📚 Recommended Reading for Sovereign Taekwon-Do Students
- Leanne Lolley
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
Expand Your Knowledge. Deepen Your Practice. Strengthen Your Taekwon-Do.
At Sovereign Taekwon-Do, we believe training doesn’t end when you leave the dojang. Knowledge, history, theory, and understanding are powerful tools that elevate your technique and enrich your martial arts journey.
To support students at all grades — from white belt to 4th degree and beyond — we’ve put together a curated list of high-quality Taekwon-Do books that complement your training. These titles are clear, reliable, and widely respected within the ITF community.
Whether your goal is to refine patterns, understand applications, build power, or develop stronger theory, these books provide valuable guidance.
🥋 1 & 2. Taekwon-Do: The Art of Patterns (Volumes 1 & 2)
By Łukasz Grygiel
These two volumes are among the most visually clear and technically precise pattern books available today. Every movement is broken down with clean photography and accurate descriptions, making them ideal companions for home study and grading preparation.
Vol. 1 – The Art of Patterns
Covers black-belt patterns from Kwang-Gae to Choi-Yong.
Vol. 2 – The Art of Patterns
Covers patterns from Yon-Gae to Tong-Il — this is the volume shown in our photos.
📘 Both volumes can be purchased here:👉 https://www.tkd-blackbelt.com/product-category/books/
Recommended for:
Students learning new patterns
Black belts refining technique
Visual learners who benefit from step-by-step detail
🔒 3. Ch’ang Hon Taekwon-Do Hosinsul
By Stuart Anslow
This book connects traditional movements to their real-world self-defence applications. Anslow explores how techniques within patterns can be interpreted effectively, bridging the gap between form and function.
Recommended for:
Adults interested in practical application
Students preparing for senior gradings
Anyone curious about the meaning behind the movements
⚛️ 4. Parting the Clouds: The Science of the Martial Arts
By Grenville Harrop
A unique book that analyses Taekwon-Do through physics and biomechanics. Harrop explains power generation, acceleration, stability and more in a simple, accessible way — ideal for improving technical efficiency.
Recommended for:
Those wanting to improve power and accuracy
Instructors
Students who enjoy understanding the “why” behind technique
🐉 5. From Creation to Unification
By Stuart Anslow
A deep dive into the history, symbolism, and stories behind the Chang Hon patterns. This is an excellent resource for students who want to explore the cultural and historical roots of Taekwon-Do.
Recommended for:
Black belts
Students strengthening their theory knowledge
Anyone with a love of TKD history
🗣️ 6. Taekwondo Terminology
By B.T. Milnes
A clear reference guide to the Korean terminology used in ITF Taekwon-Do. This is especially helpful for beginners and for students preparing for grading interviews.
Recommended for:
All grades
Students wanting to improve Korean knowledge
Anyone who wants a reliable terminology reference at home
📌 Sovereign TKD Reading List — Amazon Wish List
All recommended books other than Vol. 1 & 2 are gathered in one place for easy access. We will continue to update this list as we discover additional high-quality resources.
📖 Final Thoughts
Developing as a martial artist means training both body and mind.These books can help you:
Understand your patterns more deeply
Improve power, efficiency, and movement
Build stronger theory
Appreciate the history and philosophy of Taekwon-Do
Connect practical self-defence with traditional technique
We encourage all Sovereign TKD students to explore these resources at their own pace and use them to support their training journey.