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 Curriculum
Belt System
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Rank Requirements
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Mental/Physical Emphasis
The art
of Soo Bahk Do involves the development of the mind and the body. There are
three areas of development that we focus on in our training: Neh Gung (Internal
Energy), Weh Gung (External Energy) and Shim Gung (Mental/Spiritual Energy).
Neh Gung can be considered our breath during our technique, Weh Gung is our
body’s action (use of hip) and Shim Gung is our attitude; our discipline (Moo
Do). Our Founder, Kwan Jang Nim Hwang Kee, introduced a systematic and
scientific method of training to enable us to realize our full potential.
Through this system, each area builds on the next and is progressively more
involved. Our art consists of the following training areas:
 There
are many factors that make our Moo Duk Kwan style very unique
under
our Founder, Kwan Jang Nim
Hwang Kee. One factor is our unique way to emphasize
the use of hip (Hu Ri). The
use of hip is extremely important in helping you to understand coordination of
speed, power and balance. Proper use of hip will help you achieve
higher levels in your training and in other physical activities that you may
become involved with in the future.
To
understand this unique aspect the first step in our training is to break down
this application and apply its philosophy in basic hand (Blocking/Punching) and
foot techniques (Kicking). As a result the use of hip is broken down into
defense and offensive hip. The techniques used are taken from our Hyung
(Forms). This basic process will aid in our understanding of the techniques
that are later applied in more difficult situations. Ki Cho is the foundation
of the techniques in Soo Bahk Do. Back to
Top
 Ancient people had a deep interest
in the development of forms as well as a profound understanding of them. Below
is a quote from the Moo Yei Do Bo Tong Ji, which is the oldest documentation of
Korean Martial Arts (300 Years), the author is unknown:
"Performing with hands and
feet and conditioning the body is the beginning of the study of the art of Tang
Soo Do (Soo Bahk Do). In actual combat, form does not seem in an obvious way to
be a necessary part of the martial arts. However practicing forms perfects the
ability to perform hand and foot techniques freely. This is fundamental to
making the best use of one's body at all times."
Basic to
all martial arts is this: After the basic movements are learned they are
applied to and transformed into forms. As established, traditional and clearly
defined sets of steps, jumps, blocks, kicks and punches, each of the forms in
our art has a unity and purposed. The elements which make up the character or
personality of a form are as follows:
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Form Sequence
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Power Control
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Tension and Relaxation
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Speed and Rhythm Control
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Direction of Movements
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Spirit or Attitude
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Power of Technique
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Understanding Form Technique
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Distinctive Features of the Form
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Perfect Finish
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Precision of Movements
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Intentness
These
twelve elements may be used as a basis for evaluating a form and for the study
of its improved performance. For additional information on selected Hyung
please click here.
The Hyung of
Soo Bahk Do were influenced by Ryu, or styles. One style is Weh Ga Ryu
(Outside/External House Style). Weh Ga Ryu came from Southern Chinese Schools
emphasizing speed, aggressiveness and dynamic action. Examples of the Weh Ga
Ryu style are the Gi Cho Hyung, Pyung Ahn Hyung, and Passai. Another Ryu is
Neh Ga Ryu (Inside/Internal House Style). Neh Ga Ryu came from Northern
Chinese Schools emphasizing more deliberate technique, stability and fluid
motion. Most of our advanced Hyung come from the Neh Ga Ryu, such as Nai Han Ji.
The last Ryu is the Joong Gan Ryu (Middle Way Style) This Ryu was a
Korean influence due to the fact that they had to be versatile because of the
threat of living between China and Japan. The traditional Soo Bahk Hyung like
the Yuk Ro Hyung and Chil Sung Hyung come from this style.
The
types of moves in a Hyung are important to the character also. These techniques
often represent something from nature. By symbolizing an animal in our Hyung we
show a respect for nature, as we should for all life.
Back to Top
 Il
Soo Sik Dae Ryun is pre-planned sparring with a partner that helps develop
balance, focus
and distance control. Through this area of training you will develop many
effective combinations before being introduced to Free Sparring. When you begin
Free Sparring, it will be easier for you to perform the techniques required. Il
Soo Sik Dae Ryun is performed in a formal manner with a proper start, execution
of the technique and a proper finish. It involves the following ceremony:
- Bow to
your partner from the attention position
- Jhoon
Bee (Ready Stance) together
-
Measure distance
- Junior
side challenges with Ha Dan Mahk Kee (Low Block) and proper Ki Hap
- Senior
side response with Ki Hap
- Junior
side performs Sang Dan Kong Kyuk (High Punch)
- Senior
side defends attack performing Il Soo Sik exercise
- Both
sides Ba Ro (Return to Ready Stance) together upon completion
Bowing to
our partner is Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan (Sang Ho Kan E Kyung Ret) is of the
utmost importance as it shows the Respect and Discipline that comprise one of
our 5 Moo Do Values. Our training involves potentially dangerous techniques and
without respect and discipline the techniques may be used in a negative manner.
The physical action of bowing shows the constant mental awareness and
concentration required, as well as respect towards yourself, your partner and
towards the art. Back to Top
 Ho
Sin Sool has been taught in Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan classes since the Founder
established the Moo Duk Kwan in 1945. Ho Shin Sool can be translated as
follows:
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Ho: Protection, Defense
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Sin: One’s own body (Yourself)
- Sool:
Technique
Ho Sin
Sool begins with awareness of your surroundings, circumstances and potential
threatening situations. With proper awareness a conflict should be prevented
long before a physical confrontation takes place. Typically, the defender is
grabbed and pulled in a variety of ways as a result; the defender needs to work
in close quarters to escape the attack (grab or various weapons). The purpose
of Ho Sin Sool is to subdue attackers (redirect aggressive force) using minimal
physical power that could be much larger/stronger than you. "You can face
danger with courage, but you need to have techniques to defend yourself."
Ho Sin
Sool should use the energy of your partner against them. In most situations,
when your attacker pushes, you pull away and if they pull, you push. The
defender should understand the importance of striking quickly while maintaining
the highest level of Shim Gung (Mental Energy). When put into submission the
attacker should maintain shi sun (eyesight), good posture and move with the flow
of energy for an overall harmonious demonstration.
Back to Top
 Ja
Yu Dae Ryun
is designed to simulate real life-threatening combat. As a result this area is
a great test of skill, as it demands not only mastery of individual techniques,
but the ability to react and strategize skillfully against an aggressive
attacker. Tactical knowledge of applications, as well as sensitivity towards
the slightest change from full to empty in oneself and the attacker are of
paramount importance. Ja Yu Dae Ryun may be practiced with a single partner,
multiple partners, an attacker with a weapon or multiple armed attackers.
Back to Top
 Kyok
Pa is used primarily as a demonstration and test of striking and penetrating
power. Wood, bricks, cement or tiles may be broken in Kyok Pa, which is
exhibited most often in formal testing. The simplicity of breaking makes it a
popular choice for public demonstrations, as it conveys an aspect of technical
pragmatism to an audience without any martial knowledge or experience. Any
striking technique may be used for Kyok Pa, though generally the more
sophisticated the technique, the more challenging the break.
Back to Top
 Daily
fitness exercises are part of the Asian culture, with hundreds or thousands of
variations. These exercises called “Ki Gung” (Energy Cultivation) in Korean and
“Chi Gung” in Chinese, fall into two major categories: Martial exercises which
build health and increase ones power for self defense, and Scholarly exercises
which are designed specifically for health. These exercises gently work the
bones, ligaments, and muscles, as well as the internal organs, circulatory,
immune, lymphatic and energy systems. The Moo Pahl Dan Khum are a set deep
breathing exercises that mean the following:
- Moo:
Military
- Pahl:
Eight
- Dan:
Level
- Khum: Of
Value (Silk)
Moo Pahl
Dan Khum and Moon Pahl Dan Khum are one such set of very old exercises developed
to maintain health both internally and externally. They were originally based
on an even older set of exercises called the Ship E Dan Khum (12 exercises).
The Ship E Dan Khum were adapted by Marshal Yei, a famous Chinese military
General, for his troops. They were divided into two sets, the Moo (Military)
set of exercises and the Moon (Scholarly) set of exercises. The Moo Pahl Dan
Khum consists of 8 standing exercises and the Moon Pahl Dan Khum consists of 8
sitting exercises.
Our
Founder, Kwan Jang Nim Hwang Kee added the Moo Pahl Dan Khum exercises to Soo
Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan's curriculum because he believed martial arts should be
learned not only for self-defense, but also for the mental, physical and
spiritual development. Back to Top |
