Monday, September 26, 2011

MASTER SEAN KIM

If you live in the greater Houston area, you can train at the Chayon-Ryu World Headquarters Dojang with 8th degree Black Belt Master Sean Kim

Master Sean Kim is the son of Chayon-Ryu founder Grandmaster Kim Soo, and is an accomplished martial arts master and instructor with over 20+ years of teaching experience. 
Master Kim has dedicated a lifetime to the study and practice of the "Natural Way" method. 

Study in a supportive, clean, traditional Asian system under the guidance and expertise of Master Kim. Master Kim is a patient and and energetic instructor with a positive motivating personality.
Master Kim is great with kids.  Master Kim teaches Chayon-Ryu at the University of Houston HPE department.




Follow Chayon-Ryu/Kim Soo Karate on Facebook.
Visit the Chayon-Ryu website for class times and registration information.


Chayon-Ryu, "The Natural Way" is a model martial arts system in GREATER HOUSTON for 43 years, emphasizes a CLASSICAL, OLD-WORLD style of training by utilizing natural body movements for a safe, easy, efficient and effective way of practice.

Rank Test At World HQ October 1, 2011

Inside Chayon-Ryu wishes good luck to all the students testing for rank this weekend! 
White and Orange Belts begin at 10:00 am
Demonstrations by students and black belt level instructors at
11:30 am.
Advanced level students (Yellow - Black Belts) at
1:00 pm
Be on time, be silent, be serious, show good spiritGOOD LUCK!

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

What does it mean to be a Black Belt in Chayon-Ryu?


My dobok and belt.
What does it mean to be a black belt?

This is a question that every martial arts student ponders from the first time they tie on their new white belt.
For me, it was something I thought about constantly. I studied the black belts who were my instructors, and the ones I would see at rank exams and combined training events. You see a lot as a student, when you are wide-eyed and eager in your first year of training. You tend to put everyone on a pedistool, and see them as larger than life. But, in reality, black belts of Chayon-Ryu are for the most part, reasonably humble people.

A position of responsibility vs. a position of power:

Chayon-Ryu Outdoor Training in the park held twice a year.
The role of a black belt in Chayon-Ryu is very service oriented. We are taught from early on that with greater rank comes greater responsibility. We are expected to teach, and help students learn; to set a good example by cleaning the dojang and observing all of the dojang rules of conduct. We are expected to show a positive attitude toward our Chayon-Ryu family, and actively participate in all aspects of the school, whether teaching, or volunteering for the many combined training events or activities throughout the year.

We are expected to volunteer our talents and time to further Chayon-Ryu. One example is, I keep this blog as a way to reach people and help educate them on Chayon-Ryu; and to help introduce Chayon-Ryu to the world.  I also produce instructional material for Grandmaster in the way of DVD's, and other collateral. It gives me great joy, personally, to help promote the system which has enriched my life so much. Once we achieve our black belts, which is an accomplishment in and of itself, we begin to pay it forward. There is much joy in giving, which to me is one of the greatest lessons Grandmaster has to teach.
When we as black belts teach classes, or give one on one instruction to another student; not only are we helping someone learn life changing skills, we are improving our own skills and cultivating deep mental insight. Grandmaster tells us, "You teach to share your knowledge, and this increases your own understanding." 

Black Belts who volunteer to judge rank contests pose with
students who tested for rank.


Even in the humble act of cleaning the floor there is wisdom to be gained, and a feeling of accomplishment. I think of a Native American saying, "leave the earth better than you find it."  This ideal is present within me when I help clean, sweep and organize the dojang before and after class. The space is there for us to use to increase our skills, knowledge and enrich our lives. Keeping it clean and orderly is a show of respect for the space, and the people who have come before us, as well as an example to those who follow us.
We have to be mindful of who is behind us, because they will be watching and studying us, just as I studied the black belts who stood in front of me.


Recently I received my rank certificate, even though I had my belt for some time. The certificate is the official recognition of rank in martial arts. Seeing it framed on my wall prompted me to think about my role as a black belt.

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Grandmaster Kim Soo- founder of "The Natural Way"

Who is Grandmaster Kim Soo?
This short video is an introduction to Grandmaster Kim Soo, founder of the
Chayon-Ryu "Natural Way" martial arts system.


Kim Soo Instructional DVD series

Now Available: for the student, instructor or branch school dojang archive,
this instructional DVD series features system founder Grandmaster Kim Soo,
demonstrating many of the forms, self-defenses, and practical techniques of
the Chayon-Ryu "Natural Way" system.
To order go to the Chayon-Ryu World HQ dojang store.

Friday, September 16, 2011

In commemoration of 43 years of Chayon-Ryu

this poster was designed by Kihop Productions in commemoration of the 43rd anniversary of the
Chayon-Ryu "Natural Way" Martial Arts system founded in September of 1968 in Houston, TX, USA.

Friday, September 9, 2011

LIFESTYLE MARTIAL ARTS- What does that mean?

We hear the term lifestyle martial arts in class, and we read about it in the articles and philosophy of Chayon-Ryu every day.

But what does it mean? For me it is applying the principles we learn in our MA training in every day life. Lifestyle martial arts is for longevity, success, fitness, health and personal growth. It's a path to enlightenment, and becoming a truly self aware being. We can apply principles to any situation and utilize the techniques in ways we never think of when we are learning down blocking, or break falling, or breathing.

I think of a recent discussion that took place on my facebook page. I took a photo of Master Kim Geary's break at her 8th dan rank exam on Dec. 11, 2010. I watched from the sidelines and listened to what was going on. I heard the instruction Grandmaster had given her, and I framed up my shot.


First principle: chew before you swallow. Grandmaster says this to us, and it means to consider all possibilities before we settle on one.

I had the pleasure of training with Master Geary back in 2008 at her newly built dojang. The focused heavily on fundamentals, which is the foundation of our training. I remember the isolated motion lessons for preparation of blocking. Step forward, make the preparation, then execute. But it's more than that, even though those are the very simple basic steps.
True complexity comes from simplicity. We go from the general to the specific in all creative venues. Martial arts is an art, and a creative and living art at that.

She told us to "aim and fire". This stuck in my head. So simple, but so specific at the same time. Three words. A Chayon-Ryu principle of timing and balance of motion.

I framed up my shot...I took aim. Because I am also a martial artist I could anticipate when she would take her strike, and I watched her body. I knew Grandmaster had instructed her to do three practice runs. And on the fourth I saw her body tense in preparation, then came the execution and I took my shot just as her foot penetrated the boards. It was a beautiful shot.
This basic principle I learned in class has helped me become a better photographer.

My Chayon-Ryu training has helped me in ways I never imagined it would. It transcends kicking and punching, and permeates the being. I have gained patience, endurance, a critical eye (which is vital in design work), a very strong work ethic, and am regarded now as one of the top people in my field in this city. I have applied my Chayon-Ryu discipline to my work, both conscientiously and unconscientiously. It is with me wherever I go, it is a part of me.

Chayon-Ryu is lifestyle martial arts.

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Lifestyle Martial Arts for Health, Success & Longevity

Introducing our system and philosophy of lifestyle martial arts from local to international points. Martial arts is not about fighting and violence, but instead, about finding harmony through non-competition and respectful balance.


Founded in 1968, KIM SOO KARATE, a model martial arts system in greater Houston, Texas,  for 43 years, emphasizes a CLASSICAL, OLD-WORLD style of training by utilizing natural body movements for a safe, easy, efficient and effective way of practice.
Ideal for adults, teens, and children, Chayon-Ryu is a perfect choice for a family fitness program.  Chayon-Ryu is also ideal for the adult individual seeking a peaceful balance philosophy along with a self-defense system.  Students begin at age five and range in age from five to eighty five. Chayon-Ryu is for everyone!

Lifestyle Martial Arts for Health, Success & Longevity
Chayon-Ryu is based on natural movements found within each of its parent styles:


Chinese Chu'an-Fa
Korean Taekwon
Karate-Do
Judo/Jujitsu
Hapkido/Aikido

Chayon-Ryu teaches natural body motion as the basis of all techniques, in order to promote power, safety, health, and fitness.
...
The same normal body motions found in such ordinary activities as twisting, throwing, and running are employed in Chayon-Ryu for the delivery of strikes, blocks, and kicks. Relaxed, natural motion flows more smoothly and efficiently, so power generated from natural motion is far greater than from contrived moves.

Monday, September 5, 2011

Happy Anniversary Chayon-Ryu- 43 years

Join us in celebrating 43 years of Chayon-Ryu. Chayon-Ryu was founded in Sept. 1968
by Grandmaster Kim Soo. Chayon-Ryu, "Natural Way" martial arts is a world class system
of schools, teachers and students practicing lifestyle martial arts for self-defense, fitness and
longevity!