WORLD TAE KWON DO ASSOCIATION

GRANDMASTER DUK SUNG SON

9TH DEGREE BLACK BELT

SOUTHEASTERN REGION

MASTER JACK EMMEL, MD

6TH DEGREE BLACK BELT

(843) 849-8800

This text is reprinted and adapted from a brochure issued by the South-Eastern Regional WTA Headquarters, by permission of Dr. Jack Emmel, MD.

MARTIAL ARTS

It is generally believed that techniques similar to what we now call "martial arts" were developed in the Far East many centuries ago. There has been much differentiation over time and any current martial art is simply the most recent version of its predecessor. The term "martial" refers to the practical utility of techniques in combat. During peaceful times, practice for personal development, self-knowledge, and mind-body unity result in the "art". A given martial art may be "hard" (powerful, strong, fast) or "soft" (smooth, flowing, dance-like). Also, it may use weapons or not. Finally, in free-style sparring, painful offensive blows may be delivered ("contact" sparring) or withheld just short of the target ("non-contact" sparring). It is possible to develop the martial aspect and ignore the art aspect. This tends to occur in schools where self-defense and free-style fighting, particularly contact fighting, are emphasized. Research indicates that such training tends to increase aggressiveness and physical acting out of negative emotions. Schools emphasizing traditional teaching add basic exercises, forms, philosophy, and social appropriateness as important components of training to develop the "art". Research has demonstrated that when the art is also emphasized, students become less aggressive and less anxious and feel more self-confident, more self-disciplined, and more empowered to deal effectively with other aspects of their lives.

TAE KWON DO

Tae Kwon Do is the modern derivation of older Korean martial arts. It means "the study of kicks and punches". As such, no weapons are used. Being partially based on the tiger, it is strong, fast, and powerful - a "hard" martial art. Taught traditionally, it utilizes non-contact sparring to underscore safety and non-violence. All components of training are used to work through the "martial" and on to the "art".

Tae Kwon Do is a modern term first coined by Grandmaster Duk Sung Son, 9th degree black belt, and President of the World Tae Kwon Do Association.

Master Son, a champion adolescent boxer, began martial arts training in the early 1940's and went on as Grandmaster to have schools of his own all over Korea, including instructing the Korean and American Armed Forces stationed there. He is literally the "Father of Tae Kwon Do". Later, Tae Kwon Do was introduced in the United States by Master Son and by other practitioners whose modifications and changes created many sub-styles, removed from Master Son's traditional teaching.

WORLD TAE KWON DO ASSOCIATION

In the early 1960's, Master Son moved to the US to begin teaching and thus the World Tae Kwon Do Association was created with its headquarters in New York City. It continues under his personal direction in hundreds of schools in this country and others. Major cities, small towns, and notable universities such as Harvard, Cornell, Brown, New York University and West Point Military Academy have hosted his classes. The schools are usually non-commercial and conform to his quietly strong philosophy. As President of the Association, it is he who performs all black belt testing during regional visits all year long. He is the author of two texts, Korean Karate: The Art of Tae Kwon Do (1968) and Black Belt Korean Karate (1983), and is seen from time to time in martial arts magazine interviews.

The Southeastern Region of the WTKDA began in the late 1970's in the Charleston, SC, and Augusta, GA. areas and ultimately developed regional headquarters at the Isle of Palms, SC school. The Chief Instructor in the Southeast is Master Jack Emmel, MD, currently a sixth degree black belt who has trained directly under Master Son since 1970. Classes are offered at 20 locations teaching students aged 5-70 in South Carolina, Georgia, and North Carolina.

JOINING A CLASS

In our classes, traditional training and non-contact sparring allow an inclusive approach. Our students include youngsters, teenagers, and men and women of all ages; indeed, many couples and entire families are amongst our members. Whether underweight, overweight, coordinated, uncoordinated, in shape, out of shape, shy or assertive, all are encouraged to join. The training itself will develop or improve coordination, help adjust weight, promote fitness, and develop self-confidence and assertiveness. Our classes include doctors, lawyers, construction workers, real estate agents, professors, teachers, students, learning disabled children, people with back pain and knee problems, legislators, etc. Classes are accepting new students of all types all the time.

WORKOUTS

Training includes stretching, mild running, basic movements, forms (preset sequences of moves), 3-step practice sparring, free-style non-contact sparring, self-defense techniques, and special applications. The training is designed to develop the five basic components required of an accomplished martial artist: balance, accuracy, speed, power, and focus.

BELT RANKING

Beginners are white belts. Subsequent progression is through yellow, green, purple, brown and 1st degree black, taking 2-3 years (longer for children) of hard practice to achieve. Traditionally, more and more training and experience colored the original white belt darker and darker. Higher degrees of black belt require much longer and harder practice, which affords greater personal rewards in return. It is our aim to emphasize the process of training and attitude rather than the achievement of belt rank. With proper attention to personal development and social responsibility, advancement in belt rank takes care of itself.

BASIC INFORMATION

WORLD TAE KWON DO ASSOCIATION

Headquartered in New York City since 1963 by President and Grandmaster Duk Sung Son, 9th degree black belt, the "Father of Tae Kwon Do" - hundreds of schools.

SOUTHEASTERN REGION

Headquartered at Isle of Palms, SC and comprising many schools in SC, GA, NC. Chief Instructor Master Jack Emmel, MD, 6th degree black belt, teaching for over thirty years.

OUR INSTRUCTORS

All are black belts personally tested by Grandmaster Son and approved to teach; they continue to receive instruction themselves.

OUR STUDENTS

Men and women aged 5 to 70 who have used Tae Kwon Do to get in shape; develop self-discipline and self-confidence; improve coordination and flexibility; control weight; learn self-defense; relieve stress; etc.

OUR CLASSES

Stretching, running, basics, forms, three-step sparring, free-style NON-CONTACT sparring, self-defense techniques.

Safety always comes first!

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