Sports Realm

[I:http://sportsrealm.info/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/AlCase34.jpg] Taekwondo styles are interesting things, as they are each a slice of the complete discipline, and even resemble the ultimate sequencing of all arts. I say this as a fellow who studied at one of the original schools of the art, the Kang Duk Won. For the past four decades I’ve watched as each style of Korea’s most famous art has emerged, and there is an evolution of art occurring here that is worthy of note.

First, the original schools, the Song Moo Kwan, Yun Moo Kwan, Jidokwan, and all the others, were mostly Karate. The practitioners who put these arts together studied with Master Funakoshi around the time of the second world war. The rest studied with his students or other Okinawa Karate Senseis.

Thus, the first kwans were karate, plain and simple. Korea gaining independence, however, and undergoing the throws of nationalism, taekwondo was invented by General Choi Hong Hi. Thus, much of karate was thrown out, altered, and taekwondo began its various evolutions.

There are several taekwondo methods, and several sequences of patterns. Most of them are variations of simple karate basics, with a decided concentration on kicking. One should not hold one art as better than another, and saying such things as my Taekwondo is the Deadliest Martial Art, or my Taekwondo is the Best Martial Art should not be put forth. The individual arts are pieces of a larger body of knowledge, and the serious student will study all the styles, do all the patterns, and make his own silent decisions as to which art is best.

That said, one should definitely consider a study of Hapkido. Hapkido is a discipline formulated by a fellow who is supposed to have trained in Daito ryu Aiki jujitsu. There is some argument on his exact experiences, but the art is proving valuable. It is lasting and proving effective, and people are learning their lessons, but one does need to go into a study of this art with a degree of awareness.

Next are the original Korean Martial Arts. These would be such disciplines as Taekyeon and Subak. Taekyeon, and there is some dispute on this spelling, is the basis for the art of Hwarangdo. While Hwarangdo borrowed the name, many people hold to the effectiveness of the art.

Subak is one of the original arts taught before the Japanese outlawed Korean martial arts. It is a delight of drilling and training and throwing an attacker effortlessly. Unfortunately, it may be difficult to find an instructor, but this is still an art worth looking into.

So, the recommendation is that one start off with the simple versions of Choi Hong Hi, and travel through the various groups and systems to find what is best for you. After that, one should explore basic karate, to see the origins of TKD, and then begin a sojourn through Hapkido, and Hwarangdo, and, if one is lucky, the original Subak. While this suggestion of study may seem lengthy, it is the only way to get to the truth concerning Real Taekwondo Styles.

Al Case studied the Kang Duk Won back in the 70s, and it was in its original form. Go to his website if you want to pick up an absolutely ree Karate Book.