Tang Soo Do Silver

OUR 55+ Program

What is Tang Soo Do Silver?

TSDS is a martial arts curriculum combining “soft-style” and “hard-style” traditions into a easy to-learn program for students age 55+. We incorporate the slow, healthful movements of Tai Chi (soft-style) with the self-defense techniques of Tang Soo Do (hard-style).

Why not just take Karate for self-defense or do Yoga for strength and flexibility?

Let’s face it. Doing Karate or Tae Kwon Do in your sixties or seventies runs the risk of bruises or even broken bones (we speak from experience). And even a practice like Yoga isn’t immune. Here’s a quote directly from the National Institutes of Health: “For older participants yoga can cause physical injuries such as strains, sprains, and joint instability—especially from advanced or weight-baring poses…”

But listen to what the NIH says about Tai Chi. “A low-impact, mind-body practice that improves physical stability, reduces stress, and enhances overall well-being.”

So what do you do exactly?

The curriculum features choreographed patterns from both the Yang-style of Tai Chi and the art of Tang Soo Do. We also teach some simplified blocks, strikes and kicks (nothing above groin-level). Each 45 minute to one-hour class starts with breathing exercises and slow stretching.

Can you earn colored belts?

No, we don’t have a white-belt-to-black-belt kind of program but there are “levels” where you can progress from the simplest moves to more advanced ones. After you attain these levels you can wear a different color t-shirt.

How hard is it?

The emphasis is on FUN and SELF-IMPROVEMENT and NOT on perfect technical skills or on sport as in most traditional martial arts training. But you will be stretching not just your physical body but also your mental awareness and concentration. Obviously your strength, flexibility and balance will improve as you practice.

I’ve heard of Tai Chi but not Tang Soo Do. What is it?

If you’re 55+ you’ve heard of Chuck Norris. Well, Tang Soo Do was the martial art he studied in the military in Korea. It’s the forerunner of Tae Kwon Do and is basically the Korean version of Karate. It literally translates to English as “The Way of the Chinese Hand.”