The Ryu


 
The Hyung of Tang Soo Do were influenced by Ryu, or styles.  
Weh Ga Ryu (Outside/External House Style). Weh Ga Ryu came from Southern Chinese Schools emphasizing speed, aggressiveness and dynamic action. Examples of the Weh Ga Ryu style are the Kee Cho Hyung, Pyung Ahn Hyung, and Bassai.

 
Another Ryu is Neh Ga Ryu (Inside/Internal House Style). Neh Ga Ryu came from Northern Chinese Schools emphasizing more deliberate technique, stability and fluid motion. Most of our advanced Hyung come from the Neh Ga Ryu, such as Nai Han Ji and Sip Su.
 
The third Ryu is the Joong Gan Ryu (Middle Way Style) This Ryu was a Korean influence due to the fact that they had to be versatile because of the threat of living between China and Japan. The traditional Tang Soo Do Hyung like the Yuk Ro Hyung and Chil Sung Hyung come from this style.
 
The types of moves in a Hyung are important to the character also. These techniques often represent something from nature. By symbolizing an animal in our Hyung we show a respect for nature, as we should for all life. The Joong Gan Ryu is not based on animal forms but on human/natural style of breathing.  Grandmaster Hwang Kee made special emphasis in teaching these styles of breathing to further develop Tang Soo Do training.  Your hyung is not truly Tang Soo unless these breathing techniques are accurately incorporated into your training.

In a later post we will talk about ho hop as it relates to this.

KJN

 



 

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