Tang Soo Do is 40% Chinese Kung Fu and 60% Korean Soo Bahk Do. We practice Kung Fu Ton Teis as part of our Kung Fu heritage.

We begin each Ton Tei in a traditional Kung Fu ready stance, also known as a "salute". Each style of Kung Fu has its own particular salute. It announces to those watching that you are about to begin a Kung Fu Kuen (form). It also pays respect to those around you.

Ton Teis are building blocks for Kung Fu Kuen. They develop balance and lower and upper-body strength while teaching us some of the mysteries of Kung Fu. The Chinese hid many secrets to their martial arts in their Kung Fu Ton Teis and Kuen. Ton Tei practice also develops mental strength, visual focus and an understanding of the practical self-defense applications of Kung Fu.

Begin each Ton Tei with a salute. Here are three examples:

Stand with both feet together, hands at side in attention. Slowly bring hands out from side to position in front of your body. Keep arms straight. Bring the right hand to a position over the left hand. Keep hands open and tight together. Hold hands straight out for a moment, then bring both hands and arms back to a closed-fist position at waist level.

Stand with both feet shoulder-length apart, hands in closed-fist position in front of body (Tang Soo Do Choon Bee Ja Seh). Slowly bring feet together so that toes and heels touch. Bring hands together straight out in front at the same time you bring your feet together. Hands should touch at the same time feet touch. Place your right hand on top of your left hand. Hold hands straight out for a moment, then bring both hands and arms back to a closed-fist position at waist level.

Stand with both feet together, hands at side in attention. Move your right foot back slightly into a short cat stance. Close your left hand into a fist and keep your right hand open as you twist your body to the right. As you reach a 90 degree twist to the right, quickly move your body back to the left and bring your right open hand to meet your left closed hand in front of your body. Your hands should end up about six inches in front of your chest. Hold that position for just a moment, then pull your left foot back to meet your right foot as you push your hands out from your chest. Open the left hand so that the open right hand is on top of your open left hand. Your hands should fully extend at the same time your feet touch (heel to heel, toe to toe). Hold that position for a moment, then bring both hands and arms back to a closed-fist position at waist level.

Begin each Ton Tei with a salute, then proceed. We practice each Ton Tei several times in a row. You can move many feet in a few seconds with this practice. Concentrate on focus, power, eye control, coordination, grace, practical application and balance as you perform each Ton Tei. Perform the first set "softer," the second set "harder." Ton Teis will teach you both the grace and power of Kung Fu. Grand Master Hwang Kee, Founder of Tang Soo Do, combined Chinese Kung Fu and Korean Soo Bahk Do in a way that emphasizes both the hard and soft styles of the martial arts. Practicing Ton Teis in both ways will help develop abilities needed in the practice of Tang Soo Do.

1.The first basic Ton Tei develops the concept of circle blocking with a punch. The practical application is dealing with an opponent who kicks at you three times: first with his right foot, then left, then right. Three blocks and punches make up one series within the set. The number of series you can complete in a row depends on the size of your practice space. Remember to practice the first set "soft" and the second set "hard." Move forward into left front stance as you bring your open left hand up to chest level in a sweeping inside-outside-inside-outside double-circle blocking motion. Your hand should face outward as you come through for the blocking motion so that the side of you hand (the blocking edge) leads the block. Continue to move the block up and out for a second circle of the hand. (The purpose of this motion is to block an opponent's kick in a way that stops the kick before it reaches your groin and redirects his leg up and out so that he loses some balance.) Punch your opponent in his solar plexus with your right hand just as your left hand moves his kick up and outside. Immediately open your right hand after the punch and proceed to circle it outside-inside-outside to block another kick to your groin. Punch your opponent in his solar plexus with your left hand just as your right hand moves his kick up and outside. Immediately open your left hand after the punch and proceed to circle it outside-inside-outside to block another kick to your groin. Punch your opponent in his solar plexus with your right hand just as your left hand moves his kick up and outside. That ends the first series. Move forward into right front stance as you open your right hand and move it in a sweeping Outside-inside-outside circle-blocking motion. Punch your opponent in his solar plexus with your left hand just as your right hand moves his kick up and outside. Immediately open your left hand after the punch and proceed to circle it outside-inside-outside to block another kick to your groin. Punch your opponent in his solar plexus with your right hand just as your left hand moves his kick up and outside. Immediately open your right hand after the punch and proceed to circle it outside-inside-outside to block another kick to your groin. Punch your opponent in his solar plexus with your left hand just as your right hand moves his kick up and outside. That ends the second series. Continue moving into left and right front stances with the three blocking-punching movements several times. You will find that this basic Ton Tei is a fine way to develop strength, power and speed.

2.The second basic Ton Tei develops the concept of blocking in Crane Stance and striking in Dragon Stance. You will develop balance and power in the stances as you practice this Ton Tei. The practical application is blocking an opponent's kick to your stomach and a open-hand strike to your head. You follow by striking him in the solar plexus with driving-upward open palm. Practice the first set "soft", the second set "hard." The series of movements in each set will depend on the size of