My martial journey began in the traditional dojang, under the guidance of Master Yun Tak Bong, where I first stepped onto the path of Tang Soo Do. What started as disciplined study of a single art has, over four decades, evolved into something far deeper—an ongoing pursuit of Tang Soo Do and Karate in its fullest sense.
I no longer train as I once did, due to age, injuries, and surgeries, but draw on Tang Soo Do’s roots in Japanese and Okinawan Karate to adapt and evolve going forward. Higher stances, lower kicks, relaxation and speed rather than muscle power, training smarter rather than harder. My training is not about belts, ranks, or recognition. It is about preserving the essence of the martial path.
Now beyond the age of 60, my focus has shifted from proving strength to sustaining it. Training has become a means of rebuilding the body, sharpening the mind, and nurturing the spirit. It is about longevity, resilience, and the quiet, unyielding discipline that defines the warrior spirit.
This is a lifelong journey—one of personal evolution, deep respect for tradition, and unwavering commitment to self-mastery. The warrior spirit does not fade with time; it is forged, tested, and strengthened through it.
I train not just to remember what I was taught—but to live it, every day.
The Legacy of My Training
- Over 40 years of martial arts study
- Training under the late Master Yun Tak Bong
- Experience teaching seminars and classes
- Experience creating online courses and teaching students online
- Evolution toward lifelong training and health
- Training in various martial arts
Martial Arts Studied
- Traditional Tang Soo Do
- Tae Kwon Do
- Shotokan Karate
- Sin Moo Hapkido
- 8 Step preying Mantis Kung Fu
- Tracy Kenpo
- Suenaka Ha Tetsugaku Ho Aikido
- Yang Tai Chi
- Chung Do Kwan Tae Kwon Do
- Combat Hapkido
- Combat Hapkido Ground Fighting
- Sun Style Tai Chi (Tai Chi for Arthritis)
The Quiet Path: Training Karate Alone
There comes a time in life when the noise fades,…
Adapting Martial Arts for Physical Limitations
There comes a moment in every serious martial artist’s life…
Beginning the Martial Arts Journey
Every martial artist can remember the moment when the journey…
The Tang Soo Do Tenets: Building Faith, Discipline, and Character
Tang Soo Do is not sustained by technique alone. Kicks,…
The Wisdom of Taking a Break
Why Taking a Break From Training Matters After 50 For…
My Karate Legacy
Strength Entrusted for a Higher Purpose My understanding and teaching…
The martial arts are often thought of as something pursued in our youth – years spent chasing rank, competition, and physical achievements. Yet those who remain on the path long enough eventually discover that the true value of training reveals itself slowly, over decades rather than years.
With time, the focus of practice begins to change. Power gives way to efficiency. Speed gives way to timing. Ambition gradually transforms into quiet discipline. The goal is no longer simply to perform techniques, but to continue training in a way that strengthens the body, sharpens the mind, and sustains health for the long journey ahead.
This evolution is part of what makes the martial arts unique. Systems such as Tang Soo Do were never intended to be temporary pursuits. They were designed as lifelong practices – paths that guide individuals through different stages of life while continuing to offer challenge, structure, and meaning.
For many practitioners, there comes a point when the responsibility shift from learning to preserving. The lessons received from teachers, instructors, and fellow students carry value that should not be lost with time. Writing becomes one way to pass those lessons forward, ensuring that the philosophy, discipline, and training methods that shaped our own development remain available to others who seek them.
The martial path therefore never truly ends. It simply changes form. Training continues through movement, reflection, and the sharing of knowledge. Each generation receives the lessons of those who came before and adds its own experience before passing them onward.
In this way, the spirit of the martial arts endures – one practitioner, one lesson, and one lifetime at a time.