36th National All Martial Arts Championship

The 36^th National All Martial Arts Championship was held in Monroeville, PA on May 1, 2010.
This event is the only Traditional Martial Arts Tournament of it's kind in the World!
Several of our students and instructors made the trek to Monroeville to compete and cheer each other on at the tournament. Our school brought home 33 trophies, 2 Grand Champion trophies & 4 medals through their hard work, dedication & consistency in training. We would like to thank all of our competitors for doing a great job representing Traditional Tang Soo Do of Philadelphia. We are very proud of you!

Congratulations to:

Robert Wells - Grand Champion Forms; Grand Champion Weapons; 1^st Place Forms; 1^st Place Place Weapons; 1^st Place Sparring; 1^st Place Breaking

Lisa Maisano - 1^st Place Breaking

Samantha Brown - 1^st Place Sparring; 1^st Place Breaking; 3^rd Place Weapons

Raymond Palidora - 1^st Place Breaking; 2^nd Place Forms

Alissa Cirano - 1^st Place Forms; 3^rd Place Weapons; 3^rd Place Sparring

Mikaela Smith - 1^st Place Breaking

Don Burleson - 2^nd Place Breaking; 2^nd Place Sparring; 2^nd Place Forms

Alex Burleson - 1^st Place Forms; 2^nd Place Sparring

Gabi Burleson - 3^rd Place Breaking; 3^rd Place Forms (also medaled); 3^rd Place Sparring

Anna Burleson - Medaled Forms; Medaled Breaking; Medaled Sparrring

Alexx Vernacchio - 1^st Place Sparring; 2^nd Place Breaking; 3^rd Place Forms

Rebecca Stevenson - 1^st Place Sparring; 1^st Place Breaking; 1^st Place Forms

Cory Meccariello - 1^st Place Sparring; 1^st Place Breaking; 2^nd Place Forms

Fund Raising Tournament

We are happy to announce that Choong Jae Nim Kim has selected our school to organize a tournament & seminar to raise funds for the Meditation & Training Center. The event will take place in October, 2010. Our neighboring I.T.F schools from Maryland will be attending & Choong Jae Nim has also given us permission to invite dojangs from outside the International Tang Soo Do Federation. We are very proud to be organizing this event & we are hoping for everyone's participation & attendance. Details about the date, time & location will be announced shortly.

Federation Emblem & Flag Symbolism

Federation Emblem (Kawn Ki)

Do - Symbol in Center of Emblem:
Meaning "The Way". Color Yellow/Gold Represents Never Changing
White Circle - (Background of World):
Meaning the Beginning or the Purity of Tang Soo Do
Korean Characters:
Tang Soo Do in Hangul
Compasses:
Each Compass in Red Symbolizes the Geographical Locations Throughout the World
Inner & Outer Circles:
Inner Circle Meaning - Confidence a Practitioner Develops Through Tang Soo Do Practice
Outer Circle Meaning - Physical Skills & Good Health a Practitioner Develops Through Tang Soo Do Practice
Blue Circle:
Meaning - Dan Rank & Dark Navy Blue Color Represents a Tang Soo Do Practitioner is Still Learning at that Level
World Map with "Do" Imposed:
Meaning - The Entire World can Follow & Learn the Way of Tang Soo Do

American Flag (Song Cho Ki)

The Flag of the United States of America consists of 50 white stars on a blue field, representing the 50 states of the union. There are 13 alternating red & white stripes representing the 13 original states. The colors of the American Flag symbolize the virtues of the entire nation. Blue is for Justice, Preservation & Vigilance. White is for Innocence. Red symbolizes Strength & Courage.

Korean Flag (Kuk Ki)

The Flag of the Republic of Korea is a white field dominated in the center by the symbol of the Uhm-yang. This symbol represents the dual nature of the Universe & the dual nature of every aspect of Life. The Red section represents the active, i.e. Fire, Heaven, father. The Blue section represents the passive, i.e. Water, Earth, Mother. Around the Uhm-Yang are anagrammed symbols representing this concept. In the upper left is the symbol for Heaven, it's opposite-Earth, is in the lower right corner. In the upper right corner is the symbol for water, it's opposite-Fire, is in the lower left corner. The white field represents the people of Korea. This is the only Flag representing the philosophy of the people. To have peace in life, the people & the forces around them must work in harmony with one another.

Tang Soo Do 10 Articles of Faith

1. Be loyal to your country.

2. Be obedient to your parents.

3. Be loving between husband & wife.

4. Be cooperative between brothers.

5. Be faithful between friends.

6. Be respectful to your elders.

7. Be faithful between teacher & student.

8. Know the difference between good & evil.

9. Never retreat in battle.

10. Always finish what you start.

Terminology 1

Numbers & Counting

1 - Hana
2 - Dul
3 - Set
4 - Net
5 - Dasot
6 - Yosot
7 - Ilgop
8 - Yodul
9 - Ahop
10- Yol

Basic Terminology

Dojang - Training Hall
Do Bok - Training Uniform
Dee - Belt
Ko Map Sum Ni Da - Thank You
Cha Ryut - Attention
Kuk Gi Bay Ray - Salute the Flag
Ba Ro -Return
Anjoh - Sit
Muk Nyum - Meditation
Kyung Ret - Bow
Shi Jock - Begin
Shio - Relax
Tora - Turn
Dwee Ro Tora- Turn to the back
Choon Bee - Ready Position
Bal Cha Ki Choon Bee - Ready for Kicking
Gi Cho - Basic
Hyung - Forms
Deh Ryun - Sparring
Ho Sin Sul - Self Defense
Kyok Pa - Breaking
Mahk Kee - Block
Kong Kyuck - Attack
Ha Dan - Low Part
Choong Dan - Middle Part
Sang Dan - High Part
Ahp - Front
Yup - Side
Dwi - Back
Cha Gi - Kick
Ki Hap - Spirit Breath (Yell)
Ja Seh - Stance

Terminology 2

Stances, Hand Technique & Kicking Technique

Stances:

Choon Bee Ja Seh - Ready Stance
Chun Gul Ja Seh - Front Stance
Kee Mah Ja Seh - Horse Stance
Hu Gul Ja Seh - Fighting Stance

Hand Technique:

Chung Kwon - Forefist
Kap Kwon - Backfist
Soo Do - Knife Hand
Yuk Soo Do - Ridge Hand
Kwan Soo - Spear Hand
Jang Kwan - Palm Strike
Ha Dan Mahk Kee - Low Block
Choong Dan King Kyuck - Middle Punch
Sang Dan Kong Kyuck - High Punch
Sang Dan Mahk Kee - High Block
Ahneso Phaku Ro Mahk Kee - Inside/Outside Block
Phakeso Ahnu Ro Mahk Kee - Outside/Inside Block
When Jin kong Kyuck - Side Punch in Horse Stance
Chun Gul Ssang Soo Mahk Kee - Two Fist Middle Block
Hu Gul Yup Mahk Kee - Side Block in Fighting Stance
Ssang Soo Ha Dan Mahk Kee - Low X Block in Front Stance
Hu Gul Ssang Soo Ha dan Mahk Kee - X Block in Fighting Stance
Ha Dan Soo Do Mahk Kee - Low Knife Hand Block in Fighting Stance
Choong Dan Soo Do Mahk Kee - Middle Knife Hand Block in Fighting Stance
Sang Dan Soo Do Mahk Kee - High Knife Hand Block in Fighting Stance
Kwan Soo Kong Kyuck - Spear Hand Attack
Yuk Jin - Reverse Punch in Fighting Stance
Tora Choong Dan Kong Kyuck - Reverse Punch in Front Stance
Yuk Soo - Defense Punch in Front Stance
Yuk Soo Do Kong Kyuck - Ridge Hand Attack in Front Stance
Pal Koop Kong Kyuck - Elbow Attack

Kicking Technique:

Ahp Podo Oll Ri Gi - Front Stretch Kick
Ahp Cha Gi - Front Kick
Up Podo Oll Ri Gi - Side Stretch Kick
Yup Cha Gi - Side Snap Kick
Dull Ryo Cha Gi - Round House Kick
Dwi Cha Gi - Back Snap Kick
Dwi Dull Ryo Cha Gi - Spinning Back Kick
Ahneso Phaku Ro Cha Gi - Inside to Outside Crescent Kick
Phakeso Ahnuro Cha Gi - Outside to Inside Crescent Kick
E-Dan Ahp Cha Gi - Jump Front Kick
E-Dan Yup Cha Gi - Jump Side Kick
E-Dan Dwi Cha Gi - Jump Back Kick
E-Dan Dull Ryo Cha Gi - Jump Round House Kick
E-Dan Dwi Dull Ryo Cha Gi - Jump Spinning Back Kick
E-Dan Dull Ryo Dwi Cha Gi - Jump 360 Degree Back Kick

The Importance of Practicing Hyungs

Practicing Hyungs

Most of our Traditional Tang Soo Do techniques can be found in our Hyungs.

Hyungs help us develop the specific types of motor skills we need to execute our techniques effectively. Hyungs provide a link with tradition that might otherwise be lost in the melting pot of the contemporary martial arts paradigm. Studying and practicing our Hyungs can reveal the meaning behind the movements and important technical information. If practiced with focus, perseverance, and enthusiasm, Hyungs are a way to unite and develop our body, mind, and spirit.

The pushup, an exercise common to almost every martial arts program, has no fighting application, yet it builds upper body and core strength, and can help develop determination and focus. These qualities and attributes are important factors in developing our fighting skills. Like the pushup, Hyungs can be an exercise, but much more complicated and demanding than pushups, and exponentially more beneficial.

There are several key points in Hyung practice: balance, power, precision, focus, intensity and presence of mind. Power is strength applied quickly, and it is explosive by nature. It is developed in Hyung training by relaxing one set of muscles as the opposing muscles contract as quickly and powerfully as possible, and by quick, clean transitions between strong stances. Stillness before and after, is as important as speed in these movements.

Focus means performing movements with precision and proper intention. Do them the same way every time with intention and presence of mind. Picture the application of the movement as you perform it.

Intensity is the emotional connection we have with a movement as we perform it. It is the fighting spirit without anger. It is adrenaline without fear. It is the enjoyment of the movement. It is total commitment to the present moment.

All of these key points can be represented by Um and Yang, the equal and opposite forces which make up the whole. Yang is the contraction of extensor muscles which happens simultaneously with the Um relaxation of the flexors. Yang is the speed of movement of a punch or kick or step, and Um is the stillness immediately before and after. Yang is the determination to be precise in one's movements, and Um is the flexibility to accept variation. Yang is the fiery intensity of performing fighting moves as if one's life was at stake, and Um is the deeper sense of calm.

When practicing Hyung, enjoy every movement!

Got 15 Minutes? Burn Some Calories...Beach Weather Is Coming!

Based on body weight of 130 pounds. Add 3.64 calories per minute for every pound over 130. Subtract 3.64 calories per minute for every pound under 130.

Karate/Martial Arts-235 calories (940 calories per 1 hour class)
Running on Treadmill-196 (785 per hour)
Jumping Rope Fast-177 calories (708 calories per hour)
Jumping Rope Moderate-148 calories (592 calories per hour)
Jumping Rope Slow-118 calories (472 calories per hour)
Push Ups/Sit Ups Vigorous-118 calories (472 calories per hour)
Jumping Jacks-150 calories (600 calories per hour)
Running in Place-118 calories (472 calories per hour)
Sparring-133 calories (532 calories per hour)
Stretching/Yoga-59 calories (236 calories per hour)
Stationary Bike Vigorous-155 calories (620 calories per hour)
Weight Training Vigorous-90 calories (360 calories per hour)