About Our Art

What is Tang So 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 (ancient foot fighting methods), 30% northern Chinese and 10% southern Chinese (hand techniques).  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.

What do we physically teach?

Our core programs focus on the traditional art of Tang Soo Do in the Moo Duk Kwan style.

Forms are the foundation of our art.  In Korean, a form is called a hyung.  At first a student is taught the basic forms.  “Basic” in Korean is Kee Cho and Il is first; hence our first basic form is Kee Cho Il Boo.  As a students’ skills increase, so does the level of ability required for the forms increase.  How we practice our forms is very much how we approach our art.
Strong Form = Strong Martial Artist

In today’s every increasing violent society we must focus on self defense as the core of our martial art.  At PKSA Karate we offer the most cutting edge techniques in self defense.  Our instructors have several years of training.  PKSA Karate is one of the few schools that offer self defense for children.  In addition, our children focus on stranger awareness and bully prevention, including how to handle aggressive bullies.

We also teach extreme martial art elements (flashy aerials, flying kicks, flash forms) as well as Weapons, Grappling, Defense & Tactics, Kickboxing, Stranger Awareness, Family Protection, and more.

What do we mentally teach?

Tang Soo Do is a journey. It takes at least four years to reach this goal.  Through this journey the student learns not only the physical art of Tang Soo Do, but we teach our students the principals necessary to develop “every aspect of self”.  These principals include respect, discipline, perseverance, integrity and honor.  We teach these principals through a goal oriented curriculum designed to develop character and life skills.  PKSA Karate instructors teach more than kicking and punching.  They are truly dedicated to improving our students’ lives through positive role models, student creeds, philosophy, and discipline.

Tang Soo Do
Personal Development Creed

1.

Be a leader, not a follower.

2.

Think positive and positive things will happen.

3.

Socialize with goal-oriented peers like yourself.

4.

Develop the courage to stand up yourself and do what is right.

5.

Keep yourself physically and mentally fit.

6.

Be truthful and just in all that you do.

7.

Focus on your schoolwork and drive yourself to over-achieve.

8.

Help your parents without being asked.

9.

Give priority to the things that will help you be a success in life.

10.

Practice practice practice leads to mastery.

Where we teach ...

Our facilities are a safe and exciting environment for our students.  Our instructors are highly trained to ensure each students’ safety while training.  Even though injury is rare in our schools, instructors are CPR-certified and have all the necessary equipment to help our students in case of an accident.  Our schools and instructors are periodically checked on safety by our corporate team.

Safety is our number one priority.  We train on non-slip mats, interlocked and made of a soft compound.  The non-slip surface provides sure-footed support for stepping and kicking drills, yet the soft material absorbs shock for jumping and sweeping drills.

All classed are instructor lead and supervised. Consideration is given for physical capabilities, age, size and gender of our students. In this way we ensure students are performing safely within their limits while training with similar age and gender.

All of our instructors must be certified.  Our instructors are required to maintain their technical and teaching abilities through an ongoing re-certification process.  We have the highest standards in our industry.  You can be assured that each and every instructor is highly trained, motivated, and focused on one goal ... to empower you or your child to become the very best martial artist.

25290 Marguerite Parkway Suite A • Mission Viejo CA 92692 • (949) 454-9476

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