By Dan Segarra, 9th Degree Black Belt in Tang Soo Do

One of the most fascinating—and perhaps disappointing—discoveries I made while studying Grandmaster Hwang Kee’s writings concerns a book that was promised… but never appeared.

In his philosophical work Moo Do Chul Hak (무도철학), Grandmaster Hwang Kee briefly mentions another manuscript he was preparing at the time—a dedicated book on Neh Gong (내공 / 內功), or internal training. This work, according to his own words, would explore the deeper breathing, meditation, and energy cultivation methods within Tang Soo Do.

The book, however, was never published.

Decades have passed since Moo Do Chul Hak was written, yet no Korean or English edition of the promised Neh Gong text has ever surfaced.

This realization struck me deeply during a personal project that took nearly a year to complete. I had Grandmaster Hwang Kee’s philosophy book translated into english with the help of a scholarly translator who was also the head of an Asian Philosophy department at a university. Together we worked line by line through the text. I edited the translation and contributed my perspective on the martial arts terminology and training concepts. Then gave that as a gift to the Moo Duk Kwan, which is the philosophy book available to everyone now.

During that translation process something became very clear.

Grandmaster Hwang Kee knew far more than what was ever written in the public Tang Soo Do curriculum.

In Moo Do Chul Hak, he briefly lists several internal training methods that were meant to be explained in his future Neh Gong book. Most of these techniques are only mentioned by name, without explanation.

For most practitioners, they remain mysterious titles.

But after many years of training with senior masters, personal research, and countless discussions with knowledgeable practitioners, I have been able to piece together the meaning and methods behind several of them.

Below is a glimpse into some of those lost internal exercises of Tang Soo Do.

Ilban Shim Hoheup Beop (일반심호흡법)

Basic Zen (Seon/Sun) Stillness Practice

This foundational meditation focuses attention on the Danjeon (단전), the lower energy center in the abdomen. The practitioner sits in stillness, allowing the breath to settle naturally while the mind rests quietly in the lower abdomen.

This practice cultivates calmness, stability, and internal awareness.

Yuk Ki Beop (육기법)

Six Ki Sound Technique

A breathing system that uses six specific sounds to regulate the internal organs and energy pathways. Similar methods exist in Chinese Qi Gong traditions and are believed to harmonize internal energy through vibration and breath.

Pegi Beop (폐기법)

Closed Ki Technique

This method involves controlled breathing, holding, and releasing the breath. The “closed” aspect refers to the retention phase, where internal pressure and focus are maintained before exhalation.

It develops breath control and internal energy compression.

Semi Hoheup Beop (세미호흡법)

Fine Breath Technique

An advanced breathing method where the breath becomes extremely slow and nearly imperceptible. The goal is to quiet the nervous system and bring the body into a deeply relaxed but aware state.

Danjeon Hoheup Beop (단전호흡법)

Cinnabar Field Breathing

This is the classic Danjeon breathing practice used in many internal martial traditions. The breath expands the lower abdomen while the mind focuses on the energy center below the navel.

It strengthens internal vitality and mental stability.

Hoejeon Hoheup Beop (회전호흡법)

Rotating Breath Technique

This method appears to correspond with what is commonly known as the Microcosmic Orbit—circulating energy up the spine and down the front of the body through the Governing and Conception channels.

Taeshik Beop (태식법)

Fetal Breathing Technique

A very advanced practice meant to mimic the subtle breathing of a fetus in the womb. The breath becomes extremely refined and internalized, emphasizing energy circulation rather than physical respiration.

Samgak Hoheup Beop (삼각호흡법)

Triangle Breathing Technique

This method works with the three Danjeons:

Lower Danjeon (energy and vitality)
Middle Danjeon (breath and emotion)
Upper Danjeon (mind and spirit)

The breath is circulated through these three centers in a triangular energetic pattern.

Sagak Hoheup Beop (사각호흡법)

Square Breathing Technique

A structured breathing pattern:

Inhale – 4 counts
Hold – 4 counts
Exhale – 4 counts
Hold – 4 counts

This method develops rhythm, breath control, and mental discipline.

Pogi Beop (포기법)

Unfolding Ki Technique

This fascinating practice relates to projecting healing energy outward, often described as helping regulate or support another person’s energy through intention and breath.

Yeonsu Beop (연수법)

Light Dregs Technique

This method is used to bring excessive rising energy back down into the lower body, restoring balance when energy accumulates in the head or chest.

It was historically used to regulate circulation and relieve conditions like Hwabyeong (화병)—a syndrome associated with excessive internal heat or emotional suppression.

A Glimpse Into a Deeper Ocean

What makes these references so intriguing is that Grandmaster Hwang Kee only mentioned them briefly. The full explanations he promised were meant for a future book that, as far as we know, was never released.

Think about that for a moment.

These techniques represent only a tiny glimpse into the deeper internal side of Tang Soo Do—a dimension of training that many practitioners today have never even heard of.

It reminds us of something important.

Knowledge disappears when it is not recorded.

Entire chapters of martial arts history have already been lost simply because no one took the time to document or share them.

For decades, many practitioners have trained the external aspects of Tang Soo Do—techniques, forms, sparring, and basics—while the deeper internal practices quietly faded into obscurity.

But they don’t have to disappear forever.

That is precisely why I created the Tang Soo Do Resource.

The Tang Soo Do Resource is dedicated to preserving the deeper layers of our art—rare writings, translations, historical material, training methods, and teachings that would otherwise be scattered, forgotten, or lost to time.

Inside the Resource you will find:

• Rare Tang Soo Do historical material
• Translations of original texts
• Training insights from decades of research and experience
• Internal training concepts rarely discussed publicly
• Lessons designed to deepen your understanding of Tang Soo Do as a complete martial art

If you truly want to explore Tang Soo Do beyond the surface—beyond just kicks, punches, and forms—then you owe it to yourself to study the deeper roots of the art.

The past masters left us clues.

It is our responsibility to uncover them, preserve them, and pass them on to the next generation.

Continue your study and begin exploring the deeper layers of Tang Soo Do.

👉 Visit http://tangsoodoresource.com/ and unlock the rare knowledge, teachings, and history that every serious Tang Soo Do practitioner should experience.