TANG SOO DO DEFINED
'Tang' refers to the T'ang Dynasty in China which reflects the shared cultural background between China and Korea. 'Soo' means hand but implies fist or strike, and 'Do' means way of life or art. Thus 'Tang Soo Do' is defined as the Korean classical martial art, influenced by the T'ang method of martial art.
The origins of Tang Soo Do date back approximately 2000 years. The martial arts of ancient Korea have been taught under many different names, however, most Korean martial arts claim the same heritage and draw their lineage back to arts called Kwon Bop or Soo Bahk, which were originally illustrated in the first martial arts book called the Muye Dobo Tongji (written in 1790).
Tang Soo Do is different from Tae Kwon Do, in that, Tang Soo Do has strived to remain the traditional martial art that closely reflects it's 2000 year old heritage while Tae Kwon Do (which did not exist as a name until 1955) is primarily sport oriented.
AFFILIATION
Valley Tang Soo Do Academy is proud to be a Certfied Studio in the World Tang Soo Do Association. The World Tang Soo Do Association has over 100,000 members in 38 different countries with over 600 schools world wide. That means, as a member of Valley Tang Soo Do Academy and the WTSDA in turn, wherever you travel or relocate to, chances are there is a Do Jang (studio or training hall) nearby that recognizes your rank and welcomes you as family.
The founder and Grandmaster of the World Tang Soo Association is Jae Chul Shin. Grandmaster Shin has been training and teaching for over 50 years, has been featured in numerous martial arts magazines, and is also known as Chuck Norris' original instructor. Association membership includes rank and promotion certification, newsletters, and invitations to it's sanctioned events such as tournaments, clinics, camps etc. Our next bi-annual world championships will be held in 2010 (location TBD) and Valley Tang Soo Do Academy students will be there.
Lastly, martial arts is not about who can 'knock who's block off'; although Valley Tang Soo Do Academy will give you the physical training to do just that...more importantly, we'll help to instill in you the good sense and respect not to, unless it's absolutely unavoidable. |
OUR MISSION
Our goal at Valley Tang Soo Do Academy is simple:
Promoting Self-Defense, Good Health, and Strong Character through traditional martial arts training.
Although our message and values are tradtional, our instructional methods have changed with the times; so don't worry, traditional doesn't mean you get beat up by your instructor for doing something wrong. Beating and ridiculing students into submission is not how Valley Tang Soo Do does business.
At Valley Tang Soo Do Academy, we teach (and live by) the 7 tenets and 5 codes of the WTSDA:
- Courtesy
- Integrity
- Perseverence
- Respect and Obedience
- Self-Control
- Humility
- Indomitable Spirit
The Codes:
- Loyalty to Country
- Obedience to Parents
- Honor Friendship
- No retreat in Battle
- In fighting, choose with sense
and honor
If these are values you think would benefit you or your child, contact us for a free trial lesson. |
