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Team Turtle Rocks!
Team Turtle instructor Kyo Sa Mike Torchia proudly promotes students at two ceremonies on 4/5 and 4/12.  We are especially proud of the efforts of Alexandra Hamm, Cole Burke and Lucas Demarco who will be graduating from Team Turtle with their first Jr. Kicks test this June.  Go Team Turtle!
 
Gup Shim Sa #16 04/03/2010
 
There's more new COLOR in the school! We are pleased to announce the promotion of 29 Tang Soo Do students who left it all on the floor during two 2-hr tests earlier today.  In addition, one student was recognized for standing out among his peers and really impressing the instructors with his fantastic focus.  Jake Kuta shined today and is our newest OCKicks MVP!  Way to go Jake!

We would like also recognize Michelle Garcia, Kyrin Garcia and Derrick Porter for their outstanding dedication, effort and improvement during the last two months.  Michelle in particular really stood out and impressed not only the instructors but everyone who watched her shine.  Great job guys!

And finally this test marked the first crop of Team Turtle graduates to reach Green Belt in Tang Soo Do!  Nicholas Haugen, Erin Gilliland, Douglas Tuohy, Maile Conger and Faris Khalek each started in the Team Turtle program and graduated to Jr Kicks on Oct 25, 2008.
 
 
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SBN Gilliland as a Green Belt circa 1989
Ancient people had a deep interest in the development of forms as well as a profound understanding of them.  The following is a translation of what is found in the text, Moo Yei Do Bo Tong Ji, author unknown, of the 17th century:

"Performing with hands and feet and conditioning of the body is the beginning of the study of the art of Tang Soo Do.  In actual combat, form does not seem in an obvious way to be a necessary part of the martial arts.  However, practicing forms perfects the ability to perform hand and foot techniques freely.  This is fundamental to making the best use of one's body at all times."
 
 
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Instructors bowing after practice
Quite often you'll hear Sa Bom Nim explain to students and visitors that the rules of the school are written clearly on the wall.  The second rule, Yei, means respect.  It's actually the very first lesson taught when joining the school; it was when the instructor first asked you to bow before stepping on the training floor. Bowing in any martial art is a sign of respect and should be a sincere slow bow. It is sometimes more disrespectful to bow incorrectly than not to bow at all as this is a sign that you do not understand the reason behind the gesture.

Some martial arts may differ but in Tang Soo Do you must always be in attention position when you bow. So make sure you have no gaps between your feet and your hands are placed smartly at the sides of your body.
 
 
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We complete our study of the San Kil Tang Soo Do Logo with the red hangul, or Korean text, at the bottom of the logo.

The hangul reads "San Kil Tang Soo Do".  The use of hangul is to remind us of the Korean and Chinese heritage of the art and the historical influences that those cultures have played in the development of the art.  The color red represents the fruitful result of those influences and the active (Yang) commitment of the masters and grandmasters of Tang Soo Do to carry on the philosophy and principles of Tang Soo Do as were originally developed and taught by the late Kwan Jang Nim Hwang Kee and their determination to further the traditions, refinement and growth of this martial art.

 
 
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I'm guessing those of us who grew up with the original 1984 version of "wax-on, wax-off" will really enjoy the updated and overhauled version of The Karate Kid.  The new "Kid" centers on a young man trying to adjust from the culture shock of moving from the United States to Beijing, China.  The "kid" Dre is continuously picked on at his new school until he is rescued by a seemingly mild-mannered maintenance man, Mr Han, who is actually a martial arts master. Check out the new trailer by clicking "read more" below.

OCKicks is planning a movie day in June when all students/familes/friends of the school can go to see the movie together.  Answer our poll below and keep your eyes peeled for the invite!
 
 
On Sunday, Feb 21, OCKicks students competed in the 2010 Southern California Friendship Tournament and returned with 26 trophies!  We know that for many it was a great test of courage. Whether you came home with top honors or not we are very proud of you and look forward to seeing you compete again.  Parents you too should be proud of the efforts and courage your children displayed.

And now for the results...we had 16 students compete and 15 bring back a total of 26 trophies including 6 of the top honors in their divisions! To see a full list of the results read more below.  To add to the excitement 8 of our students have been invited to compete in the Disney Martial Arts Festival held at Disneyland in June.

Congratulations to everyone who competed! We are extremely proud of your efforts to prepare last week and the outcome of your competition regardless of the results.
 
 
The morning started with a chill in the air that was quickly replaced by heated competition!  Saturday morning's mini-tournaments were great fun for all that competed and those who watched.  Below are the results from the final prep events before the 2010 SoCal Friendship Tournament in Corona, CA tomorrow.  We have 14 competitors who'll be representing the school - GOOD LUCK TO ALL!
 
 
What a great night it was tonight - some really awesome sparring was on display tonight.  Here are the results:
 
 
Team Turtle: You Guys Rock!  Below are the results from a very busy night at the dojang on Wednesday night: