Friday, February 24, 2012

Be humble, and listen


The following letter was published at the instruction of Grandmaster Kim Soo. It is a lesson in perseverence, and humility for us all. What is it to be humble?
Humility is defined as the quality or condition of being humble;  modest opinion or estimate of one's own importance, rank, etc. 
In the dojang humility is the counter balance to the ego. Without it, attitudes can shift into the realm of ego, and make us off balance in our own self image.  Humility keeps us grounded. Once we achieve black belt, it is even more important than ever to remain humble.  Mr. Fabion's letter is a good lesson to us all.  Grandmaster's simple comments and corrections come from 60 years of experience, we should all be humble and listen.
Kwan Jang Nim
      During the last week, after correction in your office for Balance of Movement, as it has settled in for a week, concentrating on the pull,   I could feel a great difference.   if the power is balanced in both hands the focus becomes the reverse elbow at the same time as the CLP, the balance is centered in the palms above the balance point of the abdomen and executed properly, the entire body can be felt to be engaged and focused as it is balanced upright.  this reminded me of your dream of your teacher Mr Hong communicating to you to keep the body more upright. 
        Over focusing on the center lunge punch as I have I have discovered that all the basic principles of Cha Yon Ru apply to a single punch as they do to an entire form.   Though the scale is much smaller and 
the distances shorter . any principle not performed destroys the efficacy in a center lunch punch. To feel both hands balanced upright over a tensed and balanced abdomen at focus of movement is to feel the entire use of body weight and spirit  in one unit motion.  Breath and rhythm become a healing and strengthening
force that heals and one can experience a strength  never felt before.  Developing Chi becomes a moving meditation of the basic principles through the study of Cha Yon Ryu forms. We are so lucky and it is a treasure we haven't lost the lessons of tradition.   i have learned from you and you are right that true calm and peace can be achieved  through proper training in Cha Yon Ryu.   I never understand why others think they have to go somewhere else to add to their martial arts training.  i guess it is ego , they are expecting
something new or a greater knowledge, something to attach to their resume of training.  It is sad to think they will actually learn less by not focusing on the principles and they miss the point.  Cha Yon Ryu is unlimited in knowledge and a complete system.  Like you said you point the direction to the sunset, how many that stop long enough to ever enjoy it are few.   Stopping to listen and apply the principles is a virtue
so many Cha yon Ryu students shouldn't overlook !!!   isn't the sunset beautiful ???    
                                                           Focusing on balance of movement.
                                                                       A beginner  

Sunday, February 5, 2012

The 7th Annual Women's Self-Defense Seminar is coming up!


It's back by popular demand!


Asia Houston Network and Kim Soo Karate present the annual women's self defense seminar taught by Grandmaster Kim Soo and the Masters and Black Belts of the Chayon-Ryu Martial Arts System. Open to all women of all ages, this offering provides important easy to learn techniques in a hands on seminar. 
 Cost is $10 per person.

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Grandmaster Kim Soo
The youngest 10th-degree black belt in the world, Grandmaster Kim Soo oversees the Chayon-Ryu International Martial Arts Association, which includes 26 additional locations in Texas, 24 in 20 other states, and one each in Germany, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Saudi Arabia and Russia. Chayon-Ryu is the largest martial arts system of any style in the Southwestern U.S.

What is Chayon-Ryu?
Chayon-Ryu (Korean for "Natural Way") teaches natural body motion as the basis of all techniques in order to promote power, safety, health and fitness. From this system, one becomes self-confident and gains self-esteem. With these components, one is able to fight the everyday enemies, which are internal such as stress, worry, insecurity, jealousy, impatience, defeat and depression.
Master Kim Geary poses with some happy participants of the
2009 Women's Self-Defense Seminar.
Masters and Black Belts
Sean Kim, Leslie Bonnie, Kim Geary, Warren Fabian, Shirley Gonzalez, Robert Henriksen Reggie Hughes, Ben Lew, Robert McLain, Sydney Moen, Mark Newkirk, Raymond Nelson, Melissa L. Nichols,  Angel Ochoa, Kimberly Ochoa, Stephanie Ochoa, Santiago Rangel, David Reid
John Rogers, Darlene Saunders, Jason Saunders, John Stephens, Joe Sullins
Kit Van Cleave, Ph.D. Ken Young



Asia Houston Network is a 501c3 nonprofit organization established in 2002 to build cultural bridges between Asian-Americans and other Houstonians.  Visit http://www.asiahouston.org./