join the Celtic Tang Soo Do Association

Celtic Tang Soo Do was created because I became disillusioned with the art as it was, as an instructor I have to believe in what I teach.

For example:

• How many times have you seen a Two-handed middle block (Chun Gul Ssang Soo Mahk Ki) used in a competition, or an Inside to Outside block (Ahn Eso Pahk Uro Mahk Ki), the answer is NEVER, so stop teaching them and then it becomes a sport, OR teach your students how to use them in a one-step fighting situation, then you are learning the real art.
• If the reason for teaching hand basics on a regular basis is to instil muscle memory, but having to change the way you perform the technique to make it work, then all that basic training was a useless exercise, teach the technique the way it should be used and teach one-steps utilising hand basics in the same manner.
• Tang Soo Do is influenced by both Korean AND Chinese styles, you have to understand what is there within Hyung.

Having seen a variety of interpretations of basic hand techniques by high rank black belts (various Japanese styles), I decided to re-evaluate the art I had practised so many years and therefore update it so the art can now be regarded as an efficient and effective martial art again.

It has taken some time to go through everything so as to standardise the technical interpretations as well as developing a variety of One-step hand techniques that allow the student to understand and utilise these techniques and without changing the way basic’s are practised.

Yes, there is a lot more to the art and students will have to learn more to earn each rank.

Senior Black belts will be assigned certain Hyung (Kata) to focus on so as to understand the whole Hyung in order that the standard of the students ability and knowledge is greatly improved.

It now works more effectively as a Self-defence art as the techniques are taught in a correct manner.

Students must learn how to throw opponents and where to strike, techniques that are held within the hyungs, the art is not just punching and kicking but this is NOT the main reason for practising a traditional martial art, the goal should be to become a better person, more self confident, to maintain self control in difficult situations, to become better physically, mentally and spiritually.

Pressure point techniques will also be taught, but not to beginners, they will need to prove themselves responsible students so at intermediate and advanced rank they can be trusted to understand the consequences of such strikes.

Why teach so much, well that's what is held within the art, if you pick and chose then you ‘water down’ the art, which is what has happened to a lot of styles (including Tang Soo Do), over the last 100 years or so, cannot understand Hyung? throw it away, cannot understand Mu Shin? then don’t teach it…NO, if you want to learn a martial art then learn the whole martial art, the student will become better for it.

Because of this, student testing will be every 4 months instead of 3 because there is so much to learn.

Chief instructors will also be respected in a more constructive manner which benefits them far more as they are the people who have a big influence on how the association grows.

You cannot get RESPECT if you do not show proper respect to others, you cannot teach the art unless you yourself believe in the effectiveness of what you teach, you cannot expect your students to have  integrity if YOU do not have integrity, and if YOU cannot demonstrate true HUMILITY then why should your students strive to develop this.

I hope you agree.  TANG SOO

QUESTION:  What does it mean to be a Black Belt?

ANSWER:       It’s NOT about YOU being better than someone else, 

                               but it’s about YOU being better today than YOU were yesterday.