Tang Soo Do Focus

Text your thoughts and comments to Tang Soo Do Focus We all have reasons, excuses and rationalizations for reasons we don't train or can't perform at our peak.  In the end, people might be polite and nod sympathetically but it occurs to me- No one cares.  Harsh as this sounds we can use this idea to redouble our efforts and stop relying on our challenges to training to interrupt our prog...

Text your thoughts and comments to Tang Soo Do Focus Regular day to day training is different from training for a specific goal.  We are always trying to improve our overall Tang Soo Do but sometimes we must focus on a single technique or area of our practice to see the improvements we need.  This podcast gives strategies to focus on a particular aspect of our training and make greater improvement...

Text your thoughts and comments to Tang Soo Do Focus Imposter Syndrome is the feeling of being a fraud or fake when it comes to our accomplishments.  This feeling can be present in our Tang Soo Do training as well. We need to have self confidence without being arrogant and manage the feelings of being an imposter.  This episode examines these feelings and more.

Text your thoughts and comments to Tang Soo Do Focus The idea of being smooth in our Tang Soo Do practice is a sign of higher level training. No one ever said-" Thay would be better if you were a bit more erratic, choopy and robotic in your movements".  Smooth techniques use less energy, create more power and look better when performed.  If Tang Soo Do is ultimately about balance, then S...

Text your thoughts and comments to Tang Soo Do Focus We live in a Three dimensional world. Placing our techniques correctly requires us to be aware of the X, Y and Z axis of our physical space.  Up and down, Left to right, and in or out placement of a kick or strike can mean the difference between a broken board or a broken hand.  This episode looks into this topic and how we can improve our place...

Text your thoughts and comments to Tang Soo Do Focus Master Kristin Duethorn has been practicing Tanag Soo Do since the mid 1990s. She is an accomplished competitor and owner of Quest Martial Arts in Thompson , CT.  She has completed internationally and has promoted many masters of her own.  Master Duethorn focuses on character development before all other things and the results have been impressi...

Text your thoughts and comments to Tang Soo Do Focus At tournaments a very important part tof Tang Soo Do is the role of the Center Judge.  The "Center" leads the other judges, Ring coordinator and timekeeper and is responsible for the safety and welfare of the competitors.  Doing a good job as Center Judge can mean the difference between a good experience or one that leaves a bad taste...

Text your thoughts and comments to Tang Soo Do Focus This episode concerns the use of writing and journaling to improve our practice. Writing can be used to set goals, record achievments, assist in memorization, sharing our knowledge and giving us peace of mind.  This article was inspired in equal parts by the teachings of O-Sensei Phil Porter and an article by Emily Ronay Johnston.  See how writi...

Text your thoughts and comments to Tang Soo Do Focus Self discipline is often cited as one of the main benefits and reasons that people train in martial arts. The self discipline developed through training impacts other aspects of our lives such as our professional and financial success.  This episode looks at two articles that talk about career and financial success and I draw connections to our...

Text your thoughts and comments to Tang Soo Do Focus This episode will cover five reasons that may prevent you from getting classes in throughout the year.  When actually being in the dojang is the best way to improve, we must examine the pitfalls in our daily lives that keep us off the floor.

Text your thoughts and comments to Tang Soo Do Focus The most common weapon or training tool in Tang Soo Do is the staff. This episode explores the use and purposes of staff forms and exercises in Tang Soo Do.

Text your thoughts and comments to Tang Soo Do Focus Many articles have been written about ways to delay or offset the effects of aging.  This episode highlights ten ways practicing Tang Soo Do can help defeat aging.

Text your thoughts and comments to Tang Soo Do Focus Paying attention to your surroundings in any situation is an important skill to practice.  When we are out at a club, restaurant, or shopping spree we should always project confidence and be aware of our surroundings and the people around us.  In our Tang Soo Do training, Situational Awareness is important to avoid collisions with other students...

Text your thoughts and comments to Tang Soo Do Focus Many activities from baseball to ballroom dancing have rules of etiquette that are passed on by word of mouth or in person.  Tang Soo Do has many such traditions that are good to know for beginners and important for more senior students to pass on to their juniors.  This episode details 15 specific rules of good manners that may be written down...

Text your thoughts and comments to Tang Soo Do Focus Training in Tang Soo Do often involves injuries at some point.  The back and knees seem to be the most common areas impacted.  This episode gives some advice on how to prevent injury and deal with it when it becomes a reality.

Text your thoughts and comments to Tang Soo Do Focus Though the words waiting and hesitation are often used interchangeably, there are differences in their meaning.  In this sepisode we investigate the differences and discuss why hesitation is usually a more negative behavior than waiting. As always the two terms a re applied to our training in Tang Soo Do for our benefit.

Text your thoughts and comments to Tang Soo Do Focus This 45 minute episode has Masters Stickel and Patarini discussing their long relationship n Tang Soo Do training. Master Stickel has been training since childhood and has been a full time instructor at Middlesex Tang Soo Do for over 20 years. This interview tells the story of his TSD journey and highlights moments such as Dan and Ko Dan Ja test...

Text your thoughts and comments to Tang Soo Do Focus We all would agree that Tang Soo Do is fun, but why is it so much fun?  Catherine Price has studied fun and has a TED talk with over 2.5 million views detailing her findings.  She suggests that fun is composed of a sense of playfulness, a sense of connection, and being engaged in a flow state during an activity.  This episode examines how Tang S...

Text your thoughts and comments to Tang Soo Do Focus Tang Soo Do has a history of incorporating other martial arts styles into our practice.  Founder Hwang Kee himself studied several Chinese and Japanese styles before creating what we know as Tang Soo Do.  As a primarily striking art it may be beneficial for us to study other complimentary styles to improve our overall martial abilities. 

Text your thoughts and comments to Tang Soo Do Focus I am pleased to share my first international interview with a Tang Soo Do instructor, Master Angus Rogers of Wales.  Gus is a listener of this podcast and reached out to me to share his experiences working with autistic students as well as describe his new book on self defense: "Recipes do not make a delicious meal".  Like many of us,...

Text your thoughts and comments to Tang Soo Do Focus The question of whether folks who train in Tang Soo Do ought to be held to a higher standard of behavior and ethics is covered in this episode.  As we recite the creed and practice the philosophy of TSD in our daily lives, we should try to strive to be better people with higher character.  Sadly not all instructors and practitioners are of highe...

Text your thoughts and comments to Tang Soo Do Focus This episode looks at the role of weapons training an dforms in Tang Soo Do.  Using training aids such as staffs, edged weapons, and  other tools can add to our portfolio of abilities and allow us to compete.  This is the first episode delving into the use of weapons and hopefully the first of many.

Text your thoughts and comments to Tang Soo Do Focus As we are now in the thick of tournament season I wanted to re-release this episode highlighting ten ways to improve your tournament preparation. Hopefully some of these suggestions will allow you or your students to perform better on the big day

Text your thoughts and comments to Tang Soo Do Focus In this episode KJN Master Steve Voelker helps us to understand internal and external forms and types of breath.  Often referred to a Weigun and Neigun these differences are the focus of advanced students of Tang Soo Do and help us find the balance in our training.  

Text your thoughts and comments to Tang Soo Do Focus More excerpts from my unfinished book "A few thoughts on Tang Soo Do".  Targeting , footwork, training vs. practice are among the 15 sub topics covered in this episode.