American Tang Soo Do
We offer martial arts programs for both juniors and adults. Our karate programs are goal intended and focus on both the mental and physical side of martial arts. If you are a parent you have found the right tool to help mold your child into a responsible adult through positive reinforcement. Our goal is to help arm your child with self confidence and discipline to help them deal with peer pressure and stress. As an adult we are here to help you deal with stress in a physical and mental way. As you climb the ranks to Black Belt you will be challenged. Our martial arts program is a self-improvement course with a black belt attached. Workouts are fun while you learn to defend yourself in everyday situations.
Tang Soo Do Moo is one of the most popular of Korean martial arts. Hundreds of thousands of martial artists practice the art around the world.
History
The martial art of Tang Soo Do is 50 years old. It began when Grand Master Hwang Kee began teaching it in Seoul, Korea in the fall of 1945. He mastered Soo Bahk Do and Tae Kyun by the age of 22. In 1936, Master Kee traveled to northern China where he encountered a Chinese variation of martial artistry called the Tang Method. He studied the Tang Method of Kung Fu from 1936-1945 and combined it with Soo Bahk Do to develop what he would call Tang Soo Do. Grand Master Hwang Kee has been the driving force behind the spread of Tang Soo Do throughout the world. He continues to head up the Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan Federation from his headquarters in Seoul, Korea.
Soo Bahk Do was first developed during the Silla Dynasty (818-935 A.D.), but flowered during the Koryo Dynasty (935-1392 A.D.) Tang Soo Do derives its hardness from Soo Bahk Do and its softness from northern Chinese Kung Fu. Grand Master Kee said his art is 60% Soo Bahk Do, 30% northern Chinese Kung Fu and 10% southern Chinese Kung Fu.
Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan means “a brotherhood and school of stopping inner and outer conflict and developing virtue according to the way of the worthy hand.” Some have shortened the definition to “Art of the knife hand.” Here is what Grand Master Kee said about his art: “It is not a sport. Though it is not essentially competitive, it has great combat applications. It is a classical martial art, and its purpose is to develop every aspect of the self, in order to create a mature personality who totally integrates his intellect, body, emotions, and spirit. This total integration helps to create a person who is free from inner conflict and who can deal with the outside world in a mature, intelligent, forthright, and virtuous manner.”
Branching off from Hwang Kee’s organization, Mr. Chuck Norris altered traditional Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan to strengthen the weaknesses he perceived to exist in the style. Upon his return to the U.S. from South Korea as a new black belt in tang soo do, Norris began his tournament sparring career with a series of losses to skilled hand technicians. Tang Soo Do had taught him a variety of kicks, but the style was deficient in effective hand techniques. To reverse this losing tournament trend and to improve his hand skills, Norris began training with Japanese stylists to learn their punching techniques. The result is American Tang So Do.
History
- Courtesy – Treat people with kindness
- Integrity – Honesty
- Perseverance – Goal setting (always trying your best)
- Self-Control – controlling your thoughts and emotions
- Indomitable Spirit – never give up
- Respect – a formal expression or gesture of greeting, esteem, or friendship
Student Oath
- I shall observe the tenants of Tang Soo Do.
- I shall respect instructors and seniors.
- I shall never misuse Tang Soo Do.
- I will be a champion of freedom and justice.
- I will build a more peaceful world.
Student Creed
- To build true confidence through knowledge in the mind, honesty in the heart, and strength in the body.
- To keep friendship with one another, and to build a strong and happy community.
- Never fight to achieve selfish ends, but to develop might for right.