So I starting TaeKwon-Do in 1987, as I progressed I became more and more interested in gaining new knowledge. The easiest way to gain an overall view of the martial arts was to buy magazines, Combat, Martial Arts Illustrated and TaeKwonDo Times. I enjoyed TaeKwonDo but wanted to try different styles. I came across another Korean martial art called Choi Kwang Do, based more on circular movements as opposed to TaeKwonDo’s linear movements.
Here is a brief version of the description of Choi Kwang Do from their website:
Choi Kwang Do was developed by Grandmaster Kwang Jo Choi and has proved to be the most effective martial arts system in the world. Choi Kwang Do’s natural, easy-to-learn, movements maximize your body’s force-producing capabilities, but more importantly, they increase opportunities to enhance your health. It’s a unique program based on modern scientific principles from human anatomy, physiology, psychology, kinesiology, neurophysiology and biomechanics.
Choi Kwang Do is not designed for competition. The system is meant for the average individual who wants to learn real-life, practical self-defense skills and achieve a greater level of health and well-being. Because it’s a noncontact, nonfighting, noncompetitive art that stresses mental, physical, emotional and social development, Choi Kwang Do promotes nonviolent resolutions to conflict, practical solutions to cardiovascular improvement, and enjoyable methods of exercise. In addition, with competition removed, students can continually develop—not against each other, but with each other. With a progressive system from White belt to highest level of Black belt, Choi Kwang Do always offers you something new and challenging to learn, experience and enjoy.
The most effective Martial Art system in the World
It is described as “the most effective Martial Art system in the World” although I doubt that the average person has heard of it. I was becoming more and more sceptical on the benefits of TaeKwon-Do as a self defence system and the potential damage it can cause to joints after hours of fast linear movements and practice against breaking boards, wood and bricks. I read about Choi Kwang Do as a possible alternative. I went to several classes in the mid 1990’s at their club in Ealing, west London. The basic moves of striking, kicking and blocking were very different. I have to admit that in my limited time of practising at the club the techniques and instruction was superb. Being based more on well-being and self defence it suited me just fine. The only problem was that it was a fair drive from my home in north Oxfordshire to Ealing on a weekly basis, also I felt I was too far down the road to Black Belt and running my own club in TaeKwon-Do to change styles in such a dramatic way.
Choi Kwang Do official website link.
Click on the image below which is a link to the Ealing Choi Kwang-Do class.
Choi Kwang Do Wikipedia link
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