Sa Bom Nim Propst

Master Propst (Dan Bon 20636) began his Tang Soo Do training in Los Angeles California in 1971 under the guidance of Master Chuck Norris. He was promoted to the rank of 1st (Cho) Dan in 1978 by Master Jae Chul Shin (United States Tang Soo Do Federation). The year 1985 marks an historical time for Master Propst as this was the founding year for the Yuba Sutter Tang Soo Do Academy as well as the beginning of over 25 years as a student of Grand Master Andy Ah Po. Sa Bom Nim Propst recieved his 4th (Sa Dan) promotion from the late Kwan Jang Nim Hwang Kee in 1989. Currently a 7th (Chil) Dan, Master Propst received his most recent promotion in January, 2008 from Kwan Jang Nim Andy Ah Po. Sa Bom Nim Propst continues to further his Tang Soo Do knowledge often accompanying Grand Master Ah Po world wide as he presents special clinics and symposiums. Sa Bom Nim Propst and all of the Dans of the Yuba Sutter Tang Soo Do Academy are members of the Tang Soo Do Martial Way Associaton. As such, they are dedicated to teaching the original concepts and philosophies as defined by the late Kwan Jang Nim Hwang Kee.

History

Tang Soo Do is a martial art which is relatively modern. However, its basis, the Korean disciplines of Soo Bahk and Tae Kyun, dates back many centuries.

Tang Soo Do (the words mean "way of the hand of Tang (Dynasty)" is a composite style influenced by the Northern Chinese martial arts, the Southern Chinese arts, and the Okinawan discipline of Karate.

The Chinese influences were basic training (Seh Bop - method of postures, Bo Bop - method of steps, Ryun Bop - method of conditioning) and form and combat applications (Dhan Toi Sip E Ro, and the "Tae Kuk Kwon"). The Okinawan influences resulted primarily from the Japanese occupation of Korea (1910 - 1945).

The name "Tang Soo Do" was the name Grandmaster Won Kuk Lee, founder of Chung Do Kwan, originally applied to his art. After meeting with Mr. Lee in 1947, Kwan Jang Nim Hwang Kee, founder of the Moo Duk Kwan, decided to integrate "Tang Soo Do" into his Hwa Soo Do discipline. Our Tang Soo Do kicking techniques are based on the ancient Korean style of Tae Kyun, later formalized by Grandmaster Hwang Kee, founder of the Korean Soo Bahk Do (Tang Soo Do) Moo Duk Kwan Association (formerly named Hwa Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan). Tang Soo Do is both a hard and soft style, deriving its hardness in part from Okinawan Karate, and its soft flowing movements from Soo Bahk and the Northern and Southern Chinese systems.

Although Tang Soo Do, and its tremendous combat applications, can be adapted to competition, it is not a sport. As a classical martial art, its primary purpose is to develop the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of the human being. Its primary focus is positive character development, and the rejuvenation and prolonging of life. This integration of mind, body, and spirit helps to create a person free from inner conflict and able to deal with the outside world with integrity in a mature, forthright, intelligent, and virtuous manner.

Kwan Jang Nim Andy Ah Po

Grand Master Ah Po was a Charter member of the Korean Soo Bahk Do (Tang Soo Do) Moo Duk Kwan Association Inc. for more than 43 years. During his membership, Master Ah Po served as an appointed member of the Board of Directors and was also a senior member of the Technical Advisory Committee. In January, 2002 Grand Master Ah Po left the Association and formed the Tang Soo Do Martial Way Association (formally the Tang Soo Do Moo Do Kwan Association, Inc). His purpose in starting this association was to preserve and continue the original teachings, concepts and philosophy of his mentor, Grand Master Hwang Kee, (1914-2002).

Grandmaster's Statement on the Purpose of Tang Soo Do

The purpose of Tang Soo Do is to enable the student to develop mentally, physically, and spiritually. By increasing one's personal self-awareness, one also develops a greater sensitivity towards all things in nature:

"In nature be like water
At rest, like a mirror
Respond like an echo
Be subtle, as though non-existent"

Tang Soo Do develops the intellectual capacities of the student. It develops the student's ability to analyze new situations, reason quickly, and think and act through knowledge and spirit. It also helps develop a higher level of conscious awareness that is non-intellectual (anti-intellectual). This enables the student to respond to life's experiences and challenges using all of the human senses. In Tang Soo Do the student learns to develop all of the senses, and is not restricted to solely the five senses as recognized by the Western World.

The individual's physical abilities are also developed in Tang Soo Do. Students learn to develop all of the physical abilities that they are capable of attaining, and also learn to recognize and cope with their physical limitations. The practice of Tang Soo Do exercises both the internal and external systems of the human anatomy, which will help one to prolong life, and keep one healthier and more physically fit for a longer period of time. Training in Tang Soo Do will result in quicker reflexes, better coordination, and the more efficient functioning of the internal and autonomic systems of the body.

Within each living thing in the Universe, there exists an internal physical force that is the necessary ingredient for the perpetuation of life. The Tang Soo Do student does not learn to develop this physical force (since it already exists), but rather develops a higher level of conscious awareness that enables one to integrate it with all other physical properties of the human body. Mere physical force or muscular strength is not all that is involved, but rather each student learns to get "in touch" with their inner force, and utilize it to become a more complete human being that is part of and not separate from the Universe.

The practice of Tang Soo Do also enables the student to grow spiritually, and it helps to develop a positive philosophical approach to life. One of the main purposes of Tang Soo Do is the development of the human character. Students strive to improve their character through a system of training that requires high focus and concentration, and Moo Do discipline. The ultimate goal of the art is creation; a spiritual awakening of the mind, body and spirit towards an appreciation for the beauty of the life and reverence for nature. Students develop maturity and wisdom. Students are able to maintain this communion in the outside world, and are able to meet life's challenges in a more successful manner, using their entire "being" to deal with life.