SONG MOO KWAN PAN SONG RYU
We are the Rising Pine school of Song Moo Kwan, the original Kwan (house) of Korean Karate/Taekwondo. Pan Song Ryu (PSR) is a development from the karate taught by Master Tom Sullivan through his Karate North organization. Grandmaster Frankovich started with the Karate North – Hibbing (MN) Community Education program. He worked his way through the gup (colored belt) ranks there plus the UW-Superior club as he finished a bachelor’s degree in physical education.
At 3rd Dan, in 1990, GM Frankovich rebranded his schools as Pine Tree Taekwondo. This was the result from having dug deeper into the history and lineage of Master Sullivan’s teacher, Senior Grandmaster Hyun, Jun Seon (Jay). Learning that the lineage led back to Song Moo Kwan founder Ro, Byung Jik, GM Frankovich wanted to ensure that recognition was continued. The connection to Master Sullivan was kept for the promotion of students until 1996.
GM Frankovich has continued to study the lineage and history of Song Moo Kwan. He had conversations with several of GM Hyun’s students. The question was asked of them if there was any explanation or commentary about the name uesd for the set of hyungs (forms) that their teacher had created. All responded with a variation of referring to a mountain top. The idea of a pine tree found at the top of the mountain reaching toward heaven came to mind. This gave rise to the rebranding from Pine Tree Taekwondo to Song Moo Kwan Pan Song Ryu. The next discovery was that most often the romanization of the set name was incorrect. Commonly said as Chung Bong. The research by a fellow SMK yundansha brought up the most likely translation was acutaully Cheon Bong. This makes Cheon = Heanenly and Bong = peak/summit. It would reference the Cheon Bong San mountain.
The Cheon Bong hyungs remain the core of the curriculum. Also included are one-steps (to build a foundation for self defense), kicking series (to keep the kicking aspect of Taekwondo), and sparring (using the sport karate/open tournament style, not Olympic style, to build toward self defense).
Currently, classes are held at the Fridley Community Center on Tuedsay and Thursday from 6:00-6:50. Anyone 8 years old and up are welcome. Sorry, no kid’s classes.
Feel free to stop in and check out the class. Trial classes are available. Once you decide, tuition is $110/month. You can add a 2nd family member for $30/month.