The Daily Fight by Grandmaster Kim Soo

 The Daily Fight  
Realize it or not, from the time you get up in the morning until you retire at night you are fighting a battle with your enemies.  These battles are not fought on a battlefield with guns or with fists and feet, but with your mind and reflexes in your everyday environment.

The Enemies that we fight are invisible enemies, stress, (accidents and illness) and an actual, physical visible enemy.  Obviously, a serious threat from a visible enemy, a robber or someone that wants to harm us is not a daily occurrence where stress and the possibility of an accident are.
I have suggested to many people who are suffering stress in their lives to learn self- defense and martial arts.  They have too many excuses: “That won’t work.” “I’m a peaceful person.” “I’m a religious person.”

It is long known and documented that regular exercise is good for your overall health.  It lowers your blood pressure, it reduces stress and increases your immune system.  Martial arts training does this as well as teaches you how to more effectively deal with the situations that cause you stress.  Your reflexes will improve dramatically over time.  Where before you may have fallen and hurt yourself seriously, you will either fall correctly as taught reducing your chance of being hurt or not fall at all.  Where you may have had a car crash before, you may not due to your increased awareness and improved reflexes.

In the event you encounter a visible enemy, a physical threat, avoid if at all possible.  In the event that you actually engage, you have a huge advantage over someone that has no training and possibly the enemy as well.  After all, this is an event that you train for every time you come to the Dojang.

Martial art is a beneficial lifestyle.  Train regularly, be healthy, calm your mind and be at peace.

Best Regards,    

                                                                                                                               





Founder Chayon-Ryu International Martial Arts Association
November 21, 2013 

THE PHILOSOPHY OF CHAYON-RYU

"Chayon-Ryu teaches natural body motion as the basis of all techniques, in order to promote power, safety, health, and fitness."
 
The Philosophy of Chayon-Ryu 
 

The design of the Chayon-Ryu (Korean for "The Natural Way") martial arts system did not occur overnight, but was instead developed by Grandmaster Kim Soo from constant study, selection, rejection, trial, and error corrected.

Chayon-Ryu is based on those natural movements found within each of its parent styles -- Chinese chu'an fa; Japanese karate; Korean taekwondo; Okinawa-te; judo/jujitsu; hapkido/aikido. 

Moreover, Chayon-Ryu teaching method is undergoing continuous study and refinement, to ensure as effective a style, and as safe a learning experience as possible for all students.
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 the power generated from natural movements is far greater than from contrived moves.

Likewise, the student who relaxes and lets his or her body move naturally through a technique is far less likely to incur an injury (whether sudden, or progressive) than had he or she performed an artificial movement.
Everything in the universe follows the laws of nature, the "natural way." If one follows this logical and reasonable path in one's conduct, a correct result will be reached without unecessary risks.

If, instead, one commits a wrong act, in conflict with this natural course, the resulting discord may eventually prove harmful. These tenets are as true in any endeavor of life as they are in the practice of martial arts.
With regular and constant practice in Chayon-Ryu one will without-a-doubt improve and strengthen their sense of self-confidence, self-esteem, and will-power - which will not only help one during everyday life, but also create a solid foundation to become a more independant individual.

WHAT IS CHAYON-RYU MARTIAL ARTS?

 What Is Chayon-Ryu Martial Arts?








by Grandmaster Kim Soo, 10th. Dan & Founder, Chayon-Ryu Martial Arts

Probably the most common question I am asked is, "What is Chayon-Ryu?" Many people have heard of taekwondo, karate, kung-fu, jujitsu, hapkido, or bong-sul (staff and weapons). They see our web site, or phonebook advertisement and want to know how these martial arts fit within Chayon-Ryu. Common questions include, "Can they get black belts in all or just one of these arts?" and "How are they combined into one style?" I would hope all Chayon-Ryu students could answer these questions. This paper is to help prospective and current students understand, "What is Chayon-Ryu?"

Chayon-Ryu, "The Natural Way," is a scientific method of teaching martial arts. Following the laws of nature, it emphasizes mental and physical balance rather than simply "kick and punch." Chayon-Ryu is beyond any one style of martial arts. Rather than teaching "a thousand techniques," Chayon-Ryu teaches basic principles that can be used to synthesize the proper defense and response to a variety of situations. Attaining Black Belt in Chayon-Ryu means overall proficiency in these arts, not a Black Belt in each art.

Let me first address the question of the combination of martial arts. Chayon-Ryu includes all the aforementioned arts. The styles of karate, kung-fu (chuan-fa), taekwondo, and bong-sul include forms. These forms are a series of specified movements, much as a dance recital would contain. The colored belt Okinawan karate forms (Pyung-Ahn series), are standard among many karate schools. The chuan-fa forms are those practiced by Grandmaster Yoon, Byung-In, who in the early 1920s was the first Korean national to learn Chinese chuan-fa and bring it back to Korea. Many of these chuan-fa forms, and advanced karate forms, have been lost in time. Due to our heritage, and my continual training, Chayon-Ryu is one of the few systems to preserve the traditional forms as designed and practiced by the original Grandmasters. During the 1960s the Korean government sought to unify the Kwans (martial art schools), leading to the development of taekwondo and new forms (Palgue series), which are also incorporated into Chayon-Ryu.

Modern taekwondo places heavy reliance on tournament fighting, to the extent it is now an Olympic sport. Some people see tournaments as the pinnacle of martial arts ability. However, while sparring has always been part of training, it is not the most important part. Tournaments teach the wrong values: win at all costs and egoism. Martial art training is not about trophies and medals for the physically gifted or aggressive. Sparring should benefit both participants, not result in winners and losers. In Chayon-Ryu, sparring is intended to help individuals develop their martial art skills, without the threat or intimidation of being injured. There is no emphasis on tournaments and sport competitions. However, students are not restricted from participating in open tournaments if they wish.
Chayon-Ryu also incorporates two throwing arts, aikijutsu and judo. I have taken the most important principles of these arts and incorporated them into the self-defense portion of Chayon-Ryu. The best self-defense is a combination of different arts. A soldier has many weapons and chooses a weapon based on the situation. Martial artists also need to recognize the level of threat and respond appropriately. Sometimes an assailant only needs to be controlled, whereas other circumstances represent a "kill or be killed" situation. By incorporating different arts you can respond appropriately in any situation.
However, Chayon-Ryu is much more than just the physical practice of several martial art systems. Physical training without corresponding mental balance is akin to giving a child a loaded gun; he doesn't understand what it can do. Mental and physical balance is the most important aspect of Chayon-Ryu training.
As an educational system, Chayon-Ryu teaches morality, purpose, humility, common sense, persistence, and patience. Chayon-Ryu teaches morality through the Dojang Hun (training oath), which students recite before and after every class:

• Seek Perfection of Character
• Live the Way of Truth
• Endeavor
• Be Faithful
• Respect Others
• Refrain from Violent Behavior

As you can see, this offers guidelines within which to live and train. Becoming a morally better person leads to a safer, happier, more fulfilling life. Patience gives you willpower when life’s problems seem too difficult to continue. Humility leads you to selflessly help others, and teaches that the words and actions of others should not be taken personally.

Chayon-Ryu emphasizes the "Basic Principles" rather than thousands of techniques. The millions of variations in nature resulted from adaptation to specific situations. Likewise, variety in martial techniques, are nothing more than adaptations of the Basic Principles. The Basic Principles, which I have found through my years of study and research, can also be considered common sense or truths. Commonsense is logical reasoning that comes from life experiences rather than formal education. Studying Chayon-Ryu accelerates this learning process. Understanding the Basic Principles leads to an understanding of nature, the world, and the universe. This gives a reference point for yourself, your actions, and the events in your life. This is true freedom and leads you to make the correct decisions for your future.

The purpose of martial arts in the 21st century is health and longevity; therefore, training must reflect these goals. You are not training to die for a President or political leader, and very rarely will you encounter a physical attacker, especially if you avoid trouble. Modern day enemies are internal rather than external. Stress, worry, insecurity, jealousy, impatience, defeat, and depression are ever-present. You must fight these inside enemies on a daily or even hourly basis, and defeat them through your training. Ultimately, Chayon-Ryu training helps your life, the lives of your family, and the lives of those you encounter.

Chayon-Ryu incorporates six martial arts using a modern, scientific teaching method. Its purpose is to help you become confident, strong, and independent. By developing mental and physical balance, you can easily overcome the challenges of the 21st century.

 "...while sparring has always been part of training, it is not the most important part. Tournaments teach the wrong values: win at all costs and egoism. Martial art training is not about trophies and medals for the physically gifted or aggressive."

Articel by Grandmaster Kim Soo for 1967 Black Belt Times

By Grandmaster Kim Soo
______________________________
The article originally appearing in the 1967 edition of the BLACK BELT TIMES was written by Grandmaster Kim Soo, the first Korean correspondent to BLACK BELT MAGAZINE.

It reads as follows:

SOUTH VIETNAMESE AIM FOR 100,000 MEMBERS

by Kim Soo
Saigon-- The soldiers from the Republic of Korea have donated a Tae Kwon Do gymnasium to the Vietnam Tae Kwon Do Association.  General William Westmoreland, head of the allied forces fighting in Vietnam, attended the opening day ceremonies along with Cao Van Vien, Vietnamese Army Chief of Staff, and Major General Myong Sin of the ROK army.

Korean Karate has become a craze in South Vietnam since the ROK troops arrived in 1966.  It is estimated that the number of those taking Tae Kwon Do Karate in that strife-ridden land has jumped from virtually nothing to more than 10,000 students in more than a year.

But this may be only the beginning. The Korean Tae Kwon Do Associaton of Vietnam has set itself the highly ambitious goal of having 100,000 registered members in South Vietnam by the end of this year. Even a quarter of that would make the South Vietnamese the biggest practitioners of Tae Kwon Do in any country outside of Korea.  The new Dojo is called Leroy Tae Kwon Do Dojang.  It was built by the 3rd engineer corps of the Korean "Pigeon" Division, a crack outfit of fighting men stationed in Vietnam.  Opening ceremonies included demonstrations being given by Korean, Vietnamese and American black belters.

A Letter from ChongJae Nim "Retiring from Martial Arts"

Grandmaster Kim Soo

10/18/2013
Retiring From Martial Arts
by Grandmaster Kim Soo

Is there ever really retirement for a martial arts Master? Many of my long-time friends, martial artists and Masters from here in the US and around the world have often asked when I will retire. Some say that I already should have retired and delegated the job to the next younger generation. Many of my fellow martial arts Masters have stopped training and retired from 30 to 50 years ago. Now they mainly just do paperwork. They say it is time for me to quit and to come to travel with them.

Some look at my life as just running a business. They ask questions like “How is the business going?”, “How much money are you making?”, “What was your gross last year?” Some in the Houston Korean community ask me to come out and help with meetings, helping people and other activities. They encourage me to retire and make comments like you are too greedy, are you going to take your money with you when you die?

When I hear comments like this from those that don’t have any knowledge or understanding of martial arts, it upsets me, but I let it pass. When I hear the same things from so called martial arts Masters, it deeply saddens me and makes me angry.

Is there retirement for highly reputable monks and clerics? 

For Zen Masters?

For the Dalai Lama? 

I believe that there is no retirement in studying in knowledge and science, researching, practicing and teaching until we die.

This is what I have dedicated my life to and continues to be my life’s mission.


Sincerely,

Grandmaster Kim Soo
Founder Chayon-Ryu International Martial Arts Association

___________________________________________________________________________
Grandmaster Kim Soo has dedicated his life to the study and teaching of martial arts and their practical application of theory and principle in every day life to help students gain a better understanding of themselves, learn self-defense and gain self confidence. He has personally over the span of his long and prestigious career as an educator, touched the lives of over 70,000 individuals, many of whom in turn have gone on to teach others as well.  He is the Johnny Appleseed of the philosophical martial arts path. For him to retire would be, in this student's mind: criminal. It would be robbing the world and students and people who's lives would be changed (possibly saved) of his knowledge. His wisdom, teaching and more importantly, example has been a beacon to me personally.  He has inspired me to be a better human being, and if he had retired, I would have missed that crucial guidance.  Those who advise him to do so, are thinking only of themselves. Grandmaster Kim Soo, thinks of the world every day of his life. Thank you, ChongJae Nim.-- Kyosanim, Melissa L. Nichols

Grandmaster Kim Soo opens Chayon-Ryu program at Haegang Middle School (Busan, S. Korea)

Grandmaster Kim Soo and Mr. Ryu Jaegeol, the principal of Haegang Middle School

On October 11, 2013, the International Chayon-Ryu Martial Arts Association and Haegang Middle School in Busan signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to establish a Chayon-Ryu Martial Arts program.






Grandmaster Kim Soo was also appointed to the position of "Advisor" for the school.

Haegang Middle School was founded in 2003 and has more than 1,000 students. The school's focus this year is to promote health.

submission by Gigi Lee

Suryon- a letter from Grandmaster Kim Soo

October 9, 2013
Suryon

Suryon is thought of by many as simply intense physical training, like boot camp, like military training to push your physical limits, and to some extent it is. 

However it is much more. It should be done with a sincere attitude, a calm focused mind and moving meditation.

True Suryon is taught without lectures and classroom discussion. It is mental and physical training with a calm, meditative mind. Without involving your mind, just training physically, you are not practicing true Suryon. For example Buddha did not obtain his knowledge through a classroom or a University, he gained it through sweat and hardship traveling through many countries and much discomfort. It is through practice of true Suryon that our Principles, our fundamentals become part of us.

Like many products develop technologically over time, the telephone, DVR, the IPhone, it all starts with an idea and grows and is built upon until the product is complete. Even then, the products are continually being modified and improved. This is true for you also when practicing Suryon.
Your fundamentals and Principles are not learned in one session of training or one Suryon. When practiced correctly, with the right mental and physical focus, corrections, techniques and correct movements will be revealed to you.

Continue to practice, to grow and to better your physical and mental abilities.

Sincerely,
Grandmaster Kim Soo
(Founder Chayon-Ryu International Martial Arts Association)

275th Rank Exam

On Saturday, October 2, 2013, the Chayon-Ryu world headquarters dojang in Spring Branch held the 275th rank exam.


Students from all branch schools participated, including Kingwood, Clearlake, Rosenburg, Baytown, and as far away as North Carolina.
Many black belts were pre-testing and testing, as well as colored belts and beginners.

 

photography by Kenneth Young, Sabeomnim, Kingwood Chayon-Ryu