|
Tang Soo Do is a Korean martial art which teaches empty hand and foot fighting,
fighting forms, self-defense, and weapons. Tang Soo Do also teaches people to live
a healthy and harmonious life. This ancient martial art traces its lineage back
2,000 years to the Korean peninsula.
As a member studio of the World Tang Soo Do Association, we train for self-defense
using these traditional techniques and ideals, but also enjoy the benefits as described
by Grandmaster Jae C. Shin.
“In today's society, there is no doubt that martial arts training is on the rise
and that people are becoming more interested in learning self-defense skills. Tang
Soo Do is an extremely effective method of self-defense. But there are many other
reasons why men, women and children from all walks of life have taken up Tang Soo
Do training. This ancient form of martial art is known for having the most effective
training methods for self-discipline, self-confidence, physical fitness, stress
management and the ultimate form of self-defense techniques. We are proud to announce
that 35% of our total membership (of the World Tang Soo Do Association) includes
women, children and older adult students. Our students range in age from 4 years
old to 78 years old.
Whatever brings each of us to Tang Soo Do, we all set goals in our training; BLACK
BELT or MASTER. But, belts only symbolize the goal; they are not the goal itself.
The real value of Tang Soo Do is not the belt you earn, but the changes that occur
within you, in your quest for them. These changes include the betterment of your
mind, body and spirit and the development of individual character and respect for
others. The true goal of Tang Soo Do training is to use the lessons you learn in
the studio to enrich every part of your life.”
As members of a large and reputable martial arts organization, The World Tang Soo
Do Association, our standards and rankings remain stable and unchanged. Belt rankings
from Suncoast Tang Soo Do are accepted in over 500 studios, located in 36 countries.
We enjoy the camaraderie of our fellow students on many levels – some of the favorite
events include Regional Championships, held annually, and the WTSDA World Championships,
held every two years in locations across the United States.
Tang Soo Do specifically is not a sport and its primary goal is not competition.
However, it does lend itself well to combative situations. Being a well-balanced
style, Tang Soo Do offers a wide array of kicks, hand strikes, and stances representative
of hard styles as well as softer stances and more fluid motions that are indicative
of the softer styles. It derives its hardness from Soo Bahk Do and its soft flowing
movements from the Northern Chinese systems. Its kicking techniques, for which Tang
Soo Do is unsurpassed, are based on Soo Bahk Do. Both of which can easily be recognized
in the forms that are practiced within the style.
Tang Soo Do competitions do not allow contact. When one looks at injuries occurring
in other contact sports it becomes clear that Tang Soo Do is actually a very safe
activity. Qualities like sportsmanship, mutual respect for each other and personal
discipline ensure that practitioners compete in the healthiest environment possible.
After all, the purpose of Tang Soo Do training is not for fighting, but to perfect
techniques that will enhance one's total self. If the occasion arises when one must
defend oneself, of equal importance is the development of the proper spirit to supplement
the physical skills that are attained.
|