The martial art Tae Soo Do (태수도 太手道) was created in 1990 by Hwa Rang Do Founder, Dr. Joo Bang Lee. Tae Soo Do is divided into basic movement, striking and kicking techniques, self-defense, forms, weapons, sparring, and grappling similar to what you would find in Tae Kwon Do, Karate, BJJ, or Kung Fu. This was done because the martial art of Hwa Rang Do is so demanding that it requires a strength of commitment that the majority of present day practitioners do not initially possess. There is so much to learn that it has taken people without any previous training between 5-10 years before they are prepared to test for the rank of first Dan Degree. Because of this, Tae Soo Do was created as an undergraduate introduction to Hwa Rang Do. Through training in this Tae Soo Do, practitioners develop the strong foundation of physical skills and proper attitude they need to be successful in Hwa Rang Do. It takes an average of 2-3 years to achieve a black belt in Tae Soo Do. Once a student receives this rank, they graduate into the advanced program of Hwa Rang Do as a yellow sash (advanced beginner). It then takes an average of another three years for these practitioners to earn a black sash in Hwa Rang Do.
One of Hwa Rang Do’s greatest strengths and benefits is its extensive array of techniques and the training it offers in all aspects of combat skills and healing skills. Hwa Rang Do contains over 4000 techniques in addition to all the other forms and physical movement requirements. Hwa Rang Do can offer something for everyone. However, it can also be extremely difficult and take a very long time to progress, if proper fundamentals have not already been established. The Tae Soo Do program is for people with little to no previous martial art experience. Individuals that already have had previous experience in martial arts, can make a strong commitment to their training, and display a good attitude can start in the advanced program of Hwa Rang Do as a white sash. Since remembering an extensive list of techniques is difficult for most children, all children begin in the Tae Soo Do program.