Black Bear now featuring Tang Soo Do
Black belt instructor Ted Greenblott delivers a roundhouse kick to student Darren Tetachuk at Black Bear Tang Soo Do in Sagle. Greenblott is a certified instructor in the ancient Korean martial art. (Photo by ERIC PLUMMER)
SANDPOINT — The ancient Korean martial art of Tang Soo Do — pronounced “tongue-sue-dough” — is now being taught at Black Bear Tang Soo Do in Sagle, the first school in Idaho to teach the 2,000 year-old brand of self-defense.
Formerly a student of Black Bear Tae Kwon Do, Ted Greenblott started the new school after instructor Charles Brown had to move for family reasons. Greenblott kept the Black Bear name and location, along with many of its students, but is returning to his roots and offering a slightly different approach.
“Discipline, self-control, self-defense confidence; those are kind of the main focus points,” said Greenblott, who has been a member of the American Tang Soo Do Association since 1984. “We want people to feel confident to defend themselves if they had to.”
While Tang Soo Do and Tae Kwon Do share common origins, Greenblott hopes to embrace the more traditional philosophies and disciplines of the former, taking a curriculum-oriented approach to mastering the classic martial art and focusing less on competitions.
Students will learn basic and advanced stances, hand and foot techniques, ground fighting, locks, forms, sparring and terminology, all from a well-certified ATA instructor.
“They have to learn the curriculum, I don’t just give belts away,” explained Greenblott, noting that Tang Soo Do masters from the east coast will make occasional appearances at his school. “It’s a good organization with lots of support given to me.”
Greenblot will be testing for his second degree black belt later this fall. While his approach is more traditional, there is still plenty of sparring involved. In an individual lesson with Sandpoint’s Darren Tetachuk on Wednesday, the two went through a crisp sequence of kicks, punches, holds and throws, touching fists in a show of respect before each and every move.
Greenblott’s clientele will range in age from young kids to adults, beginning to advanced, each seeking to improve both physically and spiritually.
“Students will be comfortable learning without the fear of getting hurt,” explained Greenblott. “Each student will be gaining valuable tools of self-defense, confidence and discipline that will transfer from the studio into everyday life.”
For more information call 255-1111, or visit “www.blackbeartangsoodo.com.”