| |
My martial arts training began during my tour of duty with the US Army while stationed in Korea. I continued my training after being honorably discharged in 1963.
My studies led me to many different styles of Karate and Self - Defense. Some
styles used just fists, feet and hard physical training, which was good but lacked
philosophy. I tried soft styles but found that they lacked the power to resist a hard, all out
attack. There was grace and discipline, but minimal power. Some styles were too rules
oriented and would be almost useless for street and close-quarters combat.
Hundreds of different styles and specialties of the martial arts exist, but they were
segregated into relatively small groups of techniques until I formed Tai Chuan Do. I took
the best techniques from each style and incorporated them into one style along with
philosophical teachings dating back to the late 1500s. The level of knowledge and skill
gained through Tai Chuan Do will fit each student’s personal development. It will
require a lot of hard work and practice, but you will be rewarded for your efforts with
promotions and most of all, physical fitness and the ability to defend yourself and your
family. A sense of well being will enter the mind through your physical conditioning and
discipline. This well being will affect every area of your life.
There is much to learn about my style. Be prepared to spend time, effort and
energy. You will receive personalized instruction while training with my Black Belt
instructors. You will learn to defend yourself against such things as chokes, knives,
kicks, sticks, bear hugs and full nelsons. You will study the art of Jujitsu and Aikido.
You will learn to spar using hard and soft styles of fighting.
Welcome to the School and Brotherhood of Tai Chuan Do.
Grand Master Ken Champ
8th Degree Black Belt
“Hundreds of different styles and specialties of the martial arts exist, but they
were segregated into relatively small groups of techniques until I formed Tai Chuan Do.
I took the best techniques from each style and incorporated them into one style along
with philosophical teachings dating back to the late 1500s.”
Grand Master Ken Champ
8th Degree Black Belt
Styles of Origin:
Aikido – (Japan) “The way of harmony of self with nature” One of the softest styles,
adapted in the early 1900s by its founder, Morihei Ueshiba, from Aiki-Jujitsu, a style
mostly based on throws and joint locks from Jujitsu but eliminating all kicks and punches
and comprised of circular techniques that can be utilized by anyone regardless of their
muscular strength and was intended to not seriously injure the attacker by redirecting
their force against them.
“A”Kido – (Korea) “The way of adapting self to surroundings” This style is very
similar to Hapkido (see below) and it is believed that the two styles were once the same
and at some point split off from each other. Neither style includes sparring. The Korean
government recognizes and supports Tae Kwon Do and Judo as sports. A different
organization was deemed necessary and the government formed the Kido Association in
1963 to provide recognition and support for the 31 original styles of Korean martial arts.
Then, in 1966 the U.S. Headquarters for the Korea Kido Federation was established in
San Francisco which unites all Korean martial arts taught by masters and instructors
outside of Korea. In order to understand the movements and techniques of Hapkido,
Kido and other Korean martial arts one must study and practice the theories of Yu
(flowing like water), Won (circular theory) and Hwa (non-resistance or harmony). Also
note some similarities to the Japanese style of Aikido (see above).
Hapkido – (Korea) “The way of coordinated power” Blends striking and grappling
styles, and is adapted from Aiki-Jujitsu (Aikido’s predecessor), to include throws, joint
locks, and pressure points as well as strikes and blocks. Hapkido is intended to
immobilize the attacker as quickly as possible by countering in the opposite manner of an
attack such as by countering a linear attack with a circular technique and vice-versa.
Judo – (Japan) “The way of subtleness or gentleness” Grappling style developed in
1882 by its founder, Professor Jigoro Kano, from Jujitsu but altered its techniques due to
his feelings that Jujitsu was too violent. Judo was intended to fulfil Kano’s ideals by
incorporating two central concepts: “mutual benefit of the practitioner and society as a
whole” and “maximum efficiency from minimum effort”. Judo emphasizes grappling
techniques, especially those that upset the attacker’s balance, in particular – gaining
leverage, throws, clothes grabbing, joint locks and strangleholds.
Jujitsu (also “Jujutsu”) – (Japan) “Techniques of subtleness or gentleness” An allaround
martial art, Jujitsu is considered to be the “grandfather” style that spawned many
of the modern styles that exist today – Aikido, Judo, and to a lesser extent Hapkido, being
foremost among these. It blends striking and grappling styles to include throws, joint
locks, and pressure points as well as strikes and blocks. Teaches to change or adapt from
one technique to another and then again. Open handed techniques are Jujitsu in origin,
but various weapons and other techniques used by the Ninja are also taught.
Ninjutsu – (Japan) “Techniques of perseverance and/or stealth” Also referred to as
Ninpo “The natural laws of perseverance” Art of the Ninja which stresses training and
development of one’s inner self to coincide with nature’s laws and the application of the
techniques and skills of martial arts training in combination with your heart and spirit as a
lifestyle.
Shorin-Ryu – (Okinawa) A specific “family” (Ryu) of Karate established by Ansei
Ueshiro who arrived in the U.S.A. in the early 1960s. Karate was originally developed in
Okinawa, an island between China and Japan which was ruled by China at the time, but is
now a part of Japan. Karate was developed from Kung Fu (Wushu) and Kempo (Chinese
Boxing) by the Okinawan farmers in order to fight the Chinese occupiers, and later the
Japanese aggressors. Karate was designed to be swift and violent, quickly dispensing of
an opponent using hand and foot strikes and not usually involving grappling other than to
hold the opponent briefly to prevent them from dodging an attack.
Tae Kwon Do – (Korea) “The way of hand and foot” One of the hardest styles, using a
large number of various hand positions for its hand strikes but primarily known for its
variety of kicks to the head (usually higher than most common styles of martial arts).
Tae Kwon Do relies heavily on flexibility, balance and leg strength to achieve its
jumping, spinning and flying kicks and foot strikes. It utilizes blocks as its primary
defense techniques.
Katas:
H-Forms – Traditional Korean-“H” movement patterns and blocks.
High Block/Yell & Kick – Created by Grand Master Ken Champ-Tai Chuan Do.
Attack Eight – Korean-“A”Kido.
Kick/Punch – Created by Grand Master Ken Champ-Tai Chuan Do.
Double-H Punch – Created by Grand Master Ken Champ-Tai Chuan Do.
Low Palm – Created by Grand Master Ken Champ-Tai Chuan Do.
Heians 1-5 – Traditional Okinawan Pinions and Japanese Heians which are identical.
Attack Form 1 – Created by Grand Master Ken Champ-Tai Chuan Do.
Attack Form 2 – Created by Grand Master Ken Champ-Tai Chuan Do.
Attack Form 3 – Created by Master Jack Gray-Adopted by Tai Chuan Do.
Cat’s Paw – Created by Grand Master Ken Champ-Tai Chuan Do.
Kicks/Strikes/Blocks and Self-Defense/Leverage Techniques:
Okinawan Karate, Korean “A”Kido and Tai Chuan Do.
|
|
