St Ives Tang Soo Do

St Ives Tang Soo Do is a traditional Korean Karate martial arts school located in St Ives, New Zealand. Established in 1973, it is one of the oldest martial arts clubs in Cambridgeshire. The school is proud to be a part of the World Tang Soo Do Association, which has over 200,000 members worldwide.

At St Ives Tang Soo Do, the focus is on providing a family-friendly training atmosphere. They welcome people from all walks of life, religion, culture, and gender. There are no barriers or secrets that are withheld from those outside of the Korean homeland. Tang Soo Do is a martial art that can be practised by anyone, regardless of age or background.

Tang Soo Do is a Korean martial art with a rich history dating back many centuries. The words translate from Korean to English as 'Way of the China Hand', with 'Tang' coming from the Chinese Tang Dynasty. Just like Japanese Karate, Tang Soo Do is an art of self-defence that incorporates both 'hard' and 'soft' elements. It utilises a variety of kicking and punching techniques, as well as the use of weapons such as the staff, knife, sword, and walking stick.

Instructors at St Ives Tang Soo Do are experienced and knowledgeable, teaching techniques as individual and combination movements. These movements are choreographed into patterns or forms known as “Hyungs” in Korean, similar to Karate's Katas. Students have the opportunity to learn a variety of techniques and develop their skills in a structured and progressive manner.

The age limit for students at St Ives Tang Soo Do is five years old (four years old in the Tiny Tigers class). However, there is no real upper age limit, as long as a consultation with both their doctor and prospective instructor takes place beforehand. The school also accommodates all levels of physical ability and encourages individuals with disabilities to join, as long as their doctor agrees to a suitable training programme.

The school recommends students attend two two-hour lessons each week to ensure a reasonable rate of progress. However, practise can also be done at home to further enhance learning. Tang Soo Do offers various benefits to practitioners, including increased confidence, discipline, physical fitness, and the development of self-defence skills.

If you are interested in learning Tang Soo Do, contact St Ives Tang Soo Do through their website or by phone. They are passionate about fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment for all students. Join the St Ives Tang Soo Do community and embark on a journey of personal growth and martial arts excellence.