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!

View Poll

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.

I always try to express to my students that martial arts should be a part of your lifestyle. It’s something you do everyday. You don’t have to do a lot but do something. Days you can make it to class are great but, for most of us, solo training is also a necessity. Make it a part of your life, a part of yourself.

Since a few months i started teaching TSD to a new group. Its a combination of kids and adults, meant to introduce the kids to the adult training to make the transition easier and to get them more serious. They can join this group when their 10. For the adults its an extra day of training.

Now i have no experience teaching whatsoever and I experience some problems. The kids are not really listening, wrestling and chasing eachother around. I know they need to learn these things to concentrate and be serious with training but how can I get trough to them? Does anyone have experience with this? What works best for you?

I am looking for anything online related to what my old black belt manual (from the 90s) refers to as Um Yang Soo and Um Yang Tae. They are techniques that "combine circular and straight movements, short-distance and long-distance movements, and attack and defense to create perfect harmony and balance..... five methods of practicing basics, focus, penetration, recoil, and tension"

"The KYUM-KANG-KWON techniques balance power and speed for maximum effectiveness in their philosophy of the five animals: the tiger, crane, snake, bear, and dragon"

The closest I could find online was this video: Um Yang Soo. It kinda reminds me of what we called [Kicho] Kwon Bup (another thing that has scarcely any info online) and I guess that kinda makes sense. I do recall certain strikes and blocks we practiced at 1st dan which were never categorized, so this could possibly be the same thing. But after studying I Liq Chuan, which has some overlap with concepts quoted above, I am researching more of those deep, internal body mechanic techniques that seem to be getting forgotten with time. I wonder if my Kwan Jang Nim may have had some of Hwang Kee's old internal tai chi/internal kung fu techniques passed down to him.

So if anybody has any great verbal or visual explanations of this, I'd really appreciate it.

Also if anyone wants to help me research any way to bridge the gap between Sam F.S. Chin's Hakka arts (precursor to I Liq Chuan) with what Hwang Kee picked up in Manchuria, let me know. I will probably make a more detailed post on that in the future.

I’ve been looking to find a legit TSD class to learn some self defense and learn a traditional martial art. But I’m having trouble finding legit dojangs that aren’t McDojos :( anyone have any advice?

Done the Yellow Belt,What should i expect?

From Thomas Feldmann’s Kentsu Yabu biography. Excellent read.

Is there a reference (diagram, video, etc) that lays out Hwang Kee’s version of Kong Sang So? Its not in So Bahk Do and all that I can find are performance videos, which are wild, because no two are alike and often are quite different from each other.

Note: I was asked to learn and teach it bevause I had trained in Shotokan for 18 years and am proficient with Kanku Sho.

I know this seems kind of a stretch but I wanna know if some successful MMA fighters have Tang Soo do background such as in UFC, Pride FC or etc or uses Tang Soo Do in MMA