About Tang Soo Do

All martial arts have their advocates and Tang Soo Do is no different. Tang Soo Do has a great balance of different techniques, combining kicking, blocking, hand to hand combat and self defence into a single style.

A photo of our club members practising punching techniques

How to get started

We recognise that sometimes coming along to a club training session for the first time can be a little nerve-wracking - for both young and old. Although there is nothing to worry about, why not give one of the instructors a call to have a chat with them about Tang Soo Do and what we do in our training sessions?

After that, you can come along to watch one of the training sessions to see if it is something you might like to do. Or if you are feeling brave, why not join in? It is entirely up to you. All we ask is that you try your best and have some fun.

Training regime

Most of our training sessions last between 60 and 90 minutes. In general, everyone trains together endeavouring to do the same thing to the best of the participant's ability. We believe that this approach has a number of key benefits:

We all work together so no-one feels left out
We learn from each other, especially by watching and following the more experienced members of the club.
Parents and their children can enjoy working together, but at their own individual level

Where necessary, or where the participant is learning a key skill for the first time, there is one-on-one instruction. The structure of the training sessions is based on a number of elements depending on class size and ability.

Stretching and flexibility

Tang Soo Do can be a physically demanding martial art. It is essential that all participants are properly warmed up, and each training session always begins with a 15 minute warm up involving some aerobic work, extensive stretching and flexibility exercises.

Basic skills training

The art of Tang Soo Do is based on self defence. Every session involves some skills training in basic movements, and hand and foot techniques such as blocking and kicking.

Tang Soo Do Forms

Forms (or Hyungs) are a prescribed sequence of basic movements, blocks, kicks and jumps that demonstrate the participant’s grasp of the skill. They are also used as a method of practicing combinations of basic movements that might be used in real life. The forms increase in difficulty along with the participant's Tang Soo Do ranking.

Self defence

Tang Soo Do can be spectacular. However, we also learn how to defend ourselves at close quarters. We learn how to throw an attacker or disable them using a number of grappling and holding techniques.

Free fighting

Every Tang Soo Do training session ends with free fighting or sparring. The techniques that are learnt in Tang Soo Do have serious intent and as we don’t wear body armour in Tang Soo Do, self-control is absolutely essential.

Book a class

We hold classes in Edinburgh and Glasgow. If you're new to Tang Soo Do, simply give us a call or just come along to a class in loose-fitting clothing and join in. You'll be fully supported by a black belt instructor throughout the class.

Your first 2 classes are FREE!
Then it's £6.50 per class. £5.50 for under-18s

Edinburgh

Gracemount Leisure Centre
22 Gracemount Drive, EH16 6RN
Wednesdays
Saturdays
6:15pm - 7:15pm
11am - 12 noon
Book a FREE taster

Glasgow

St Columbkille's Catholic Church
2 Kirkwood Street, G73 2SL
Tuesdays
 
7:00pm - 8:00pm
 
Book a FREE taster

Glasgow

Maryhill Community Central Hall
292-316 Maryhill Road, Maryhill, G20 7YE
Location of Maryhill Community Central Hall in Glasgow
Thursdays
 
6:30pm - 7:30pm
 
Book a FREE taster