Welcome to the Global Tang Soo Do Association

The Global Tang Soo Do Association is a traditional martial arts organization with specific standards and goals designed to help each student maximize potential as an individual as well as a martial artist. It requires and maintains strict guidelines in the operation of each member school. All certified instructors are required to attend frequent evaluation tests to assure the instruction you receive is of the highest possible standard and within the guidelines of the G.T.A. And its technical advisory board. The Association was founded by Grandmaster Tong Mun Kim in 1984. The goal in the formation of the G.T.A. was to maintain the high standards of authentic tang soo do. Teaching this martial art in its original form gave much needed roots to many thousands of Tang Soo Do practitioners world-wide. To achieve this goal, Grandmaster T.M. Kim has dedicated a lifetime of training to create a standardization of instruction. With unending dedication, time and patience, Grandmaster T.M. Kim continues to maintain the true goal of Tang Soo Do training which is to use the lessons you learn in the studio to enrich every part of your life.

What is Tang Soo Do? -Martial Art for Men, Women & Children

Tang Soo Do means "the way of the worthy hand." It contains characteristics of Chinese internal methods and Japanese striking styles. Tang Soo Do is an official Korean martial art and it's purpose is to develop every aspect of the 'self' in order to produce a mature person who can totally integrate his intellect, emotions, body and spirit.

The very first evidence of this ancient form of Korean martial arts appeared during the Three Kingdom era (57 BC-935 AD) as Hwa Rang Do. Since then, 2,000 years have passed. The indigenous martial arts quietly developed through generations of the Korean people. During some eras it flourished and other times it diminished, according to the political, economic or cultural environment. The art was known by various names throughout the eras as Hwa Rang Do, Moo Sul, Kyuck Too Ki, Soo Bahk Ki, Soo Byuck Ki, Taek Kyun etc. respectively. Following 1945 Korean independence, the Korean martial arts were again merged and flourished throughout the entire Korean Peninsula. Many organizations were founded with various names such as Soo Bahk Do, Tang Soo Do, Tae Soo Do and so on. At the beginning of the modern era of the Korean martial arts, Tang Soo Do was the most popular term for these arts. The Global Tang Soo Do Association still respects the original term, Tang Soo Do, and intends to preserve its heritage and value as a traditional way or path. We, as Global Tang Soo Do practitioners are striving to maintain traditional values of respect, discipline, self control, self improvement, etiquette and ultimately live a healthy and harmonious life, physically and mentally.