Mastery is a Life Long Journey

The Atlantic Pacific Tang Soo Do Federation, headquartered in Suwanee, Georgia recently hosted their annual Ko Dan Ja or Master’s Clinic. Masters and Master’s candidates from across the U.S. traveled to the annual Ko Dan Ja and spent four (4) days focusing on the history, tradition, culture, philosophy, and physical skills related to the ancient art of Tang Soo Do. The clinic took place from Thursday, March 26^th to Sunday, March 29th at Federation headquarters in Suwanee.   

Kwan Jang Nim John St. James, President and Founding Master of the APTSDF, led the team of Masters from Master’s candidate to 7^th Degree. The program started with a general orientation on Thursday morning at 9 am. The physical emphasis of this year’s clinic was placed on Master level traditional Tang Soo Do hyungs (forms). Masters also spent time working on various weaponry (staff, dagger, sword, and gun), ho sin sul (self defense), and heightened awareness training. All twenty (20) plus Masters and candidates in attendance trained on chi gong as well as advanced teaching principles or the art of pedagogy. This year we were also blessed to have two special guest instructors, both of which are 8^th Degrees Black Belts. They were Kwan Jang Nim Chuck Blackburn, of the Spiritual Martial Arts Association, and Kwan Jang Nim James Allison, of the International Sun Moo Kwan Hapkido and World Kido Federation.  

 The first full day of the Ko Dan Ja went by fast as traditional Tang Soo Do forms were reviewed, standardized, and documented. Thursday's sessions added weapons as well as basic and advanced self defense and practical application (shil ki) training. Night classes covered everything from breaking barriers using advanced peak performance techniques to strategies for effective studio management and running a 21^st century dojang (training hall) while maintaining the Moo Do tradition.

On Friday, the Masters and Candidates were treated to classes in Chi Gong by Kwan Jang Nim Blackburn as well as a class from Kwan Jang Nim Allison which covered advanced ho sin sul (self defense) from a gun. Later that night, presentations included a live internet demo of Dave Kovar’s “Enrollment Accelerator”, a presentation on The Path of the Master by Kwan Jang Nim St. James, and a very informative presentation by Kwan Jang Nim Blackburn on disaster preparedness which covered everything from how to read a topographical map to a show and tell on how to properly store water, food, energy, and plan emergency routes in case of catastrophe.

On Saturday, the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) finalized the Federation’s new dagger form (Ho Rang Hyung or Tiger Form) and a new sword form (Yong Gum Hyung or Dragon Form). Under Kwan Jang Nim’s guidance, the group also completed reviewing, standardizing, and documenting all hyungs (forms) up to O Sip Sa Bo.

On Saturday night, there were very informative presentations and workshops on Certified Instructor Training and the Federation rolled out its new and improved website which went live on April 6^th. The Web Committee was present to demonstrate all the new upgrades to the Federation’s leadership. Afterwards, a Board of Directors meeting was held and then it was time for a final Ko Dan Ja Shim Sa (grading). Candidates tested to 6^th Degree, 5^th Degree, and 4^th Degree and represented Georgia, Alabama, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Tennessee. The final grading phase started on Saturday night and ended at 2 am in the morning on Sunday. The testing candidates were challenged mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally. Actually, the test had started on Thursday morning and lasted for nearly four days. It was evident that the candidates had come prepared to give their best.

With graduation Sunday afternoon, each Master and Candidate left feeling thoroughly spent and yet enlightened and energized from another great mastery experience. The theme for this year’s Ko Dan Ja or Master’s Clinic was, “Mastery is a Life Long Journey.” Everyone left ready for the next step in the journey.

Written by Deborah K. Jett, 4th Dan
Board Secretary and Treasurer, Atlantic-Pacific Tang Soo Do Federation