Gup Hyung (Student Forms)
Ancient people had a deep interest in the development of forms as well as a profound understanding of them. The following is a translation of what is found in the text, Moo Yei Do Bo Tong Ji, author unknown, of the 17th century:
'Performing with hands and feet and conditioning of the body is the beginning of the study of the art of Tang Soo Do. In actual combat, form does not seem in an obvious way to be a necessary part of the martial arts. However, practicing forms perfects the ability to perform hand and foot techniques freely. This is fundamental to making the best use of one's body at all times.'
'Performing with hands and feet and conditioning of the body is the beginning of the study of the art of Tang Soo Do. In actual combat, form does not seem in an obvious way to be a necessary part of the martial arts. However, practicing forms perfects the ability to perform hand and foot techniques freely. This is fundamental to making the best use of one's body at all times.'
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White & Gold Belt
Ki Cho Hyung (Basic or Beginner Forms)
The Ki Cho forms were created in 1947 by Hwang Kee, founder of the Moo Duk Kwan in Korea. The words Ki Cho mean "First Energy" conveying "basic". The diagram of the form resembles the capital letter I. All turns are toward the center of the form's diagram. In general all forms, not just Ki Cho Huyng, are performed starting in Choon Be Jaseh facing South. There are 22 movements in each Ki Cho Hyung including the Choon Bee Jaseh at the beginning and end of the form. Some concepts you will learn as a result of continued practice of Ki Cho Hyung include:
The Ki Cho forms were created in 1947 by Hwang Kee, founder of the Moo Duk Kwan in Korea. The words Ki Cho mean "First Energy" conveying "basic". The diagram of the form resembles the capital letter I. All turns are toward the center of the form's diagram. In general all forms, not just Ki Cho Huyng, are performed starting in Choon Be Jaseh facing South. There are 22 movements in each Ki Cho Hyung including the Choon Bee Jaseh at the beginning and end of the form. Some concepts you will learn as a result of continued practice of Ki Cho Hyung include:
- Stepping and turning in a front stance
- Basic understanding of defensive and offensive hip twist
- Proper frame for basic blocking and proper fist for punching.
- Good chamber hand discipline.
- Improved awareness through Shi Sun (eye focus)
Ki Cho Hyung Il Bu |
Ki Cho Hyung E Bu |
Ki Cho Hyung Sam Bu |
Orange Belt
Pyong Ahn Hyung (Peaceful Confidence Forms)
The Pyong Ahn (平安) hyung are a series of five empty hand forms taught in many martial arts styles. The Pyong Ahn (or Pinan/Heian kata in Japanese) forms were created in 1901 by Ankō Itosu (aka Itosu Yasutsune), a Shorin-ryu Karate master on Okinawa. There are believed to have been adapted from older kata such as Kusanku (Kong Sang Koon) and Channan into forms suitable for teaching karate to young students. The words Pyong Ahn translate to "Peaceful Confidence" and to Chinese the term is a way of saying “to be safe” or to be “protected from danger”. It’s a kind of good luck wish. If the name of the series means “protect from danger” or “remaining safe”, just imagine what knowledge this series must contain. The diagrams of the forms resemble a balanced scale.
In Hwang Kee’s 1978 book "Tang Soo Do (Soo Bahk Do)" he writes – “by completely mastering the pyong ahn forms one can develop a feeling of pyong ahn in your mind and body regardless of the situation. This feeling is attained because of the self defense ability developed by practicing the pyong ahn forms.”
The Pyong Ahn (平安) hyung are a series of five empty hand forms taught in many martial arts styles. The Pyong Ahn (or Pinan/Heian kata in Japanese) forms were created in 1901 by Ankō Itosu (aka Itosu Yasutsune), a Shorin-ryu Karate master on Okinawa. There are believed to have been adapted from older kata such as Kusanku (Kong Sang Koon) and Channan into forms suitable for teaching karate to young students. The words Pyong Ahn translate to "Peaceful Confidence" and to Chinese the term is a way of saying “to be safe” or to be “protected from danger”. It’s a kind of good luck wish. If the name of the series means “protect from danger” or “remaining safe”, just imagine what knowledge this series must contain. The diagrams of the forms resemble a balanced scale.
In Hwang Kee’s 1978 book "Tang Soo Do (Soo Bahk Do)" he writes – “by completely mastering the pyong ahn forms one can develop a feeling of pyong ahn in your mind and body regardless of the situation. This feeling is attained because of the self defense ability developed by practicing the pyong ahn forms.”
Chil Sung Hyung (Seven Star Forms)
The Chil Sung forms were created in 1952 by Hwang Kee, founder of the Moo Duk Kwan in Korea. This series of seven hyung is designed to be an individuals path toward balancing Weh Gung (physical) and Neh Gung (spiritual). This balancing concept is known as Chun Gul Ryu, which translates into Middle School. Students of these hyungs begin their practice of Chun Gul Ryu by making a distinct separation between the slow and the fast portions of these hyungs. One can also see the influence of Hwang Kee's training in Yang Style Tai Chi in these hyungs.
The words Chil Sung translate to "Seven Star" and refer to the seven stars of Ursa Major (the big dipper). This constellation is used to find Polaris, the North Star, in the constellation Ursa Minor (the little dipper). Just as the North Star is used for navigation, the motivation of the Chil Sung Hyungs is to guide the practitioner to become a better martial artist.
The second one is taught before the first one because of the relative ease of its technique. However, the subtlety in that form requires years to perfect.
The Chil Sung forms were created in 1952 by Hwang Kee, founder of the Moo Duk Kwan in Korea. This series of seven hyung is designed to be an individuals path toward balancing Weh Gung (physical) and Neh Gung (spiritual). This balancing concept is known as Chun Gul Ryu, which translates into Middle School. Students of these hyungs begin their practice of Chun Gul Ryu by making a distinct separation between the slow and the fast portions of these hyungs. One can also see the influence of Hwang Kee's training in Yang Style Tai Chi in these hyungs.
The words Chil Sung translate to "Seven Star" and refer to the seven stars of Ursa Major (the big dipper). This constellation is used to find Polaris, the North Star, in the constellation Ursa Minor (the little dipper). Just as the North Star is used for navigation, the motivation of the Chil Sung Hyungs is to guide the practitioner to become a better martial artist.
The second one is taught before the first one because of the relative ease of its technique. However, the subtlety in that form requires years to perfect.
Pyung Ahn Cho Dan Hyung |
Chil Sung EE Rho Hyung |
Pyung Ahn EE Dan Hyung |
Green Belt
Pyung Ahn Sam Dan Hyung |
Pyung Ahn Sa Dan Hyung |
Pyung Ahn Oh Dan Hyung |
Chil Sung IL Rho Hyung |
Red Belt
Bassai Hyung (Storm the Castle Forms)
The origin of Passai (披塞), or Bassai in Korean, is obsure, but it likely originated in China in the mid to late 1500's and migrated to Okinowa where it was taught by Itosu Yasutsune at the turn of the 20th Century. The Japanese translation of Bassai is most closely "to storm a fortress" or "extract from a castle". It is said to also mean collection of the best & fast movements.
There are two variations practiced in Tang Soo Do, Bassai Sho (minor and Bassai dai (major). These forms focus on the idea of changing disadvantage into advantage by strong and courageous response, switching blocks and differing degrees of power. The feeling of form should be precise, with fast execution of technique and attention given to appropriate balance between speed and power. The Bassai forms are usually classed as intermediate hyung.
The origin of Passai (披塞), or Bassai in Korean, is obsure, but it likely originated in China in the mid to late 1500's and migrated to Okinowa where it was taught by Itosu Yasutsune at the turn of the 20th Century. The Japanese translation of Bassai is most closely "to storm a fortress" or "extract from a castle". It is said to also mean collection of the best & fast movements.
There are two variations practiced in Tang Soo Do, Bassai Sho (minor and Bassai dai (major). These forms focus on the idea of changing disadvantage into advantage by strong and courageous response, switching blocks and differing degrees of power. The feeling of form should be precise, with fast execution of technique and attention given to appropriate balance between speed and power. The Bassai forms are usually classed as intermediate hyung.
Nai Han Ji Hyung (aka Neh Bo Jin, Inward Step Advance Forms)
Although the exact origin of this form is unknown, the form is thought to have originated in the Ha Buk region of Northern China during the Song Dynasty (circa 1100). The form comes from the Kang Yu Ryu (hard and soft style) system. It is speculated that it may have been created by Jang Song Kye, the founder of this system. In modert times it is also know as Tekki, or Iron Horse, named by Okinowan master Gichin Funakoshi in reference to his old teacher, Itosu, and the form's power.
Although the exact origin of this form is unknown, the form is thought to have originated in the Ha Buk region of Northern China during the Song Dynasty (circa 1100). The form comes from the Kang Yu Ryu (hard and soft style) system. It is speculated that it may have been created by Jang Song Kye, the founder of this system. In modert times it is also know as Tekki, or Iron Horse, named by Okinowan master Gichin Funakoshi in reference to his old teacher, Itosu, and the form's power.
Bassi So Hyung |
Nai Han Chi Cho Dan Hyung |
Chil Sung Sam Rho Hyung |
