Grandmaster Kim Soo Audio CD- A WAY OF LIFE

Now available in the Chayon-Ryu World Headquarters book store, this 1998 radio interview with Grandmaster Kim Soo covers his life, and the founding of Chayon-Ryu.

A great learning suppliment for all students of all ranks, and all instructors who wish to enrich the Chayon-Ryu training experience with the historical journey of our system.

This Digital Compact Disc includes Grandmaster Kim Soo's biographical account of his journey to become the founder of our system in his own words.

A must have item for the serious Chayon-Ryu practioner!
The Tracks Include:

• Early life
• Martial arts training begins
• Youngest Korean Black Belt
• Early career as martial arts instructor
• Coming to America
• Establishing of Schools
• The founding of a system
• The rich historical lineage of Chayon-Ryu
• Gathering martial arts knowledge
• Unifying styles and sythesisizing the system
• Chayon-Ryu Principles
• A way of life (featuring the masters of chayon-ryu giving their own stories)
• Beyond the Style- the benefits of Chayon-Ryu

Available on CD now!

TUKSU SURYON REMINDER

Tuksu Suryon is a quarterly advanced training class given by Grandmaster Kim Soo to the instructor level colored belts and black belts of the Chayon-Ryu Martial Arts system. It is a continuing education program unique to Chayon-Ryu, and is required for ranks from blue belt on for advancement and continued education in the teaching method of Chayon-Ryu.  Instructors in the Chayon-Ryu system are trained regularly in teaching and student/teacher relations by system founder Grandmaster Kim Soo. Grandmaster Kim Soo has over 50 years of teaching experience and has personally taught over 70,000 students world wide.

Tuksu Suryon is coming up!

To all Chayon-Ryu instructor level belts: there will be a Tuksu Suryon class on Saturday May 19th at the Chayon-Ryu world headquarters dojang in Spring Branch, TX.  Classes are for blue belt - black belt.

Please wear your white gloves in honor of Grandmaster Yoon, Byung-In.  For more information, visit the website.

The White Glove Tradition of Chayon-Ryu

by Melissa L. Nichols, Kyosanim, 1st Dan

If you've ever seen Chayon-Ryu black belts wearing white gloves at rank tests, in photos, or videos and are curious as to why they wear them, this is the story of the white glove tradition of Chayon-Ryu.  It all goes back to our senior Grandmaster, a man named Yoon, Byung-In. 

Grandmaster Yoon Byung-In was the first Korean national to bring the martial art of chu'an fa (commonly called kung fu in the U.S.) back to Korea after studying in Manchuria and Shanghai, China. During World War II, he went to Nihon University, Tokyo, where he studied karate with Toyama, Kanken.  Grandmaster Yoon began teaching these two combined arts in Korea, and this became the foundation and heart of the Chayon-Ryu system. 

Grandmaster Kim Soo wears white gloves to honor
the late Grandmaster Yoon, Byung-In.

When he was young, Grandmaster Yoon was injured when we slipped and fell into a fire, losing two fingers from his hand. He wore white gloves to mask the injury so as not to draw attention to himself, and thus avoid riddicule, or limitations.

During his time as a teacher of the martial arts, students would learn by immitating the movements of the teacher, and out of respect for their teacher, direct students of Grandmaster Yoon began the tradition of wearing white gloves while training. 

This tradition has been passed down to the Chayon-Ryu system by our founder, Grandmaster Kim Soo.  We wear white gloves to so respect for our late senior Grandmaster Yoon.




To learn more about Grandmaster Yoon, you can read about him in an article entitled "Yoon, Byung In, Another Story" by Karen Hoffman as told by Grandmaster Kim Soo.

266th Chayon-Ryu Rank Contest

On Saturday, April 14th, the 266th Rank exam was held at the Chayon-Ryu world headquarters dojang. The exam was judged by Grandmaster Kim Soo and his staff of black belt instructors.

Grandmaster and the black belt judges pose in a group with the students from the
morning session (white and orange belt levels).

 breaking a board with a flying side kick

Grandmaster and the Black Belt judges pose with the advanced level students.

Congratulations to all the students who tested, and congratulations to the newest 1st Degree Black Belts:

Dave Bayles, Harvey Brauner and Bill Dickerson.

Chayon-Ryu Martial Arts

World Class Martial Arts in Houston, Texas (and beyond)

Students in the Houston area can sign up to take private lessons with system founder and 10th degree black belt Grandmaster Kim Soo.  Study directly under Grandmaster Kim Soo and prepare for your next rank exam, or if you are returning alumni catch up in private lessons with Dosanim. Don't miss this oppurtunity to spend one on one time with Grandmaster Kim Soo!  To book your lesson, or find out more information, contact the school at: information@kimsookarate.com

A Letter to the Chayon-Ryu family

Master Kim Geary deomnstrates with Sabomnin Michael Moore

Grandmaster Kim Soo receives many letters from students and former students expressing gratitude for his guidance and teaching.  He is a remarkable man with great compassion for his students, and a lifetime dedication to the art of Chayon-Ryu.

 

Hello Sir, [Grandmaster Kim Soo]

 

I hope all is well with you and your family. I just wanted to say hi. You know it seemed that I was always overcoming some physical set backs. I could be sad or I could be happy.

 

Well Sir I choose to be happy.  I could look at my life and I could say my cup is half empty, but I choose to see it as half full. So many times I should have died, but I lived. You and Chayon-Ryu is why I live today.

 

You have always been my inspiration and my strength. Even though I should have been a higher rank by now....I know that as you taught, everyone goes at their own passe. As so many others, you are like a father figure to me and have always been my inspiration and sometimes when I was so down physically, your simple words that I would always remember, caused me to survive.

 

Grand Master this world is so much better for having you in it. Thank you Do Sa Nim. You are always in my prayers. Please tell my brothers and sisters in Chayon-Ryu hi for me. Such a pure system "Chayon-Ryu".

 I could never thank you enough. It has always been a real honor to have you as my Grand Master and instructor. May all your prayers be answered.

 

Your old down town student,

David M Foss

2012 Women's Self Defense Seminar

On Saturday, February 25th, the Asia-Houston Network and Kim Soo Karate held the 7th annual Women's Self Defense Seminar.

2nd Dan Black Belt, Sydney Moen assists
a young participant with her front kick.

Participants learned the basic principles of martial arts movement based in the Kim Soo method of "the Natural Way." Grandmaster Kim Soo taught the seminar and demonstrated many techniques of self defense that were easy to learn, but very important to know.

The women attending learned in a hands on workshop atmosphere with the help and instruction of Grandmaster Kim Soo and his black belt instructors.  Women of all ages participated in the event which is held annually at the Chayon-Ryu World Headquarters dojang in Spring Branch.

Grandmaster Kim Soo leads the class in learning the natural way
approach to understanding martial arts movements.

women of all ages participated in the 2012 Women's Defense Seminar.

Grandmaster Kim Soo awarded each participant a gift certificate for one month of free classes in Chayon-Ryu Martial Arts.  With over 50 years of teaching and training experience in world class martial arts, Grandmaster provides a safe and supportive environment for students of all ages to learn martial arts for self defense, for fitness, health and longevity.



"Grandmaster Kim Soo has, since his arrival in the U. S., welcomed students of all backgrounds, ages, races, colors, religions, and both sexes -- an unusual posture indeed for a martial arts instructor in the 1960s."

The participants and instructors for the 7th annual Women's Defense Seminar pose for a group photo.

For more information about Grandmaster Kim Soo, the Womens' Defense Seminar, or Chayon-Ryu Martial Arts, visit us on
the world wide web at : www.chayonryu.com

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  

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.

Register friends, coworkers, family and neighbors online here.

-----

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./

Grandmaster Kim Soo Awards Students

Recently I was honored with an award from system founder, Grandmaster Kim Soo for my personal contributions in helping to promote and preserve Chayon-Ryu. This is a very prestigious recognition from Grandmaster, who recognizes that dedication and individual contributions outside of attending classes, help to proliferate the natural way.

I was very touched by this gesture, and very honored to receive this award.  I am very proud to be a black belt in Chayon-Ryu. It is a martial arts discipline based in art, science and philosophy as opposed to sport or competition and as a result, those who practice, enjoy better living, health, success and longevity.

GRANDMASTER KIM SOO DAY- January 16, 2012



Each year, the mayor of the City of Houston, TX
issues an official proclaimation announcing
 "Grandmaster Kim Soo Day" throughout the
city, celebrating the anniversary of the arrival
of Chayon-ryu's founder in Texas in 1968.



Inside Chayon-Ryu extends our best wishes and congratulations to Grandmaster Kim Soo who celebrates the 44th anniversary of his arrival in Houston, Texas with the burning desire to found Chayon-Ryu and change the lives of thousands of students over the years.



Balance and Harmony

As a student of  "The Natural Way", I have been of late giving a great deal of thought to the concepts of balance and harmony and how they apply in the dojang, as well as in everyday life.  Balance and harmony are both vital elements to incorperate into one's training, and everyday living.

Balance is defined as a state of equilibrium or equipoise; equal distribution of weight, amount, etc. In chayon-Ryu practice, this refers to balance of motion in body shifting, movement, executing strikes, kicks, and all fundamental movements of martial arts.  This is the physical balance. 

Accompanying the physical balance is mental balance: mental steadiness or emotional stability; habit of calm behavior, judgment, etc.

Harmony is defined as order or congruity of parts to their whole or to one another; accord. Agreement in action, opinon and feeling.  In Chayon-Ryu Practice, this refers to the marriage of body, mind and spirit when all three intersect.

In order to practice good Hoshin Sul (Art of Self-Defense), we must attain a place of balance and harmony. The Um-Yang on our school patch is a portrait of balance and harmony as two opposing forces of nature exist in delicate balance, thus existing in harmony.  Throwing arts utilize the marriage of balance and harmony in both defensive and offensive moves.  Basic movements and fundamental exercises utilize balance and harmony through principle joined with movement, combining the two for practical application of strikes and blocks. Every element that makes up the sum of martial arts training is related through balance and harmony.

But how do we apply this to our everyday lives?  In theory it is a simple matter of finding a balance in all things, and conjoining them together in a harmonious relationship. In reality it is much more complex. But however we approach it, the key to success is to apply the principles of Chayon-Ryu which are based in the natural order of the universe.

Balance work with play, rest with activity, calm with stimulous. Moderation is the key to finding balance, and letting go of the need to acquire more than can be managed, compete for meaningless trophies, and basically not participate in the rat race. Rise above it. Prioritize what is truly important, and let go of things that simply do not matter. Do not obsess over the things you have no control over or say in. Remain healthy in the mind and heart as well as the body. Chayon-Ryu promotes better living and a path to personal growth and enlightenment through the practice of its principles, fundamentals, and philosophy.

Grandmaster Kim Soo - United States Taekwondo Grandmaster Society 2010 Hall of Fame honoree

Grandmaster Kim Soo Honoree 2010 TAEKWONDO GRANDMASTER SOCIETY HALL OF FAME:



Grandmaster Kim Soo was honored by the 2010 TAEKWONDO GRANDMASTER SOCIETY HALL OF FAME.
This is a video tribute to Grandmaster Kim Soo which was presented
at the Hall of Fame. Inside Chayon-Ryu wishes to congratulate Grandmaster Kim Soo
on this lifetime achievement, and thank him for his life long dedication to martial arts,
and teaching.

My Life and Chayon-Ryu

My Life and Chayon-Ryu
By Michael Moore – Saboem-Nim
Bakersfield Chayon-Ryu

My life in martial arts began like many of the children we seen in class.  I wasn’t really a child as I was about 13 or so when I started.  But I had wanted to do something to help me cope with the bullying that I had always dealt with over the years.  I had always been one of the smallest kids in school.  I was often picked on at school and my next-door neighbor relished any opportunity to demonstrate his superior wrestling ability on me and the rest of the neighborhood kids.

I had always been a good student in school.  I tried to make friends with the “right” people.  Many times, however, those friends were not around to watch over me.  I was never physically hurt badly, but my ego and self-esteem definitely struggled.  I was afraid to go into the bathrooms at school.  I was sometimes afraid to walk around the neighborhood.

One summer, I had finally had enough.  I talked my father into letting me attend a small karate school in Brenham, TX where he lived.  It was a Chayon-Ryu school taught by Esau McKnight.  I spent the summer there and, although I do not remember, I think I managed to make it to 9^th gup.  

By a tremendous stroke of luck, it turned out that the headquarters school for Chayon-Ryu was only about a mile away from my home.  I was able to pick up right where I left off, but this time with the architect of the system!  That was the summer of 1983.  I reached green belt just before the summer of 1984.  I would have been a junior in high school at the time.  I remember, clearly, the day that my next door neighbor (a senior at the same high school) no longer bothered to bully me.  I had instigated an event.  I whacked him with a rolled up swimming towel.  He chased me into my class, but that was all it took.  I think just the mere act of challenging him directly was all it took for me to be free of his bullying for the rest of my life.

It was a slow progression that took place over a long period of time.  Within the next couple of years, I realized that I was not afraid to walk places.  I never recognized anyone as a bullying threat to me again.

I stepped away from Chayon-Ryu for a few years after that when I traveled to Austin for college.  After three years I, again, returned to Houston to complete my college education.  During that time, I was also able to return to Chayon-Ryu.  I helped with Grand Master Kim’s University of Houston classes while I also returned to HQ to resume studying as well.

I am the product of a broken family.  Actually, broken sounds like a little too strong a word.  I guess I would call it a fractured family.  My parents divorced when I was pretty young.  My father has always been in my life while I lived with my mom.  I saw him every week and spent summers with him as well.  But, on a day-to-day basis he was not always there.  Grand Master was.  I can remember him taking me under his wing and asking me to join him when the “school” would go to dinner at the Korean restaurant after a rank exam.  I could not afford to pay and I did not have a ride, as I was too young to drive.  It never mattered.  Grand Master made me feel like one of his own kids.  Later, in college when I would help teach U of H classes, he would offer me some of his lunch.  A simple gesture that makes my heart smile when I think about it now.

It was at this time in my life when I started having some difficulties with a relationship.  I was very sad at times and occasionally when I would be particularly upset, I would think to myself, “I should just go and get drunk.”  But then, I would think about Grand Master’s teachings and I would realize that these difficulties would pass.  That to face them head on was the right thing to do.  I do not mean to say it was easier, just that it was right.  Seek perfection of character.  Endeavor.  These are the rules we are supposed to live by in the dojang, but they are just as important to live by outside as well; maybe more.

I left Houston again – this time to Japan for year.  When I returned I headed off to California with my new wife and soon started a family.  Practicing and studying went on hold for a few more years than I would like.  Eventually my children were old enough to begin down their own path of Chayon-Ryu.  I started teaching them in my back yard and resumed my own study.  I refused to give up on the dream of reaching black belt in Chayon-Ryu. 

Eventually I reached black belt and realized my studies had just begun.  I wanted to honor Chayon-Ryu.  I wanted to help others master their own bodies and personal difficulties.  I started teaching other students.  Teaching others has improved my understanding of what I have learned over the years.  I have only had students for a couple of years now.  I approach those students with the same gentle manner that worked so well for me as a student.  And teaching students has helped me better understand the techniques Grand Master Kim and the other senior students have taught me.  I am also learning the painful lesson of losing students.  I know that each person chooses their own path and there are many paths to choose from.  But I find it sad to see students with great potential or a strong work ethic leave my instruction.  It is difficult to not take it personally.  I just try to do the best that I can.  It does make me think, however, how GM Kim must have felt when so many students over the years have come and gone.

Chayon-Ryu is rich.  I feel so fortunate in this life.  Much of that I owe to Grand Master Kim and Chayon-Ryu.  I know that it was me that made the choices as I have gone through life, but many of those choices were guided by many important people. 

Now I feel like an uncle in Chayon-Ryu.  When I travel home to see the family, they are all still there.  Some of my old Chayon-Ryu family has also found their way back to the school.  I have had many wonderful conversations with several masters over the years.  It truly is a family and I refer to that when I talk to new, potential students.  The old dojang holds a lot of memories for me.  I love the smell of that place.  It reminds me of many wonderful times and where I came from and how I got to where I am now.

I am Chayon-Ryu.

______________________________

published with permission from the author and Grandmaster Kim Soo.

Schedule a private lesson with GRANDMASTER KIM SOO

You can train with system founder and martial arts Grandmaster Kim Soo in private lessons at the Chayon-Ryu World Headquarters Dojang in Houston, TX.

Lessons are available on these dates:
12/26/11 to 1/15/12
Cost is $80 for a full one hour session.
Available to all Chayon-Ryu Students. 




For more information, or to schedule your private session contact GRANDMASTER KIM SOO

AN INSPIRATIONAL LETTER

Chayon-Ryu a healing art:


The letter below, published with permission by its author is one example of the healing properties of the Chayon-Ryu method. Chayon-Ryu brings balance and harmony to the lives of its students, and helps them to navigate life with the proper tools of character, integrity and self confidence.

 I have written articles on my own personal experiences on self healting through Chayon-Ryu training, and now I'd like to share those of another student.

Neal R. Conrey and his grandson study at the Corpus Christi Chayon-Ryu School under the guidance of Sabomnim Black Belt Instructor Gerald Tashnek. Recently Neal sent this letter to Grandmaster Kim Soo, and Grandmaster contacted me and asked me to publish it here as an inspirational letter to all students and prospective students of Chayon-Ryu.



Respected Father,

Please allow the heartfelt sentiments of this old man to attempt to convey how grateful I am to you, your organization and our Sabomnim Gerald Tashnek. My grandson, Austin, has come through very troubled times in his young life. After enduring drug abuse and criminal conduct from his parents he has come to live with his Grandmother and myself. His pain and trauma is evident in how he sees himself and the world that has shown him less than love and security. It breaks my heart to see him recoil as he tries to function in a life that has stripped him of his dignity and sense of value.

Though we have attended only a few instructions, this little seven-year old boy is changing right before me! His downcast eyes now rise to meet mine and hold their gaze with growing confidence. He recites his Sabomnim's words with clarity and understanding. His stature and general presence is increasing daily. It's as if I am witnessing the butterfly free itself from its old form and rise, with your help, to spread his wings and take flight.

With tears of gratitude, I am faithfully yours,

Neal R. Conrey
Corpu Christi, TX.

Hoshinsul: the art of self-defense

Self-Defense of the mind..

"Hoshinsul (the art of self-defense) is first taking good care of yourself." - Grandmaster Kim Soo

Hoshinsul: the art of self-defense is first taking care of your own personal health. This is physical health and wellness,

mental and emotional well-being, and the health of your spirit.  All of these things go into makeup the being we

identify as the "self."

 
Externally self-defense is utilized to protect us physically from all kinds of hazards and pitfalls. Not just physical attack from assault, or violent intentions, but other things we encounter in everyday life such as accidents, slipping or falling,

avoiding being cut by a knife or scissors, pricking ourselves with sharp objects such as needles. We employ the principles of self-defense to guard against all things such as these.

 
Interally, the application of self-defense is just as important. And we are under assault internally in our lives far more than

we will ever be externally (unless your occupation is that of high risk). What enemies assault us internally?

• Stress
• Anxiety
• insecurity
• self doubt
• low confidence
• low self esteem or self worth

On that note, these things are vital to personal mental/physical/spiritual wellness:

Stress management- deep breathing (Bokshik Hoheub), meditation (sitting, standing and forms practice)

Positive mental attitude- employ the qualities of the bamboo (honesty, humility, loyalty, sincerity, purity)

Proper diet and exercise- Kimasae Chiruki 100 times daily, regular practice, and work out.  At least 15 minutes a day can make a difference!

Sleeping enough- rest the body and the mind. Sleep deprivation adds to anxiety, and causes physical illnesses.
 

Drink at least 64 oz. of water everyday- dehydration can lead to many illnesses.

Avoid situations that put you at any kind of risk, whether mental, physical, or emotional.- Any encounter with an attack,

whether physical, mental or emotional, can take its toll. Avoid these situations when possible. The first rule of self defense.

Recently I've had a lot of stress in my personal and professional life, caused by negative encounters bullies on the internet who follow me around and harass me, and my business.  why do people do these kind of things? Many reasons, most of which have to do with feelings of jealousy, envy, greed, huberous. Our society has become unkind, and the internet is like the wild west, where people brawl in the streets and bullies run amok. This has created a lot of stress for me and my family, but I have been able to cope utilizing the Chayon-Ryu method of Hoshinsul.
 
Chayon-Ryu helps me to keep sight of my own behavior as well. Do I exercise humility? Am I a good person? It encourages self examination, and introspection. And it teaches us not to let encounters with negative individuals to cause
us to become negative.
 
Chayon-Ryu is for every day of your life, not just in the dojang. Sometimes we cannot go to class, but the lessons we learn

can help us every day, no matter what we face in life. This is why Chayon-Ryu is different from other martial art philosophies and methods. It is training for a lifetime.

TRUE LESSONS

The following letter is published with permission from its recipient, Grandmaster Kim Soo. It was written to him by a black belt in the system, recently promoted to 1st Dan. It speaks of the underlying true lessons contained within the Chayon-Ryu method of training, and the deeper philosophical meanings inside Chayon-Ryu.

Grand Master,
Hope all well with you and yours.

A few days ago, I was thinking about you. I was thinking about how I had come to know you.
Fifteen or sixteen years ago I set out on a mission to learn martial arts.
I wanted to learn self defense and improve my chronic back trouble. At least that's what I thought I wanted.


True, I learned martial arts and self defense, and I am grateful and proud of these accomplishments.
But, the real treasure came in the most unexpected way.

From you I learned patience and humility. I learned to be graceful and contemplative; I learned the true meaning of respect and so much more.
It is undeniable that you are a great martial artist. But your true greatness is that you are a great teacher of life. Martial arts are incidental, merely the vehicle, the medium for the divine teaching the deeper lessons through you. 

The remarkable aspect of this is that you never specifically told me that these were the true lessons for me to learn. You simply continued to teach me forms and
regardless of how much I practiced a particular form, regardless of how accomplished I became at executing a particular movement, I remained humbled by the pursuit of that perfection -- a priceless and timeless lesson. In time I came to understand that learning the lessons I "needed" to learn was far more important than learning the lessons I "wanted" to learn. Of course one was the inexorable pathway to the other.

Thinking of it now reminds me of the story you told me of the hungry man who posed as a famous calligrapher to gain entry to the rich man's house.
The hungry man thought that he went to the rich man's house because he was hungry, but his journey taught him patience and perseverance. Without intending to,  the hungry man indeed became the great calligrapher.

Your teaching was (and remains) an Aristotelian exercise in the infinite  approximation of what Aristotle described as the perfection of the forms, the perfect
circle, the perfect triangle and so on. And all of it taught by a man from the East. What extraordinary intellectual and spiritual elegance to experience the perfect circle of East meeting and becoming West becoming East -- Eastern Zen and Western Existentialism melding, transcending the the limitations of definition and simply becoming itself.

It's interesting how the road of life leads us, and it is important to remain receptive to learning and spiritual enlightenment

In the end  Gracias, Grazie, Merci... its all Thank You
Your humble student, and forever your friend,
Michael Testa, Kyosanim, 1st Dan, Chayon-Ryu