Choi Kwang-Do
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| Also known as | CKD |
|---|---|
| Focus | Striking |
| Country of origin |  South Korea |
Choi Kwang Do is a martial art developed by Kwang Jo Choi, that initially sharesd some similarities in structure to Tae Kwon Do, sharing similar commands in Korean and similar drills such as 1 step sparring, patterns etc. Choi Kwang Do however evolved significantly throughout the first 10 years and made significant changes to the structure and syllabus. The style relies more on flexibility and fluidity of movement as opposed to the more rigid lines of Tae Kwon Do.[1] To achieve this it combines yoga-based stretching with more modern approach to self-defense movements.[2]
History
Choi Kwang Do was founded by Kwang Jo Choi, who was born in South Korea before emigrating to Canada in the early 1970s.[3] Choi was a successful Tae Kwon Do practitioner and trainer before establishing his own style, having achieved a ninth dan black belt.
While teaching and demonstrating Tae Kwon Do in South East Asia, Kwang Jo Choi states that he became injured to the point where he was unable to continue with the discipline.[4] So he left Malyasia (where he was demonstrating at the time) for North America, in the hope of finding orthopedic surgeons who would be able to help with his injuries.[5] Determining that the injuries were caused by the style of martial arts which he was performing, Choi undertook rehabilitative exercises, attended various seminars and studied techniques for rehabilitation. Choi claims that he incorporated these techniques into his own fighting style, and from that he developed Choi Kwang Do.[5]
Today, Choi Kwang-Do is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, and is taught in over 40 countries.[6]
Biomechanics
Choi Kwang Do emphasizes the use of biomechanics[5] - practitioners employ natural body movements, reducing "jerks", and thus limiting the pressure and potential damage on the joints.[7] This has improved its suitability for a wide range of ages, and avoids some of the injuries that usually occur to martial arts practitioners.[7] In particular, the low risk of injury afforded by the style, in combination with the cardiovascular advantages common to many martial arts, has permitted the style to be recommended for groups as diverse as emergency nurses[8] and school girls in Chandigarh, India.[9]
Choi Kwang Do is also being offered as an activity for the users of the Bristol chapter of Headway. Headway is an organisation that supports people with brain injuries and their families. The gross movements used in Choi Kwang Do techniques require less co ordination than other fine and precice movements and are therefore easier to perform.
Practitioners
Notable practitioners of the Choi Kwon Do style include:
- Kwang Jo Choi (founder) - inducted into the Taekwondo Times Magazine Hall of Fame, 2006.[10]
- Ralph Allison (instructor and British school owner) - inducted into the Combat Hall of Fame, 2003.[11]
- Lynne Russell - Deputy Sheriff, Private Investigator, evening Anchor woman for CNN and author of How to Win Friends, Kick Ass and Influence People. [12]
Tenets
The basic tenets of the style are:[13]
- Courtesy (Ye Ui)
- Integrity (Yom Chi)
- Perserverance (In Nae)
- Self-control (Guk-Gi)
- Indomitable Spirit (Baekjul Boolgool)
Choi Kwang Do stopped using the Tenets in 2005. From that point on they used the Principles of CKD as published in the Choi Kwang Do book.
The Principles
Humility Honestey Gentleness Perserverence Self Control Unbreakable Spirit
Clemson University
Choi kwang do is being taught as a credit at Clemson University in the physical education department [14]
Pledge
- My pledge: to set positive goals and strive to achieve them
- Apply self discipline to further my personal development
- Stand for justice and honour my word
- To promote friendly relationships amongst all people
- To use what I learn in class in a constructive manner
Pil-Suhng
- The motto of choi kwang do is "Pil-Suhng," which is Korean for "certain victory." It is used when bowing to an instructor or as a way of saying well done.
Choi Kwang Do commands
| Word | Hangeul | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Charyeot | 차렷 | Attention |
| Gyeongnye | 경례 | Bow |
| Baro | 바로 | Return |
| Swieo | 쉬어 | At ease, relax |
| Kihap | 기합 | Spirit Yell |
| Chunbi | 준비 | Ready |
| Sijak | 시작 | Begin |
| Kallyeo | 갈려 | Break (separate) |
| Kaysok | 계속 | Continue |
| Kuman | 그만 | Finish (stop) |
| To Rah | 뒤로 돌아 | Turn around (about turn) |
| Haesan | 해산 | Dismiss |
Belt system
| White | 
|
| Yellow | 
|
| Orange | 
|
| Green | 
|
| Blue | 
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| Purple | 
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| Red | 
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| Brown | 
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| Black | 
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- White Belt
- White Senior
- Yellow Belt
- Yellow Senior
- Gold Belt
- Gold Senior
- Orange Belt
- Orange Senior
- Green Belt
- Green Senior
- Blue Belt
- Blue Senior
- Purple Belt
- Purple Senior
- Red Belt
- Red Senior
- Brown Belt
- Brown Senior
- Black Belt 1st Degree
- Black Belt 2nd Degree
- Black Belt 3rd Degree - International Instructor level
- Black Belt 4th Degree
- Black Belt 5th Degree - Master level
- Black Belt 6th Degree
- Black Belt 7th Degree
- Black Belt 8th Degree - Grand Master level
Prior to 1999 CKD had 12 colored belts before introducing "senior" belts for each colored belt. They were White, Yellow, Orange, Green, Blue, Purple, Purple with Red Tag, Red, Red with Brown Tag, Brown, Brown with 1 black tag, Brown with 2 black tags. Also at this point in time there was a Bo Dan (provisional Black Belt), before the students got to Il Dan (1st Degree). This effectivley increased the amount of gradings to get from white belt to 1st Dan from 13 belts to 17 (White belt is granted to all beginners and you do not have to test for it.)
The new curriculum increased the total number of colored belts to 18. Each senior belt retained the four directional patterns, while the solid colored belts used a simplified one directional version of the pattern. With this increase in belts, the syllabus was altered and techniques that were originally for 1st, 2nd and 3rd Dan's were introduced into the coloured belt system (e.g. twisting kick, originally taught at Il Dan, was brought in at red belt). CKD schools charge students for each belt exam before their exam or either incorporate the cost into the students monthly tuition fees.
References
- ^ Anschutz, Chuck (March 24, 1988). "Mariettan envisions a karate revolution - New style designed to build confidence". The Atlanta Journal and The Atlanta Constitution.
- ^ "Kick-starting self-improvement an art form". The Cairns Post. January 24, 2006.
- ^ Lasky, Steve (April 17, 1986). "The art of self-confidence - Master KwangChoi is spreading the gospel of his fresh approach to the - martial arts". The Atlanta Journal and The Atlanta Constitution.
- ^ Maiolo, Dominic (March, 1996). "Choi Kwang-Do - Evolution of the Revolution". Australasian Tae Kwon Do.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ a b c "Grandmaster Choi, Bio-Mechanical Master!". Tae Kwon Do & Korean Martial Arts. June, 2000. Retrieved 2008-03-31.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ Clifton, Paul (September, 1996). "Choi Kwang-Do - The Millennium Art". Tae Kwon Do and Korean Martial Arts.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ a b Shekhavat, Munish (April 6, 2007). "'Belting' his way to glory". The Times of India.
- ^ Woollam, Susan (2007). "A stance against violence". Emergency Nurse. 15 (8).
- ^ "Martial arts training for Chandigarh school girls". The Hindu. August 6, 2007. Retrieved 2008-03-31.
- ^ "Grandmaster Kwang Jo Choi confirms visit to New Zealand (Press Release)". Scoop. December 27, 2007. Retrieved 2008-04-04.
- ^ Clifton, Paul (October, 2003). "Award Letter (Correspondence)". Retrieved 2008-04-04.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Lynne Russell". Nationwide Speakers Bureau Inc. Retrieved 2008-04-04.
- ^ Aurelius, Anthony (2003). "Choi Kwang-Do – Complete Martial Art and Fitness Program". Positive Health Magazine (91).
- ^ Clifton, Paul (April, 2008). "Choi Kwang-Do - 20 years on and the revolution continues". Martial art Illustrated. p. 13.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=and|year=/|date=mismatch (help)
Ref 14 I believe to be incorrect. Paul Clifton is the publisher and previous editor of Combat Magazine and Tae Kwon Do and Korean Martial Arts magazine in the UK. He would not be writing an artilce for MAI. Therefore he would not be the author of this article.