Hapkido, Taekyon, Kwan Moo, Yongmudo, Gwon Gyokdo, Hwa Rang Do

Sun Kwan Moo

A little-known, Buddhist-based martial art, sun kwan moo includes meditation and physical training with the aim of advancing students toward enlightenment. Probably of Zen origin (called “sun” in Korean), it started after 1945 and, in the 1960s, was taught at Bom Oh Temple in Korea.

Uniquely, students engage in a remarkable exercise known as “tol palki,” which involves hopping from rock to rock on a mountain top, with the hope of achieving the elusive state of “no mind.”

Taekwondo’s origins date back to the 2,000 years when it was created as a way of unarmed combat.It wasn’t until 1955 when Choi Hong Hi helped to modernize the art making it both a self defense and a sport.The unique feature of Taekwondo as compared to Karate, Judo, or Kung Fu is that is focuses on attacking the opponent with kicks.In 2008 it is estimated that there are over 50 million practitioners of Taekwondo.It also received a boost by the Olympics when it was added to the games in 2000.

Origins of Taekwondo