All posts by admin

Location and Directions

School

The SMS Tae Kwon Do School is conveniently located at 146 W.29th Street, 11th Floor Suite 11ER, between 6th and 7th Avenues. It is just a few blocks south of Penn Station, one block from the 28th St. subway station and just 3 short blocks from Penn Station and most major subway lines. Our telephone number is (212) 268-4300.

Local subways

1, 9: 28th St. stop, 1 block north of the station.

2, 3, A, C, E: 34th Street / Penn. Station. Exit at 7th Ave. and walk south to 29th St.

B, D, F, N, R: 34th St., walk south on 6th Ave. to W.29th St., make a right and walk one block.


View Larger Map

One Step Sparring – 1

Forms, One Step Sparring
One Step Sparring is a controlled exercise where the attacker only takes one step throwing one punch. The response varies depending on which number is called. While each One Step Sparring is unique, they all begin the same way (see below).
The attacker (the figure on the right) prepares to step forward and throw a single punch. Depending upon the 1-Step Sparring number called, it will either be a low punch, middle punch, or face punch. The figure on the left prepares in ready stance.
Attack: Middle punch
Response: Step to the side at a 45° angle into a Ju Chum Seo stance, inside block the attack, then double punch into the side.

Grand Master Kyung Sup Kim

Master Kim

Grand Master Kyung Sup Kim is the owner, operator and instructor of the SMS Tae Kwon Do school in New York City. He has been teaching students of all ages and nationalities for over forty years, instructing both traditional and modern forms in the style of the World Tae Kwon Do Federation. The school has been in operation for over twenty years in midtown Manhattan and is a proud member of The World Tae Kwon Do Federation.
Grand Master Kyung Sup KimMaster Kim has been a pioneer and influence in the development of Tae Kwon Do in Korea, the United States and internationally. He trained under the instruction of Lee Byung Ro and renowned Grand Master, Chong Woo Lee, who was also an original director of the Korea Tae Kwon Do Association, the first official Tae Kwon Do organization. Master Kim has followed in the martial arts tradition of learning and perfecting skills for healing the body. He is also an expert in acupuncture, acupressure, meditation and oriental herb remedies.

Master Kim is instantly recognizable on Korean Way in midtown Manhattan, not just as a regular face but also memorable for his unusual lack of height. While he is short in stature, his booming voice and extraordinarily powerful hands more than compensate. You can read his inspirational story, which was published in the Tae Kwon Do Times in September 1996.

Belts and Required Poomsae

School

The SMS Tae Kwon Do School teaches both the Pal Gwe and Tae Guk poomsae (patterns) in the manner of the WTF (World Tae Kwon Do Federation). There are 20 patterns in total, which must be learned prior to reaching the level of black belt. Master Kim does not believe in requiring formal testing dates for patterns and belt elevation. Master Kim continuously tests his students in every facet of their performance. He decides whether a student has completely mastered the required poomsae and techniques, including possessing the requisite level of skill in all other areas of training in order to progress to the next level.

White belt
  • H-Forms 1,2,3 (Kicho Il Bon, Yi Bon and Sam Bon)
  • Sar Bang Pang-wi (4 sided block)
  • One-step sparring:1-5
  • Basic understanding of kicking, punching, blocking and other important skills and techniques
Yellow belt
  • Pal Gwe Il Jang, Tae Guk Il Jang
  • Pal Gwe Yi Jang, Tae Guk Yi Jang
  • Pal Gwe Sam Jang, Tae Guk Sam Jang
  • Pal Gwe Sa Jang, Tae Guk Sa Jang
  • One-step sparring: 6-10
  • At this level, the student joins the sparring circle and begins to develop control and understanding of the various fighting techniques
Green belt
  • Pal Gwe Oh Jang, Tae Guk Oh Jang
  • One-step sparring:11-15
Purple belt
  • Pal Gwe Yuk Jang, Tae Guk Yuk Jang
  • One-step sparring: 16a, 16b-20
Brown belt
  • Pal Gwe Chil Jang, Tae Guk Chil Jang
  • At this level, students are expected to know all One-step sparring forms from 1-20
Black belt
  • Pal Gwe Pal Jang, Tae Guk Pal Jang
  • One-step sparring: 21
  • Three-step sparring: 1-2
  • Grappling (Self defense): 1-2
  • Student must be able to demonstrate ability to use various combinations and techniques while sparring
First Dan
  • Koryo
  • Three-step sparring: 3-6
  • Grappling (Self defense): 1-2
Second Dan
  • Keumgang
  • Grappling (Self defense): 3-7
  • Sitting techniques: 1-7
Third Dan
  • Taebeck
Fourth Dan
  • Pyongwon
Fifth Dan
  • Sipjin
Sixth Dan
  • Jitae
Seventh Dan
  • Chunkwon
Eighth Dan
  • Hansu
Ninth Dan
  • Ilyeo

What is Tae Kwon Do?

Tae Kwon Do, , ,

What is Tae Kwon Do?

Taekwondo is one of the most systematic and scientific Korean traditional martial arts, that teaches more than physical fighting skills. It is a discipline that shows ways of enhancing our spirit and life through training our body and mind. Today, it has become a global sport that has gained an international reputation, and stands among the official games in the Olympics.

Let’s take a closer look at the meaning of the word “Tae” “Kwon” “Do.” It is composed of three parts as shown in the English spelling, though it is one word in Korean. “Tae” means “foot,” “leg,” or “to step on”; “Kwon” means “fist,” or “fight”; and “Do” means the “way” or “discipline.” If we put these three parts together, we can see two important concepts behind “Tae Kwon Do”.

First, Taekwondo is the right way of using Tae and Kwon ‘fists and feet,’ or all the parts of the body that are represented by fists and feet. Second, it is a way to control or calm down fights and keep the peace. This concept comes from the meaning of Tae Kwon ‘to put fists under control’ [or ‘to step on fists’]. Thus Taekwondo means “the right way of using all parts of the body to stop fights and help to build a better and more peaceful world.”

Taekwondo has been developing with the 5000-year long history of Korea, being called by several different names in the course. In Korea, Taekwondo began as a defense martial art called “Subak” or “Taekkyon,” and developed as a way of training body and mind in the ancient kingdom of Koguryo, under the name of “Sunbae.” In the Shilla period, it had become the backbone of Hwarangdo that aimed at producing leaders of the country.

Taekwondo today is similar to the martial arts in other Oriental countries and shares some features with them, because in the course of its evolution it has gained many different styles that existed in the martial arts of the countries surrounding Korea, like Japan and China.

But Taekwondo is very different from many such oriental martial arts. First, physically it is very dynamic with active movements that include a mirage of foot skills. Second, the principle physical movements are in simpatico with that of the mind and life as a whole. Third, it possesses dynamic poses from another perspective.

Taekwondo can be characterized by unity: the unity of body, mind, and life, and the unity of the pose [“poomsae”] and confrontation, and cracking down. When you do Taekwondo, you should make your mind peaceful and synchronize your mind with your movements, and extend this harmony to your life and society. This is how in Taekwondo the principle of physical movements, the principle of mind training, and the principle of life become one and the same. On the other hand, the right poomsae lead to the right confrontation, which will eventually produce great destructive power.

How come we reach such a unity in Taekwondo? Taekwondo is a way of life, much like having a job, raising a family, fighting for a cause, or any one of numerous raison d’etre. What makes Taekwondo different from these is that it is an activity for survival in extremely antagonistic situations. One must always overcome the enemy that is trying to cause harm. But simply winning a fight is not enough to guarantee one’s safety, because the enemy may recuperate and attack again. Moreover, there may be many other enemies than the one that was just defeated. One cannot ever feel safe unless one gains permanent peace. To attain this permanent or lasting peace, one needs unity. This is what Taekwondo aim for. Otherwise Taekwondo would be no different from any other street-fighting skills.

Taekwondo pursues harmonious growth and improvements of life through its unique activities. This is why one could say Taekwondo is a way of life. To ultimately enable ourselves to lead more valuable lives, we would do well by finding the guiding principles deeply hidden in Taekwondo.

One Step Sparring – 4

Forms, One Step Sparring

Attack: Middle Punch

Response: Response: Step to the side at a 45° angle, chop down on the wrist of the punching arm. Grab and rotate the wrist, using your thumb to go slightly underneath the wrist for leverage to twist the hand and arm. Twist the hand and arm, which well bend your opponent over slightly and deliver a roundhouse kick to the stomach (kyop!) Follow this roundhouse kick with a downward low side kick to the inside of the knee. Step down with your right foot, bring your left foot over so you are practically behind your opponent, fully twist the arm up and behind the back.

The Principles of Tae Kwon Do Philosophy

Tae Kwon Do,

The philosophy of Taekwondo is very special, but what makes it so special? If we learn philosophy from books, we tend to forget it as soon as we leave them, because it is not related to our actual lives. But since Taekwondo is connected with our lives like every movement of ours is, we can never forget its philosophy.

That is, the philosophy is one of actions that can be learned from other actions, and our everyday activities. Taekwondo philosophy represents the principles of the changes and movements in human beings. It also represents the principles of our lives, since life consists of our movements. Therefore, we can say Taekwondo is a philosophy in itself. We can understand the philosophy of Taekwondo by doing Taekwondo, and this understanding should lead to better understanding and enhancement of our life. The principles of Taekwondo can be explained in several ways but here we will explain it simply with the principle of “Sam Jae” [Three Elements] and that of “Eum” [the Negative or Darkness] and “Yang” [the Positive or the Brightness]. “Sam Jae” refers to “Cheon” [the Heaven], “Ji” [the Earth], and “In” [the Man] and the principles concerning them. In oriental countries, it has been recognized as the central principle that explains the changes of everything in the world. “Sam Jae” and the changes of “Eum” and “Yang” constitute the “Eight Trigrams for Divination” in the “Book of Changes.” The principle of Sam Jae has been emphasized in oriental countries, especially in Korea. If you understand Taekwondo’s principle, you could understand all the skills and spiritual depth of Taekwondo. The principle of Eum and Yang has also been emphasized in oriental countries as the central principle of life. It maintains that everything has an opposite side. This principle explains various forms of changes, but it comes from “Taegeuk” [the Great Absolute], which represents the ultimate claim that Eum and Yang was the one and the same thing. If we understand Taekwondo according to this principle, we will find a solution, and by continuously changing skills, we will never get stuck, in any situation. After we understand these philosophical principles of Taekwondo, we can find proper ways to understand and develop our lives.

The Historical Development of Taekwondo Philosophy

What is the philosophy of Taekwondo? Taekwondo contains thoughts that Han [Korean] people had developed through history. Its philosophy is easily explained with Hongik-Ingan, Jaese-Ihwa, or Hwarangdo spirit. Hongik-Ingan and Jaese-Ihwa were not only ideologies of Tangun Chosun’s foundation, but also a fundamental thought of Han people. With time, these ideas developed into the Hwarangdo spirit and the Taekwondo philosophy today. Now, let’s look at the principles contents of the philosophy.

Hongik-Ingan” means universal welfare of mankind. It was the idea of the national foundation by Tangun, and the Taekwondo spirit too has inherited the idea of Hongik-Ingan. It is easily confirmed from the fact that the word of Taekwondo, itself means to suppress fighting and induce peace. On one hand, Jaese-Ihwa means that the world is educated in accordance with the reason of heaven. Taekwondo is a principle, not a simple connection with movements. It is the Korean traditional martial art characterized by the trinity of body, mind and life. Thus, the principle is the reason of all creation, and so it refers to the reason of heaven in Jaese-Ihwa. Therefore, human beings can be educated in accordance with the reason of heaven through correct training of Taekwondo. That’s the very meaning of Jaese-Ihwa. Hongik-Ingan and Jaese-Ihwa appear clearly in the myth of the Korean foundation. According to it, “In the early age, Hwan-Wung, the son of Heaven established a nation called Baedal [earliest name of Korea]. He then announced the purpose of the national foundation as Jaese-Ihwa [educate with the reason of heaven] and Hongik-Ingan [universal welfare of mankind].

Philosophical Principles of Taekwondo

The philosophy of Taekwondo is very special, but what makes it so special? If we learn philosophy from books, we tend to forget it as soon as we leave them, because it is not related to our actual lives. But since Taekwondo is connected with our lives like every movement of ours is, we can never forget its philosophy.

That is, the philosophy is one of actions that can be learned from other actions, and our everyday activities. Taekwondo philosophy represents the principles of the changes and movements in human beings. It also represents the principles of our lives, since life consists of our movements. Therefore, we can say Taekwondo is a philosophy in itself. We can understand the philosophy of Taekwondo by doing Taekwondo, and this understanding should lead to better understanding and enhancement of our life. The principles of Taekwondo can be explained in several ways but here we will explain it simply with the principle of “Sam Jae” [Three Elements] and that of “Eum” [the Negative or Darkness] and “Yang” [the Positive or the Brightness]. “Sam Jae” refers to “Cheon” [the Heaven], “Ji” [the Earth], and “In” [the Man] and the principles concerning them. In oriental countries, it has been recognized as the central principle that explains the changes of everything in the world. “Sam Jae” and the changes of “Eum” and “Yang” constitute the “Eight Trigrams for Divination” in the “Book of Changes.” The principle of Sam Jae has been emphasized in oriental countries, especially in Korea. If you understand Taekwondo’s principle, you could understand all the skills and spiritual depth of Taekwondo. The principle of Eum and Yang has also been emphasized in oriental countries as the central principle of life. It maintains that everything has an opposite side. This principle explains various forms of changes, but it comes from “Taegeuk” [the Great Absolute], which represents the ultimate claim that Eum and Yang was the one and the same thing. If we understand Taekwondo according to this principle, we will find a solution, and by continuously changing skills, we will never get stuck, in any situation. After we understand these philosophical principles of Taekwondo, we can find proper ways to understand and develop our lives.

The Historical Development of Taekwondo Philosophy

What is the philosophy of Taekwondo? Taekwondo contains thoughts that Han [Korean] people had developed through history. Its philosophy is easily explained with Hongik-Ingan, Jaese-Ihwa, or Hwarangdo spirit. Hongik-Ingan and Jaese-Ihwa were not only ideologies of Tangun Chosun’s foundation, but also a fundamental thought of Han people. With time, these ideas developed into the Hwarangdo spirit and the Taekwondo philosophy today. Now, let’s look at the principles contents of the philosophy.

Hongik-Ingan” means universal welfare of mankind. It was the idea of the national foundation by Tangun, and the Taekwondo spirit too has inherited the idea of Hongik-Ingan. It is easily confirmed from the fact that the word of Taekwondo, itself means to suppress fighting and induce peace. On one hand, Jaese-Ihwa means that the world is educated in accordance with the reason of heaven. Taekwondo is a principle, not a simple connection with movements. It is the Korean traditional martial art characterized by the trinity of body, mind and life. Thus, the principle is the reason of all creation, and so it refers to the reason of heaven in Jaese-Ihwa. Therefore, human beings can be educated in accordance with the reason of heaven through correct training of Taekwondo. That’s the very meaning of Jaese-Ihwa. Hongik-Ingan and Jaese-Ihwa appear clearly in the myth of the Korean foundation. According to it, “In the early age, Hwan-Wung, the son of Heaven established a nation called Baedal [earliest name of Korea]. He then announced the purpose of the national foundation as Jaese-Ihwa [educate with the reason of heaven] and Hongik-Ingan [universal welfare of mankind].