45th Anniversary T-Shirts to be released at Chayon-Ryu Banquet

Chayon-Ryu 45th Anniversary T-shirt

CHAYON-RYU ANNIVERSARY T-SHIRTS

Show good Chayon-Ryu spirit and wear your 45th anniversary system t-shirt with pride. These anniversary t-shirts will be released for sale to all Chayon-Ryu members and their families at the 45th Anniversary Chayon-Ryu Banquet to be held Saturday February 16th, 2013.

Don't miss out! Be sure to pick your shirt up at the banquet!

LETTERS TO GRANDMASTER

 Grandmaster Kim Soo shares his correspondence from students whose lives have been touched by Chayon-Ryu

2/19/09
Dear Grandmaster,
 today I received a letter from the President of my College:

Dear Melissa, It is a pleasure to inform you that your outstanding academic performance for the fall 2008 semester has placed you on the fall 2008 President's List, one of the most prestigious honors presented to Lone Star College Students. Let me commend you on your many hours of study and hard work. To be placed on the President's List, one must have accumulated at least 12 credit hours and have a fall semester grade point average of 3.30 or above for six or more credit hours. Your achievement ranks you among the best of the best. The faculty and staff at Lone Star College-North Harris wish you continued success here and in your future endeavors. Sincerely, Stephen C. Head, Ph. D. President

I want to thank you, Grandmaster for helping me to achieve this honor. I remember the story you told me one day while sitting in your office of your own academic growth once you started training in martial arts. 

I took this to heart. In high school I was a poor student. But since I started training in Chayon-Ryu, I applied my focus and concentration in all aspects of my life. My growth in Chayon-Ryu is showing in many ways.



I just wanted to share this good news with you, Sir, and to thank you for bringing the natural way to us here in America! I know I would not be seeing the marginal successes in life I am now, without it!
 

I am very sincerely your student,

Mel Nichols

LETTERS TO GRANDMASTER: Mr. David Foss

 Grandmaster Kim Soo shares his correspondence from students whose lives have been touched by Chayon-Ryu:

Mr. David M. Foss

Hello Grand Master, 

I enjoyed watching the video from January 21, 2013 of you receiving an award from the mayor's office for your many contributions to Houston and the United Sates of America. 

America is always a better place because of you being here and spreading your knowledge among us. 

It has always been a great honor for me to be your student. Your teachings in Chayon-Ryu and all your words of wisdom. It has always kept me inspired and motivated. I feel I was given so much from you being my teacher and Grand Master. I wish you all the happiness in the world. 

I look forward, when I can come back for a visit and train in our world headquarters school.

I miss very much, being there and learning from you and your example as a good man and great Grand Master; that always made my life better, no matter where I was or what I was doing. You and your teachings were always in my heart. Thank you so much Grand Master. 

Your old downtown Student,

David M Foss

CHAYON-RYU 45th ANNIVERSARY

Order your tickets today to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the arrival of Grandmaster Kim Soo to the United States, and the founding of Chayon-Ryu International. Be a part of history as the masters, black belts and students of Chayon-Ryu honor Grandmaster Kim Soo on his special day!

 

Chayon-Ryu 45th Anniversary Banquet All students (current and former, young and old) and their families are cordially invited to attend the 45th Chayon-Ryu Anniversary Banquet. Life is short, don't miss this special event and wonderful opportunity to spend time with Grandmaster Kim Soo. Saturday, February 16th - 7:00-11:00pm Kim Son Restaurant 2001 Jefferson Houston, Texas 77003 Reception (Cash Bar and Hors d'Oeuvres) Introduction and Welcome Dinner Thoughts from Grandmaster Kim Soo Music by Danielle Reich Trio There is a limited amount of space so purchase your tickets early. Buy Tickets

MAYOR ANNISE PARKER DECLARES GRANDMASTER KIM SOO DAY



Mayor Annise Parker presents Grandmaster Kim Soo
with his official proclaimation.



 January 15, 2013 was declared Grandmaster Kim Pyung-Soo Day by Houston Mayor Annise Parker. 

Celebrating the 45th (sapphire) anniversary of Grandmaster's arrival in the U.S. and the founding of Chayon-Ryu International, and his numerous contributions to the citizens of the city of Houston and beyond, the mayor made a special proclamation in the Houston City Council Chamber.

Mayor Parker spoke of Grandmaster Kim Soo's contributions not only in martial arts, but as a participant in the city. A business owner, teacher, community figure, educator (teaching at the University of Houston and Rice University since 1970) and good citizen of Houston for 45 years. 

--------

In return, Grandmaster Kim Soo graciously awarded Mayor Parker the honorary rank of 1st Degree Black Belt.



Grandmaster Kim Soo promotes Mayor Parker to the rank of honorary 1st Degree Black Belt in Chayon-Ryu.

------

Master Sean Kim, Grandmaster, Mayor Annise Parker, Mrs. Kim, Gigi Lee, and masters and black belts of Chayon-Ryu.

Grandmaster who has touched the lives of tens of thousands of students since his arrival in the U. S. 45 years ago, continues this work today.

See the video below:

Grandmaster has received many such awards and honors throughout his career. To learn more about Grandmaster's hallmark achievements visit the awards and honors page of the Chayon-Ryu International website.
-----
photography credit: Robert Henriksen

PRIVATE LESSONS By GRANDMASTER KIM SOO

BOOK A PRIVATE TRAINING SESSION WITH GRANDMASTER KIM SOO

Grandmaster Kim Soo

Grandmaster Kim Soo has returned from Busan, S. Korea, and is accepting appointments for private lessons at the world headquarters dojang in Spring Branch, Houston. 

It is a rare honor to train with the founding Grandmaster who has over fifty years teaching experience these world class martial arts. All students and instructors in the Chayon-Ryu system are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity.  A private lesson with Grandmaster is invaluable to gaining deeper insight into Chayon-Ryu philosophy, history and technique.

_______________________________________________________________

 Lessons taught directly by Grandmaster Kim Soo, 10th degree black belt, 

and founder of Chayon-Ryu.

1-hour private lessons are available to new beginners and 

current members at any belt level.

Weekly space is limited so reserve your time slot today.

For rates, please call us at (713-681-9261) or e-mail Grandmaster at gmkimsoo@kimsookarate.com

_______________________________________________________________

COMBINED TRAINING IN THE DARK--traditional first class of 2013

Happy New Year to all Chayon-Ryu students and instructors!  The traditional first class of the year is Monday, January 7th at the World Headquarters Dojang in Spring Branch, Houston, TX.

It's a tradition to begin the new year with a combined training session, and practice forms in the dark!

All students from all branch schools are encouraged to attend.  Welcome back!

FINALS WEEK FOR PROF. GM KIM SOO

"Written Exam day heavy snow on the campus of Dong Eui University, Busan, Korea.
 
Busan is one of the big port city in S. Korea, so it's unusual in Busan
to have a heavy snow. :-) " -Grandmaster Kim Soo

Grandmaster Kim Soo has been teaching at the College of Sport Science for the past four years. Grandmaster will return to the United States in late December to resume his role overseeing the International Chayon-Ryu Association from the world headquarters in Houston, TX.  Grandmaster has been on a teaching mission to Asia since 2008.

TAEKWONDO PROMOTION FOUNDATION, SEOUL, KOREA

Grandmaster Kim Soo was invited to the TKD Promotion Foundation in Seoul, Korea where he met with president Bae Johngshin.

Grandmaster donated a collection of photographs spanning 50 years, along with his three published Palgue Books (English and Russian language volumes).

The Palgue of Taekwondo Hyung book series by Grandmaster Kim Soo

The collection will be displayed in the Taekwondowon (Taekwondo Garden) in Miju,Cheolla-Bukdo, S. Korea, in the near future.

-----

GM Park Chull-Hee and GM Kim Soo

Grandmaster was invited along with Grandmaster Park Chull-Hee to Yongin University to preserve on film this vanishing classical art, the legacy of GM Yoon Byung-In.

"In order to preserve this valuable art the TKD Promotion foundation decided to film all of  GM Yoon Byung-in's legacy, which we preserve in Chayon-Ryu. Very few people perform these forms in the world  properly, so during filming I got to do the most of the jobs, approx. 4 hours with lunch break."-GM Kim Soo

Preserving the history of Korean martial arts has been a life long mission of Grandmaster Kim Soo, and a responsibility he passes on to each of us as bearers of his legacy. 

TROPHIES AND COMPETITIONS

TROPHIES AND COMPETITIONS
by Yolanda Horace, 5th Gup, Houston, Texas

There was a recent Tae Kwon Do competition held in Houston that caused my associates, neighbors, and coworkers to call and ask me, “How come your school does not compete in competitions? What type of school does not show their skills?”

I have been asked this question many times, but this time I went into detail about why this is not the way of Chayon-Ryu. This is exactly what I told them:
Chayon-Ryu is not a system for competition training or to learn how to make people fear you. It is for the individual who wants to have good health, confidence, and to experience a sense of inner peace within.

Grandmaster advises his students that trophies do not make a martial artist successful and that our training should not be about showing off, but educating others to what we are learning.

Although our Chayon-Ryu schools do not participate in competitions, we as martial artist challenge ourselves through our training.

Our system of Chayon-Ryu is known throughout the world. People in other countries have been introduce to Grandmaster Kim Soo and the system of Chayon-Ryu.

Our training is very intense and serious. The students of Chayon-Ryu are aware that we are expected to act as martial artists and show our spirit. In our system, we have many ways of learning and absorbing our lessons:

1. Perfecting our skills through repetition

2. Understanding the basic principles before being introduced to new forms

3. The honesty of the masters who will advise if more practice is needed

4. Grandmaster Kim Soo, who through his lectures tells us of our Chayon-Ryu heritage and why it is so important to carry on the legacy.

Chayon-Ryu is not for material gain but for internal perfection. My training has given me power of the mind, courage to face disappointments, and a sense of accomplishment that no plastic trophy or screaming crowds could ever provide. It is not necessary to prove my skills by beating on other martial artists, or walking around with a chip on my shoulder to show what I have been learning for the past 3 years.

After this explanation, several friends had to admit my training has changed me into a different person: from a timid, insecure person that they knew 20 years ago to a positive calm person. I have invited several people to come by the school and see exactly what Chayon-Ryu is preparing the student for. Not something short-lived and superficial, but for something that will last a lifetime; sincerity, responsibility, and the strength to endeavor.

This is the best trophy anyone training in the system of Chayon-Ryu will and can receive.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO GRANDMASTER KIM SOO

Inside Chayon-Ryu and the students and black belts of Chayon-Ryu International wish to extend happy birthday wishes to our teacher, Grandmaster Kim Soo.  Many happy returns!

What is Chayon-Ryu to me?

Chayon-Ryu is so many things. It's a philosophy of martial art and science, it's a scientific teaching method, it's a system containing classical forms some preserved nowhere else in the world, and it is a great legacy passed to us. I treasure it. 

For me it is the definitive martial art because is it all martial arts. Art, I emphasize, not sport, and as an artist, it touches me on many levels. I'm not physically gifted, I'm middle aged, but I can take any principle in Chayon-Ryu's philosophy and apply it to any aspect of my life and the principles remain sound. That is art.

Chayon-Ryu hosts Outdoor Training

 FALL OUTDOOR TRAINING



On Saturday, November 17th, Master Sean Kim, and the students of Kim Soo Karate hosted the biannual Outdoor Training in the park event. 

Held twice per year, in spring and fall, the students enjoy the benefits of training outdoors, and fellowship with chayon-ryu students from branch schools all over the Houston area. Training in outdoor conditions helps prepare students and teach them versatility in applying the Chayon-Ryu techniques.

Dong-Eui University Class - Jang Kwon form

Grandmaster Kim Soo and Sabomnim Robert Henriksen demonstrate the Kwon Beop two man form of Jang Kwon, Hanson Daeryon two man sparring form, and Bong Hyung Sam Jang, for the students at the Dong-Eui University Chayon-Ryu class, at the college of Sport Science in Busan, Korea.