What Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan Means to Me
The Eight Key Concepts and Five Moo Doo Values
By: Tanner Armstrong
Gup ID: H115876
Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan is a traditional martial art that dates back many centuries and is
considered a hard and soft style of karate. It is not a sport; it is a classical martial art. Soo Bahk Do is the
technique that is used; Moo Duk Kwan is the philosophy which helps us focus in our training. Together,
they increase the benefit of each other. The Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan was established in the United
States in 1975 by the Grandmaster. The qualities that are practiced are personal closeness,
independence, and determination, which bind us together as kinsmen.
To me Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan means the use of the Eight Key Concepts and Five Moo Do
Values and how they pertain to what I learn in the studio and how I use them in my everyday life. The
Eight Key Concepts are Courage, Concentration, Endurance, Honesty, Humility, Control of Power,
Tension/Relaxations and Speed Control, and they guide us through life. The Five Moo Do Values are
Technique, Philosophy, Tradition, History and Discipline/Respect which help solve our ever day life
problems.
Eight Key Concepts
1. Yong Gi – Courage: Yong Gi gives me strength to do something that I wouldn’t normally do
and helps me get over my fears. I use courage in the studio when I go up and spar with a
bigger opponent or my brother who is a Jo Kyo. It helps in my everyday life when I go into
the batter’s box during baseball to hit off an inconsistent pitcher who I am afraid might hit
me or when I am dared to go on a ride that I think is scary.
2. Chung Shin Tong Il – Concentration: Chung Shin Tong Il means to focus on a specific task.
While I am in the studio I use concentration when I am going to break a board. I need to
focus on the technique I use, the position of my body and force. I use concentration when I
am doing my homework at home or school and focus on that and not my surroundings that
may be distracting.
3. In Neh – Endurance: In Neh means to be able to do something for a long period of time. In
the studio, I use endurance while I’m in my front stance or any other stance for a long
period of time. It helps me in my everyday life when I am playing baseball and it is raining
and cold. I stand out on the field and play my best even when I am tired and want to quit.
4. Ching Jik – Honesty: Honesty means to be truthful to myself and others. While I am
practicing Soo Bahk Do and I mess up on a form, at the end, I bow to the instructor and let
him know what I did wrong. I am honest in admitting my errors. In my life, I tell the truth
and am honest with my family and friends, even when I have done something wrong.
5. Kyum Son – Humility: Kyum Son is accepting defeat gracefully. When I am point sparring, I
accept humility when I lose and am not upset about it. I try to learn from the errors I made
and correct them next time. When my team loses a baseball game, I shake the hands of the
opponent to show good sportsmanship. I do not get angry, throw bats, or call names. I
accept the defeat.
6. Him Cho Chung – Control of Power: Him Cho Chung means to know how to use your
strength. When I am sparring with another partner, I use Control of Power to determine
how powerful my techniques are as to not hurt my opponent. When I am playing with my
friends, I remember I have training in martial arts and I control my body so I do not use
techniques that would hurt anyone.
7. Shin Chook – Tension and Relaxation: Shin Chook is where your mind is ready but your
body is relaxed. In the studio Tension and Relaxation is used when I kick. My leg extends
with Tension as I kick and is Relaxed when I retract it back to my body. My mind is relaxed
when I am meditating but is tensed when I am sparring. I have learned to control my
emotions and relax when I am tense if I am upset or sad. If my brother makes me really
angry and I get tense, I use my Soo Bahk Do to relax my mind and gain control instead of
lashing out in anger.
8. Wan Gup – Speed Control: Wan Gup means to control your speed and not rush. While we
are doing forms in the studio we stay together as a group and do not rush ahead of the
instructor or group. We focus on being one together. At home, I control how fast I go on
my bike. I may want to ride really fast but I have to control my speed so I don’t get hurt.
Five Moo Doo Values
1. History: History means telling the story of the past that has helps carry on the traditions we
use today. History of Soo Bahk Do started when China and Japan attacked Korea and Korea
had to make their own style of martial arts that used the mind and body to help defend
themselves. It is important to me so I can understand why we use the techniques we do and
why we are different than other martial arts. At home I use history to learn about my
ancestors so I know where I come from and why our family is the way it is.
2. Tradition: Doing the art how it is taught and doing things in a certain way are called
tradition. Belt ranking and testing is a tradition in Soo Bahk Do. The color of the belt not
only determines your rank but has a meaning. For example, a white belt (beginner) means
peace, purity and innocence. That tradition has been carried forward through the years.
Our family traditions are important also. Every Christmas we have a tradition where we
hide a pickle in our Christmas Tree. My brother and I have to find the pickle and whoever
finds it first, gets to open the special present. This is a tradition because it has been carried
on through years and I will carry it on to my children.
3. Discipline/Respect: Discipline requires that I follow orders and listen. It also means to
have manners and self control. Respect means to be courteous and kind to others. I am
working on Discipline and Respect in the studio by not talking out of our turn, addressing my
instructor properly, honoring the flags and Grand Master, and bowing on and off the mat. I
have carried what I have learned in my life by honoring our American Flag during the pledge
of allegiance or National Anthem at our baseball games. I respect my parents and their
decisions and rules of our home.
4. Philosophy: Philosophy is your personal belief in something. The Philosophy of Soo Bahk
Do is that in order to contribute to human development in external power, internal power
and spiritual power, we must have continuous guidance to develop ourselves in the areas.
My philosophy in my personal life is that if I am kind to people and animals, they will treat
me the same way and will make my life richer and happier.
5. Technique: Technique is the movements that we learn. In the studio, technique is used in
my forms and sparring combinations. If I do not practice these techniques properly, I cannot
defend myself properly. In my life the technique I use in baseball is batting technique.
Putting all your weight on your back leg, keeping your bat choked up, stepping forward so all
your energy from your back leg goes into your arms as you are swinging will help you hit
harder and farther.
To me Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan means to use the Eight Key Concepts and Five Moo Doo
Values to help me in all aspects of my life. I like Soo Bahk Do because I get to learn a type of
martial arts. I enjoy going to karate because I get a chance to learn with my friends and really
enjoy doing and learning new forms and wrist grabs. My training is important to me because it
makes me happy when I do a good job or learn something new. It is exciting to me because I get
to learn about a fighting style and its history. It is also exciting because I get to break wooden
boards.