What is Tang Soo Do?
Tang Soo Do ("Way of the Open Hand") is a classic martial art whose central purpose is to assist in the development and growth of all aspects of our inner and outer selves.
Tang Soo Do integrates the graceful movements of Northern Chinese martial arts with the sharper techniques of centuries-old Korean martial arts. It is admired and respected throughout the Martial Arts world for its beauty and effectiveness. Tang Soo Do is known for having one of the most effective training methods for developing discipline, focus, confidence and physical fitness
We at Seven Star Martial Arts offer a wide range of classes tailored to all ages and skill levels. Beginner to advanced, children to adults, senior citizens, private lessons, specialty clinics and self defense seminars.
Tang Soo Do integrates the graceful movements of Northern Chinese martial arts with the sharper techniques of centuries-old Korean martial arts. It is admired and respected throughout the Martial Arts world for its beauty and effectiveness. Tang Soo Do is known for having one of the most effective training methods for developing discipline, focus, confidence and physical fitness
We at Seven Star Martial Arts offer a wide range of classes tailored to all ages and skill levels. Beginner to advanced, children to adults, senior citizens, private lessons, specialty clinics and self defense seminars.
What is Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan?
The art of Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan ("American Brotherhood of the Empty Hand Defense") is taught throughout the United States, Mexico and Chile. The TAC (technical advisory committee) has dedicated itself to developing a comprehensive curriculum that harmonizes with the natural aging process of the human species. Since the human condition is as such: That as we age we begin to develop certain bodily limitations, i.e.., decreased flexibility, decrease muscle density, loss of calcium in skeletal system, decreased endurance, speed and strength. These natural bodily challenges cause us to adjust our training requirements for keeping ourselves physically and mentally fit. Tang Soo do Mi Guk Kwan strives to blend both hard and soft style techniques in a natural way. When practitioners are young they have an affinity for hard, explosive and athletic techniques which compliment their young pliable and developing bodies. Their youthful exuberance craves the challenges that the Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan Self Defense System imparts.
As practitioners begin to approach middle age their body begins to transform and he or she needs to modify the execution of their techniques to reflect these natural changes. Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan compliments this process by introducing techniques that blend both hard and soft attributes. And finally, as practitioners move toward the golden years and their bodies once again begin to transform in accordance with aging process they will need to practice techniques that don't cause damage to their bodies. Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan has a full compliment of soft techniques that allow our elderly citizens to continue to enjoy the study of martial arts for the rest of their lives.
Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan was developed from combining the teachings and techniques of many traditional martial arts systems. Some of the martial arts styles that were drawn on for it's development are: the traditional systems of Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan; Karate Do; Aikido; Jujitsu; Tai Chi Chuan; Shaolin Kung Fu; Hai Dong Gumdo (Korean Sword); Philippine Kali.
The basic components that comprise the Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan curriculum are: Meditation; stretching and conditioning; cardiovascular training; basic hand and foot techniques (blocking, kicking and striking); hyungs (forms, preset patterns of movement that teach students how make transitions between offensive and defensive techniques); one-step sparring (block and counter techniques); self defense (grappling and joint locking techniques); weapons training; free sparring techniques.
Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan was designed to foster a thorough understanding of the concepts of self-defense and character development. The principles stressed in Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan are: respect, confidence; discipline; mental alertness; a positive attitude towards life.
As practitioners begin to approach middle age their body begins to transform and he or she needs to modify the execution of their techniques to reflect these natural changes. Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan compliments this process by introducing techniques that blend both hard and soft attributes. And finally, as practitioners move toward the golden years and their bodies once again begin to transform in accordance with aging process they will need to practice techniques that don't cause damage to their bodies. Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan has a full compliment of soft techniques that allow our elderly citizens to continue to enjoy the study of martial arts for the rest of their lives.
Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan was developed from combining the teachings and techniques of many traditional martial arts systems. Some of the martial arts styles that were drawn on for it's development are: the traditional systems of Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan; Karate Do; Aikido; Jujitsu; Tai Chi Chuan; Shaolin Kung Fu; Hai Dong Gumdo (Korean Sword); Philippine Kali.
The basic components that comprise the Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan curriculum are: Meditation; stretching and conditioning; cardiovascular training; basic hand and foot techniques (blocking, kicking and striking); hyungs (forms, preset patterns of movement that teach students how make transitions between offensive and defensive techniques); one-step sparring (block and counter techniques); self defense (grappling and joint locking techniques); weapons training; free sparring techniques.
Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan was designed to foster a thorough understanding of the concepts of self-defense and character development. The principles stressed in Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan are: respect, confidence; discipline; mental alertness; a positive attitude towards life.
Grandmaster Charles Ferraro
Kwan Jhang Nim Ferraro with SBN McManus
Grandmaster Charles Ferraro, 9th Degree Blackbelt (9th Dan) began his
training as a boy in 1967. He took part in the art not for fighting or
self-defense (the study of the martial arts wasn't a popular activity
back then), but because he was infatuated with watching local Black Belts
working out with each other. The first time, he recalls, was "Like
watching an eagle soaring high on the wind currents". The instructor's
movements were graceful but also powerful. The technique which was
quite visibly effective seemed so effortless. All the eyes of the
practitioners were steady, confident and peaceful.
Tang Soo Do has always been Kwan Jang Nim Ferraro's first love. Having studied many martial arts over the years Kwan Jang Nim Ferraro continues to train and teach Tang Soo Do to this very day. He began studying with Sa Bom Nim H.C. Hwang (son of Grandmaster Hwang Kee, creator of Tang Soo Do), in November 1976 and continued to train with him until November of 1995. Kwan Jang Nim Ferraro currently trains under Kwan Jang Nim Andy Ah Po who is the founder of the Tang Soo Do Martial Way Association. Kwan Jang Nim Ferraro is greatly indebted to both of these respected teachers for helping him become the Tang Soo Do practitioner he is today. Through them he has learned to embrace the proper attitude and spirit that comprises the Tang Soo Do art form.
Tang Soo Do has always been Kwan Jang Nim Ferraro's first love. Having studied many martial arts over the years Kwan Jang Nim Ferraro continues to train and teach Tang Soo Do to this very day. He began studying with Sa Bom Nim H.C. Hwang (son of Grandmaster Hwang Kee, creator of Tang Soo Do), in November 1976 and continued to train with him until November of 1995. Kwan Jang Nim Ferraro currently trains under Kwan Jang Nim Andy Ah Po who is the founder of the Tang Soo Do Martial Way Association. Kwan Jang Nim Ferraro is greatly indebted to both of these respected teachers for helping him become the Tang Soo Do practitioner he is today. Through them he has learned to embrace the proper attitude and spirit that comprises the Tang Soo Do art form.
