Choi Kwang-Do

Choi Kwang Do
Also known as CKD
Focus Striking
Country of origin South Korea South Korea
Official website http://www.choikwangdo.com

Choi Kwang Do is a martial art developed by Kwang Jo Choi. The style relies more on flexibility and fluidity of movement as opposed to the more rigid lines of some other martial arts. To achieve this it employs yoga-based stretching to develop the flexibility of practitioners.[1]

History

Choi Kwang Do was founded by Kwang Jo Choi on March 2, 1987. Kwang Jo Choi was born in South Korea before emigrating to United States in the early 1970s.[2] Choi was a successful ITF Tae Kwon Do practitioner and trainer (serving as a chief instructor) before establishing his own style.[3]

While teaching and demonstrating ITF Tae Kwon Do in South East Asia, Kwang Jo Choi became injured through his training and demonstrations to the point where he was unable to continue with the discipline.[4] So he left Malaysia (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 way he was performing martial arts, Choi undertook rehabilitative exercises, attended various seminars and studied techniques for rehabilitation. Choi 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 by one organization and Temperance, Michigan by another organization. It is taught in numerous countries including the United Kingdom with schools in England, Scotland and Wales, Puerto Rico with schools in Guaynabo, Las Piedras, Caguas and San Lorenzo.[3]

Style and training

Choi Kwang Do emphasizes the use of biomechanics,[5] and to employ a number of modern disciplines, such as kinesiology and psychology, in its design.[3] The result is a tendency towards the use of natural bilateral movement and fluid sequential motion to develop optimum force on impact to place less pressure on the joints.[6] The style also incorporates breathing and stretching exercises from yoga.[7]

Choi Kwang Do is not designed for competition,[7] but for a natural and effective response to everyday stimuli and training is a mix of contact drills using pads and shields, non-contact drills and "in-fighting" close-quarter drills.[8]

Practitioners

Notable practitioners of the Choi Kwang Do style include:

Principles of Choi Kwang Do

gentleness

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

Choi Kwang-Do Grading Information

Choi Kwang-Do
Choi Kwang-Do White Belt
Choi Kwang-Do White Belt Senior
Choi Kwang-Do Yellow Belt
Choi Kwang-Do Yellow Belt Senior
Choi Kwang-Do Gold Belt
Choi Kwang-Do Gold Belt Senior
Choi Kwang-Do Orange Belt
Choi Kwang-Do Orange Belt Senior
Choi Kwang-Do Green Belt
Choi Kwang-Do Green Belt Senior
Choi Kwang-Do Blue Belt
Choi Kwang-Do Blue Belt Senior
Choi Kwang-Do Purple Belt
Choi Kwang-Do Purple Belt Senior
Choi Kwang-Do Red Belt
Choi Kwang-Do Red Belt Senior 
Choi Kwang-Do Brown Belt
Choi Kwang-Do Brown Belt Senior
Choi Kwang-Do Black Belt

References

  1. "Kick-starting self-improvement an art form". The Cairns Post. January 24, 2006.
  2. 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.
  3. 1 2 3 Clifton, Paul (September 1996). "Choi Kwang-Do - The Millennium Art". Tae Kwon Do and Korean Martial Arts.
  4. Maiolo, Dominic (March 1996). "Choi Kwang-Do - Evolution of the Revolution". Australasian Tae Kwon Do.
  5. 1 2 3 "Grandmaster Choi, Bio-Mechanical Master!". Tae Kwon Do & Korean Martial Arts. June 2000. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2008-03-31.
  6. Shekhavat, Munish (April 6, 2007). "'Belting' his way to glory". The Times of India.
  7. 1 2 Woollam, Susan (2007). "A stance against violence". Emergency Nurse. 15 (8).
  8. Jones, Carys (June 5, 2008). "Martial Arts: Adam makes black belt grade". WalesOnline.co.uk. Retrieved July 16, 2009.
  9. "Grandmaster Kwang Jo Choi confirms visit to New Zealand (Press Release)". Scoop. December 27, 2007. Retrieved 2008-04-04.
  10. "Lynne Russell". Nationwide Speakers Bureau Inc. Archived from the original on 2006-05-18. Retrieved 2008-04-04.
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