2022 TKDI Bootcamp

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Asheville Sun Soo is honored to host the TKDI (Taekwon-do International) Bootcamp,  August 5th through August 7th, 2022. This event will bring together over 100 practitioners of varying ranks, representing schools throughout the TKDI family. We are excited to have Grandmaster Kim share his vast knowledge, enthusiasm and many years of experience with students of all ranks.

The weekend will feature round robin training sessions, meals, and time to socialize with fellow practitioners.

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Sun Soo Geungang (Health) #3 – Recharge

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Dear all,

Our tae kwon do practice provides us with a lot of things that are good for our bodies.  Strength.  Flexibility. Endurance.  Although we may not be thinking about it during a physically challenging class, these are exactly the kinds of qualities that we are internally cultivating as well.  And thank goodness for that!

Strength, flexibility and endurance are key pieces for our physical, mental, spiritual and emotional resilience during this time.  One common definition of resilience is the ability to “bounce back” after a stressful event or challenge has happened.  But a newer definition takes resilience to a higher level.  Resilience can be thought of as the capacity to prepare for, recover from and adapt in the face of stress, challenge or adversity.  I like the word “capacity” in that definition, because it means that resilience is not an “all or none” thing- it fluctuates like energy in a battery.  In these times of challenges, we build our mental and emotional resilience capacity and have more to draw on when we need it, just like we exercise our bodies in class and become stronger physically.

Creating simple daily ways to recharge mentally and emotionally can be extremely helpful, and they have the extra benefit of improving our immune system function and quieting our body’s stress response.  If you can, go outside or open a window.  Spend 5-10 minutes or more focusing on the sound of the birds, or the feel of the sun on your face.  Or focus your attention on your heart, and imagine that your breath is moving in and out of your heart or chest area.  These types of meditative, centering exercises help calm and rebalance our nervous system.

 

Other free options include:

Kaiser Permanente free meditation audioguides–

https://m.kp.org/health-wellness/podcasts/emotional-wellness

HeartMath Global Coherence app and Inner Balance app – www.heartmath.org-– can download these from the app store for free.  Both have audioguides, and the Global Coherence App has two audio guides specific for coronavirus.

Other smart phone apps: Breathing Zone- Mindful Breathing, Breathe2Relax, Insight Timer-Guided Meditations app, Calm app

Strength, flexibility, endurance, resilience: even just a few minutes taken to support ourselves mentally and emotionally can make a big difference.  See what you think!

 

With care,

Danna

About Danna:

Dr. Danna Park specializes in Integrative Medicine, Internal Medicine and Pediatrics.  She received her M.D. degree from Tufts University, completed a combined residency in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics and is a graduate of the Residential Fellowship in Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona.  She is Board-certified in all three specialties.  Dr. Park provides integrative consultations for adults and children with a variety of medical conditions and also works with people who want to take an active approach in maintaining their wellness.  Dr. Park has specialized training in mind-body medicine, vitamins and supplements, nutritional approaches for brain-based disorders and integrative cancer care.  For more information, call 828-333-3339 or go to  www.mountainintegrative.com .

Sun Soo Geungang (Health) #1 – Exercise

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Dear all,

In the Korean language, it turns out there are numerous ways to say “crisis”, and one of the “crisis” words means “bifurcation or diverging point.”…one path that splits into two. Any time there are two ways to possibly go, there is the power of choice. Even though a lot of things are out of our control, it is important to pay attention to the things we can control and the choices we can make, as a way to maintain our personal resilience.

Since our “homestay” began, I’ve been out walking daily, usually with my husband, and always paying close attention to the “6-foot away rule” if we pass anyone on our path in the woods. We’ve done these walks B.C. (before COVID), without much other “foot traffic”; in fact, it was rare to see another person. But now? Lots of people are getting out in the fresh air and choosing to make this time a healthier time by walking.

At Sun Soo now, thanks to our “Internet-savvy” instructors, we have a choice every day about how we want to continue our practice and incorporate daily exercise in our lives. Our martial arts practice has a number of health benefits that are especially important now. Exercise helps us to “stay in the moment” and to decrease anxiety.  It supports proper immune system function by enhancing immune system competency and regulation.  Studies continue to show that regular physical activity and frequent structured exercise reduces incidence of viral and bacterial infections in addition to decreasing other chronic diseases such as cancer, inflammatory disorders, type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Regular
exercise for all ages, but especially in older adults, increases both numbers and effectiveness of a variety of immune cells in our bodies: T cells, natural killer cells and neutrophils.

Currently the WNC data shows that all the work each of us are doing to stay home is working! Don’t stop- we still have a ways to go! As we continue to “flatten the curve” of coronavirus, take heart and know that by choosing to do your martial arts practice, you are choosing to support your health in a variety of ways.

Well-wishes,
Danna

About Danna:

Dr. Danna Park specializes in Integrative Medicine, Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. She received her M.D. degree from Tufts University, completed a combined residency in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics and is a graduate of the Residential Fellowship in Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona. She is Board-certified in all three specialties. Dr. Park provides integrative consultations for adults and children with a variety of medical conditions and also works with people who want to take an active approach in maintaining their wellness. Dr. Park has specialized training in mind-body medicine, vitamins and supplements, nutritional approaches for brain-based disorders and integrative cancer care.

For more information, call 828-333-3339 or go to www.mountainintegrative.com

Asheville Sun Soo Martial Arts – COVID-19/Coronavirus update

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By now, all Asheville Sun Soo students and their families should have received an e-mail regarding the changes that will be happening at the dojang during this time. Please check your inbox and your spam folders to make certain that you have received the message. If you have not, please contact us at 828-505-4309 and update your contact information so that we can forward the message to you directly and be sure that you receive future updates as they happen. Thank you!

At Asheville Sun Soo, our intention has been to stay open as a service to our students and families and to be able to do so with the addition of several risk-reducing measures (greater distance between students during class, multiple hand sanitizers in the space, no student contact, extensive cleaning measures). We had hoped that we would be able to continue to serve our families through daily classes and our after-school-related programing were schools to close. As the week has progressed, however, it has become increasingly apparent that – in order to best serve our families and students, as well as the community at large – we must support as fully as possible, the collective and large-scale efforts being made to minimize the spread or potential spread of the virus.

Given the mandates that have been made on the state level in an effort to slow/minimize the transmission of the coronavirus, and given that Asheville Sun Soo’s mission is to “make the greatest positive difference for the greatest number of people,” we are compelled to stop all in-person programming for all students and families, effective immediately (beginning Monday, March 16th, 2020) – and until these mandates are lifted.

It is our sincere hope that we collectively will only need to be absent from Asheville Sun Soo for these next two weeks – and we also realize that it is possible that the interruption may be required to extend longer. In any case, we want to remind us all of a few things:

  • This will pass… There will be an end to this “season” and we will get to the other side. 🙂
  • We are not alone in this; we are all in this together! We, the Sun Soo family, are a loving and strong and positively-oriented collective – and we will hold space for each other and stay connected, even while we are not able to be physically present with each other.
  • We are martial artists! And real martial artists are strong!

Please know that we will have everyone in thoughts and hold a space for the greatest possibilities for us all. To this end, we are currently in the process of developing a means by which our students can practice at home (in addition to the resources that are already available). We will be sending additional details by Tuesday.

Please feel free to contact us by email or phone if you have any questions. Let’s all stay safe and make the best of this. We look forward to us all being together again soon!

Teen girl at ready stance2019

Asheville Sun Soo Martial Arts Prepares for February 2020 Testing

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Asheville Sun Soo will conduct belt rank testing on Friday, February 14th and Saturday, February 15th.  We are excited to welcome 3 visiting Guest Master Judges for this event – 9th Dan Grandmaster Ju Hun Kim, 6th Dan Master Robert Word, and 5th Dan Master Bob Kerr! 

Grandmaster Kim (not to be confused with Grandmaster Suk Jun Kim, Founder of Taekwon-Do International, our parent organization) was the first Tae Kwon Do instructor under whom Grandmaster Tony Morris studied, when he was only 10 years old, in 1972! Grandmaster Kim ran his own school, Kim’s School of Tae Kwon Do, which was headquartered in Charlotte, NC (with many associated schools over the 50-year history of Kim’s School of Tae Kwon Do that were located in other cities, states and countries!) for several years.  Grandmaster Kim instilled a sense of excellence and tradition that Grandmaster Morris continues to pursue in the day to day operation of Asheville Sun Soo Martial Arts. Please be certain to greet Grandmaster Kim at testing this weekend! 

Master Robert Word is a longtime friend of the school. He and his wife, 5th Dan Master Dawn Word, owned and operated AIM Tae Kwon Do in Greensboro, NC, for several years before taking some time off. Masters Word plan to open a new school in the upcoming year. We are happy to welcome him back to the school! 

Master Bob Kerr, also a longtime friend and frequent visitor to Asheville Sun Soo Martial Arts, has been a pastor for several decades, and still practices with Grandmaster Ju Hun Kim today. Welcome back Master Kerr! 

We want to congratulate all of our testing students for all their efforts and accomplishments. We want to give special recognition to the five students testing for Black Belt ranks: 

John Mellin, 13, testing for Junior 1st Dan 

Lucca DeGennaro, 10, testing for Junior 2nd Dan 

Silas Flaum, 14, testing for Junior 2nd Dan 

Devin Martin, 18, testing for 2nd Dan 

Amerie Delfin, 14, testing for Junior 3rd Dan 

Reminder: 

We will be closed for classes beginning at 11:30am Friday, February 14th. There will be no classes on Friday afternoon or evening, all day Saturday, February 15th, and all day Monday, February 17th. We will resume our normal class schedule on Tuesday, February 18th.  

Testing Schedule: 

Friday, February 14th 

4pm: Mighty Tiger/Mighty Lion Testing 

6pm: White Belt Testing, White-Yellow Belt Testing, Color Belt Board Breaks, Black Belt candidates begin testing. Please arrive by 5:30pm.  

Saturday, February 15th 

10am: Special Seminar for students in the Black Belt ranks, conducted by Grandmaster Kim! 

12pm: Testing for all students, ranked White-Yellow belt and above, Black Belt candidates complete testing. 

Community meal immediately follows testing. Food will be provided by Happy Cinco de Mayo, a delicious restaurant located within the River Ridge Market Place, specializing in Mexican cuisine. 

Students should wear WHITE uniforms ONLY! 

We will be closed for classes throughout testing weekend, as well as on Monday, February 17th  (in order to reset the space)! Classes will resume on Tuesday, February 18th and will follow our regular schedule! Please wear your current belt to your first class back. Students who have been promoted will receive their new belt at their first class back.  

Kids who move up to yellow belt or blue belt should attend one more class for their current rank. White-Yellow belts who test to Yellow belt should attend one more Kid’s Beginner class, then begin going to Kid’s Intermediate classes after receiving their new belt. Green-Blue belts who test to Blue belt should attend one more Kid’s Intermediate class, then begin going to Kid’s Advanced classes after receiving their new belt.  

We look forward to seeing all of you this weekend! 

 

Asheville Sun Soo Celebrates the Holidays with December 2019 Belt Rank Testing and Holiday Potluck

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Asheville Sun Soo Welcomes Chief Master Brice Bishop as Guest Master Instructor at our December 2019 Belt Rank Testing

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Asheville Sun Soo Martial Arts is excited to welcome Chief Master Brice Bishop as the Guest Master Instructor for our December testing event. Grandmaster Tony Morris met Chief Master Bishop when they both served as the Guest Masters at the October Testing of Taekwondo University, the collection of schools run by Grandmaster Terry Brumley – our visiting Guest Master Instructor from August!

Chief Master Bishop recently visited Asheville Sun Soo in anticipation of his serving in the capacity of judge for our upcoming testing. His visit provided him with context for what he will see on the mat during testing, and he looks forward to seeing the difference 3 weeks has made in our students. In addition, Chief Master Bishop will be holding a special class for Asheville Sun Soo Black Belts centering on footwork as it relates to effective sparring.

We look forward to hosting Chief Master Bishop this weekend, and having him share his perspective and skills with our students. Please be certain to meet him and thank him for being here!

Asheville Sun Soo Students Brave Rainy Weather to Participate in 2019 Asheville Holiday Parade

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Grandmaster Morris Serves as Guest Master Instructor at Taekwondo University Testing

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Asheville Sun Soo Martial Arts is grateful to have had 9th Dan Grandmaster Terry Brumley, founder of United Taekwondo Alliance, and founder and Master Instructor of Taekwondo University as our guest on several occasions, including most recently, as guest for our August testing as well as contributing presence to our September TKDI Invitational Tournament, representing the UTA.

Returning the favor, on October 10th and 11th, Grandmaster Morris visited Grandmaster Brumley, serving in the capacity of a Guest Master Instructor and Guest Judge for the belt rank testing at Taekwondo University, held in Cordova, TN.

While there, Grandmaster Morris led a rigorous and exciting class for Grandmaster Brumley’s students in the Black Belt ranks. He shared the guest judge role with Chief Master Brice Bishop, Founder and Owner of National Black Belt Academy in Conway, Arkansas, who will be visiting our school next week! Grandmaster Morris enjoyed the experience, and found that Grandmaster Brumley’s students were welcoming and had a high level of capability and skill.

Grandmaster Brumley and Mrs. Brumley were gracious hosts, rolling out the red carpet for Grandmaster Morris and Mrs. Morris, treating them to an excellent testing and a night on the town in Memphis, TN.

Visiting other schools is a valuable part of Asheville Sun Soo’s mission to facilitate healthy and mutually supportive relationships among schools, instructors and practitioners. Grandmaster Morris would like to formally thank Grandmaster Brumley and the UTA for our mutually supportive relationship. We look forward to our next time together.

Photo of Grandmaster Morris and Master Amy Dexter with elementary aged student practitioner2019

Grandmaster Tony Morris and Master Amy Dexter Contribute to Career Day at West Buncombe Elementary School

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Photo of Grandmaster Morris and Master Amy Dexter with elementary aged student practitionerOn October 31st, Grandmaster Tony Morris and Master Amy Dexter contributed to the Career Day at West Buncombe Elementary School. This event, held annually at local schools, is designed with the intent of exposing students to the variety of career possibilities for their futures.

Grandmaster Morris and Master Dexter, represented Asheville Sun Soo Martial Arts, inspiring the kids to build their futures by emphasizing the importance of education, living in excellence, setting goals, practicing perseverance, and living with integrity as they continue to develop. As an example of what it’s like to be a martial arts instructor, Grandmaster Morris and Master Dexter taught the attending kids a few moves. The kids had fun, practiced their manners, and left excited about their possibilities.

Asheville Sun Soo Martial Arts is committed to making a difference in our community! If you would like Asheville Sun Soo Martial Arts to come to your location to facilitate a class, workshop, demonstration or other event, please contact Grandmaster Tony Morris at 505-4309.