About

About Tang Soo Do

The martial art of Tang Soo Do is relatively modern. However, its basis, the Korean art of Soo Bahk Do, dates back many centuries.

Tang Soo Do is a composite style, being 60% Soo Bahk Do, 30% northern Chinese and 10% southern Chinese. Our kicking techniques, for which Tang Soo Do is unsurpassed, are based on Soo Bahk. Soo Bahk was first developed during the Shilla Dynasty (57BC-935 AD), but enjoyed its flowering during the Koryo Dynasty (918-1392 AD).

Tang Soo Do is both a hard and soft style, deriving its hardness in part from Soo Bahk and its soft flowing movements from the northern Chinese systems.

Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan (a brotherhood and school of stopping inner and outer conflict and developing virtue according to the way of the worthy hand) is not a sport. Though it is not essentially competitive, it has great combat applications. It is a classical martial art, and its purpose is to develop every aspect of the self, in order to create a mature personality who totally integrates his intellect, body, emotions, and spirit. This total integration helps to create a person who is free from inner conflict and who can deal with the outside world in a mature, intelligent, forthright, and virtuous manner.

Mission Statement

The United Kingdom Tang Soo (Soo Bahk) Do Federation [UKTSDF] is dedicated to the provision of high quality Korean Martial Art education and training. The Federation aims to strengthen its contribution to the international provision of higher Tang Soo Do education/training and to develop further its national and international reputation. It intends to build upon the existing productive linkages with existing national governing bodies and to meet any specific needs especially disabled students, women and children. The UKTSDF intends to remain an institution, which is responsive to changing environmental and technical excellence, and its management will work constantly to sustain and develop further and internal climate, which is receptive to the aim. The total activity of the UKTSDF will be dedicated towards providing a stimulated learning environment for students. The instructors will be encouraged to explore new ideas in teaching, learning and research to pursue technical initiatives compatible with the UKTSDF ethos.