History of Tae Soo Do

The martial art Tae Soo Do was created in 1990 by our Hwa Rang Do Founder, Dr. Joo Bang Lee. This was done because the martial art Hwa Rang Do is very hard and complicated for the majority of present day practitioners. This system is so demanding it requires a strong commitment to progress through it. There is so much to learn it has taken people without any previous training between 5-10 years before they are ready to test for their first dan. Because of this, Tae Soo Do was created as an undergraduate program to Hwa Rang Do. Through the training in this program, practitioners develop a fortified foundation of their physical skills and proper attitude. It takes an average of 2-3 years to achieve a black belt in Tae Soo Do. Once a student receives this rank, they graduate into the advanced program of Hwa Rang Do as a yellow sash (master beginner). Then it takes another 3 years on average for these practitioners to earn a black sash in Hwa Rang Do.

One of the greatest strengths and benefits of Hwa Rang Do is that it has extensive techniques and training in all aspects of combat skills as well as healing skills. This art can offer something for everyone. However, for the majority of inexperienced practitioners this system can take a very long time to progress though and can also be very difficult if the proper fundamentals have not already been established. This program is for people with little to no previous martial art experience. Individuals that already have had previous training can start in the advanced program of Hwa Rang Do as a white sash. The Hwa Rang Do program contains over 1200 techniques plus all other forms and physical movement requirements. This requires tremendous concentration for all practitioners. However, remembering this many techniques is difficult for most children so they begin in the Tae Soo Do program. Adults that can make this strong commitment in their training and have a good attitude can also begin directly in the Hwa Rang Do program. Tae Soo Do was established and divided into basic movement, striking and kicking techniques, self-defense, forms, weapons, and sparring, similar to Tae Kwon Do, Karate, Kung Fu.