American Kwan Tang Soo Do Federation
OUR FLAG
The American Kwan Tang Soo Do Flag is significant in many ways.
The Fist represents Power and Justice. The American and Korean flags show honor to the United States of America as our home and to the country of South Korea as a source for our training.
The corner emblems are significant and mean:
Upper left corner contains the American Eagle signifying "Strength" as well as the symbols for "Dao of Ki" (Way of Energy).
Upper right corner has the Liberty Bell for "Liberty" with "Honor" superimposed.
Lower right corner has the Statue of Liberty welcoming all and the symbols for "Humility"
Lower left corner has Independence Hall representing "Independence" with the symbol for "Respect" superimposed.
SWORD TRAINING
A very challenging Martial Art for everyone to consider to supplement your Tang Soo Do training is something I have found to be great. It is called Iajutsu. Iajutsu is sword training. Real sword training. We use wooden Bokkens and high quality Iaito swords for training since they are real in every aspect except sharpness (sharpened swords are NOT for the beginner). Live swords are used for cutting after the student has learned the Iaito. Keeping students from bleeding is important for some reason (?). Sparring is done using wooden bamboo swords and is as much fun as free fighting.
We are fortunate to have one of the most senior experts in the art right here in Clarkston. Grand Master Joe Sanders, President and Founder of Kage Ryu Iajutsu, teaches Iajutsu in his downtown Clarkston Martial Arts School. Several of American Kwan's Masters, including Grand Master Saffold, Masters Bazil and Serrato have been training under Grand Master Sanders and have found it a truly excellent martial art. Grand Master Sanders really knows his stuff and makes the learning experience as much fun as work. His Dan members and senior students are not only very talented, but take lots of time helping junior students learn.
Grand Master Sanders is an impressive Martial Artist who holds the World Record for the number of mats cut in one minute. Truly a remarkable feat. He improved on his original world record of cutting 172 mats in 60 seconds with a stellar performance on June 11, 2011 where he cut 243 mats in 60 seconds. On October 22, 2011 he again set the world record beating his last performance by cutting 273 mats in one minute.
Many of us have seen some karate students perform various amateurish sword forms at the various tournaments. Let me tell you, real sword training is not like that. It isn't easy. The exercise is great, the learning fun, and the comaraderie something that only martial artists can appreciate.Take my word for it, swording is very precise and certainly not easy.
The American Kwan Tang Soo Do Flag is significant in many ways.
The Fist represents Power and Justice. The American and Korean flags show honor to the United States of America as our home and to the country of South Korea as a source for our training.
The corner emblems are significant and mean:
Upper left corner contains the American Eagle signifying "Strength" as well as the symbols for "Dao of Ki" (Way of Energy).
Upper right corner has the Liberty Bell for "Liberty" with "Honor" superimposed.
Lower right corner has the Statue of Liberty welcoming all and the symbols for "Humility"
Lower left corner has Independence Hall representing "Independence" with the symbol for "Respect" superimposed.
SWORD TRAINING
A very challenging Martial Art for everyone to consider to supplement your Tang Soo Do training is something I have found to be great. It is called Iajutsu. Iajutsu is sword training. Real sword training. We use wooden Bokkens and high quality Iaito swords for training since they are real in every aspect except sharpness (sharpened swords are NOT for the beginner). Live swords are used for cutting after the student has learned the Iaito. Keeping students from bleeding is important for some reason (?). Sparring is done using wooden bamboo swords and is as much fun as free fighting.
We are fortunate to have one of the most senior experts in the art right here in Clarkston. Grand Master Joe Sanders, President and Founder of Kage Ryu Iajutsu, teaches Iajutsu in his downtown Clarkston Martial Arts School. Several of American Kwan's Masters, including Grand Master Saffold, Masters Bazil and Serrato have been training under Grand Master Sanders and have found it a truly excellent martial art. Grand Master Sanders really knows his stuff and makes the learning experience as much fun as work. His Dan members and senior students are not only very talented, but take lots of time helping junior students learn.
Grand Master Sanders is an impressive Martial Artist who holds the World Record for the number of mats cut in one minute. Truly a remarkable feat. He improved on his original world record of cutting 172 mats in 60 seconds with a stellar performance on June 11, 2011 where he cut 243 mats in 60 seconds. On October 22, 2011 he again set the world record beating his last performance by cutting 273 mats in one minute.
Many of us have seen some karate students perform various amateurish sword forms at the various tournaments. Let me tell you, real sword training is not like that. It isn't easy. The exercise is great, the learning fun, and the comaraderie something that only martial artists can appreciate.Take my word for it, swording is very precise and certainly not easy.
