The Origins and
Growth of the Tang Soo Do Union.
During 1997 a number of Tang Soo Do organisations within the UK began discussions on the subject of 'cross organisational training and competitive events' for the benefit of their Members. These discussions lead to the first multi organisation training session at Bicester, Oxfordshire later in that same year. Over the ensuing years invitations were exchanged to annual competitions and seminars. Cross organisational communication and co-operation grew from strength to strength. A clearly impartial approach to the content of seminars emerged over time. Over one hundred Tang Soo Do practitioners met in Manchester for an afternoon of training, knowledge sharing and friendship in early 2007. The seminar looked at topics that had been chosen for their 'curriculum neutral' status. The 'curriculum neutral' caveat serves the Tang Soo Do Union well to this day. The term 'curriculum neutral' reflects an intention to honour the minor variation in normal curricular activity such as hyung practice. Such variations occur naturally due to differences in each organisation's lineage.
On Sunday the 4th of February 2007 representatives from six traditional Tang Soo Do organisations (each proudly maintaining an affiliation to a senior international body) met in Henley in Arden to discuss naming and expanding the Tang Soo Do Union (TSDU). Prior to that date the TSDU was only referred to as 'the Alliance'. The unique nature of that meeting formed the basis for the growth of the Tang Soo Do Union. For six such organisations to meet with no agenda beyond the creation of an umbrella contact group for the benefit of all students was, we believe, unprecedented in the UK. On that day the name 'Tang Soo Do Union' came into being along with a basic set of operating guidelines. September 2007 saw over 270 Tang Soo Do practitioners gather in Ryton, Warwickshire to celebrate their Tang Soo Do by participating in the first TSDU 'Training with the Masters Seminar'.
The TSDU continues to grow and to date has evolved into an umbrella contact organisation for traditional Tang Soo Do organisations whose leadership have the foresight to see a high value in the virtues of cordial and supportive relations with fellow practitioners on a cross organisational basis. These goals are perhaps best summed up in the TSDU Mission Statement and Charter;
Mission Statement
The mission of the TSDU is to create a unified body of Tang Soo Do Organizations and Practitioners in the United Kingdom that are dedicated to preserving, perpetuating and promoting the traditional Korean Martial Art known as 'Tang Soo Do' and to further its development and growth in line with the original and full concepts of its Founder.
Charter
Our charter requires all Members to preserve and promote the original and traditional techniques, practices, philosophy and principles of the Martial Art known as Tang Soo Do and to create a training environment that not only focuses on intense physical training, discipline and respect (Moo Do), but that also fosters creativity and character development (Ryu Pa) by recognizing the human need to achieve freedom through the development of the human spirit (Moo Do Shim Gong).
During 1997 a number of Tang Soo Do organisations within the UK began discussions on the subject of 'cross organisational training and competitive events' for the benefit of their Members. These discussions lead to the first multi organisation training session at Bicester, Oxfordshire later in that same year. Over the ensuing years invitations were exchanged to annual competitions and seminars. Cross organisational communication and co-operation grew from strength to strength. A clearly impartial approach to the content of seminars emerged over time. Over one hundred Tang Soo Do practitioners met in Manchester for an afternoon of training, knowledge sharing and friendship in early 2007. The seminar looked at topics that had been chosen for their 'curriculum neutral' status. The 'curriculum neutral' caveat serves the Tang Soo Do Union well to this day. The term 'curriculum neutral' reflects an intention to honour the minor variation in normal curricular activity such as hyung practice. Such variations occur naturally due to differences in each organisation's lineage.
On Sunday the 4th of February 2007 representatives from six traditional Tang Soo Do organisations (each proudly maintaining an affiliation to a senior international body) met in Henley in Arden to discuss naming and expanding the Tang Soo Do Union (TSDU). Prior to that date the TSDU was only referred to as 'the Alliance'. The unique nature of that meeting formed the basis for the growth of the Tang Soo Do Union. For six such organisations to meet with no agenda beyond the creation of an umbrella contact group for the benefit of all students was, we believe, unprecedented in the UK. On that day the name 'Tang Soo Do Union' came into being along with a basic set of operating guidelines. September 2007 saw over 270 Tang Soo Do practitioners gather in Ryton, Warwickshire to celebrate their Tang Soo Do by participating in the first TSDU 'Training with the Masters Seminar'.
The TSDU continues to grow and to date has evolved into an umbrella contact organisation for traditional Tang Soo Do organisations whose leadership have the foresight to see a high value in the virtues of cordial and supportive relations with fellow practitioners on a cross organisational basis. These goals are perhaps best summed up in the TSDU Mission Statement and Charter;
Mission Statement
The mission of the TSDU is to create a unified body of Tang Soo Do Organizations and Practitioners in the United Kingdom that are dedicated to preserving, perpetuating and promoting the traditional Korean Martial Art known as 'Tang Soo Do' and to further its development and growth in line with the original and full concepts of its Founder.
Charter
Our charter requires all Members to preserve and promote the original and traditional techniques, practices, philosophy and principles of the Martial Art known as Tang Soo Do and to create a training environment that not only focuses on intense physical training, discipline and respect (Moo Do), but that also fosters creativity and character development (Ryu Pa) by recognizing the human need to achieve freedom through the development of the human spirit (Moo Do Shim Gong).