VAILLANCOURTS

Tang Soo Do is a classical Korean martial art developed during the 1940s from earlier martial influences.  While many are familiar with the more modern term of Taekwondo, the name Tang Soo Do is older and more reflective of traditional self-defense-based training (versus being sport-orientated).  Tang Soo Do is the Korean pronunciation for Karate-Do and literally translates to "Way of the Tang (dynasty) Hand."  Tang Soo Do was first taught by LEE, Won Kuk of the Chung Do Kwan (“Blue Wave School”) and shortly after by Hwang Kee of the Moo Duk Kwan (“School of Martial Virtue”).  The Chung Do Kwan was influenced by Lee’s training at the Song Do Kwan (Shotokan) where he received karate instruction from Funakoshi Sensei.  The Moo Duk Kwan is believed to have been influenced by Hwang’s training in Korean Tae Kyon, Chinese Shaolin Long Fist & Tai Chi Chaun, and Japanese Shotokan.  Therefore, the Moo Duk Kwan’s style of Tang Soo Do is a composite style that encompasses both hard and soft components.  The style of Tang Soo Do taught in our program is from the Moo Duk Kwan lineage.

Dana Vaillancourt receives his 8th dan from the late Grandmaster KIM, C. I.    (3/2013).

Dana Vaillancourt and the late Grandmaster KIM, Jae Joon (South Dakota Badlands).