Kevin W. Putala
A Tang Soo Do Journey
When I left South Korea and returned to the United States in 1986, I immediately began looking for schools to continue my Tang Soo Do training. Back then there were hardly any dojo or dojang …
Continue Reading about Going Deep In Your Tang Soo Do Training →
When most people picture karate, they imagine fast, powerful strikes, high kicks, and explosive movement. But what happens when your body no longer allows you to move with that same speed or …
Continue Reading about Slow Karate: Finding a New Rhythm After Knee Replacement →
Eighteen months ago, I underwent staged bilateral total knee replacements—a necessary decision after years of pain, limited movement, and the loss of a once-strong foundation. As someone with a …
The evolution of Tang Soo Do from Shotokan Karate is a complex story woven through colonialism, cultural preservation, and personal legacy. As someone who has trained in Traditional tang Soo Do, …
Continue Reading about From Shotokan to Tang Soo Do: The Japanese Roots of a Korean Martial Art →
At 59, I tied my belt again. It wasn’t to step into a dojo or to prepare for a tournament. It was to step into my garage, alone, with two titanium knees and forty years of martial arts experience …
I arrived in South Korea on January 6, 1985. It was NOT the South Korea we know today, with K-Pop, K-Dramas, and one of the most vibrant economies on the planet. Hyundai were used as taxis and were …
Continue Reading about Tang Soo Do Training in 1985 South Korea →
