United States
News:
World Hwa Rang Do®/Tae
Soo Do® Championships
As my week with the Hwa Rang Do family continued and the day immediately
following the open summer seminars, the World Hwa Rang Do Championships
commenced at 8 in the morning on July 27th with almost 300 warriors
competing of all ages and ranks – from 3 year olds to 60+ year
old senior citizens.
One of the amazing things about Hwa Rang Do is that it requires ALL
its students to compete in all events they physically and safely can
for inner school and inter-school tournaments. In speaking with Master
Lee, the purpose of competition is not just to put your best competitors
in the ring to show their stuff and have them win. It's to give an
opportunity to everyone to overcome their insecurities, fears, lack
of confidence and other mental blocks which inhibit someone from reaching
their full potential.
As Master Lee puts it, "The reason you give me as to why
you can't compete in tournament, is exactly the reason why you should
be competing!"
And the inspiring thing about this year's tournament, which was held
in the old CBS studios in Hollywood, was watching all participants
rise to the challenge and out perform their own expectations.
Master Lee shared with me story after story of students who had expressed
doubt about their ability to compete, yet still competed per the HRD
Association requirement. The incredible thing is that many of them
ended up winning bronze, silver or even gold medals in the divisions
they competed in!
It goes to show you that your Master often times knows your limitations
more than you know them yourself. It's your Master's unbiased eye,
which serves to instill the courage in you to achieve greatness.
World's Most Comprehensive Martial Art...
Really!
Now to top off these little gems of inspiration, the Hwa Rang Do
tournament format is unlike anything I've ever seen. True to its slogan,
"The World Most Comprehensive Martial Art", Hwa Rang Do
has 5 tournaments in a single day – open hand forms, weapon
forms, kick/punch/throw sparring, grappling and Kumdo.
What this means is that when someone finishes competing in one tournament,
they run to the back dressing room to prepare to enter a completely
new and different tournament.
People who finished competing in weapon forms, will go to the back
and trade in their weapon for sparring gear and line right up to get
back in the ring.
People who may have finished a long and grueling sparring tournament
with up to 5-7 matches for someone to win a gold medal, must then
run to the back and put on their grappling uniform to compete in a
full blown submission fighting tournament.
Then right after competition in submission fighting is over, students
will run to the back to robe in their 20 pounds of Kumdo armor to
prepare for a sword fighting tournament.
All this is done with Hwa Rang Do's goal to produce a COMPLETE martial
artist and competitor -- someone who has the endurance and skills
to adapt to changing situations and circumstances on a constant basis.
And during no time did I notice fatigue being a factor in someone's
ability to compete. In fact, many of the Black Sashes who competed
in all 5 events were also running the event as referees, judges, time
keepers, and organizers. Many were also up late the night before setting
up the venue, and skipped breakfast and lunch to make sure things
went off without a hitch.
It wasn't ucommon to have a Black Sash be running around with a clip
board, helping other divisions get setup, then have them put everything
down and jump into a grueling finals grappling match and win the gold!
And they all did it without a single complaint.
As higher rank, they seem to fully accept that they will be given
more responsibility, even when it may seem inconvenient. And they
do so with great pride, enthusiasm and respect for their teachers
and art.
Fragile Prize Fighters
Today with the popularization of martial art as a sport, mainly
through MMA, I've seen many prize fighters act like pre-Madonna's
outside the ring, with their presidential suite, fur coats, massage
therapist, specially cooked food, jacuzzi and personal assistant,
yet still get all pissy when something interrupts their fragile state
of preparation for their fight.
And if they don't perform well, they are likely to blame one of their
staffers and someone is bound to lose their job.
It's silly. The fact of the matter is that a warrior should be able
to deal and face all obstacles, especially those that are not anticipated.
So needless to say that the warrior spirit of the competitors that
evening left a powerful impression on me.
Recognition was also given out to the top competitors who performed
best overall in all 5 events. These honorable distinctions were defined
as follows:
Hwa Rang – Best Hwa Rang Do Black Sash Competitor:
Instr. Dylan Sirny (Minneapolis)
Rang Do – Best Hwa Rang Do Color Sash Competitor: Instr. Matthew
Kim (West LA)
Won Hwa – Best Hwa Rang Do Woman Competitor: Andrea Perez-Bertolotto
(West LA)
These warriors not only competed in all 5 events, but medaled in
every single one of them… mostly gold. Not surprisingly, two
of them were from the West Coast Hwa Rang Do Academy taught by Chief
Master Taejoon Lee.
Sportsmanship Award Goes to...
But most surprising of all, was the conduct of the audience and spectators.
I've been around the martial arts world long enough to have gone
to quite a few competitions where the spectators will throw some nasty
remarks and in some cases get into an argument – even a fight
– with the referees. It was by far the most positive crowd I've
ever been a part of with only encouraging remarks coming from parents
and friends.
Not a single complaint from either parents or competitors came up…
which is unheard of in martial arts tournaments.
And of course, Master Lee and Supreme Grandmaster Dr. Joo Bang Lee
couldn't have been prouder of their students and their families. Hwa
Rang Do has spent the last 15 years developing their own unique sports
competition venue.
The vision cast 15 years ago for this sports venue manifested itself
with a standing room only crowd of spectators, 4 rings of constant
competition and a Hollywood debut unlike any other… and this
was just the first weekend.
Up next, I'll be sharing with you about my experience training with
Hwa Rang Do Black Belts at the Annual Black Sash Conference. This
included training in weapon fighting, advanced self defense techniques,
ki power, meditation, day long grappling training, business and school
management training, LIVE weapon fighting at a California beach and
a mind blowing glimpse into the depth and skill of a Hwa Rang Do Black
Sash…
But while you wait, I wish to share with you something I overheard
while walking backstage.
At HRD events, like many others, there are equipment requirements
which include basic minimums like groin cup, gloves, boots and headgear
for sparring. Some of the kids could not compete that day because
they had forgotten their groin cup.
There was a parent with their child in a nearby dressing room, helping
the child get ready. They realized that they had forgotten the little
boy's groin cup. The parent told the boy not to tell anyone and to
compete anyway. The boy responded, "No, mommy! I can't lie. That
would be wrong."
Hearing that brought me back to the real purpose our martial training
serves – to give us direction and a foundation to live a life
of integrity.
The boy knowing that he would be disciplined by his teacher for forgetting
his equipment, chose to accept responsibility for his mistake, take
responsibility for his life and tell his teacher. Clearly the mother,
since she is not training in martial arts, in particular Tae Soo Do/Hwa
Rang Do, has much to learn from her little boy…
With Honor,
GoSoo
on behalf of the Fighting Styles Tactical Team
Open Summer Seminars 2008
Last time we left off, I covered day 1 of the Annual Hwa Rang Do
Open Seminars held in Los Angeles, recently.
Well, today I'll be sharing with you what I gained from Master Lee's
sessions which consisted of Effective Takedowns, Grappling Arm Locks,
Leg Locks and finishing off with a Ki Power session with Hwa Rang
Do Founder Supreme Grandmaster Dr. Joo Bang Lee.
Commitment in Combat
One of the key points which Master Lee stressed when
doing any type of takedown instruction was on "commitment".
Takedowns are only effective when you've fully committed to the attack
and being relentless in your assault, even after you know something
has gone wrong.
Inside Single Leg Takedown Instruction
The beautiful thing about Hwa Rang Do is that it is
truly an art of limitless options, and even after you have screwed
up or your opponent counters, you still have options. I mean, the
whole idea behind soft style arts like Judo and Jiu Jitsu is essentially
being able to "go with the flow." Hwa Rang Do is truly a
balanced art combining both the hard/linear with the soft/circular,
as it is written in the Um/Yang Theory, the core of Hwa Rang Do philosophy
and metaphysics. Um – is soft/circular and is broken down into
three elements: Yu – soft and fluid, Won – circular and
relentless like flowing water, and Hap – closing distance or
combining.
Never having to force anything or "muscle" your way through
your techniques, but just adapt to the situation.
This is where you can see a clear correlation between how we live
our lives and the martial arts... what works in our training can be
transposed to what works in our lives.
Whether it be marriage or starting a business, committing yourself
to achieving a certain result even if things don't go according to
plan are some of the many virtues, which can be learned through our
training. And upon gaining mastery of life, we are able to produce
some beautiful results... Master Lee has an uncanny ability to turn
martial lessons into life lessons.
Flying Leg Scissor Takedown
And speaking of beauty, to demonstrate the beauty of mastery, Master
Lee flew multiple times through the air to demonstrate the beauty
and grace of a flying leg scissor takedown...
**************************************************************
Get Started with Extreme Hwarangdo Takedowns Series Today:
http://www.fightingstyles.com/letter-previews.html
**************************************************************
Introducing Gotoogi...
After lunch, we began our instruction in Hwa Rang Do's grappling
techniques beginning with many variations of the infamous arm bar.
Now the interesting thing about arm bars is that it is not only one
of the most commonly used techniques in competition, but many other
types of arms locks and submissions can be set ups for the arm bar.
In line with Hwa Rang Do's Gotoogi (grappling) philosophy, submissions
are intended to setup other submissions -- if you've ever seen Master
Lee's Korean Grappling Demo, you know what I'm talking about --
going from submission, to submission, to submission, etc.
For example, going from a Triangle-Choke to Arm-Bar, or even vice-versa,
to a shoulder lock and back again. There literally is no escape if
you know what you are doing.
Modified Triangle Choke
By mastering this grappling style, even if an opponent counters
or resists a certain technique, there will always be another submission
you can utilize to counter his counter..... that is of course, if
you are a Hwa Rang Do master... otherwise you might need to start
lifting a few weights. ;)
Leg Locks and Angle Locks
Master Lee continued the day by covering a slew of leg locks, which
included ankle locks, knee bars, and knee compressions. Often times,
I notice that leg locks are pretty much ignored by all but the most
proficient grapplers who see the value and opportunity.
Two-hand Ankle Lock
This I never understood, because when I began learning submissions,
leg locks seemed much easier to attain than the arm locks, but I think
often times the problems with executing a proper Achilles’ lock,
for example, lies in the subtle placement of the sharp edge of the
wrist under your opponent's Achilles.
As a rule of thumb, the thing you want to do in an Achilles lock is
to place pressure utilizing the hardest and sharpest surface of your
wrist against their muscle, tendon or bone. Doing this will allow
you to achieve quick and effortless Achilles submissions.
The tiniest of adjustments can make all the difference in the world.
Interestingly enough, one of Master Lee's instructors brought 2 of
his cousins who were visiting from Brazil and Costa Rica, one of whom
was a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioner of 10 years. His comments after
Master Lee finished his grappling sessions where pretty surprising,
considering how much pride martial artists tend to have...
"Master Lee is amazing! Where did he learn those techniques?
Those techniques are Japanese! How did he learn that? He performed
them perfectly... If he opens a school in Costa Rica, all the jiu
jitsu guys would switch over in a second."
What can I say? Master Lee's "master" title is the real
deal...
Mind Over Matter - The Powers of Hwa Rang Do
At the end of the day, Supreme Grandmaster Dr. Joo Bang Lee led
a very interesting and powerful session on Ki Gong (Ki Power).
According to Grandmaster Lee, "Ki gong is said to be the cultivation
and deliberate control of a higher form of vital energy, as well as
an ancient philosophical system of harmonious integration of the human
body with the universe."
"It challenges the foundations of Western biomedical thought
by rejecting the idea that the human species is unaffected by nature.
Ki Gong combines the physical benefits of isometrics, isotonics, and
aerobic conditioning, with the healing elements of meditation and
relaxation."
Grandmaster Lee told us that our goal in practicing Ki Gong is to
gain awareness and control over the life force or Ki present in our
bodies.
And if you've seen some of the Ki
Power demos on You Tube, performed by Grandmaster Lee, you'll
have no doubt that he has gained true mastery and control of his Ki.
In fact, Master Lee once told me a story about his father, Grandmaster
Lee, asking a very young Master Lee to do a chop kick to the inside
of his hand as if he was hitting a target. Young Master Lee didn't
think anything of it and upon kicking his father's hand experienced
excruciating pain and his foot swelled up and turned black & blue.
It was on that day that young Master Lee became a believer in his
father's incredible power. He said his father didn't mean to hurt
him, but that he was experiencing what he sometimes called one of
his father's occasional "power surges".
I tend to always be a skeptic when it comes to powers like these,
but I've also been wise enough to never challenge a true martial arts
master's power. I've seen and have had enough strange things happen
to me to submit to mother nature's power and the resources it makes
available to all living beings... known and unknown.
Up next, I'll be sharing some of the highlights of the amazing 5 tournament
in 1 day competition format Hwa Rang Do had on the Sunday following
the seminars and a behind the scenes peek of the private 'Black Sash
Conference'. Stay tuned!
With Honor,
GoSoo & the Fighting Styles Tactical Team
Hwa Rang Do® Black
Sash Conference 2008
The 2008 Hwa Rang Do® Black Sash Conference was held July 28th
– August 3rd in Los Angeles at the West Coast Hwa Rang Do Academy.
Black Sashes from around the world value this week for their continuing
education, intense training, and family atmosphere. Read on to discover
how much was packed into these 7 days!
Day 1 began with a review of Tae Soo Do®. This gave everyone
a chance not only to work on perfecting their own technique and refining
every little detail, but also to focus on how to properly teach the
techniques to others. Tae Soo Ssang Jyel Bong Hyung was used as a
great example of how important it is to clearly show all the details
to the students – many beginners will focus only on the weapon
and forget their stances completely! After all the questions were
answered, we moved on to our Black Sash techniques and weapon forms.
The curriculum at the black sash level takes immense focused study
to learn and truly understand, so everyone trained late into the night.
As the day wound down, Do Joo Nim turned our focus to Ki and Meditation
exercises. As challenging as it is to maintain proper focus after
a long day of training, the students all found it quite rejuvenating
to breathe fully and deeply, and of course were extremely grateful
for continued study of something so vital to our training.
Day 2 started early as usual, with free practice in the morning,
followed by Hwa Rang Do color sash review. Since Hwa Rang Do is so
comprehensive, we did not have time to review all the material. Instead,
Chief Master Lee spent much of the session fielding questions. Many
of the students found this to be an extremely valuable session, since
many of the finer details addressed helped further our understanding
of not only the technique in question, but many other related techniques
throughout the entire curriculum. Chief Master Lee also took the opportunity
during this session to review the sword form. Sword techniques require
a lot of focus and precision as well as understanding the purpose
and application of the movements, and the students worked hard to
refine all the details. After an hour of strong stances and detailed
movements, it took many of us a few seconds to realize that it wasn't
our legs shaking, it was the ground! A small earthquake had hit Los
Angeles. Thankfully, we only felt a light shaking, and everyone was
safe. Not to be deterred, we returned to training, and everyone again
had a chance to work on the material for their current rank. As one's
rank increases, not only are there many more techniques to learn,
but of course each must be executed with even more precision for it
to be effective. Everyone worked hard to get the most out of the opportunity
for such intensive training. Do Joo Nim concluded the day's training
by teaching healing skills. This year the session focused on cupping
therapy, and the students were all very grateful to Do Joo Nim and
each other for helping treat their sore muscles and injuries.
Day 3 was a truly historic day as we were finally able to practice
our Gumtoogi – Tari (leg strikes) Fighting for the first time.
After many years of trying to bring his vision to life, Chief Master
Lee was finally able to bring the leg armor into reality! Everyone
was very excited to put on their new armor and get into training,
and we were not disappointed. Chief Master Lee showed us many, many
different ways to apply the Tari strike, both to the front and reverse
leg, as well as spinning and retreating versions of the strike. Many
of the more experienced students were working these into their combinations
in no time! The time passed quickly and soon we needed to return to
working on our Dan material and forms. We started by working our flip
falls, and were quickly throwing each other across the mat and jumping
over obstacles. We then applied these falls as we trained our techniques.
Proper falling is very important to prevent injury, and the students
were very careful to maintain their form both when performing their
techniques, and allowing others to practice theirs. The night finished
with a discussion of internet marketing techniques. We all would love
to see our art continue to grow, and Chief Master Lee’s Internet
Development Team of Fernando Ceballos and Raymond Fong taught us what
a powerful tool the Internet is to spread the word to the world. These
discussions continue to offer the schools owners the means of owning
and managing a successful school. Needless to say, everyone made sure
to take careful notes about the online videos, boot camps, and web
campaigns offered on the West LA website.
Day 4 everyone was up quite early so that we could continue our weapon
fighting, this time at the beach! Since many of us come from out of
town, we really enjoy getting out in the California weather. Weapon
fighting on the beach is a very intense experience, as we were forced
to focus on proper stepping or risk losing footing in the sand. And
now, with Tari strikes and multiple weapons sparring, the matches
were even more action packed. With students dropping to their knees,
attacking in flurries and spinning through their opponents, the sand
and water were really flying! After training, thanks to Dr. Janet
Lee, we were all able to enjoy a picnic lunch in the sun before cleaning
up our equipment and heading back to the dojang for more practice
on our Dan material. By this time everyone had learned quite a bit
of new material – really a whole year’s worth packed into
just a few days! We all trained quite late making sure we understood
all of the new forms and techniques we had learned so we could continue
to practice them on our own throughout the year. Many of us only have
this time to train with Do Joo Nim once a year, and because of the
depth of our martial art there are a lot of details to pick up in
this short amount of time! The late night discussion focused on school
ownership and expansion. This was an important topic for everyone,
whether they own a school now, want to open one someday, or just want
to continue to see their school grow. The discussion went until well
after midnight as everyone continued to ask questions on how to expand
our schools while still maintaining the integrity and quality of our
marital art.
Day 5 came quickly, and many of us were astonished by how fast the
week had really gone. We knew we had only a few more precious days
of training, and we were intent on getting as much out of them as
we could. Much of the day was spent on our grappling techniques for
the Gotoogi part of our program. After seeing the grappling competition
in the tournament on Sunday, we were all inspired to further our training
and bring even more knowledge back to our students. As usual, Chief
Master Lee demonstrated many techniques, showing not only how to execute
the techniques, but also stressing the important points and methods
of teaching each one properly to our own students. Then we were treated
to a grappling match between KSN Billy Bus and Mr. Matthew Kim. Since
both were very experienced grapplers, it was an excellent match, with
many arm bar attempts on both sides before Matt was finally able to
submit Instructor Bus with an arm bar from guard after an intensive
bout well over 15 minutes. Everyone was excited to see more matches,
but we knew we needed to continue our training instead. We moved on
to a session on Hwa Rang Do for seniors, which focused on a potential
new class offering. This class taught the important concepts of breathing
and movement in a way that is easier on the joints than the standard
Hwa Rang Do curriculum. We all found this a very relaxing way to end
our training for the day, focusing on slow soft style movement and
breathing and avoiding any hard style movement or deep knee bends.
The night finished with a trip to Stacy Lee’s (Chief Master
Lee’s second younger sister) house to discuss tournament officiating,
as well as to share dinner and hear some great stories from Do Joo
Nim.
Day 6 was our last full day of conference, so we spent the morning
with a detailed cleaning of the West LA dojang. We had been cleaning
all throughout the week, but we were determined to leave the dojang
cleaner than when we arrived! Everyone loaded up all their equipment
(sparring gear, grappling uniforms, kumdo equipment and 10 days worth
of clothes make for quite a load) and made the trip over to World
Headquarters in Tustin. We began by warming up with our live blade
swords in the back parking lot, reviewing the stepping and combinations
we would soon be using for our Begisul cutting techniques. Like board
breaking, cutting a straw mat requires a great deal of focus, as the
whole body must come together with proper stepping, blade alignment,
and kiap. When we were ready, we moved out front and took turns doing
the actual cutting, and soon all the straw mats lay in pieces. Many
students then attempted to throw the remaining pieces up in the air
and slice them before they hit the ground, which of course required
even better technique and perfect timing. When no pieces remained
uncut, we cleaned up the street, as well as carefully cleaning our
swords to prevent rusting, and then headed to dinner at a Korean BBQ
buffet.
Day 7 was really a continuation of Day 6, as the party at Do Joo
Nim’s house lasted well into the night. Everyone was amazed
at how fast the week had gone and was a bit disappointed the week
was over, intent on staying up late to get the most out of the experience
and enjoy the remaining time we had with our Hwa Rang Do family. Well
into the night, Chief Master Lee took everyone on a walk of the neighborhood,
enjoying the fresh air. Deep breathing and Ki exercises in the night
air were quite refreshing, as well as a quick dip in the pool in the
morning and a great lunch prepared by Samonim.
After an intense week of training, motivating experiences with fellow
students, and many deep conversations about what it really means to
be a Hwarang, everyone headed home with new material, new friendships,
and new inspiration to continue to further their training for another
year.
We can’t wait for next year!
Hwarang forever!
Jokyo Alyssa Marlenee – Minneapolis Branch Instructor
Awards Banquet
After we work, We Play
The 2008 Hwa Rang Do World Championships were a flurry of punches,
kicks, weapons and kiaps! And as they wound down, the assembled throngs
wound up again in preparation for the celebration to come. From Hollywood,
we traveled by car, by van, and by bus to Korea Town in Los Angeles,
to dine like kings and queens, to fellowship like warriors from the
campaign, to play as hard as we worked.
Champions of 2008
The repast was sumptuous, with a variety of plants and animals being
laid out for our consumption, as we examined fresh bruises and scrapes,
relived battles won, lost and hard fought. Battle plans were laid
for next year's tournament, and compliments were given and received
as each student thought about what they had learned that day, about
themselves, about Hwa Rang Do, and about the world.
Do Joo Nim rose as the meal drew to a close, and awarded the Hwarang
of the Year, the Rang Do of the Year, and the Won Hwa of the Year
to Susuk Sabumnim Dylan Sirny, Jokyonim Matthew Kim and Jokyonim Andrea
Perez-Bertolotto, respectively. Each of them displayed true warrior
spirit by competing and emerging victorious in all five categories
offered at the tournament: open hand forms, weapon forms, ground fighting
(Gotoogi), kick-punch-throw sparring and Gumtoogi – sword fighting.
Special Guests Richard Norton and his wife.
Following these awards, Susuk Kwangjangnim Taejoon Lee made more
presentations to more students who have contributed to the life and
growth of Hwa Rang Do over the course of the last year. The West Coast
cheer, “I like it! I love it! I want some more of it!”
echoed through the hall from everyone’s lips, as we all reveled
in the satisfaction of tasting our own potential.
Each year our banquet gives us the opportunity to appreciate what
Do Joo Nim has given us. This year was no different. He has given
us a gift, not only of himself and our Art, but the opportunity to
test ourselves; to probe our weaknesses; to reinforce our strengths;
and to better the world by bettering ourselves.
Everyone left the banquet as they left the tournament, as we leave
each class during the year: exhausted, refreshed, emboldened, and
ready for the challenges that lie ahead!
Hwarang Forever!
Reynaldo Macias
HRD Yuk Kub – Editor Kwan Chang Chronicles
Florida:
Ins. Bret Spoehr, After FSU Sets Off to Conquer Jacksonville,
Florida
Sa Bum Nim Bret Spoehr, the Head Instructor for Florida State University's
Hwa Rang Do®/Tae Soo Do® Club graduated from the University
this August with a Bachelor's of Science in Exercise Science. He leaves
the Club behind in the capable hands of Kevin Elliott, one of his
first students at FSU and now a Tae Soo Do Half-black. Instructor
Bret Spoehr will be joining his parents, SaBum Nim Diane and JoKyo
Nim Sid Spoehr in Jacksonville, Florida, and begin teaching full time
at their Hwa Rang Do School in Jacksonville.
When asked about how Hwarangdo affected his college experience and
what he plans to do now, Instructor Bret Spoehr had this to say, "Since
I was eight years old I have heard adults talk about how our art has
given them inner strength at critical points in their lives, but as
a child I only understood them in a general way. I finally understood
in my senior year of college. I found myself sitting at a desk in
my dorm room, alone, at three in the morning with an Organic Chemistry
test the next day at eleven. I had been studying for the past sixteen
hours. It occurred to me that I might be incapable of learning the
material in front me at a rate sufficient to pass the test. However,
if I failed the test I would fail the course and also be kicked out
of my major. I would be forced to switch majors and to stay in college
for more than a year longer than I had planned.
"I sat back in my chair and tried to think clearly, but my mind
was fried. Then I saw myself as a child, sparring against a man twice
my size with five more years of experience. I remembered knowing I
would lose, that I had no hope, and then yelling as loud as I could
and attacking him anyway. Memories like that are why I passed Organic
Chemistry and eventually graduated. It was not the kicking and punching,
but the mentality of Hwarangdo which gave me the courage to do what
I thought I could not, and to succeed.
"Since high school my dream has been to practice the martial
and healing arts. Now that I have completed a pre-med degree I intend
to re-enter college at the Florida Community College of Jacksonville
and earn a Physical Therapy Assistant's license in order to practice
healing. And, as I have done since receiving a black sash at thirteen,
I will continue to teach and practice Hwarangdo. My goal is to continue
to spread Hwa Rang Do opening many more academies, but for now, I
am focused on making the current Jacksonville Academy the best it
can be. I love the art of Hwarangdo and it will be a part of my life
until my last breath."
We look forward to Sa Bum Nim Bret Spoehr’s continued growth
as a school owner and a teacher.
International
News
Italy:
Tae Soo Do training on the beach
On Sunday 6, July 2008: a group of Hwa Rang Do®/Tae Soo Do®
students in Rome received permission from Ins. Mattiucci to train
at a local beach. Under the direction of Massimo Borriello (TSD black
belt) they trained hard under the sun. As you can see in the pictures
a lot of people were present in the beach and our TSD students proudly
showed their wonderful art. After the training they spent time together
to speak about TSD/HRD, its principles and values, while dining and
enjoying the sun and sea.
Official Banquet
in Rome
On Wednesday, July 23, 2008 the Hwa Rang Do®/Tae Soo Do®
Clubs of Rome closed the academic year 2007/2008 and we arranged a
special training session at Instructor Marco Mattiucci’s home.
His home is located in the suburbs of Rome, Fiano Romano, where he
has also built a dojang (training hall). From 7pm to 9pm we trained
hard and after all the participants enjoyed a dinner in a very nice
restaurant nearby. We had a large group of all ages which made it
a very enjoyable experience, strengthening our familial bonds. There
were many guest whom were friends and family members of our students,
but they were all happy to stay and experience the warmth and love
of our wonderful martial art family. At the end of the dinner, the
students gave Ins. Mattiucci a very nice gift: a gorgeous (and expensive)
book of the history of the Italian military corp., which Ins. Mattiucci
is a member of.
Sa Bum Nim Alex
Krijger from Netherlands Visits Rome
The Hwa Rang Do® Instructor Alexander Krijger, in charge as Chief
of the Hwa Rang Do®/Tae Soo Do® Clubs in The Netherlands,
visited Rome with his family. The Italian Branch of the WHRDA was
honored to help him during his stay and demonstrated the warm hospitality
of the Italian HRD/TSD family. They took him and his family sightseeing
all through Rome and enjoyed hours of fine dining Italian style. They
also spent many hours discussing the future of Hwa Rang Do®/Tae
Soo Do® in Europe and how to help the Czech Instructor Martin
Srnka. They mutually agreed to go to the Czech Republic in November
2008 to assist Instructor Srnka and enjoy some hardcore HRD practice
together with our Czech brother and sisters.
Hwarang forever in the EU!!!
