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One thing that draws passersby into a dojang is the yelling they hear coming from inside the dojang. What the people hear is the kiai/kiyup being sounded by the Taekwondo students while they are training. Just like the uniform, colored belt, and bow, the kiai is an integral part of Taekwondo training. When people hear a kiai, they immediately associate it with the martial arts.

Samurai warriors were renowned for their powerful kiai in battle—a startling war cry that was said to paralyze opponents with fear. A warrior who could summon a powerful kiai would rarely be viewed as weak or tired by his opponents. Unfortunately, most people think of the whining howl used by Bruce Lee or other movie martial arts is the sound that all martial artists make. Actually, the grunt or puff sound used by boxers is closer to a kiai than most movie martial arts yells. 

Myomoto Musashi, in his The Book of Five Rings, said there were three types of kiais:

• Pre-emptive. Used to scare the opponent or draw him off his guard. Also used as a way for a warrior to release his own fears as he went in for the kill.

• In-fight. Acts as a psychological attack and gives added power to physical attacks.

• Victory. Serves as a release of pent-up energy and as a warning to others who would attack the warrior.

As a student of Taekwondo, you learn how to kiai properly so it reinforces your technique. You also learn to not flinch and freeze at sudden loud noises so you will be able to more quickly assess the source of the noise, whether it poses any threat, and what, if any, response is required.

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