorized. You should be able to recite them upon the instructor's request.

     

    Contact Us

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