Master Hendrix' Ch'ang-Hon Tae Kwon Do
& Progressive Martial Arts Program
Combining The Best Traditional Ch'ang-Hon Tae Kwon Do
With Modern Self Defense & Martial Arts Techniques & Strategies
Tae - Use of the foot to strike or crush
Kwon - Use of the hand to strike or crush
Do - The Art/Way
Brief History:
During the Japanese occupation of Korea, many Korean were able to
escape their homeland. Some of these individuals learned various martial
arts in other Asian countries. When they returned to their homeland
after the occupation they set up Martial Arts Schools. Then in the
1950’s the Korean government wanted to unify the various schools
into one martial art. The name Tae Kwon Do was original chosen by Korean
General Choi because it sounded similar to Tae-kyon.
Tae-kyon was an ancient Korean system that emphasized kicking. The
system had become very obscure. The goal was for Tae Kwon Do to emphasize
powerful kicking but to still have well rounded hand techniques. Originally,
Tae Kwon Do was geared toward being a self-defense system, a way of
physical fitness and an art form that could be used as a sport. Many
Tae Kwon Do stylist still adhere to this older type of mentality and
are commonly referred to as “Traditional” Tae Kwon Do practitioners.
Although, the training has evolved over the years, the underlying
objectives remain the same for the traditionalist.
Some years later the Korean government decided to change the direction
of Tae Kwon Do to be more sport oriented and get the sparring recognized
as an Olympic event. This type of Tae Kwon Do is known generally as “Olympic” Tae Kwon Do The rules for Olympic style Tae Kwon Do
sparring puts an extreme emphasis on kicking. While, generally, traditional
Tae Kwon Do sparring still emphasizes kicks but puts more emphasis
on hand technique than the Olympic style sparring.
Traditional and Olympic Tae Kwon Do are similar but the emphasis is
somewhat different. Generally, “sport” style is oriented
more toward competition particularly sparring Olympic style. While
generally traditional Tae Kwon Do tends to emphasize the art form and
self-defense. However, many traditional Tae Kwon Do practitioners compete
in traditional style Tae Kwon Do tournaments as well as open (open
to all styles) martial art tournaments but generally the traditional
training does not expressly gear students toward competition, rather
the style can be utilized in this way if desired. Master Hendrix had
a very successful career as a tournament competitor and now focuses
his energy on teaching.
Master Hendrix Training With Grand Master Hwang
Throughout the world, there are many traditional oriented Tae Kwon Do
associations as well as many Olympic oriented Tae Kwon Do associations.
Some organizations recognize both.
Master Hendrix' Tae Kwon Do program emphasizes traditional Tae Kwon Do
training and methodologies. Again, traditional Tae Kwon Do emphasizes
powerful kicking but also teaches a vast array of hand technique.
Specifically, Traditional Tae Kwon Do teaches such exercises as Forms/hyungs
(pre arranged sequences), target pad striking, board breaking (advanced
students),
sparring and basic two person defensive drills. It also teaches basic
focus and breathing drills.
Master Hendrix has also added a creative aspect to Traditional Tae Kwon Do
by teaching creative drills; and by teaching the use of Tae Kwon Do
techniques from a variety of self-defense situations. He encourages
students to devise new ways to use their Tae Kwon Do knowledge for
sport, self-defense, fitness and the art. Highly advanced students
will also learn ways to apply their Tae Kwon Do knowledge to basic
weapons (beginner students wanting to learn weapons should try out
Kali).
Master Hendrix has also implemented simple and basic elements of takedowns,
joint manipulation, control techniques, pressure points, body holds,
boxing, ground defense, weapons defense and multiple attacker defense.
These additional techniques are to complement and enhance the
Tae Kwon Do program.
If a student has an even greater
desire in learning weaponry, they should inquire about Kali. If you desire to know more about combining striking
with throws and joint manipulation as well as a deeper understanding
of meditation then inquire about Traditional
HapKiDo.
Students of Master Hendrix will come to realize they are not only
studying under a Tae Kwon Do master but also a martial arts innovator
who teaches the best of traditional Tae Kwon Do combined with a creative
and eclectic approach. Traditional style Tae Kwon Do is an excellent
martial art for anyone who wants to become a very proficient, accurate
and precise striker with their feet, hands, knees and elbows with
an emphasis on powerful, long range kicking. Tae Kwon Do is an excellent
workout because it involves a lot of movement.
While Master Hendrix teaches basic falling, joint manipulation, holds,
ground defense, pressure points and takedowns for self-defense in
his Tae Kwon Do program, the emphasis of the program is stand up striking
and not getting thrown around or rolling around on the ground. However,
Master Hendrix offers
other programs which give more detail in these areas.
Master Monty Hendrix(Essential Martial Arts Founder), GM K.S. Hwang (U-ITF Founder),
GM Rudy Timmerman (NKMAA founder)
GM K.S. Hwang (U-ITF Founder), Master Monty Hendrix(Essential Martial Arts Founder)
