Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan
About TSDMGK
A classical martial art with forward vision:
Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan Association, Inc. An organization founded by Grandmaster Charles J. Ferraro. The Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan system is a classical martial art concerned with scientific and martial theory, form and aesthetics. Tang Soo Do is a composite style influenced by the Northern Chinese arts, the Southern Chinese arts, and the Okinawan discipline of Karate.
In this Website you will find a wide array of information about the art of Tang Soo Do and the Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan Association, Inc., based out of West Haven, Connecticut. Our goal is to make your experience here today an enjoyable one filled with information of current events and articles of interest, while viewing some exciting graphics and snapshots of Tang Soo Do practitioners from all over the country. Please feel free to browse around and be sure to sign our guestbook and view our guestlog of comments from other practitioners around the globe. The Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan Association is one that promotes fellowship and brotherhood among all Tang Soo Do organizations. We encourage interaction with fellow Tang Soo Do organizations on a competitive and ethical level, and promote unity and goodwill throughout Tang Soo Do communities Worldwide.
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, Mexicoand Chile. The TAC (technical advisory committee) has dedicated itselfto developing a comprehensive curriculum that harmonizes with the natural aging process of the human species. Since the human conditionis 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 naturalbodily challenges cause us to adjust our training requirements for keepingourselves physically and mentally fit. Tang Soo do Mi Guk Kwan strives toblend both hard and soft style techniques in a natural way. When a practitioner is young they have an affinity for hard, explosive and athletictechniques which compliment their young pliable and developing bodies. Their youthful exuberance craves the challenges that the Tang Soo Do MiGuk Kwan Self Defense System imparts.
As practitioners begin to approach middle age their body begins totransform and he or she needs to modify the
execution of their techniques to reflect these naturalchanges. Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwancompliments this process
by introducingtechniques that blend both hard and soft attributes. And finally, as practitioners move toward
the goldenyears and their bodies once again begin to transform in accordance with aging process they will
need topractice techniques that don't causedamage to their bodies. Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan has a full
compliment ofsoft techniques that allow our elderlycitizens to continue to enjoy the studyof martial arts for
the rest of their lives.
Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan was developed from combining the teachingsand 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 Kwancurriculum are: Meditation;
stretching andconditioning; cardiovasculartraining; 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-stepsparring
(block and counter techniques); self defense (grappling and jointlocking techniques);
weapons training; free sparring techniques.
Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan was designed to foster a thoroughunderstanding of the
concepts of self-defense and character development. The principles stressedin
Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan are:respect, confidence; discipline; mentalalertness; a
positive attitude towards life.
Our qualified instructors are all internationally certified, energetic and outgoing. Our
master instructors participate in continual advanced training in order to upgrade their skills.
They have a sincere interest in your self-improvementand in helping you to reach your goals.
Classes are intense workouts and we offer exciting programs for adults, children and families. Our convenient and flexible scheduling has been designed with our students busy lives in mind.Our international association publishes an inspirational quarterly newsletter to help keep you motivated and informed.Throughout the course of each year we regularly provide educational clinics, seminars, optional tournaments and various social events, for which, our students can have opportunities outside the classroom to meet and socialize with others who share their common visions and goals.
Our internationally certified studios (dojangs) are dedicated to helping others develop confidence through self-defense skills. Our modern teaching techniques focus on the nature and structure of conflicts and how we canresolve them peacefully. Safety is always our greatest concern as we have a genuine interest in our student's progress and development. Our staff is willing to go the extra mile for you. "Where there is preparation...there is no fear!"
