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Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan is a classical
martial art with roots dating back many
centuries. Developed by Grandmaster Hwang
Kee. Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan is a composite
of both a hard and soft techniques. Its
hardness comes from its powerful and
effective kicking techniques (a trademark of
the Moo Duk Kwan style) and Japanese
influenced blocking, while its soft and
flowing techniques come from Chinese Martial
Arts influence .
The founder of Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan,
Grandmaster Hwang Kee (1914 - 2002), was
considered to be a martial arts prodigy and
master by his peers at the age of 22. In
1936 his job with the Korean railroad
allowed him to travel to China where he
studied under Master Yang, Kuk Jin until
1946. Throughout his life he studied and
researched every martial arts resource
available to him and combined eastern
philosophies to create what is today Soo
Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan.
Soo Bahk Do translated means, "the
way of the striking fist". It is our
physical technique, and art, which is a
combination of
Grandmaster Hwang Kee's studies and
experiences in the martial arts. Soo Bahk Do
provides the practitioner with the physical
techniques which allows them to develop both
an effective form of self defense as well as
a means to develop a strong and healthy
body.
"What is the
purpose and philosophy behind the martial
arts?
Rejuvenation and prolonging of life beyond
the normal span."
Song of the Sip Sam Seh
Moo Duk Kwan is our Moo Do philosophy and
translated means, "School to teach
Martial and Virtue through training in the
martial arts", or roughly, "School
of martial virtue". The study of the
Moo Duk Kwan style promotes a healthy and
disciplined mind, strong personal character,
and respect for life and nature. It is this
development that helps one achieve a mature
attitude, as well as give you the mental
strength to find your full potential.
Together Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan creates a balance, or Um Yang (similar meaning to the Chinese Yin Yang). Moo Duk Kwan ideals and philosophy develops the mind and spirit, while Soo Bahk Do technique and art develops a strong and healthy body and means of defense. This balance is needed to produce harmony. The Moo Duk Kwan philosophy gives us the maturity and ethics to properly use the techniques of Soo Bahk Do responsibly. The physical benefits that Soo Bahk Do provides allows us to enjoy the benefits of a matured and peaceful character (confidence, courage, discipline, calmness...). Together Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan work to develop every aspect of a person in order to create a person who can face the world, it's conflicts, and society in an intelligent, and virtuous manner.
To help promote a standardization of growth and the teachings of Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan, it was decided to establish the U.S. Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan Federation. This federation is a non-profit organization which is devoted to the maintenance and growth of Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan as Grandmaster Hwang Kee had intended. The Federation helps to keep all practitioners connected to Grandmaster's knowledge and teachings putting us AT THE HEART OF THE ART. |
