𝐔𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐢

Oh Do Kwan is an older style of Korean martial arts founded by General Choi before his concepts of Taekwondo fully took shape. The forms or “Tul“ that we do reflect this, in the way we move, the order that our forms are done in, and which forms we include in our art.

During my training under Master Littrell I was told that Oh Do Kwan consisted of 14 forms, far fewer than the eventual 24 that would be included in the later additions of the Taekwondo encyclopedia.

It is unclear which forms from the Taekwondo encyclopedia were considered the 14 forms of Oh Do Kwan, but it is my belief that the 1965 printing of Taekwondo encyclopedia was the last time the written record reflected what was being taught in Oh Do Kwan. Therefore the forms that are taught at Blue Dragon Dojang today are taken for that. The under belts Chon-Ji, Dan-Gun, Do-San, Won-Hyo, Yul-Gok, Joong-Gun, Toi-Gye, Hwa-Rang, Choong-Moo, Kwang-Gae. Then to hold true to Oh Do Kwan having 14 forms, you will learn 2 forms between 1st Dan to 2nd Dan “Sensei’s choice” and 2 forms between 2nd Dan to 3rd Dan, “practitioners choice”.

It is my believe that the direction a practitioner goes after obtaining their third degree is many and varied and far less structured in Oh Do Kwan then a lot of other arts, so although I have learned all 20 Korean forms as outlined in the 1965 Taekwondo Encyclopedia so I can help my students learn any or all of them as they advise in their studies. My students may choose to specialize in another aspect of the art and are only required to learn the 14 Tul of Oh Do Kwan.

Timeline for the development of Korean forms;

When Tae Kwon Do was found in 1955 it had 3 Korean forms Hwa-Rang, Choong-Moo and Ul-Ji and 9 Japanese forms

1959 in the fist Tae Kwan Do hand book there were 5 Korean forms.

Hwa-Rang, Choong-Moo, Ul-Ji,

U-Nam-(named after the Korean President) and Sam-Il and then 9 Japanese forms. Karate Katas: Hei-an, Bat-Sai, En-Bi, Ro-Hai, Kouh- Shang-Kouh, Tet-Ki, Jit-Te, Han-Getsu and Ji-on

(U-Nam, is no longer practiced and I have not been able to find a demonstration of it to see what it looked like.)

By 1965 In the second Tae Kwon Do hand book there was 20 Korean forms, Chon-Ji, Dan-Gun, Do-San, Won-Hyo, Yul-Gok, Joong-Gun, Toi-Gye, Hwa-Rang, Choong-Moo, Kwang-Gae, Po Eun, Gae-Baek, Choong-Jang (replacing U-Nam because of the Presidents disgrace), Ul-Ji, Sam-Il, Yoo-Sin, Ko Dang, Choi-Yong, Se-Jong, Tong-Il and still the 9 Japanese forms.

By 1970 the last 4 Korean forms were developed make a total of 24, Eui-Am, Moon-Moo, Yong-Gue, and So-San were added and the Japanese forms were abandoned, and then finally in 1980 Ko-Dan was replace with Juche. That completed the Chang Hon Tul as Play down by General Choi Hong Hi

Stretching is one of the most important habits that regular practice in a martial arts style can give you. One I hope everyone will be able to maintain during this time of self training.

Here at the Blue Dragon Dojang we use a time tested method of stretching that if done correctly will increase your flexibility and range of motion. This stretching routine should be done 2 to 3 times a week for maximum benefit, with 1 or 2 days between each set. Each stretch should be done 3 times and held for 30 seconds, in the first stretch you gently relax the muscle, on the second stretch you stretch the muscle out, and finely on the third stretch you push the muscle beyond its current range of flexibility. Being flexible will enable you to perform your techniques to their greatest potential, and help prevent injuries from occurring in the first place.

Below is a link to a video of me demonstrating our stretching routine. I hope that it is a help to me students.

Sensei Copson

In theses troubling times, those who walk the path of a martial artist may find that continuing their training has become difficult (as if it were ever easy). Maybe your Dojang has closed, or you’ve made the difficult decision to isolate yourself, or maybe your Sensei has changed the routine that your used to in an effort to keep everyone as safe as they can while continuing classes. Any of these situations can be disheartening, and make you feel as if you are stagnating or even backsliding down a path you worked so hard to climb. These feelings and challenges are not new to those who practice martial arts. There will be many times on your journey that obstacles will appear and challenges will rear their ugly heads. It’s only with a steadfast determination to continue, that you will prevail and grow stronger for it. If you’re stuck at home, work on your discipline. Create the time and space you need to go over your techniques, working on your forms is especially good for self practice. Use a new routine as an opportunity to look at your art with fresh eyes. If your Dojang has closed down, use this time for self reflection. Assess where you are and where you want to be with your art, so that when you get back into the Dojang you know what you’re looking for. By exploring new ways of training and adapting to challenges, you can broaden and deepen your understanding of your art. Persevere for a path that is well traveled and marked with your own hand, made both broad and deep is a path to mastery.

In 1953 Choi Hong Hi developed a martial art system to train soldiers in hand to hand combat. He combined elements from all the ancient Korean arts including Tae Kyon, Hwa-rang Do and Bulkyo Mu Sool, with the Japanese art of Shotokan Karate Do, to create a new form of Korean Karate. He named this new art Oh Do Kwan meaning “Gym (or school) of My Way”

In 1955 general Choi shifted his focus to uniting all the Korean martial arts schools under the name Tae Kwon Do. He continued to develop Oh Do Kwan alongside Taekwondo as he traveled, and promoted his arts, and it is during this time that Oh Do Kwan, Taekwondo and the Korean martial arts in general, became known to the larger world. As the popularity of Taekwondo grew and other schools began to join he’s organization the training began to change as well and over time it would become what is known today as the sport and art of Taekwondo. At the same time there were those schools that would hold true to the original intent of being an art for self-defense or a combat art, and they would often keep the original Kwan names such as Ji do Kwan, Chung Do Kwan, or Oh Do Kwan even as they might join a greater organization such as Tae Kwon Do.

General Choi was a divisive man, known to ruffle feathers and burn bridges in the pursuit of his goal, so much so that when he left Korea in the early 1970s there were those who made a concerted effort to erase any record of his influence on the development of the Korean martial art systems. In 1972 Taekwondo split into two branches the WTF and the ITF (headed by General Choi) and in 1976 Oh Do Kwan was disbanded as an official Korean martial art do to its connection to General Choi. Today Oh Do Kwan is not officially connected to any greater organization, nor does it have a governing body of its own, but independent schools that teach Oh Do Kwan can still be found, and tend to have a focus on self defense and real world combat techniques.

The Blue Dragon Dojang will be open for Trick or Treating tonight from 5:00 until candy is gone! Come on by take a break from the rain and rest your bones.

Courtesy; towards others

Members of the Dojang should at all times endeavor to be polite and inclusive in their attitude and behavior toward others. To be non-discriminating across lines of race, sex, age, gender identification, or looks. To demonstrate brotherhood/sisterhood and respect towards all fellow students and other martial arts practitioners and give deference according to the belt rank system of hierarchy.

Integrity; within yourself

Members of the Dojang are expected to conduct themselves with a high level of integrity including such traits as honesty, forthrightness, and consistency of character. While you are wearing your Do Bok, Blue Dragon insignia, or at any martial arts function you are representing the Blue Dragon Dojang and are expected to behave accordingly.

Perseverance; through hardships

Members of the Dojang should be aware that the journey to attain a Black Belt is a difficult one. One that most will not succeed at. They will need to be steadfast in their pursuit of their goal despite difficulty or delay in achieving success. They must be humble and accept their level of mastery and the speed at which they are advancing, while at the same time, be pushing themselves and striving towards the next step of their training.

Self Control; Master yourself, master the world

Members of the Dojang are expected to operate with a degree of self-control both within the Dojang, and in their personal lives. Behavior such as lying, cheating, stealing, harassment, or misuse of the art taught at the Dojang is unacceptable and may cause you to be suspended, removed from group class, or banished from the Dojang.

Indomitable Spirit; Rise to the challenge

Members of the Dojang are expected to foster in themselves, and in others on the same path an unyielding determination to overcome life’s challenges. To demonstrate the ability to push forward when pushed back, to stand up when knocked down, to understand that victory does not come when you are no longer defeatable but when you are willing to take one more step than your opponent.

Someone once told me that they didn’t wear a traditional uniform to train in, because they thought it was disingenuous. They explained that, most of the time they were walking around being them selves, (wearing normal clothing) but for two hours twice a week they’d put on a costume and play at being a warrior. I understand where their coming from and respect their desire to have a consistency of character, but for me it’s a bit different. For me it’s the every day clothing that is the costume, and it’s any in the Dojang, training in my art, that I get to take it off and show people who I truly am. Stop by some time and meet me👊