Dan Grades

Integrity 'Integrity without knowledge is weak and useless and knowledge without integrity is dangerous and dreadful' by Samuel Johnson Rasselas

Concentration 'In Tang Soo Do we learn that concentration or the direction of attention to a single object is important to learning new skills.' by Claire Woon

Perseverance 'No person was every honoured for what he received, honour has been the reward for what he gave' by Calvin Coolidge 30th American President

Respect and Obedience 'There is no shame in taking orders from those who themselves have learned to obey.' by William Edward Forster (Member of Anti-Slavery Society)

Self Control 'To enjoy freedom we have to control ourselves.' by Virginia Woolf

Humility 'Humility leads to strength and not to weakness, it is the highest form of self-respect to admit mistakes and to make amends for them.' by John McCloy

'Failure is impossible' by Susan Anthony Suffragette

'Indomitable spirit is unconquerable courage, a 'yes I can' attitude, incapable of being subdued. Adhering firmly to ones convictions regardless of the cost, stick to what we believe in!'

Conclusion

'I believe the indomitable spirit sums up the other six tenets. If we have integrity and concentration, if we persevere, obey and respect our superiors, are humble and maintain self-control we will find we have an indomitable spirit.'

I have learnt a lot since I started Karate it's not just about fighting it's about discipline and learning self-control. We have to understand the times that it can be used and when it shouldn't. Because there are students of all ages in my class, karate has given me the confidence to talk to adults, where as a lot of my friends find it hard to talk to adults outside the family.'

My journey through Wune Tang Academy Tang Soo Do began back in August 2004. With very little knowledge on how to defend myself in a fight, very little confidence and self-esteem, we decided to find a Martial Arts Academy. I had an operation on my hip at the age of seven which put me in a wheelchair for eighteen months and could restrict the flexibility of my hip joint. My first lesson was a beginner class. The lesson was great fun and the Instructor Master Woon and his wife Claire made it seem interesting and fun and were very helpful. I left the session feeling more confident and I now knew the basic techniques. I am feeling very confident in myself and I can picture myself in the tournament wearing my black belt.

I like my brother, began Wune Tang Academy in August 2004. That was back when it was just a bit of fun and a chance to try something new. But now, as I have progressed through the ranks of Wune Tang Academy the martial arts side has kicked in and I have become more focused on things like fitness and respect and have become more mature. My fitness levels have improved since I have started the club. I can run faster and train harder and longer than I could before I joined Wune Tang Academy. My self confidence and self belief have been boosted greatly as well. Since I joined I have made friends, trained to use weaponry, sparred with many different people, done more fitness than I have ever done before, gained self confidence and respect, become a role model and taught several people.

I started karate in 2003 at the age of eight. I decided i wanted to learn how to defend myself against bullies and attackers on the street. The first day I joined Wune Tang Academy I was scared and a bit worried but mainly excited! I could not wait to get started. When we did start I learnt some basic moves and kicks and when I wanted to ask a question I had to address my Instructor as Sir because it would be disrespectful if I did not. As classes went by I met more people at different levels and learnt the higher you are the harder it got but I did not worry. When I got to green belt I was excited because you got a weapon, a bong which is a long stick and it looked cool! My Instructor said it was harder than it looks but I was determined to get there by trying my best. Karate means everything to me and I will never give it up. I love karate more than anything.

When I first started karate my first lesson was really cool and I really enjoyed it. My favourite thing about being a white belt is when I first got my suit and being part of the club because you could see how much further you had to go to get to Dan Grade. The things that I did not like doing was nothing because I liked it all. Some of the the fun things were breaking and races for warm up. There are a lot of different breaks you can do but at white belt your first one is a side kick.

It was really hard being a red belt as you are working towards black belt which is First Dan. The belt is actually dark blue because black means end. I entered a tournament where you win trophies and in my first tournament I came first in forms and sparring. I was only one point away from winning forms champion.

At Wune Tang Academy you are going to have a great time. I enjoy all the lessons and work hard to get my grades. The squad is possibly the best thing that has happened to me in my years of doing Tang Soo Do because we are going to Germany for the championships. I had to work 110% to get my place in the squad. Weaponry in squad is very important because the sau bong in normal class is very heavy and made of wood but the squad bong is made of fibre glass which makes it much lighter. I have really enjoyed my time at karate and I have met a lot of new friends and we all have a good time when we get together. I also enjoy the parties when all the families get together. Karate isn’t easy it is hard work but I enjoy that side of it. I am glad I joined otherwise I would be stuck at home instead of getting fit!

What we do in Class . . . . Before class we warm up by having races or by doing leg swings and running in a circle. After warm up we meditate. Once we have meditated we either start with kicks or blocks or sometimes in the Dojang we split the class up into sections. At the end of class we stretch off then we stand up bow and shout ‘Tang Soo’.

Forms . . . . . Forms are like imaginary fights. Form one moves are low block and front punch. The form is in a shape of an I. All of the forms are special and very important. Each form is located to a belt. For example form one is for beginner white belt and Bassai is located to red belt.

Respect . . . . . . It is polite to have respect and courtesy.

It is necessary for the Tang Soo Do student to know the history of the Martial Art for various reasons. It increases understanding of the art itself, helping the student to remain disciplined and in control of their life. The student is able to show more control over their emotions and subsequent actions, encouraging greater respect for others. Above all, a good understanding will ensure this Martial Art is never misused.

I enjoy Tang Soo Do as it keeps me fit and healthy and teaches good discipline. I would like to continue with Tang Soo Do and eventually open my own club and teach others the art of Tang Soo Do.

Tang Soo Do is practised world wide and is regarded as an especially effective martial art. Used in competitions as well as self-defence many people who have had no experience of Tang Soo Do see it as a sport or hobby. This is not true - Tang Soo Do is a way of life and as such it involves moral and mental elements as well as physical ones.

Physically Tang Soo Do is very demanding. Practitioners are required to not only be strong but supple and controlled too.

My experience started in 2005 when I was ten years old. As my skills in Tang Soo Do developed I got a lot more confident and at around 6th Gup I started to trust that I could go all the way, that I could push to 1st Dan. However, I understand now that 1st Dan is not the end and the world of Tang Soo Do is so much more and it is a way of life. Tang Soo Do revolves around control, respect, humility and the bettering of the mind and body. The more I understood the more my life changed to the way of my Martial Arts. I became much more polite and respectful as well as noticing how much time I could keep exercising without running out of breath.

I would like to become an Instructor in Tang Soo Do. Keeping the Martial Art alive is important to all people involved in it and I would like to contribute to its survival and growth.

What I like about Karate is that it improves my stability, also it makes me stronger as I reach the higher belts; for example karate helps me to break harder boards everytime I move up a belt. It also improves my speed and flexibility which is important for kicking. What I like best about Karate is my club and all of the excellent people who are in it and who make training such good fun.

Forms are a series of moves put together. They help training because they simulate actual fighting moves and so helps you prepare for sparring.

Sparring is an opportunity to practice fighting someone. You can have non-contact sparring, contact sparring and light contact sparring. In the Dojang you are not allowed to hit the back or the face or under the belt but you are allowed to hit the side of the head.

I have found through retaining and working my way gradually through the belt system I have now grown to appreciate that Tang Soo Do is not a sport or a hobby and that it is an art, a way of life.

Through the time I have spent so far doing Tang Soo Do I have learnt a lot about the Martial Art, myself and the way different people react to different things. I have found that some of the things I have been most proud of is not what I have done but what I have seen others do. Sometimes the smallest thing, idea or approach can make the biggest difference whether it is spotted at the time or in years to come.

I think that everyone has it in them in some way to become a Martial Artist but it is the commitment and love of the art that makes it possible and not just running through the steps and copying what is done.

Look forward to the push, the struggle and achievement of being able to stand up and really start to learn what Tang Soo Do is.

Tang Soo Do incorporates more than just a fighting style. It promotes a philosophy and lifestyle that strengthens good morals and well being. This helps with the longevity and popularity of the art.

I enjoy Tang Soo Do, I enjoy the feeling of power when you find the way of a form and you can rattle it off with snap! It keeps me fit and has cured me of some persistent aches and pains I used to have.

I am in a fortunate position being able to train and although making it to class is usually a juggling act with family and work commitments I hope to continue training for many more years.

Tang Soo!

Ever since I started I have it enjoyed it to the extreme, this is to do with the family feel for new or current students. Though some classes are hard and push on your body which can have some negatives, it is all for our learning and well-being.

In everything that I do I always give myself a goal and push towards it. Tang Soo Do has been a big pleasure in my life because before I started I had trouble speaking with people that were older than me and this has given me the confidence.

I first started Tang Soo Do to get fit and fight like Bruce Lee! But what I have come to learn it is not all about fighting and knocking people to the floor, it is about self control and wisdom and with these two factors anyone could become a Martial Artist.

When you do Tang Soo Do you are trying to be a better person. A long time ago people did just discipline and not drills for the first part of their training. We do both at the same time which is hard work but it makes you feel really good about yourself.

Tang Soo Do is not a sport it is a classical Martial Art which helps you to develop every aspect of the self to become a mature person. I must be willing to sacrifice time and effort to achieve my goals.

Tang Soo Do also has lots of other good things as well:

Self Defence - to protect our lives and things we own.

Health - to have strong bodies and minds. Better Person - we try to be better people and work hard.

One of the most important things is respect for everybody and everything.

As a beginner it was a challenge for me to join a club on my own as then I lacked self-confidence. As I began to mix in with the group I began to feel more comfortable and confident as a white belt. I started to learn the basic moves and began to enjoy the atmosphere in the club. Being a senior grade (green belt) meant setting an example which I thought was amazing because thinking back I never thought I would make it this far.

I am proud of who I am and of what I do. Tang Soo Do is a part of my everyday life now. There is not one day when I don’t practise. I have learned so much - Tang Soo Do has taught me many useful things.

It has been a memorable, tough and exciting journey and it has not been easy to get where I am now. I want to be there to help others and to be a role model for those who are wanting to achieve black belt.

When I first started at the Dunchurch class I was a little bit nervous but not too scared. I was made to feel very welcome and joined in straight away. I went to my first grading in July 2007. I was scared because I did not know what to do but other people gave me a lot of support to help me get through. I scored 92 ½% and was very happy and proud. Passing the first grading gave me more confidence and I could not wait to put my new yellow belt on, I also could not wait for the next class to wear my new belt. When I got to the next class I realised that with Tang Soo Do you have to keep going and trying to improve because I had to start on my new form. Eventually I managed to learn it with practice, effort and support. I have made more and more friends at Wune Tang Academy.

On the 27th February 2010 I attended a grading - not to take part but to help and encourage people. I went to show good manners and to support in helping others. Even though I was not grading I needed to look smart and who others that I take pride in myself and for the Tang Soo Do way. I gave students lots of encouragement and I hope that what I said and did helped them through their grading. It was a lovely feeling when I did help them and it worked.

Since joining squad I have really enjoyed it and my confidence has grown. I was made Team Leader of Team Revolution and I have to introduce the team. This was hard at first because I was not loud enough and did not like speaking in front of others. Everytime I announced I was speaking louder and louder even though I did not know it at the time.

My family are very interested in my Martial Arts and I teach my Grandad William karate which really never goes to plan! When I went to my Great Nana’s 90th Birthday party I did forms for all my Dad’s family and they all clapped me and said how good I was!

My journey through Tang Soo Do has taught me a lot. I never thought I would get the hang of the Korean language because it was complicated to learn. My fitness and strength are so much better, I feel healthier and can do a lot in class and keep going. This is good because it will help in my health when I am an adult

I first started Tang Soo Do with my brother Daniel when I was four years old.

I first learnt my one steps, my first form, low block, high block, side kick and roundhouse kick. The hardest thing was the one steps because I had to learn the stance, block and punch and do them quickly all at the same time!

Once I got to red belt I felt a lot like a real Martial Artist and I was very confident. I had to learn a new weaponry form with more one steps and a new form.

I am really looking forward to my Dan grading although I know it will be really hard. If I pass I will be really proud of myself because I will have managed to get my Dan grade at eight years of age. I want to keep training in Tang Soo Do and one day I will be a Master just like Master Z Woon.

I started Tang Soo Do when I was seven years old. I remember seeing all the black belts and thinking I would love to be where they were.

I practised hard at home. I did a lot of stretching work - In Martial Arts flexibility is everything, I also did a lot of sit ups to get the strength in my stomach. At first I could not do a lot but now I do 200 at a time.

At senior level the grading's are done in Korean. When I first started I found it very confusing. Now I know a wide range of commands and have no problems.

I have learnt how to start a class with a warm up which helps me with my Leadership Skills. I help to teach others with their forms and one steps if they get stuck.

I hope to one day be able to teach on my own!