Sun Hang Do-The New Martial Art

[DLopez]

From the website at the posted link:

Sun Hang Do teaches soft-style movements which utilize the meridian line of the human body it's pressure points and joints. You will learn incredibly effective self defense that involves throwing techniques, takedowns and joint manipulation.

 

Perhaps they've since added that since, but looks like they mention it to me.

 

As for michigantkd's comments, why do you dismiss this particular program out of hand like that? How do you know that program is as worthless as your prejudice claims?

 

Apparently, your mind is closed to learning about other MA's, and if that's the case, why would you even bother visiting this site? No one is trying to 'convert' you.

[MichiganTKD]

Because all these "new" martial arts are essentially the same. How many times can you reinvent the wheel? Hapkido is Hwarangdo is Kuk Sool Won. Sun Hang Do sounds like some no-name Instructor's latest take on combining aikido and Tae Kwon Do. Besides, anything this "Sun Hang Do" does I probably already do.

[White Warlock]

I looked at the short video clips there and i see very little to indicate what it claims to be. Granted, they were short clips showing little, if anything, of value... but... if they had something to present... they should present it right there.

 

Michigan has a point. A system this 'young' having THAT many black belts, instructors, and the like in such a short period of time. Well over 50 blackbelts and 9 schools in 10 years!?!

 

Another thing. They do not compete 'outside' of their own tournaments. Need i mention, "test tube?"

 

On a personal level, i saw a helluva lot of 'flashy' stuff. Things that 'do not' work in real life, but look really impressive and are great for making an impression on uninitiated sorts. High, flashy kicks where the person isn't paying attention to where he kicks, and is not placing his energy appropriately. A knife block that could very well have had the guy gutted if he had defended against someone who had just two days of knife training. Staff techniques that lacked proper grounding and had poor footwork. The grandmaster cutting a watermelon on someone's stomach in the middle of half-time on a field for a football crowd. Etc...

 

If they claim to garner the best of various systems, then why are they including dance and parlor tricks?

 

Other than that, insufficient information.

[MichiganTKD]

"Sun Hang Do" is what I refer to as a martial art buffet. Instead of dedicating himself to one art and truly understanding it, the guy invariably studied some tae Kwon Do, some karate, some aikido, some kung fu, and some weapons to look more impressive. The end result is a self proclaimed "new style" that offers a sample of various established styles but does not go in depth into anything in particular. Much like a buffet. And yes, I see it all the time. All these "Masters" think they're creating something original when they are not. I'm skeptical because I've earned the right to be.

[DLopez]

Michigan, I think you have a double-standard going here.

 

I think you would (understandibly) be quite upset if someone called your favorite martial art "Tae Kwan Daycare" or "take one's dough", yet you have no problem putting down another martial art simply based on what you see on a website, with no personal experience whatsoever involved in the forumulation of your opinion?

 

Now I cannot claim to be a martial arts historian, but it's quite clear from what little I have learned, that TKD is not a pure, original martial art either, so it seems odd that that's one of the criteria you use to judge whether a martial art is of any value.

 

BTW - in another thread, you mentioned that KSW was not really a martial art, but a "fighting style" instead. I don't know what "fighting style" means, but did you know that Kuk Sool Won is recognized by the Korean government as one of the Official Governing Bodies of Martial Arts in Korea?

 

KSW is a martial art no more and no less than TKD. To be precise, KSW is a "system" of martial arts. IOW, you don't have to take TKD and Hapkido to learn features of one that the other doesn't teach.

 

I hope this little bit of info helps dispel some misconceptions you may have of "other" martial arts besides the one you practice.

 

 

Dean

[White Warlock]

DLopez, while i agree that Michigan is a purist hard-* (mischevious grin included), his arguments are not incorrect... just hard to listen to.

 

DLopez, read the bio provided on the grandmaster of this new system - http://www.sunhangdo.com/fatherofSHD.html

 

This is not an attack on the system or the person. Michigan's statements are correct, in that Jin Kang created a hybrid of TKD and other systems, based on piecemeal from systems he had 'touched' upon in his life. As mean as it may sound, referring to this system creation theme as 'buffet' is applicable, especially when you consider such comments made in his bio as, "When not teaching, Kang would meet regularly with martial arts instructors from various other styles and backgrounds. These weekly meetings became a ritual where ideas and techniques were exchanged, developed and tested."

 

And, while i actually advocate that people learn and combine various systems, i would hesitate to call this system the, "ultimate art for humanity." Also, there is much truth in losing much that a system has to offer by not adhering to it and only 'touching' upon it.

 

Last, and this is a biggie, Jin Kang created this 'new system' when he was 38 years old.

[MichiganTKD]

I have done a little practice in Aikido. I respect aikido and find it fascinating. However, Tae Kwon Do and aikido are separate. If I teach an aikido technique to students I label it as such. Even if I fully studied aikido and earned a Dan ranking in it, I still keep TKD and aikido separate, because the mechanics and philosophies are different. I certainly would never combine Tae Kwon Do and aikido into one art because it is impossible. I introduce aikido techniques as such and say this is an aikido response to such and such attack. Calling it a new art because you are combining two or more styles that may or may not be complementary is presumptous and panders to the Western (American) desire to have it all. Jack of all trades, master of none.

 

By the way, to me a "fighting style" is exactly that-a system designed to teach a set of techniques that may or may not be grounded in a philosophical/moral code. Quick rule: if it ends in "Do" it is a martial art. Otherwise it is a fighting style.

 

One more thing: I respect KSW as an activity that people have a right to practice. I never said don't practice it. But let's be honest. When am I ever going to use a fan or most of the weapons KSW teaches. Their techniques may have been useful 300 years ago, but seem a bit outdated now. The techniques that traditional TKD teaches will always be useful. As well as having a solid moral/philosophical code. Hence Tae Kwon DO.

[Shorinryu Sensei]

"accept all the good things from the other marital arts."

 

*sigh*...oh no...not another one???

 

It seems there are "new and improved" systems popping up all the time spouting that they take all the good of all the arts and combine them into their new, and improved ultimate nmartial arts system.

 

When will it stop???

[DLopez]

Quick rule: if it ends in "Do" it is a martial art. Otherwise it is a fighting style.

 

 

How good is your Korean? Do you know what Kuk Sool Won translates into from Korean?

 

Surely someone who's into the "purity" of their martial art has taken the time to study the language behind it, no?

 

Silly Korean Government. KSW isn't a martial art... only if it ends in "Do" is it a martial art. Their recognition of KSW as one of the governing bodies of Korean martial arts seems pretty silly now that you've enlightened me. The nerve that they didn't even bother to consult you about your "rule"!

 

BTW - this martial art you are knocking, Sun Hang Do ends in "Do". It must be legit!

 

I've read some silly nonsense before, but Michigan, you have given me the most laughs in a long while! Thanks!

[White Warlock]

Well, i'm out of this discussion. Getting too silly for me.