Keumgang

I'm a little confused about the history of Tae Kwon Do and Tang Soo Do. I have a book on Taekwondo and it gives a brief history about how the art started around 2000 years ago. It also refers to when Korea was in its "three kingdoms" period at around the 35 BC - 935 AD. It talks about how Baekche and Korguryo made a pact with Tang China and crushed Silla, uniting the country as a whole. Now I just read some Tang Soo Do history and it is almost identical to the history in my Tae Kwon Do book! Could my Tae Kwon Do book history really be referring to Tang Soo Do history? If I remember correctly, my grandmaster said that Tae Kwon Do is fairly new and used to be called Tae Kyon (SIK). Going back 2000 years ago, was Tae Kyon and Tang Soo Do the same martial art?

I think it's just for looks, really. Why start a sparring session in *deep stance two handed middle block*, if no one attacks you? This position is for countering an attack.

"The Bodhidsatva Warriors" by Shifu Nagaboshi Tomio

Hi all - I'm a Taekwondo practicioner and along with 5 other teammates, I will be fighting in a tournament on Jan 29, 2005 called the "Sabaki Challenge". I hear that it's pretty brutal. No sparring gear; just mouth and groin guards. Anyone here ever participate in a tournament like this?

My grandmaster cannot speak English too well, but I believe that he was trying to tell me that the president of the WTF is in some kind of trouble and is doing time. Is this true?

"Grand Master, What's the point in standing in the horse stance for 30 minutes straight???????"

A couple of posters said that altering the forms is injustice to the forms. I have to disagree. Look at the alterations in Martial Arts in general. If I thought like the threadstarter, I can say that Kung Fu was altered by Karate and Taekwondo! Over time, circular movements changed to linear movements. Would it be fair to say that Taekwondo and Karate are cheap knockoffs of Kung Fu? I think not. So, since you take Tang Soo Do, do you feel that it is an alteration of Shaolin Kung Fu? See what I'm getting at? Look at the differences between the Japanese and Korean language. The same Chinese characters that translate to the Japanese "Karate Do" translates to "Tang Soo Do" in Korean, referring to the Tang dynasty in China. Over time, things change and it doesn't make it better or worse. It's a fact of life.

Congrats - You are on your way to being a Master!!!

Quoted from Black Belt magazine - June, 1998 The article is called, "Hard Meets Soft" Refering to the Tang Soo Do and Tai Chi connection. "However, something that is unknown to many Tang Soo Do practioners is that the final form in Tang Soo Do is a traditional style yang-style tai chi form. The Korean name is Tae Guk Kwan." Grandmaster D.A. Giacobbe My source could be inaccurate.

Thanks - What's the difference between Kwan Style and Sport? Also, my grandmaster wears a blue/red Tang Soo Do belt and we are a Taekwondo school...LOL.... I've only seen him where his TKD belt a few times.

We all know that Taekwondo has alot of flashy kicks, but my favorite kicks are the basic front kick, roundhouse kick, and side kick. When in tournaments, this is all I ever use. What are your favorite kicks? The only thing close to flashy that I like would be the jump spinning back kick to the body. I like this one alot!

To all Taekwondo and Tang Soo Do practitioners out there, I have a question for you. Do your dojangs mix poomse? The reason I ask is because I'm a Taekwondo practioner and so far, I know Tae Guek 1 - 6. I also know Kitch Cho Il Boo, Kitch Cho I Boo, and Kitch Cho Sam Boo along with Pyongwan Cho Dan, Pyongwan I Dan, and Pyongwan Sam Dang, which are Tang Soo Do forms? I'm not complaining or anything, but if we are a Taekwondo school, why are we being taught Tang Soo Do forms? I asked one of my instructors, but he doesn't know enough English to explain it to me. Also, for belt promotion tests, we have to know Tang Soo Do forms. Anyone else have a school like this?

Here's something that may be interesting to you -- The last and final form in Tang Soo Do is called, "Tae Guk Kwon" which translates to "Tai Chi Chuan" in Chinese, which is a Yang style Tai Chi form.

Wait a minute. You said that you were testing for 3rd dan and you mentioned that you all do Taeguek forms. What about the black belt forms Koryo, Sipjin, Keumgang, Taebaek, Pyongwon, Cheonkwon, Hansoo, Jitae, and Ilyeo? Taegeuk One - Represents heaven and light. Heaven gives us direction to life just as the rain and sun give plants direction to grow. Compare this form to the necessity of water as the most important nutrient required to keep us alive. Taegeuk Two - Represents joyfulness. This is the state of mind that allows us to remain patient and firm in our self-control so that our smile and virtues always prevail. Taegeuk Three - Represents fire and sun. Knowing how to control fire is a basic distinction of man from the animals. Fire and sun give us light, warmth, enthusiasm, and hope. Perform the movements with passion and briskness. Taegeuk Four - Represents thunder and lightning, which are the objects of fear and trembling. We are to practice calm actions and be brave, even in the face of danger or fear. Be confident the blue sky and bright sun will reappear. Taegeuk Five - Represents wind, knowing that wind can be horrible as are tornados or hurricanes but that the winds of nature are also gentle. Wind symbolizes a humble state of mind and expresses repetitive good-natured deeds. Become your brothers' keeper without expecting reward. Treat others as you wish to be treated. Taeguek Six - Represents water which is liquid and formless, never loses its nature, and always follows the path of least resistance. We are to be like water in our attempt to overcome difficulties and hardships. Our level of self- confidence is comparable to an amount of water, one drop is hardly noticed but an uncontrolled drip can cut through the hardest of rock. Imagine the river rock that keeps getting pushed around by the water until it evolves from its jagged start to a highly polished smooth stone. The experiences of life tend to smooth and polish the human spirit. Taegeuk Seven - Represents mountain. When climbing a mountain, we must learn when to stop and rest and when to persist even though the task appears impossible. Man must learn stability from the mountain that never moves; hold true to your beliefs and virtues. Do not act in a hasty manner, do not fall victim to your weaknesses. Taeguek Eight - Represents earth. We take life from it, grow on it, are buried in it, and are continuously drawing limitless energy from it. The earth hugs and grows everything. You are to learn from nature, be aware of the earth around you, respect nature as it is your lifeblood. You cannot survive without it. Attempt to compliment the earth in all your actions. If you pollute the earth, you are eventually polluting man.