WHAT IS TANG SOO DO
REDFIELD MARTIAL ARTS
Bernard Geronimo Redfield
What is Tang Soo Do
TANG SOO DO MI GUK KWAN ASSOCIATION
U.S.A. Tang Soo Do History
Tang Soo Do Organizations in the U.S.A.
Photo Page
Tang Soo Do Discussion Board
Modern American Hapkido Association
About Tang Soo Do,
and the
Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan Association, Inc.
The martial art known as Tang Soo Do is relatively modern. However, its basis, the Korean disciplines of Soo Bahk, and Tae Kyun, dates back many centuries. Tang Soo Do is a composites style influenced by the Northern Chinese arts, the Southern Chinese arts, and the Okinawan discipline of Karate. The Chinese influences were as follows; Basic Training (Seh Bop - method of postures, Bo Bop - method of steps, Ryun Bop - method of conditioning), and form and combat applications, (Dham Toi Sip E Ro, and "Tae Kuk Kwon"). The Okinawan influences were primarily a result of the Japanese occupation of Korea from 1910-1945. The term "Tang Soo Do" was the name Grandmaster Won Kuk Lee, founder of Chung Do Kwan originally applied to his art. After a meeting with Mr. Lee in 1947, Kwan Jhang Nim Hwang Kee decided to integrate the art of "Tang Soo Do" (Okinawan discipline of Karate) into his Hwa Soo Do discipline. Our kicking techniques, for which Tang Soo Do is recognized are based on the ancient Korean kicking style of Tae Kyun which were later formalized by Grandmaster Hwang Kee, founder of the Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan style. Tang Soo Do is both a hard and soft style, deriving its hardness in part from Soo Bahk and its soft flowing movements from the Northern and Southern Chinese systems.
Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan is a classical martial art that incorporates elements from Traditional Korean Tang Soo Do Karate, Japanese Aikido, Jui-jutsu, Okinawan Te , Chinese Tai Chi and weaponry from various traditional sources. It is an excellent method for adults to get into shape, to deal with stress and to learn proven, effective self defense techniques. Parents of the children who study Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan have claimed that it has given their children much more confidence, leadership abililities and self esteem, that it has enabled their children to get better grades through improved concentration. Additionally, students who practice Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan have been able to excell in other sports as a result of improved flexibility, coordination, strength, speed and endurance.
Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan is currently practiced in both North and South America with approximately 60 schools in Florida, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, California, Hawaii, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachussetts, Rhode Island, Maine, Ohio, West Virginia and now North Carolina and 33 schools in Chile and Argentina.
Shawn, Teagan, Me
Teagan at the M.S.Kickathon