Columbus Tang Soo Do Academy | Teaching traditional martial arts in the Pataskala area

[I think that I want to train in the Martial Arts, but I have no experience and don't know what to look for.]
[What's the difference between Tang Soo Do, Tae Kwon Do, Ju-Jitsu, etc? Which is better?]
[What will I get from CTSDA that the other arts/schools don’t offer?]
[Can I try a class before paying to join?]
[Do I have to buy a uniform?]
[After buying a uniform, membership, and everything it just costs too much money.]
[Do I have to attend all classes?]
[Most of the class is guys and this makes me uncomfortable. Plus, I don’t want some aggressive guy to hurt me.]
[Will I get hurt while sparring?]
[Do you compete in tournaments? I’m (not) really interested in competing.]
[I’m too out of shape/overweight to gain anything from Tang Soo Do.]
[Will I get more physically fit? I want to train to keep myself active and lose some weight.]
[I want to train in “…” because they’re the best fighters and their style is the best for street fighting.]
[Is Tang Soo Do a “Hard” art or a “Soft” art?]

I think that I want to train in the Martial Arts, but I have no experience and don’t know what to look for.

The best option is to pick a few schools to try and see how you hit it off with the group and the instructor. Here are a few questions you may want to keep in mind when discussing the class with the instructor:

When and where do you meet for classes?
Who are the instructors?
Are the instructors certified by any credible organizations? First Aid or CPR certifications?
How often do they personally teach class?
How large is the class? How much personal attention will I receive?
What are the fees for joining? What is required on my part?
What must I purchase to fully participate in the club?
How is this art/school different than the other Martial Arts/schools?
How many classes can I attend before I am expected to pay dues?
Does the club travel to events? Am I required to participate in extra events?
Will I get hurt? What is the level of competition and how is it regulated?
How does the ranking system work? How long will it be until I am at a reasonable level of proficiency?

All of these are completely appropriate questions to ask before making a commitment, and any instructor should be more than willing to answer them. If they can’t answer them, you may wish to consider this a warning!

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What’s the difference between Tang Soo Do, Tae Kwon Do, Ju-Jitsu, etc? Which is better?

If you look at different styles, you will notice that while there are basic similarities, there are also distinct differences. On a very broad level, arts that originate from Korea are different from those originating in Japan, China, Europe, Africa, the Philippines, etc.

However, over the years, as these societies have been in contact with each other, the arts have all influenced each other. Despite this interaction, all martial arts have a distinct (yet sometimes very subtle) way of moving, striking, etc.

Which martial art is the best? This is an impossible question to answer. Everyone has their own biases and will usually not hesitate to tell you their art is the best. Who’s lying? Nobody; the problem lies in the question being asked. A more accurate question is “Which martial art is right for me?” No one can answer that question for you. You must carefully examine all of the options available, and make your decision based on your observations. What is it *you* want out of a martial art?

In general, arts can be classified in the following ways:

Empty-Handed striking arts (Tae Kwon Do, some systems of Karate)
Empty-handed grappling arts. (Judo, Jiujitsu, Wrestling)
Striking and Grappling Arts (Hapkido, Shuai Chiao)
Arts that supplement empty handed training with weapons (Tang Soo Do, Some styles of karate, Arnis)
Arts that are exclusively weapons based. (Kendo, Naginata-Do, various Kobudo schools.)

Tang Soo Do is primarily a striking art, focusing heavily on striking with the hands and feet. Some basic joint locks and throws are taught. Weapons such as staff, sword, knife and cane round out the Columbus Tang Soo Do Academy curriculum.

At CTSDA, we strongly recommend all students visit more than one school to see which one best suits them. Interact with the instructor, ask lots of questions, and think about the answers you receive. Try a class with each group and see how you like the way you are treated.

What will I get from CTSDA that the other arts/schools don’t offer?

Aside from the physical differences between Tang Soo Do and Tae Kwon Do and Tai Chi, etc., Our primary goal is to teach students how to become effective leaders and warriors in our everyday world. Your training won’t stop at kicking and punching but will encompass every part of your life – that’s what makes it an art.

Several arts/schools focus entirely on physical development where your progress is dependent on your personal ability. Tang Soo Do has endured because it is not only a very effective method of self-defense but it is compatible to every body type and disability and provides knowledge and training for everyone.

The Columbus Tang Soo Do Academy is designed to develop your individual character, mental strength, integrity, and respect for others through physically demanding and emotionally exhausting training. Superficially, it is a method of empty-hand, and foot and weapon fighting, based on the scientific use of the body in self-defense. Technically, it is based on the principles of yielding, circular motion, and penetration. The reputation for superior kicking techniques and development of the legs is another proud asset of Tang Soo Do.

Can I try a class before paying to join?

We encourage students to come watch and even participate in a few classes before they join. If you choose to participate, please wear comfortable workout attire and arrive to class at least 15 minutes early so we can answer any questions and have you complete the mandatory YMCA paperwork.

Do I have to buy a uniform?

It is not mandatory for students to buy a uniform upon registering for class. We encourage students to try a number of classes and assess their level of interest before making any further financial commitment. A uniform is not mandatory until a student has decided they would like to make the commitment to attend a regional event or participate in testing for their next rank.

After buying a uniform, membership, and everything it just costs too much money.

We know money can be hard for students, so we attempt to make class as affordable as possible. Therefore, we try to give you as much for your money as possible. While the uniform is expensive, it will last for several years with proper care, unlike the “free uniform” giveaways you will often see.

My instructor always taught me that money should not be a prerequisite for training. If you are concerned, come and talk with us. If you want to train, then we want you to train regardless of any outside factors: money, friends, etc. If you are willing to put in the work, chances are we can give you the opportunity.

Do I have to attend all classes?

No, you do not have to.

Obviously, the more classes that you attend, the quicker you will progress and learn but there is no set number of classes that must/should be attended. One of the reasons we meet multiple times during the week is to give students some flexibility in choosing which days they can come to class. Often, work or classes can clash with our schedule, and we respect that.

We do ask that you notify one of the instructors if you have a recurring situation, so we can keep that in mind when planning your development as a martial artist.

Most of the class is guys and this makes me uncomfortable. Plus, I don’t want some aggressive guy to hurt me.

The makeup of the class varies constantly depending on the students who register for each session and which students can attend class on a particular night. At CTSDA, all students are treated equally and given the chance to succeed. There are plenty of male students who lack upper body strength and are timid when it comes to sparring. Everyone has some sort of mental or physical barrier they need to overcome, gender is not one of them.

We do not force the women to only spar with other women and children, or refrain from using them as demonstration partners.

Men and women are given the same opportunities for advancement, and when teaching sparring or fighting, our instructors are more interested in a person’s anxiety and reaction to stress rather than their gender. Our female students will be treated fairly and given every opportunity to succeed.

Will I get hurt while sparring?

The instructors and senior students of CTSDA stress a high level of control in all partner drills, adapting to the comfort and experience of the lesser experienced individual. A black belt will not use a beginner as a punching bag, but will provide learning opportunities for the new student. As the student becomes comfortable with this level of training, the senior student will continue to challenge their partner to reach new levels.

Like any physical activity, there is a chance of injury. Most long-term students have picked up bruises on their arms and legs along the way, just as if they were playing soccer or basketball. The instructors of CTSDA work very hard to create a safe environment for learning how to deal with the most uncomfortable and dangerous situations a student may one day face.

In the case of more serious injuries, CTSDA is prepared to deal with all situations, either through the First Aid/CPR training of the instructors or through building staff.

Do you compete in tournaments? I’m (not) really interested in competing.

We compete in 2-3 tournaments per year that are sanctioned by the World Tang Soo Do Association. We do not attend open tournaments. Competition is not mandatory, however many of our tournaments also feature a clinic the next day or offer some other educational opportunity. We do not teach or stress tournament concepts or strategies — when we compete, we use the same ideas that we would use on the street in a life and death situation.

If you want to be the next Matt Emig or Chloe Bruce, you may find yourself very unhappy with our school. Competing on a regional, national or international stage takes a great deal of specific preparation and dedication, and our studio simply does not train for that specific purpose.

I’m too out of shape/overweight to gain anything from Tang Soo Do.

90% of Tang Soo Do is learning to make due with what you have, and using it in an efficient manner. Yes, you may never do a full split, break concrete bricks with your hand, or perform a triple jump spinning kick. But only a small percentage of martial artists can. All of us have something that keeps us from being perfect, whether it’s a bad back, trick knee, bum shoulder, or negative attitude.

At CTSDA, you will learn how to move your body more efficiently, and how to strike more powerfully than if you were to rely on brute force. You will approach your surroundings, other people, and situations in a new light. Within a few months, you will have gained a new sense of physical balance, and find it hard to believe you ever thought Tang Soo Do was too hard or impossible. You will be challenged physically and mentally by class. Some days you will need to take a break, while other days you may be able to hang in there. The key is having the integrity to know the difference between quitting when you need to quit, and when you just don’t feel like working.

Will I get more physically fit? I want to train to keep myself active and lose some weight.

Tang Soo Do is an excellent workout for building strength and endurance. However, the body will only adapt as much as it needs to in order to perform the art. Your external appearance will not be altered very much, though you may notice a little more definition in your legs. It will not counteract a poor diet.

CTSDA is composed of a variety of people at varying levels of athleticism and fitness. Chances are, class will make everyone sweat, but the heart rate will not stay within workout ranges for a predictable period of time. One day may be composed of jump kicks on a target, while the next day we hold horse stance for half an hour.

Mentally, Tang Soo Do may help you work towards that goal of losing weight, making time for a workout, eating healthy, etc. As you see what you are capable of, those gruesome workouts will not be as intimidating.

I want to train in “…” because they’re the best fighters and their style is the best for street fighting.

Every few years, a new martial art is crowned the king of effective arts. Right now, the mixed martial arts phenomena is in the top spot, but in the last few years, arts such as kali, silat, muay thai, krav maga and more have all been the martial art du jour.

Tang Soo Do assumed this top spot for many years, especially when Chuck Norris was known more for his martial arts skill than his internet popularity.

There is no single superior art, especially in today’s society where arts freely borrow from each other and evolve. The only factor that matters is the person in the fight. It doesn’t matter how many trophies they have, how many stripes are on their black belt, who their instructor’s instructor’s instructor was. It boils down to how hard did that person train leading up to that point in time. Our school does not produce street fighters, we produce survivors. People who make the active choice to be “fighters” will be extremely bored with our class.

Is Tang Soo Do a “Hard” art or a “Soft” art?

“Hard” and “Soft” are terms which someone once developed to try and categorize martial arts. On the surface, these labels may work very well for a few martial arts, but most arts float somewhere between the two.

Tang Soo Do is best described as a hybrid art influenced by Chinese styles such as long fist and Tai Chi, as well as harder Karate styles from Japan and Okinawa.

Someone with a limited view of TSD may see the hard striking and blocking aspects of the art and immediately label it a hard art. Contrast this to the person who has been practicing for 30 years, and they will tell you about the softer aspects: deflecting, sticking, circling that they practice. Often the “hard” is taught first and the “soft” aspects are stressed along the way.

I try to describe TSD in the following way: it is an art which has both hard and soft tools. One person may use the soft tools (circular blocks and stepping) to set up hard techniques (reverse punch, front kick) while others may use hard techniques (outside inside block to a strike) to set up soft techniques (throw or locking technique)