The History of Soo Bahk Do

          Soo Bahk Do is an ancient Korean martial art. It dates back to the 6th Century. However, the exact origin of is obscure. Some Japanese Karate experts insist that the art is of Japanese origin; some say it came from Okinawa; others say it began in China with Bodhidarma and spread from there.

          It was during the Silla Dynasty (618 - 935 AD) that the martial arts expanded rapidly in Korea. The Kingdom of Silla was one of the three kingdoms in Korea and was notable for the military prowess of its young warrior class, the Hwa Rang. The five basic principles of Soo Bahk Do are derived from the principles of these elite warriors. However, Soo Bahk Do gained most of its popularity during the Koryo Dynasty (935 - 1392 AD).

          At the beginning of the Yi Dynasty (1392-1910), the National Martial Arts Manual was published, and the term Soo Bahk Do became widely used. During the occupation of Korea by Japan (1907 - 1945) the practice of native martial arts was prohibited. This prohibition forced many Korean Soo Bahk Do Masters to emigrate, or to practice secretly. Modern day Soo Bahk Do was developed by Grand Master Hwang Kee. He mastered Tae Kyun and Soo Bahk Do at the age of 22. Upon his travels to Northern China in 1936, he encountered a Chinese variation of martial artistry called the Tang Method. From 1936 to 1945 he combined Soo Bahk Do with the Tang Method and developed what was to be known as Moo Duk Kwan Soo Bahk Do, even though it was officially registered in Korea on November 9, 1945 as the Korean Soo Bahk Do Association.

          At the beginning of the modern era of the Korean martial arts, Soo Bahk Do was the most popular term for the merged martial arts, however, at that time, the Korean political leader was concerned about establishing Korean value based on Korean nationalism. The political leaders recognized the popularity of Korean martial arts around the world, but were opposed to the use of the name Soo Bahk Do for the art, as it sounded like a Chinese martial art. In 1964, a government sponsored small group created a new name for the Korean martial arts: Taekwondo. Soo Bahk Do intends to preserve its heritage and value as a traditional way or path. So Soo Bahk Do and Tae Kwon Do are divided principally, with Soo Bahk Do striving to remain as a traditional martial art, while Taekwondo held its world games and sport.

          Soo Bahk Do has since spread throughout the world. Practiced by champions like Chuck Norris, it is a proven method of fighting with a long and proud tradition of victories.

What is Soo Bahk Do?

              Soo Bahk Do means "the way of the fist." It contains characteristics of Chinese internal methods and Japanese striking styles. Soo Bahk Do is a modern martial art and it's purpose is to develop every aspect of the 'self' in order to produce a mature person who can totally integrate his intellect, emotions, body and spirit.

          Soo Bahk Do, is not a sport and its primary goal is not a competitive one. However, it does lend itself well to combative situations. Being a well-balanced style, Soo Bahk Do offers a wide array of kicks, hand strikes, and stances representative of hard styles as well as softer stances and more fluid motions that are indicative of the softer styles. It derives it's hardness from the Southern Chinese systems and its soft flowing movements from the Northern Chinese systems. Its kicking techniques, for which Soo Bahk Do is unsurpassed, can easily be recognized in our sparring style and the forms that are practiced within the style.

          Free sparring is an extremely important part of Soo Bahk Do training. There are two major types suitable for Soo Bahk Do schools: Dojang sparring and competition; or sport, sparring. Although the techniques used in these types of sparring could be potentially dangerous and could result in a knockout or serious injury if not properly controlled, full contact sparring (kick boxing), traditionally is not included in the Soo Bahk Do venue.

          Soo Bahk Do competitions do not allow contact to face or groin, or the back while allowing light moderate contact to the sides and front of the body. When one looks at injuries occurring in other contact sports it becomes clear that sport Soo Bahk Do is actually a very safe activity. Qualities like sportsmanship, mutual respect for each other and personal discipline insures that practitioners compete in the healthiest environment possible. After all, the purpose of Soo Bahk Do training is not for fighting, but to perfect techniques that will enhance one's total self. If the occasion arises when one must defend oneself, of equal importance is the development of the proper spirit to supplement the physical skills that are attained.