This one’s going to be a little complicated.

I’ve studied various martial arts for 44 years. Back in the 1990’s, I trained in Tang Soo Do up to the rank of 1st Dan. Since then, I served in the military and have been to combat where I picked up a nice little permanent brain injury. It took my memory (long and short-term) and a good bit of my coordination. I wrestled with whether to fall back on my TKD, where I had earned my red belt/black belt candidate rank or TSD where I had cleared my 1st Dan. The plan is to train by myself with the help of “Sensei YouTube”. I have no intention of going to yet another school, even if there was a local one to go to.

My intent with TSD: Nothing. This is all just for personal rehabilitative purposes. I’m in my early 50’s so I’m not looking to teach or compete. I already teach Judo locally anyhow as a state level coach through USA Judo as a brown belt, hopefully receiving my black belt soon. It’s also probably not a great idea for a guy with a brain injury to go get his ish rocked at a striking art tournament anyway. Somehow without an affiliation to a school, I doubt I’d be let in.

I don’t remember the name or the instructor of my TSD school. What I do remember is that it was located somewhere in Connecticut. I wouldn’t even know if the guy is still in business. I don’t remember a lot about the place outside that it felt like it was pretty above-board. Didn’t sell a lot of merch, colorful uniforms or training weapons which I liked. Anyway…

I guess at the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter, but I wondered if it is ok to still consider myself a 1st Dan in TSD after not having trained in it for 30+ years. My plan is to use YouTube to refresh my memory on the forms and the weapon sets. I don’t know if I’m going to bother with one-steps considering I’ll be training alone. As I’ve gotten older, I care less about the weapons stuff too if I’m being honest. It’s about the flexibility and coordination for me. I doubt it will ever come up in conversation, I have no plans to visit any dojangs, and I certainly have no intention of training anyone else.

What do you all think? Does it even matter If I’m not planning on doing anything with it?

Hello everyone weird question but gonna ask.

I'm starting training in about a month (I've got bad asthma so I'm gonna work on my cardio some more so I don't embarss myself) I have trained a bit of everything in the past but primarily found myself loving the history of martial arts and even the reason for the simpilist of movements. So I suppose my question is what should I expect (if there is anything different from what I'm used to) and if anyone has a knowledge of the history (I'd love to learn it). I hope to be on here more and that I fit into the community.

Hey yall it's the guy who made a post about having a tournament coming up. I'm an orange belt 15 years old 5'8 I beat a red belt and two green belts and lost to a red belt. Still did pretty good but my legs are killing me rn. I could have probably beat that last guy but I injured my leg and it was really swollen. Still pretty good considering in last years tournament i got 3-0 in the first round and lost.

Already poster this on the karate sub but would like your views as well.

Im looking for a way to make training for youth a bit more diverse then the basics. I found a video of Jesse Enkamp where he described it perfectly. See the link below. He uses pads to keep stable on their head for stability while moving. Or standing on 1 leg while punching or kicking. I was wondering if there are more trainers on here who use similar methods and what kind of excercises you do to keep it fun and diverse without losing sight of training martial arts.

https://youtu.be/4vNZMFklVaw?si=bNRAlnyAvjNZ7lMh

Does anyone know what's happened to the World Moo Duk Kwan General Federation? I've tried visiting their site and it just brings up a wordpress config page. https://worldmoodukkwan.com

Not a member, but looking at associations that our independent TSD association may be interested in...

hey wsp,i am having trouble with finances rn cannot pay fees what should i do

also the wtsda store is upgrading and says it will be opened after world championship but it is over

So the school I attend has the belt system as white, yellow, purple, orange, blue, green, red, and black. I am a blue belt testing for my blue belt w/ a black stripe, am I considered an intermediate student or a beginner?

I was wondering if anyone had any tips for remembering one steps(specifically wtsda but any advice would be helpful)? I’m going for my E dan in january but i cannot remember 21-30 for the life of me both kick and hands.

I am a 15 year old orange belt( I know i started late) I'm around 5'8 and and 80 kg. I was wondering if you have any advice for good and tricky teckniques to try. Last year when I participated I got destroyed so I'm kinda worried. Also I'd appreciate any advice for taller opponents

Was ecrolling on youtube,then found this video

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=u8cLu90cV20

is ot true

So a few weeks ago, I was unfortunately late to class and had to jump into kick/sparring practice without being fully warmed up. We were practicing same leg round/hook kick combo when I felt my calf go pop and felt intense pain. I tried to continue class but because of the pain I bowed out and headed for home. I went to an urgent care who told me it likely wasn't too serious as I was walking and to take some time off. I took ten days off and thought I'd give another try. We were practicing falls. On my first front fall, pop went the calf again. The reason too try to get back was a competition coming up that weekend. I took off until the competition and sure enough, during sparring, another pop causing me to pull out of the sparring. I was allowed to do my breaking which I got a gold in.

I haven't gone to class since. I went to a knee sports medicine Dr. who advised me to not throw kicks, gave me a knee brace, some rehab exercises, another visit six weeks out and sent me to the hospital for an ultrasound for possible blood clots in the leg due to excessive swelling. No blood clots. It's a week and a couple of days since I last injured the knee.

I realize each individual body is different however, I'm going through withdrawals from not working out. I'm 72 with Cho Dan Bo testing coming up in January which adds to my own internal pressure. I realize that when I return I'll need to take it easy. I was wondering if anyone else has had similar issues and what their recovery was like. Tang Soo!

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Hello, a little context. I am a first dan, and I know that in a few years I will have to move to other country, by that time I will be a second Dan.

Where I go there is no TSD so I was thinking about starting to teach, and at the same time learning Judo as a complement.

My question is how do you find Judo as a complement to TSD?

(I had to hire a translator, sorry if the wording is not clear)

Just asking here does anybody has Pyung Anh 1 videosreally need it 2 more months until orange belt so really need help thx..

So I, 17m, do kickboxing and tang soo do. But I have a problem, when I do sparring in kickboxing I actually try and actually take it serious a bit, but when I do sparring in karate I tell myself it isn’t kickboxing for I don’t hurt anyone accidentally but I tend to be goofy and not take it serious nor try. Is there any advice?

Hi all.

I started TSD a few months ago and I still get so winded, lightheaded and sweaty when we are sparring even after like 2 minutes. My BPM is around 184 usually and I get so out of breath.

I have a punching bag at home but I don’t get nearly as tired even when going all out on the bag. I also go cycling with no issues.

I’m also experimenting with what I eat before class. Like fasting, carb loading, protein, some fruit, coffee with honey right before class but no difference between them so far.

Have you found a form of cardio outside of class that has helped you with your sparring endurance? I really want to improve. So if you have any tips please let me know. Thanks 🙏

hey you guys i’m m18 now but I used to do tang soo do karate when I was younger about 6-7 through 10 years old. I loved it too I went to tournaments, (3 first place medals, one third place medal and third place trophy). I forget what exactly what it was I got those places for. I would go every day after school, I skipped the yellow belt and went from white to orange belt because I was going almost everyday and I was showing really good progress. my master and I had a good relationship. I did used to love it and I made it to a green belt before I moved and tried to keep going but my family just couldn’t work it out. was just wondering should I return I still remember a bit but I don’t know how to feel

I've just started tang soo do at the grand age of 24. I've had a little bit of experience in various martial arts before this. I'm wondering on what stuff I can do in my own time to help elevate my skill and progress in the martial art. Any suggestions would be great.

Hey All

I currently carry my gear around in a fairly standard "duffel bag" - Something like this:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Adidas-Unisex-Duffel-Duffle-HS9754/dp/B0B45VJDMZ?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&smid=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&th=1&psc=1

Which works well enough, but its a big annoying haveing everything just in "one big pocket" - I'm looking for a bag where I can have my sparring gear (boots, pads, gloves and helmet) in with some extra space / pockets for all the other bits i carry around to training (gum sheild, knee brace, snack bars, drink etc), if theres also space for my belt and dobok for days I train straight from work, even better.

I've seen 2 cheaper ones:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/EVO-Fitness-Backpack-Compartment-Rucksack/dp/B09CCSYC7F/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=C5UZp&content-id=amzn1.sym.52f218de-f727-4c8f-9b57-87b716ab0515%3Aamzn1.symc.9556efd4-e363-43c4-82ba-62279bb2c460&pf_rd_p=52f218de-f727-4c8f-9b57-87b716ab0515&pf_rd_r=W7TQKG58YAETP9EZY3XR&pd_rd_wg=5BKdo&pd_rd_r=895c87a5-ffd7-4ee5-b72a-bac920956fa5&ref_=pd_hp_d_atf_ci_mcx_mr_ca_hp_atf_d&th=1

and

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sports-backpack-football-Fitness-Training/dp/B01AYIDMDY/ref=pd_day0fbt_d_sccl_1/262-4700496-6158059?pd_rd_w=AYxrD&content-id=amzn1.sym.aa5f0976-1480-46a8-ac3e-86a6a439835e&pf_rd_p=aa5f0976-1480-46a8-ac3e-86a6a439835e&pf_rd_r=2CREJAH1JS5ME5ZY9YN0&pd_rd_wg=GGhKv&pd_rd_r=26cc3e3e-f894-498a-9603-ef2cfa4adcac&pd_rd_i=B01AYIDMDY&psc=1

and come accross a moire expensive one

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Venum-Unisexs-Trainer-Sports-Black/dp/B084ZWLSBF/ref=sr_1_5?crid=3A5DQPYIATNY7&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.0Fsto8EdFdaTJ0HNgvE873PMdidCq3irX09padoiBGIOLdlSfRLI58pxQ9U1Bb-1i1GmjK4LXLrq_4khibQnEFx-t7YVELnM_7HBqhCASBzTqnhADyXlUIm8xBkj4-iec1IsjNURKgibofG4VkdeIZK9JNovC8X1Y4A7yrQbsv8nvzRnOM7Q89q5_XwsGpt03_0Bulv0r7cN_kNomh3hCtm9OL4tLYw-iuppRxPR6RKckFGusDJwEiup0UtZ11XHat_eTphYq0D_IN7fUIcL2UsQjHSJKBsbAXcwkUiYSnM.tAtxxFpr2ak6W0kOKJrT7MoHrD94PrMfP2Qw0fKJWow&dib_tag=se&keywords=venum+kit+bag&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1728143094&sprefix=venum+kit+bag%2Caps%2C89&sr=8-5

But the reviews on them all don#t fill me with confidence, are there any that you guys use that would suit my needs? I'm uk based so would need to be able to ship here, I'd prefer the cheaper end of things, but happy to pay for something that suits my needs and is good quality.

Thanks

As an older practitioner (72 at the time I'm writing this), this past weekend we had a belt promotion. The instructor of the small school announced in class that only those who were testing could attend due to the large number of those who were testing (7), As it turns out, the other student who helps with the Tiny Tigers who is also a 1 gup participated. This meant that I was the only one excluded. I was pretty hurt by this. My wife, my daughter, and my granddaughter were all testing. I approached the instructor prior to the testing explaining my desire to participate and was told no. As it was, I had work to do and chose to do that instead of sitting and watching for three hours in an upset state. There are other local school which are less convenient, I'm considering switching schools. I've held 1st gup in both TKD and HKD but had to move due to career related situations. This is my third time as a 1 gup. I pay for three to attend the school.

I let the instructor know how I was hurt at being excluded. He responded by saying that the student who participated was allowed to because she helps with the Tiny Tigers, essentially admitting he wasn't being truthful. In the past I've asked him to talk to me personally instead of just announcing things that would affect me negatively in class. This is the third such incident. How does this scenario work with your understanding of integrity and martial arts. I've been involved in martial arts since I was 16 with breaks taken for different reason.

EDIT: This is also known as a Korean Dojang, in this instance, it's the stamp that instructors and or examiners use to stamp the grading certificates.

EDIT 2: "Thanks" to those that downvoted this post, hopefully you're more respectful to your instructors when they ask you a question...

Hi All,

Quick question, for those in the UK, do you know where the best place is to get a Korean Name Stamp (in the UK) that's affordable and reliable?

I've seen some that are £50 up to £200, which look nice, but may be a bit on the pricey side. I've seen some (on Esty) that are between £15-£30, but none of the sellers that I've messaged are answering (it's been a couple of days).

Before you ask, my instructor got his name stamp from Korea as one of his ex-students went over for a holiday at the time.

Not sure how to word this question correctly, and im still "new" to TSD (10 months or so) In my Dojang, our leader is a 4th Dan, we also have another 4th dan who trains / helps out, the 2 other dojangs under the same brand also have a 4th dan each leading them. We have recently joined a federation and the leader is a "Grand master" 8th dan. We are UK based and he is USA based, he come over to give us a special set of training sessions and is coming again shortly, it's obviously a great oppurtunity to learn from someone so experienced, but im trying to get a grasp of how "rare" 8th dan is? Whats the "upper limit" on ranks etc?

Thanks

As Dan Members and Gup ranks what do you all feel is your role in your schools? ( Where does your role fall into/What is the purpose of your role in the development of the art and the other students and your peers.)

Hello, I am a 1st Dan in the WTSDA, and the first week of October I am competing in my first tournament since being promoted to black belt. Tournaments don’t usually make me very nervous but I’ve been having nightmares about this one. I currently am a 5 time regional grand champion in the Male Adult Gup category, and am afraid I will not perform as well in the Dan division. Does anyone have any advice to help boost my mindset and maybe prepare myself mentally for the potential change of out come I will experience?

I want to try and break 8 boards with an elbow across. I believe Physically, I am capable but I lack in proper technique.

I have successfully broken 5. My current technique (sloppy im sure) is to quickly shuffle into the boards smashing through them with my elbow like rage induced pycho.

Does anyone have a link to video that would explain the finer points of the technique? Anyone have any pointers?

Thanks in advance!

Hello! I’m finally opening up a new school in Shannon County Missouri, USA, and am excited to dig in! Anyone in that area, feel free to message me-first class is loosely scheduled for Thursday the 19th at 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM!

Hey All

I'm a middle age, fatter, unfit office worked whos been practicing TSD for about 8 months now, I've seen SIGNIFICANT improvments in my agility, strength, stamina etc, but one thing that keeps popping up is the discomfort I feel in my thighs when doing almost sanything that involves holding a horse ridign stance or doing squats etc.

Other than doing more squats, is there anything else I can do to stretch or strenghten this area?

Thanks.