Tae Soo Do
Tae Soo Do
Term Tae Soo Do is used to refer to two different martial arts.
One is the simplified version of martial art Hwa Rang Do created with the intention of training students new to martial arts. The meaning of the term Tae Soo Do in this context is translated as ?the way of the great hand" or sometimes as ?the way of the warrior spirit?.
Tae Soo Do was also the name by which unified Korean martial art Kwans or schools were known during the period from 1962 to 1965 when the term Tae Kwon Do was temporarily dropped. In this context the term Tae Soo Do is translated literally as ?the way of body and hand?.
Tae Soo Do ? simplified Hwa Rang Do
Tae Soo Do as a simplified version was created by Dr. Joo Bang Lee the founder of modern Hwa Rang Do. This was done in order to train new students with no previous martial arts experience so that they do not get put off by the advanced Hwa Rang Do syllabus and to give a solid foundation in physical skills and mental attitudes required. It is sometimes referred to as the Undergraduate Program for beginner Martial Artists and as the sports version of Hwa Rang Do
Tae Soo Do has all the basic techniques of a complete martial art system. Its curriculum includes linear and circular strikes and blocks using hands and feet, kickboxing, basic throwing and takedowns, basic ground fighting and choking, and basic joint manipulation, techniques. Light and medium contact sparring, falling techniques, acrobatics, are also included in the curriculum. Basic techniques for using weapons are taught as well.
In addition to fighting techniques, basics of philosophy underlining the martial arts are also instilled. It has most of the techniques to act as an effective means of self defense. Training in Tae Soo Do can be beneficial as a cardiovascular workout and a muscle toning exercise routine.
Most Hwa Rang Do schools also teach Tae Soo Do and require new students to follow the Tae Soo Do course before studying Hwa Rang Do. Generally only students with experience are allowed to go straight to Hwa Rang Do training. The experience levels of students are generally judged by the instructor.
Tae Soo Do has a colored belt based ranking system with ten grades of belts. A student with a black belt (Cho Dan), the highest rank in Tae Soo Do, is given a yellow sash in Hwa Rang Do (which uses a sash based ranking system). He or she can continue the training from there. On average it takes about two to three years to obtain a black belt in Tae Soo Do. Dedicated students may advance more quickly to Tae Soo Do black belt if sufficiently motivated. Tae Soo Do - the way of body and hands
When Korea was liberated from Japanese occupation the South Korean President Syngman Rhee ordered that then existing Kwans of martial arts be unified into one system. 1955 the unified system was given the name Tae Kwon Do meaning ?the way of fist and feet? and Korean Taekwondo Association was formed 1959 to facilitate the amalgamation. However when this effort was not successful government tried again, this time forming the Korea Tae Soo Do Association and the unified art was named Tae Soo Do ? ?the way of body and hands?. However in 1965 when Choi Hong Hi who has proposed the name Tae Kwon Do originally became the leader of the Association he changed it back to Tae Kwon Do and reamed the association Korean Taekwondo Association.