Chayon-Ryu Dojang Sparring

Chayon-Ryu Dojang Sparring

Submitted by Mr. David Bayles, CYR World Headquarters
Photography by Kenneth Young, Melissa L. Nichols, Sydney Moen

Many articles have been written over the years about this subject. From time to time it’s a good subject to review for the benefit of all students. This article can serve the newer generation of Chayon-Ryu students as a learning article and the older generation as a review.

There are three types of sparring. Dojang Sparring, Competition Sparring and Combat Sparring.
The objective of Competition Sparring is to win. It is to score points by score on your opponent using a technique allowed by the tournament rules in a controlled manner. This must be done quickly while defending yourself against your opponents attempts to score on you.

The objective of Combat Sparring is to survive. Combat Sparring is a potential life or death situation. There are no rules, no physical control. You must use any technique as effectively as possible to defeat your attacker.

The objective of Dojang Sparring is teaching and learning in a safe manner and environment. It should be an enjoyable, fun experience. As a beginner, you will learn stances, blocks, kicks and how to punch. You will probably not have much physical or mental control when you begin to spar in the Dojang. This comes with time and training. It is up to your instructors to guide you on this path. You should be respectful of your instructors as they should be to you.

Dojang Sparring is not about a winner and a loser or scoring points. It is not about who is stronger than the other, who is faster, knows more techniques or is better at them. And more than anything, it is not about hurting your sparring partner under any circumstance. It is about controlled sparring and learning. If you are accidentally hit or kicked hard, your instinct is to give back what you got. Be generous. Learn to let this go and not follow through on it. This is mental control. If a Tiger Cub swats and scratches his mother’s nose, does she attack him? Of course not. Learning controlled sparring is not only physical, but mental also. You should have no anger when sparring. No thinking like “I’m going to get him”. Sparring with physical control while wanting to really kick, hit or hurt your partner is not only a very bad attitude, but is wrong thinking, a bad state of mind. You’ve missed an important part of your training if you spar this way. You need to train your mind to be calm, clear, and anger free while sparring. Your sparring partner is your classmate, not an enemy.

Dojang sparring is a means of learning physical and mental skills required to spar in any situation. More skill is required to spar with control than without. This kind of training prepares you for any sparring situation.

Higher ranking students should match their sparring skills to that of the student’s rank that they are sparring and strive to teach them to improve and correct their techniques. They should not show off their skills and overwhelm and possibly hurt a lower ranking student. When this is ignored, students’ skills do not advance; students sometimes get hurt and often unnecessarily leave our system.

Sometimes lower ranking students have the mindset that when sparring a black belt or higher ranking student, they are out to prove themselves and “get” them. This too is a bad attitude and wrong thinking. You should be respectful of your higher ranking classmates as they are to you. This way, we all will be safe and our sparring skills will continually improve.
Wishing you safe and happy sparring.


Sincerely,

 

Founder Chayon-Ryu International Martial Arts Association
May 16, 2014

Tuksu Suryon Training in Honor of Grandmaster Yoon, Byung-In

Grandmaster Yoon, Byung-In
1920-1983

Flowers for Grandmaster Yoon

Kysanim, Melissa L. Nichols
Photography, Sabeomnim Syd Moen

On Saturday, May 17th, Grandmaster Kim Soo led a special Tuksu Suryon to commemorate the birthday of our senior founding Grandmaster, Yoon, Byung-In. All students were asked to wear white gloves and bring flowers in his memory.

Grandmaster Yoon's story was told to the class by Grandmaster, his journey to study martial arts, and the mystery of his disappearance during the Korean War era.

 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. (See Byung In Yoon: Another Story)

In 1950, during the Korean War, Grandmaster Yoon went to North Korea and all contact with him was lost. 

For over 50 years Grandmaster Kim Soo sought to solve the mystery of what had happened to Grandmaster Yoon. Grandmaster Kim Soo was finally contacted by members of Grandmaster Yoon's family in 2005 and traveled to South Korea in Dec. of 2005 to meet with them. You can see photos and learn about his trip here.

In May of 2006 Grandmaster Kim Soo was contacted by Grandmaster Yoon's son, Yoon Tae-won, that Grandmaster Yoon Byung-In died of lung cancer on April 3, 1983. 

Grandmaster Kim Soo led the training which began with meditation and deep breathing, fundamentals, basic movements and forms. He spoke about teaching method, the scientific method of Chayon-Ryu which combines art, science and philosophy utilizing natural body movements and the natural laws of the universe. "I did not create a new martial art, " Grandmaster said, "I created a scientific teaching method. Chayon-Ryu." 

Women's Self-Defense Seminar 2014--Back by Popular Demand!

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.

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Grandmaster Kim Soo

 10th Dan Black Belt and Founder of Chayon-Ryu 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. For more information, click here.

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 TO REGISTER GO HERE

For questions, contact 713-385-5564 or info@asiahouston.org 

  Attendees will be asked to sign a waiver form

 http://asiahouston.org/waiver2014.pdf

Every year, Asia-Houston Network and Kim Soo Karate offer a Women's Self-Defense Seminar, as part of a greater community outreach. This is a wonderful oppurtunity for women and girls of all ages to learn some very important ways to protect themselves in many different situations.

Learn to be attentive, alert and aware. Learn how to set aside your fears and think in a threatening situation.





Join Grandmaster Kim Soo, and the black belts of Chayon-Ryu for this fun, interactive seminar and learn techniques that could save your life.

Admission is free of charge, so bring your mom, daughter, sister, coworkers, and best friends. Don't miss out on this special event!

Tuksu Suryon In Honor of Grandmaster Yoon, Byung-In

On Saturday, May 17, 2014 a Tusku Suryon will be presented by Grandmaster Kim Soo.

"As you aware that coming May 18 is our Great grandmaster Yoon Byung-In's birthday, please announce in our media to bring a flower and white glove  if they have one at Tuksu Suryon(may 17). 

I would like to take a group photo taken and send it to Dr. Yoon Young-sook, Mr. Yoon Byung-moon and Yoon Dae-Won including all martial arts media in Korea.


Let's build up spirit higher,  remember the Chayon-Ryu is the best martial way in the world."

gmks

My Experience in CHAYON-RYU

My Experience in CHAYON-RYU

 Dear Grandmaster ,

I would like to share my experience with all Chayon Ryu students.

My name is Alberto Borjas.   I’ve been training at the Chayon –Ryu  Headquarters for about a year now and I’d like to share my experience with all CYR students.

I think it’s necessary introduce myself first.  I’ve been a  Martial Arts student for over 30 years.  I hold Black Belts in Karate and Taekwondo and I’ve trained in several other Martial Arts (including Gracie Jiu Jitsu for almost 10 years). 

 After I came to the US (I’m originally from Cuba)  I started training and teaching Martial Arts but I never found  the right school or instructor.  As I aged ( I am 58 years old this summer)  I started to have all sort of spine and joints problems .  I came  to the point where I was about to quit training then I decided to call Grandmaster Kim Soo and I’ve been training  Chayon Ryu since then, about a year ago.

I can tell you now I found in Chayon-Ryu everything I was looking for from the Martial Arts.In my opinion Chayon-Ryu is a Martial Art system  like no other.  You will not find another System that provides so much to the student: Historical Background, Theory and Philosophy of traditional Martial Arts, Classical forms coupled with Practical Self Defense tactics and a modern approach to training that allowed the practitioners enjoy the benefits of the Martial Arts their entire lives.   

 In addition Chayon Ryu has helped me to heal my body almost 100 % ;I believe Chayon Ryu is also a healing Art.

After many years searching I don’t need to look further.   I found everything I was looking for and all under one roof: Chayon-Ryu. I feel deeply grateful to Chong Ya Nim and all Masters, Black Belts and  students for allowing me to be part of the Chayon Ryu family.

Sincerely,

Alberto Borjas

 

CONGRATULATIONS, BLACK BELTS...

 CONGRATULATIONS, BLACK BELTS...
 



Black belt promotions for Dec 2013 - Feb 2014

DEC. 2013:
Michael Tovar ... (1st dan) ... Austin CYR

Isaiah Lopez ... (1st dan) ... Rosenberg CYR

Jane Reinoso ... (1st dan) ... Hendersonville CYR

David Eastwood ... (4th dan) ... Kingwood CYR

FEB. 2014:
Justin Hoang ... (1st dan) ... KSK of Arlington

Richard Vasques ... (1st dan) ... Kingwood CYR

Linda Pinzon ... (1st dan) ... Kingwood CYR

Rosalio Menchaca ... (3rd dan) ... World HQ

Graduation and Being Part of Chayon-Ryu

Grandmaster Kim Soo

Graduation and Being Part of Chayon-Ryu

In my over 60 years of teaching at all levels, I have met and taught many and all kinds of people. Occasionally, I have a student that thinks he has graduated from Chayon-Ryu. The last one of these graduates was a very educated man. Just like he finished and paid for his teaching and degrees and moved on, he got his black belt and decided to open his own school in another state under another name. He was going to change his teaching methods too. He made it clear to me that he had graduated, was no longer part of Chayon-Ryu and did not want my assistance or interference in his business. He had paid for his training and that was it. This is a very bad attitude. I let him go down his own path.

There is no graduation from Chayon-Ryu. I have not graduated. No one does. To think this way is wrong thinking and a total misunderstanding of traditional martial arts. Chayon–Ryu is for life. Endeavor in your training always.
In a few instances we’ve had high ranking students, Third Dan, Fifth Dan who quit for different reasons. They quit paying their dues and announce that they are no longer part of Chayon-Ryu. Even though they have quit and are gone, this cannot be. When you are born, you come in to this world and you are given a name, Smith, Nguyen, Kim. This is your name always from then on. Even if you change your name, your given name is still part of you and always will be.

When you come to Chayon-Ryu for the first time with your white belt on, nervous, intimidated, without knowledge, it is like being born into Chayon-Ryu. Over time, your knowledge and your confidence increases. You learn to walk, to kick, to punch, to defend yourself. You learn forms. Your foundation is built. Whether you train a few months or many years, Chayon-Ryu is part of you. It is in your blood. This can never change. Even if you came from another school to train in Chayon-Ryu, you gained knowledge here, both mental and physical that will always be part of you.

It makes me sad and sick that some students think this way. Please always remember your roots.



Sincerely,

 








Founder Chayon-Ryu International Martial Arts Association
February 16, 2014

Breaking And The Proper State Of Mind

Recently I had a conversation with ChongJae Nim, about breaking. It was born out of a story he told us in class, about breaking and the proper mindset. So I asked him about it, in a brief interview, as he had suggested I write something on the topic of breaking:

Breaking in martial arts and the proper state of mind

by Kyosanim Melissa L. Nichols

Sabeomnim David Eastwood of Kingwood Chayon-Ryu
breaks a brick for his 4th Dan test. Photo courtesy of
Kenneth Young, Sabeomnim Kingwood.

Breaking a board or brick in martial arts has always inspired a sense of awe in those who witness this technique. To the non-practitioner, this can seem like a magic trick as they witness martial arts supermen perform seemingly impossible feats of strength and power.

To the trained practitioner, breaking is seen more as a show of focus and power. Where does this power to break come from --- mystical forces or sheer physical strength?  The answer is neither. True breaking is accomplished when there is union of the physical, mental, and spiritual. That is to say, the focus and power comes from physical training, with the right state of mind, attuning the body, mind, and spirit. Breaking, done in the wrong state of mind with the intent of showing off or impressing people, merely shows how hard one's hand is and not how focused the the martial artist is. Stunt breaking can lead to injury, both to the hand and ego, when things go wrong. Similarly, when one is nervous, he or she is not in the moment and not in the right state of mind, and a failed break can occur. To prevent this, we must clear the mind and rely on all we have learned up to that moment to follow through; only when the right state of mind is achieved will a martial artist be able to execute a proper break.

The proper break begins with the first step in training. It is not something we rehearse, it is born when we learn our fundamentals, growing as we train with humility and sincerity. Breaking is not something we practice by taking bricks or boards home and attempting to break them. Grandmaster Kim Soo says, "We are human beings. Our hands are not hammers," emphasizing that proper mental focus is the more important tool than the hand. With a proper break, we are mentally in the moment, approaching the action with all sincerity, proper humility, and respect.  Understanding that the hand is not what breaks the brick is the beginning of understanding what breaking truly is.

 We break with our mind first, our ki second, and, lastly, the hand, which the energy passes through. Everything in martial arts begins in the mind. The source of our power is our center, our danjan, directed by our mind, driven with humbleness, and coming from sincere training. To practice breaking, Grandmaster Kim Soo tells us, "train and practice your forms, fundamentals, practicals, self-defenses, with all sincerity."

Melissa Dabney of Kim Soo Karate of Baytown breaks for her first rank test. Photo
courtesy of Sabeomnim Kenneth Young, Kingwood Chayon-Ryu.

Breaking is not magic; it is a union of art, philosophy, and science, taking form in our physical/mental/spiritual being to execute and focus our inner power (ki). We should remember to always have the right mindset, sincere attitude, and humility in our training, whether doing forms or breaking bricks.

KWON BEOP HYUNG Arrives on DVD!

Kim Soo Karate presents

Kwon Bop Hyung – the Chu’an Fa forms collection

Grandmaster Kim Soo, 10th degree black belt and founder of Chayon-Ryu demonstrates the Kwon Beop forms of the Chayon-Ryu System.

Brought from China to Korea in the 1940’s by Korean Grandmaster Yoon Byung-In , and then to the United States by Grandmaster Kim Soo in 1968.

These forms are the preserved teachings of the Great Manchurian Masters, and the legacy of the Chayon-Ryu system.

The collection includes:

Vol. One: Dan Kwon- Short Fist

Vol. Two: Do Ju San- Escaping through the Mist

Vol. Three: Jang Kwon- Long Fist (two man form)

Vol. Four: Tae Jo Kwon- Founder King Form

Vol. Five: So Ho Yon- Little Tigers Play

Vol. Six: Palgi Kwon- 8th Manchurian Cavalry

 Each volume contains special features and interviews with Grandmaster Kim Soo

 

www.chayonryu.com to order

A CHAYON-RYU INSTRUCTOR

A Chayon–Ryu Instructor 
submitted by David Bayles

When I was a young Boy and began my training in traditional martial arts, the instructors were mean; they were scary, like military drill instructors. 

They made it clear that they were superior to you. I was nervous and scared to go to class. The instructors punished the new students by making them do things like stand in a Horse Stance for ten minutes. I did it and I could not walk the next day. The Instructor said “We are looking for a few strong men, a few strong champions.”

Chayon-Ryu is a traditional martial arts school. However, we do not teach the old way nor are we looking for a few strong champions. We are looking for those who need help to increase their confidence, improve their health, have a need to fill in their lives and, of course, those interested in learning traditional martial arts.

The attitude of a Chayon-Ryu instructor should not be that of a disciplinarian, or a military drill instructor, but one of kindness, humility and helpfulness. They should make training fun, easy, safe and effective. This is training for the student’s long term health and longevity. 

A Chayon-Ryu instructor should not show off trying to show that they are better than you, they are not. They may have more martial art knowledge than you, but they are human beings, as we all are, and should respect each other as same. It’s in the Dojang Hun, “Respect Others.” 

An instructor’s job is to help you learn in a way that you can understand while being patient and kind doing so. They should also learn while teaching, as teaching is learning. Instructors and students should practice Bo Shi at all times. If you don’t know the meaning, look around the Dojang, it is posted there. 

It is also on our website. Be serious, enjoy your training and keep improving.

Sincerely,

Founder Chayon-Ryu International Martial Arts Association

January 28, 2014