Tang Soo Do

Tang Soo Do Alliance

Tang Soo Do

Tang - Tang Dynasty (showing Chinese influence of our style)
Soo - Hand
Do - Way

Five Codes of Tang Soo Do

The five codes of Tang Soo Do apply to all members and are meant to guide the Tang Soo Do pratitioner. All members are required to memorize them and fully understand the meaning of the codes.

1) Loyalty to country
2) Obedience to parents
3) Honor and friendship
4) No retreat in battle
5) In fighting, choose with sense and honor

Tenants of Tang Soo Do

1) Integrity
2) Concentration
3) Perseverance
4) Respect & Obedience
5) Self-Control
6) Humility
7) Indomitable Spirit

THREE PRINCIPLES of TSD

1) Responsibility
2) Sincerity
3) Justice

14 Attitudes Required to Master Tang Soo Do

1) The purpose of training should be enhancement of mental and physical betterment.

2) Serious approach.

3) All out effort.

4) Maintain regular and constant practice.

5) Practice basic techniques all the time.

6) Regularly spaced practice sessions.

7) Always listen and follow the direction of instructors and seniors.

8) Do not be overly ambitious.

9) Frequently inspect your own advancements.

10) Always follow a routine training schedule.

11) Repeatedly practice all techniques already learned.

12) When you learn new techniques, learn thoroughly the theory and philosophy as well.

13) When you begin to feel idle, try to overcome this.

14) Cleanliness is required after training. Keep yourself and your surroundings clean.

SPARRING VIDEO

A Brief History of Tang Soo Do

Great Grandmaster
Hwang Kee

Tang Soo Do is a relatively modern martial art. However, it's original basis, the Korean disciplines of Soo Bahk Ki and Tae Kyun, date back many centuries. Tang Soo Do (which means, way of the hand of the Tang Dynasty) is a composite style influenced by the traditional Korean martial art of Soo Bahk Do, Northern and Southern Chinese martial arts systems, and the Okinawan discipline of Karate. The Chinese influences were Basic Training (Seh Bop - method of postures, Bo Bop - method of steps, Ryun Bop - method of conditioning), and form and combat applications (Dhan Toi Sip E Ro, and the "Tae Kuk Kwon"). The Okinawan influences occurred primarily during the Japanese occupation of Korea (1910-1945).

The name "Tang Soo Do" was the term Grandmaster Won Kuk Lee, founder of the Chung Do Kwan, originally applied to his martial art. After meeting with Grandmaster Lee in 1947, Kwan Jang Nim Hwang Kee, founder of the Moo Duk Kwan, decided to integrate the name "Tang Soo Do" into his Hwa Soo Do discipline. Tang Soo Do kicking techniques are based on the ancient Korean style of Tae Kyun, which was later formalized by Grandmaster Hwang Kee, founder of the Korean Soo Bahk Do (Tang Soo Do) Moo Duk Kwan Association (formerly named Hwa Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan). Tang Soo Do is both a hard and soft style, deriving its hardness in part from Okinawan Karate and its soft flowing movements from Soo Bahk and also Northern and Southern Chinese martial arts.

Although Tang Soo Do, and its tremendous combative martial arts applications, can be adapted to competition, "it is not a sport". As both a traditional and classical martial art, its primary focus is to develop the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of the human being. Its primary purpose is on positive and enhanced character development, and the rejuvenation and prolonging of life. This integration of mind, body, and spirit helps to create a person free from inner conflict who is able to deal with the outside world with integrity in a mature, forthright, intelligent, and virtuous manner.