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

TUKSU SURYON SATURDAY OCTOBER 22nd 2011

 A reminder to all instructor level Chayon-Ryu members (Blue Belts - Black Belts) that this month's TUKSU SURYON Instructor Clinic will be held Saturday October 22, 2011.

Training begins at 10am and will end at 11:30. Afterwards there will be a Chayon-Ryu demonstration at the Houston Korean Festival held downtown at Discovery Green.

Log on to the Chayon-Ryu World HQ website for details.

See you there!

CONTROL

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

Written by Master Mark Newkirk

When people hear the word control they usually think of sparring, which is important, but control is much more than that. The purpose of training is to have the mind and body together. The mind and body work together toward a common goal, mu shim, one thought one purpose. In sparring the mind and body must have good intension that will keep people from getting hurt. If you lose your temper or are not focused you can hurt someone or get hurt yourself. This is why we should only spar with the appropriate pads. If you use heavy sparring pads or gloves you may not be as careful and your focus is not there. You should only need correct sparring pads and control (mind and body together)Forms are also about control. Forms are moving meditation, once again the mind and body together. That is how you can teach many people at the same time. Asking them questions like which foot to move when they are learning H pattern forces them to keep concentrating on what their body is doing at the moment. They cannot daydream. Some instructors know a lot of forms but they are fakes. They are just showing off. The public doesn’t have a principle foundation and they are impressed. These instructors do not have the mind and body working together. They just go through the motions. They don’t have control. Some people keep track of how many times they have done a form, they can do a form a thousand times and it still looks bad. Why? They only care about how many they have done and they don’t think about the movements. Suryon is physical and mental training together. Ask yourself why you are doing this movement. What is the purpose?

You must be able to adjust to the situation. That’s why we have an eclectic martial art that is based on common sense. If a friend has been drinking and is bothering you, a kick to the groin or a neck chop would be inappropriate. Some soldiers have a hard time adjusting after returning from war because they have lost control.

Our system patch contains the symbol for the mind signifying that everything starts in the mind. At the Spring Branch dojang there is the sign that means dancing in the sky and playing in the ocean which literally means to be ambitious. Everything starts in the mind whether it’s H pattern or a new business plan that you may have.

Control is physically, emotionally and spiritually being together and balanced not only with sparring but forms and everyday life. That’s why we meditate when entering the dojang to prepare for class. This gets your mind to slow down from things outside the dojang and bring your mind and body together.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

Preserving martial arts history and tradition in Chayon-Ryu

Recently I was in a martial arts discussion group and the topic of katas came up. Are they vital to martial arts training? Coming from a background of rich and varied teaching lineage, and a system that is mission directed to preserve ancient martial arts forms, I was shocked at the responses of some of the participants in the discussion, and the cavalier way in which they just tossed the idea of kata aside. It made me very grateful for the path of Chayon-Ryu and that from my time as a white belt on, the notion of  the rich treasures contained in the forms are the wealth of our system was instilled in me.

There is a decided difference between form and technique. Techniques are in and of themselves simple gestures that go to make up the movements of self defense. But forms, are art, they are wisdom, they are the life work of a Grandmaster who composed them and put them together. It is our duty to preserve this legacy for posterity and future generations. Grandmaster Kim Soo speaks of this often, and how it is each black belt's responsibility to be the legacy of the future. So I am posting this clip of an interview with Grandmaster about the preservation of forms:

WHAT IS CHAYON-RYU? In 30 seconds or less...

Discover Chayon-Ryu, "the natural way" martial arts system. Chayon-Ryu teaches students

Self-Defense, Fitness, and gives them the tools for success and longevity! Chayon-Ryu is Sang Whal Mu Do, which means "Lifestyle martial art" ... practioners can train their whole life. Unlike competition sports where injuries occur and atheletes have a finite lifespan in the sport, Chayon-Ryu promotes health, and longevity through the repitition on the movements and fundamental principles. Students range in age from age 5 to 85. What are you waiting for? Log onto our website and find a class near you!

________________________________________________________________________________

http://www.chayonryu.com/

Why Meditate?

What is meditation?

It's a state of deep peace that occurs when the mind is calm and silent.  Think of it as a stress-free/distraction-free zone.  The mind normally can be compared to a crowded noisey room, but when it is in a state of calm and silence, it's like being in a library--just waiting to be filled with new knowledge. Think of martial arts class as the collection of books in that library, you need the peace and quiet so you can comprehend what it is you are reading.

Meditation in Chayon-Ryu

Why do we meditate?

It is true that historically, there is a strong connection between martial arts and spirituality, if the practioner is seeking a path to self awareness. This marriage of the trinity of body/mind/spirit is arrived at through the repitition of ritual, and training for years in the art or discipline of choice.

Adept awareness unfolds over time, as each visitation of the movements, fundamentals, principles and applications unlocks clearer understanding.  To aid in this gain of insight, meditation can be a very important tool if used properly.  Chayon-ryu is an art that utilizes meditation to aid in further understanding. A multipuropose tool, meditation can be used in many different ways for benefit.

Sitting meditation (Facing the wall) empties the mind of clutter you may have tracked in with you from the business of the day, that may well distract you from the greater knowledge of what you will learn in martial arts class.  You don't want to be thinking about the bills that are due, or the car that cut you off in traffic, or getting yelled at by your boss before martial arts class. You want to leave all of that clutter behind you when you enter the training space. So we face the wall, and breathe, and close our eyes and empty all of that distraction and clutter out of ourselves.

Grandmaster Kim Soo and his black belts do

standing meditationbefore beginning class

at the CYR world HQ in Houston, TX USA.

Standing meditation before warm ups prepares the body to recieve instruction by attuning the senses to a single purpose, so the practioner can move as instructed on command without pausing or hesitation. 

This allows us to breathe in unison, and stay in step with the commands of the instructor, and stay together during drills and forms practice.

It creates group unification. It encourages muscle memory of the repitition, and allows us body awareness and alertness.

Moving meditation-form. Practicing forms is a moving meditation. Forms consist of prescribed, unchanging moves. A form may have taken a Master fifty years to develop. Forms are for training purposes and train the student through repetitive movements and the practice of basic principles of movement. Though some differences of personal styles will be evident, forms are always performed with the same sequence of moves, and this becomes a moving meditation. The body shifting and turning in time with your breathing, the mind, empty does not lead, but follows the flow of the movement.

These are examples of how simple meditation techniques can help each student of martial arts get more out of their training.

Meditation for deeper understanding

Grandmaster Kim Soo tells us a story:

"I am reminded of my childhood in Korea. Every year my mother would travel to the mountain to meditate. As her son, I would carry a large bag of rice as a gift from her to the monks. It was an arduous journey of about one and a half hours on an overcrowded bus with a one-hour climb up the mountain with a sack of rice. When we got there, my mother would meditate for about an hour. Then we would come down the mountain and make our way back home.
I used to wonder about the point of it all. We spent way more time getting there than we spent there. It seemed that the destination and purpose was minor in relation to the effort of getting there.
I eventually came to understand that it's not about getting there, it's about what you take with you when you leave.

So it should be with your training. The time you spend in class may seem small compared with the journey of the rest of your life, but if you take away the right lessons you will find a worthwhile balance. The reward is there, you must be careful not to overlook it."

Meditation is a tool available to Chayon-Ryu students to help them take more away with them after they leave the dojang.  It is a tool that you can use for everyday living. Meditate before work, or any important meeting, for clarity and calm. Being in tune, and aware will help you make better decisions, and better choices. It will reduce stress, and anxiety.  You will gain a deeper understanding of the principles of Chayon-Ryu, and through their application, a deeper understanding of yourself.



Master Sean Kim, 8th Dan Black Belt. Chief Instructor
at CYR World HQ, Houston, TX USA performs Breathing
form on the beach at the annual CYR beach training. This
form is a moving meditation for longevity.



Chayon-Ryu training and Osteoporosis

An article recently published about the benefits of falling practice in martial arts and osteoporosis sufferers concludes that, such training can benefit sufferers in learning to fall correctly to avoid further injury.

Chayon-Ryu uses the "natural way" method for teaching falling, rolling and take-down in martial arts. We teach in a very safe and supervised environment, and as a result many of our students, instructors and practioners can personally vouch for the legitimacy of the method with testimonies of falls in which they might otherwise have been seriously injured.

I am getting older, and osteoporosis is a health concern for women of my age. But I feel confident that through my continued practice and training in chayon-ryu, I will not develop serious conditions such as this, and the practice can even help those who have been stricken.

Chayon-Ryu is Sang Hwal Mu Do, which means lifestyle, or life time martial arts. It means you can practice from the cradle to the grave with no ill effects such as repetative stress disorder, or joint injuries as competative martial artists and mixed martial arts fighter encounter ending their practice early in life. The purpose of Chayon-Ryu is longevity to the practioner. We do not compete, we train for health, success and longevity. 

I will be writing more about the benefits of Chayon-Ryu to training in midlife years into gereatric years. Grandmaster Kim Soo, practices every day, he has been for over 50 years, and is in his 70's.  He is a living example of the legitimacy of his own method.

Women in Chayon-Ryu-Spotlight on Master Kim Geary

Is Chayon-Ryu the right martial art for women?

Just ask Master Kim Geary, chief instructor of the Austin Chayon-Ryu school in Austin, TX, and she will tell you, yes! 

"Chayon-Ryu is a good system for women, and all people, because of the atmosphere of acceptance Grandamster Kim Soo created. He tends to look for the good in people and brings individual talents to the surface." Says Master Kim Geary, an 8th Dan Black Belt who began her training in Chayon-Ryu in 1975 in the original Austin Branch of Kim Soo Karate. 

What is the biggest benefit women can receive from Chayon-Ryu?



Master Geary performs "Jang Kwon" form with

Grandmaster Kim Soo, founder of Chayon-Ryu



"The main benefit is confidence. Not just the physical confidence that training develops, it is just as much about the mental confidence. I have witnessed many women do things that would possibly have never occurred without training.

I myself went back to engineering school at UT then went on to work in the oil fields. It was all very daunting; school was scary and competitive, flying in helicopters during rain storms, working alone in the desert at night, working in a man's world, facing layoffs during the oil bust, etc.

The confidence I received from training, teaching and demonstrating pulled me through many 'crisis'. I know several women who went back to school, started businesses, made major changes in their personal life, spoke publicly and demonstrated in front of crowds. All things that were previously terrifying, they are now doing."

As one of the highest-ranking women martial artists in the world, Master Geary has received numerous honors and awards for her teaching abilities.

Though renowned for the power and elegance of her forms, and the fighting spirit and strategy of her sparring, she says her favorite aspect of training is: "Learning and practicing forms." And second to that is, "Mat work."

Master Geary opened Austin Kim Soo Martial Arts in October 1990. has taught Chayon-Ryu all over Texas and all around the world in her 36 years of training. She opened a branch of Kim Soo Karate in Austin, Texas in 1990 and served as the Chief Instructor for seven years. Master Geary currently teaches at a private dojang in Austin, Texas, and if you would like to train with her, you can join her class. 



Master Geary has been selected to teach Chayon-Ryu at the National Women's Martial Arts Federation (NWMAF) "Special Training" summer camp for women (1988,1986, 1993, 2005, and 2007). 

This international summer camp brings women martial artists from Europe, America, Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, and Asia, to study with the top female teachers in the world, a small number of whom are chosen from many applications.  In 1994 Master Geary hosted the first Texas "Special Training" in history for the NWMAF.  She has also taught Chayon-Ryu  at the summer camp of the Pacific Association of Women Martial Artists (PAWMA), which serves women in the martial-arts-avid state of California and its upper-state neighbors on the U.S. western coastline (1991and 2005).

Master Geary has been inducted into the Texas Martial Arts Hall of Fame.

Master Geary was featured on "Inside Edition"

For more information about Master Kim Geary, read Women in martial arts by Master Kit van Cleave.

photography by Melissa L. Nichols. All images copyright Kim Soo Karate, Inc. All rights reserved.