Master Kevin Case

Combining my love of Martial arts (Kumdo in this case) with my passion for photography. Interesting result. Will try the same photo technique with the Nunchaku next.

Click the picture for a larger version.

Sponsored by Sr. Master Gary Horner & Master Bobbie Horner

Karate Center
7000 Charleston Shores Blvd
Lake Worth, FL 33467 

for information call 561-968-4011 

Sponsored by Master Gregory Phillips

Phillips Karate
8717 Little Rd
New Port Richey, FL 34654-4949

for information call 727-848-8108

The Korean National Flag is very philosophical. The origin comes from the oriental philosophy of Um-Yang (Yin-Yang in Chinese). In Korea, the symbol of Um and Yang, and sometimes the flag iteslf, is called Taeguk and summarizes the thoughts of Yeok (“I Ching” in Chinese). The name means the flag of “Great Extremes.”

The white background represents purity and peace.

The upper red section is called the Yang and the lower blue section is called the Um or, more commonly known, Ying.

The Ying Yang is the ancient symbol of the creation of the universe and shows the differences between day and night, hot and cold, good and evil, etc,. It is a representation of opposites and also a representation of how all parts are needed in order to be whole.

The tri-grams located in each corner of the flag represent the concepts of opposites and balance

Memphis, TN -

Master Lee lives in Groningen, in the Netherlands. He is Chief Instructor of Korean Martial Arts Groningen  and oversees several other Dojangs in Holland. Masters Lee and Case have been friends for over 20 years. They met at a Tournament in Munich Germany hosted by Master Klaus Trogemann.

Master Phillips hosts this event annually, in January

Masters Horner host annual camps, one open to Black Belts and candidates only usually in May and one open to all ranks usually in the fall.

Master Candidate Jason Hook

One of the most important lessons I have learned over the years is persistence. In our Tang Soo Do 7 tenets we refer to Perseverance and in our 5 codes we exclaim ‘No retreat in Battle’. An important aspect to consider is that both of these refer to persistence.

Often we don’t readily see the benefits of persistence but with faith in ourselves, others and/or a process we can overcome almost any obstacle. Imagine seeing a single drop of water fall and hit a large rock. No big deal right? Seems insignificant? Now imagine a single drop of water hitting a large rock in the same spot over and over again. Now imagine this happening over and over through time. Eventually the drops of water wear away the rock at the point of impact.

I once taught an adult student who had a difficulty learning the Tang Soo Do basic curriculum.  To add to the already difficult situation, we also had a language barrier as she was from Panama and her native language was not English. I never forgot this student because it took her 3 months of private lessons twice a week to learn the first basic form.

This was a lesson in patience and persistence for me because week after week I was challenged to try to present the material in a way that this student would understand. For the student, it was a lesson in persistence because knowing that each class was a struggle, she would faithfully attend.

One day we had a breakthrough. It finally occurred to me thy this student thought in Spanish and by constantly trying to translate my instructions into English, it was inhibiting her ability to learn. That day I began to teach her in a non verbal manner and she learned the form and eventually was promoted to 8th Gup.

In your Tang Soo Do training, you’ll experience many achievements and also obstacles from time to time. Remember that no matter if it’s an injury, a technique that you just can’t seem to get right or feeling that youll never make that next promotion in rank, you can overcome it by continuing your investment of time and effort. Like those drops of water, keep at it and you will get the results you want.

TANG SOO!

Kevin Case is president of the United Tang Soo Do Association & United States Haedong Kumdo Association. He is also the host of the Black Belt Radio podcast (www.blackbeltradio.net). Visit Master Case’s Association website at www.unitedtangsoodo.com