Kick off or...just kick?

To kick off this series, both literally and metaphorically, I chose to venture into the world of the Korean martial art Tang Soo Do, a brother, one could say, to my own style, Taekwondo.

As a martial art, Tang Soo Do is relatively modern, but it's roots lie within the ancient Korean arts of Soo Bahk, Kwon Bop, Hwa Soo and Tae Kyunn. Modern Tang Soo Do is heavily indebted to Grand Master Hwang Kee who founded the Moo Duk Kwan (Korean Martial Art Academy) on 9th November 1945. Its practitioners must become proficient in several elements, including patterns or forms, known as Hyungs, one step sparring, and free sparring.

I headed off to my first Tang Soo Do session, on a very cold day might I add, at the Young Gi Academy in Mtarfa, headed by Master Ian Wallace, who was the man responsible for bringing Tang Soo Do to Malta back in 2000.

Right off the bat I realised two things; first how friendly these guys are and second, they are super fit, something which I am sure can be attributed to Master Wallace's belief that 'fitness defines character', a phrase which I heard him repeat a few times and one with which I wholeheartedly agree.

The lesson kicked off with the standard warm up...and by standard I mean one of those get ready to work hard or go home type of warm ups which leave you wondering what exactly you got yourself into...but, hey, fitness defines character right?!

Next up was some of what I like to call 'street fight style self defense', followed by defensive techniques against grabs and punches which was actually rather interesting and set me thinking about practical applications of techniques which I normally practice in a very rigid, technical manner.

Of course the class also included training of basic kicks and blocks, which although very similar to my own style, still had me very focused so as to be able to observe and imitate the small details which are different like the stances which in Tang Soo Do are lower, giving the person a lower centre of gravity and therefore more stability.

During the session I also got the chance to observe some of the patterns or Hyungs as they are known, and it does seem like a lot of effort goes into making them look neat, sharp and polished.

All in all, I must say I did quite enjoy the class. It helped me to stretch and broaden my knowledge, which finally is what I am after. Looking forward to next week's class! Tang Soo!

Anyone wishing to take up Tang Soo Do may find more information on their website www.maltatangsoodo.com