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SBN Tullier
Sa Bum Nim Michael Tullier is the owner and chief instructor for Sherwood. He has been practicing Tang Soo Do since 1989 and holds O Dan rank (5th degree black belt). He first became a school owner in 1996 while holding down a job at a local engineering firm. He became a full-time instructor in 1998 and enjoys sharing his knowledge of Tang Soo Do.
Sa Bom Nim Michael Tullier is the owner and chief instructor of Tang Soo Do Karate College. Sa Bom Nim Tullier is a native of Baton Rouge, LA but was born in Munich, Germany while his father was stationed there. He graduated from Lee High School and holds a B.S. degree in Industrial Technology from South Eastern University. He started his martial art training in 1989 and received his first Black Belt in 1993, 2nd degree in 1995, 3rd degree in 1998 and this past year he passed the rigorous physical and mental testing for the honored 4th degree – Master's. He is also a certified instructor in Tang Soo Do since 1996. Sa Bom Nim is the Korean honorific for an instructor having earned at least a 4th degree black belt and indicates a Master martial artist and instructor.
Sa Bom Nim is currently training under the direct tutelage of Grand Master Richard Bryne who is the founder and current president of the American Tang Soo Do Association. Sa Bom Nim has trained with many other esteemed Masters in places all over the world including Korea, China and Panama as well as many states. Although Sa Bom Nim has won and achieved many awards, trophies and medals in his martial arts career, his most recent title of World Champion in Team Sparring with his teammates in Panama City, Panama, August of 2002 is one of his most treasured accomplishments.
American Tang Soo Do Association
We are members of the American Tang Soo Do Association (ATA). The ATA is headed by Grandmaster Richard Byrne, 8th Dan, out of Boston, MA.
Since the late 1950's, U.S. Servicemen who had earned Black Belts in Tang Soo Do while serving in Korea returned to the United States and Tang Soo Do began to expand to serve the interests and needs of the American public. Many American organizations were established in attempts to unify Tang Soo Do here in the United States. One such organization was the non-profit American Tang Soo Do Association chartered in Massachusetts in 1973 under the direction of Richard Byrne. Foreseeing the future popularity of Tang Soo Do in the U.S, the American Tang Soo Do Association was aimed at sponsoring tournaments, clinics, etc., with qualified directors and furthering the development of Tang Soo Do techniques through research.
On March 8th, 1997, after years of Tang Soo Do instructors across the country approaching Master Byrne to seek advice, leadership and instruction, the decision was made to make the American Tang Soo Do Association a national organization. It's goal is to bring high standards and ideals to it's members while charging reasonable rates and fees and to meet the needs of Tang Soo Do instructors across the country.
History of Tang Soo Do
Korean martial arts developed approximately 2000 years ago. Korea was then divided into three kingdoms: Koguro in the North, Paekche in the Southwest, and Silla in the Southeast. At this time martial arts were very primitive.
Korea was first unified under the Silla Dynasty(688-935AD). At this time, the Hwa Rang Dan warriors combined the philosophy of the monk Won Kwang, who was the originator of the principles of our own Tang Soo Do, with Soo Bahk Ki (the art of foot and body fighting) to form the traditional art of Soo Bahk Do. The Hwa Rang Dan warriors aided in the unification of thier country and were the first martial artists to include a code of chivalry in their practice.
The Silla Dynasty was overthrown in 918 AD and the Koryo Dynasty was then established. This militaristic society promoted martial spirit, and so it became a fruitful time in the development of the Korean arts.
The Yi Dynasty (1392-1910 AD) followed the Koryo Dynasty and assured the continuation of Korean martial arts in two significant ways. First, the martial arts book, Mooye Dobo Tongi was written, which substantiated the sophistication of the combative art of Soo Bahk Ki. Second, as Soo Bahk Ki replaced Soo Bahk Do within the military, Soo Bahk Do became recreational for the common people.
Korea was occupied by the Japanese from 1909 through 1945. During this time, the Korean people were forbidden to practice martial arts. Tae Kyun and Soo Bahk Do practitioners went underground to continue their training. In 1945, after World War II, these restrictions were lifted and many martial artists, including Moo Duk Kwan, as organized by Hwang Kee, were established. Master Hwang Kee combined Tae Kyun and Soo Bahk Do with the Chinese "Tang" method of martial arts and founded the organization called the Korea Soo Bahk Do Association, on November 9th, 1945, also known as Tang Soo Do.
In 1965, the Korea Tang Soo Do Association was established in an attempt to unite the Korean Martial Arts under one name. However, the Tang Soo Do practitioners chose to remain as traditionalists rather than join the sport oriented Tae Kwon Do organization.