Today, as usual, I put on my dobok, tie a black belt around my waist and pledge: Rather than instruc

Today, as usual, I put on my dobok, tie a black belt around my waist and pledge: Rather than instructing to "do it," I say, "let's do it!? I would like to wish that all of your lives be joyful, lively, and enriched by Taekwondo. Winter has suddenly passed us by and I come to a realization that life too passes us by quickly. I see myself learning every day as I teach Taekwondo. As I write this article, I would first like to thank all of my students who help me learn many things about life on a daily basis. It is somewhat awkward for me to write, since I am involved in a lifestyle that teaches about the physical and mental aspects of our well being. But I've always wanted to formally express my gratitude to all of you. Over the years of training and instructing, I've come to realize that real joy truly comes from being humble. A master should have pride and dignity that is also well deserved, but the characteristics that super cede all others is humbleness and respect. Personally, I find it difficult at times to be humble and respectful. Many times I see that you are better than I am, and yet you all call me Master Yun and show me great respect. It is at those times that I sense that maybe I am your student. My hope is that all of you get out of Taekwondo more than just a good workout. I hope that it brings you happiness for many years to come. Taekwondo is an art that enables each one of us to cultivate a healthy physical body, a tough mental status, and improve our self esteem. There is an old saying that states," Once you've trained the body, you are able to keep the family strong, and in doing so, you are able to take another step forward and reign over the whole world." Having said this, I would like for all of you to acknowledge the fact that everything in life starts within yourself. With this acknowledgement, I hope that all of you devote yourselves to diligent training. Taekwondo is not just a sport, but rather, it is a philosophical dance. I would like to inform you that it is not a learning philosophy, but a philosophy of enlightenment. It may be that Taekwondo is a journey to great wisdom, through vigorous training. While you devote yourselves to thousands of repetitive motions, you too, as the strong martial artist does, will also be able to appreciate the philosophy of martial arts in greater depth. I too sometimes feel inadequate, but I would like to work and learn with you so that I can become a better master. There are many things that occur in our dojang. There are times when we bypass the important events in life. Although you catch some of those mishaps, I hope that you understand. In closing, I thank all of my students, their parents, and other family members who have been so understanding and steadfastly supporting our Vancouver Taekwondo School. By Master Sang-Bum Yun

Reflections

Summer here in Vancouver is especially beautiful. Today's date is August 27th, as I write this, and it is exactly 5 years ago today that I arrived here. Through the many happenings in life, I have enjoyed the times we've had together through the thick and thin. I will never forget the constant support and cheering that all of you continue to give me. I am encouraged, therefore, to strive to do my very best to put together the best programs for our taekwondo dojang. Taekwondo is a sport that goes beyond physical exercise. I think the purpose of taekwondo is not only to keep ourselves physically fit and healthy, it is learning the basics of self defense. Currently, schools alone are not able to fully teach respect, self esteem, and the physical health aspects of our children. This is where taekwondo stands between the gap and enables our children to learn and apply these very important traits in our every day lives. The pride that I have in the effects of taekwondo is what drives me to do what I do every day. I would like to encourage you and your children to enjoy the sport of taekwondo as you work hard to learn it. Life's wisdom can be learned with great joy through the art of taekwondo. Having self esteem and good health is the foundation in achieving happiness in one's life. Through the dripping of precious sweat, we are able to find health as we realize that anything can be achieved if we apply dedication to ourselves. Rather than starting taekwondo by asking yourself, "Can I do it?" it is better to say to yourself with a positive attitude, "Let's try!". Starting taekwondo in this kind of mentality will bring you great success in learning the martial art. You will not only benefit in mastering the sport, but the attitude you display will bring you success in all areas of your life. I recall my mentor and master instructor, Woo Jin Chung, telling me that he was a man running the confidence building fist factory. Loud ki-haps that are followed by the cracking and breaking of the boards.....that excitement! that sense of accomplishment! that is the gift that taekwondo can give you. I hope that taekwondo brings you great joy and happiness in life. I also hope that you look forward to coming to taekwondo to kick and punch as we sweat together, exchanging positive energy to one another, so that we may become stronger and better in life. This is what I hope taekwondo will do for you and this is what you should expect from it. As always, my goal is to provide not the best dojang, but the hardest working dojang possible. Instilling in a little child, the self confidence, strong mentality, and the will to trying one's best is what I want to make happen in our dojang. To all of my students and parents who continually trust and support me 100%, I sincerely thank you from the bottom of my heart. I will not look back at the past 5 years of struggles, but rather look forward to the brighter up coming years of our dojang.

Master Yun - Pieces In Time

Contrary to common opinion, he wasn't born a master, although likely kicking and yelling. Before attaining the illustrious title of a Kukkiwon (World Taekwondo Headquarters) certified master instructor, and trained at the Harvard of martial arts universities, he was known as Yun, Sang Bum to his friends and parents in the country village of Kim Chun, Korea.

A mason-working father, and a hard working mother raised Yun, Sang Bum with his brother and two sisters. At the age of nine, he began practicing Taekwondo at a local dojang. He can recall feeling very proud when he earned his red belt, and would tie his uniform up with it and sling it over his shoulder on the way to class.

As his martial talent began to take shape, his master encouraged him to enter local competitions in sparring, and soon, he was beginning to make a name for himself.

Korea is comprised of regions equivalent to counties or states, and each has an intense rivalry regarding Taekwondo sparring. Before college, Master Yun, who was a second degree black belt by that time, was at the state champion level. This is the same as being on the "Dream Team" or at the top of the US National levels. These were not 'open' championships, but highly regulated, exclusive matches fought by the top from each region.

I asked Master Yun, why, at that point, did he not continue and go on to the Pan American, Asian, or World Games and enter the life of a competitor. He paused and said, "I had to make a decision" with the reflection of an old sage, "where my life was going...so I became Master." Despite cultural, generational, and language differences I understood that to mean Master Yun forsake the glory of standing with competitors in a 'sport' atmosphere, to study an ancient art and spread his knowledge in the United States.

After serving in the Korean Army, graduating from Yong-In University and receiving his 5th degree from Kukkiwon, Master Yun was invited by Bally's Total Fitness to run the Taekwondo program in Chicago, Illinois. Later, he managed Jung's Taekwondo for Grandmaster Jung in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, before relocating to the Pacific Northwest where he took a small school in a strip mall in Vancouver, Washington. We all know where to find Master Yun now between 4pm and 9pm, teaching, sweating, and kicking with 170 or so students on a busy boulevard.

But we haven't the foggiest clue where the fire in his core came from that pushes him to provide his students with the best he can give day in and day out. We can't see the training he endured in Korea from his masters for years and years that taught him discipline or confidence.

We just have him here, to bow to, and to say "yes, sir", and to hope we can generate half as much energy.

-- Aaron Rayburn, Director USWC TKD