Hyung (Forms)

Tang Soo Do is an art of self defense, first and foremost. If you study the history of Martial Arts, you will find that they all came about due to self defense requirements. In keeping with this philosophy, when we practice Forms, we must first learn the actual pattern itself, envision the multiple opponents that we are defending against in the Form and then strive for perfection in the stances and movements. There are a handful of different "levels of detail" in each and every Form. When a beginner first learns Geicho Hyung Il Bu, the instructor and student are happy when the student simply remembers the Hyung from start to finish. However, when a Green Belt, Red Belt or Black Belt performs this same Form, there will be obvious differences in what is observed between the ranks! In fact, even among the Black Belts, there should be obvious differences in how the first Hyung is performed between the different Dan ranks.

Through the use of Forms, students can perfect the ability to perform hand and foot combinations freely and without thought. This is fundamental in making the best use of one's body at all times. The practitioner performs a sequence of movements that simulate responses to many kinds of attacks from multiple imaginary opponents. It is also the controlling of one's space as the defender deals with attacks coming from many different directions.

Hyungs consist of prearranged motions which encompass a variety of kicks, blocks and hand techniques; designed to increase the student's balance, coordination and agility. As an exercise, Hyungs increase endurance and conditions the mind, body and reflexes for the stresses encountered during Free Sparring.

As the student advances in rank, the Forms become increasingly complex and yet each is unique having its own unity and purpose. If a Form is to be properly done, each technique must have crisp power, speed, rhythm, precision and breath control. Proficiency in Hyungs will require intense concentration and maximum physical effort. Students should master each Form before moving to the next. The practitioner who moves too fast and over reaches himself does a disservice to both himself and the art.

Giecho Hyung Il Bu
Created in Seoul, South Korea in 1947 by Kwang Jang Nim Hwang Kee. Contains 22 movements including Chun Bee and Ba Ro.

Giecho Hyung E Bu
Created in Seoul, South Korea in 1947 by Kwang Jang Nim Hwang Kee. Contains 22 movements including Chun Bee and Ba Ro.

Giecho Hyung Sahm Bu
Created in Seoul, South Korea in 1947 by Kwang Jang Nim Hwang Kee. Contains 22 movements including Chun Bee and Ba Ro.

Pyung Ahn Cho Dan
Created in the Hwa Nam area in China in approx. 1870 by Master Idos. Contains 24 movements including Chun Bee and Ba Ro.

Pyung Ahn E Dan
Created in the Hwa Nam area in China in approx. 1870 by Master Idos. Contains 31 movements including Chun Bee and Ba Ro.

Pyung Ahn Sahm Dan
Created in the Hwa Nam area in China in approx. 1870 by Master Idos. Contains 29 movements including Chun Bee and Ba Ro.

Chil Sung Il Ro
Created by Kwang Jang Nim Hwang Kee in the 1980s to commemorate his mother's dream of 7 stars in the sky, prior to Hwang Kee's birth. Contains 37 movements including Chun Bee and Ba Ro.

Pyung Ahn Sah Dan
Created in the Hwa Nam area in China in approx. 1870 by Master Idos. Contains 31 movements including Chun Bee and Ba Ro.

Pyung Ahn Oh Dan
Created in the Hwa Nam area in China in approx. 1870 by Master Idos. Contains 30 movements including Chun Bee and Ba Ro.

Bassai
Created in the Ha Nam (southern) area in China in the mid to late 16th century. Contains 52 movements including Chun Bee and Ba Ro.

Naihanji Cho Dan
Created in Ha Buk, (northern) China during Song Dynasty approx. 900 years ago. Contains 37 movements including Chun Bee and Ba Ro.

Chil Sung E Ro
Created by Kwang Jang Nim Hwang Kee in the 1980s to commemorate his mother's dream of 7 stars in the sky, prior to Hwang Kee's birth. Contains 33 movements including Chun Bee and Ba Ro.

Naihanji E Dan
Created in Ha Buk, (northern) China during Song Dynasty approx. 900 years ago. Contains 32 movements including Chun Bee and Ba Ro.

Naihanji Sam Dan
Created in Ha Buk, (northern) China during Song Dynasty approx. 900 years ago. Contains 41 movements including Chun Bee and Ba Ro.

Sip Soo
Created in Ha Buk, (northern) China. Contains 27 movements excluding Chun Bee and Ba Ro. Slow and powerful form, most suitable for larger heavy weight ("Bear-like") practitioners.

Shinto
Created in Ha-Nam (southern area of China) approx. 200 to 300 years ago. Contains 44 movements excluding Chun Bee and Ba Ro. Several crane-like stances are used within this form.

Chil Sung Sahm Ro
Created by Kwang Jang Nim Hwang Kee in the 1980s to commemorate his mother's dream of 7 stars in the sky, prior to Hwang Kee's birth. Contains 51 movements including Chun Bee and Ba Ro.

Ro Hai
Created in Ha-Nam (southern area of China). Contains 34 movements excluding Chun Bee and Ba Ro. Several crane/stork-like stances are also used within this form.

Kong San Kung
Created in Ha-Nam (southern area of China) approx. 300 years ago by Kong Sang Koon, the Chinese missionary who first introduced this form. Contains 67 movements excluding Chun Bee and Ba Ro. This form contains both offensive and defensive movements at different angles, and performed in a very active (maybe "Eagle-like") manner.

Sei Shan
Created in Ha Buk, (northern) China during the Song dynasty. Contains 45 movements excluding Chun Bee and Ba Ro. Also contains the 13 influences known as "Sip Sam Seh," In addition, all steps slide close the floor in half circular movements. Control of stance, breathing, balance, relaxation and tension are all required to perform this form properly.

Wan Shu
Created in Ha-Nam (southern area of China) approx. 200 years ago by Wang Shu. Contains 39 movements excluding Chun Bee and Ba Ro. This form has the characteristic of a small wild bird with its active, light and quick motions.

Ji-On
Created in Yong Nam, China approx. 300 years ago, this form combines both hard and soft characteristics. Contains 50 movements excluding Chun Bee and Ba Ro. In the "Sip Sam Seh" (13 Influences), "Ji" means development of technique and mental character, while "On" means the building up of physical conditioning and the ability to fight.

O-Sip Sa Bo
Created in Ho Nam, China approx. 400 years ago. Contains 77 movements excluding Chun Bee and Ba Ro. This form is characterized by speed, accuracy and focus, similar to the characteristics of the tiger.