Kim Soo Karate of Bakersfield - Welcome! :: - Introduction to Grandmaster Kim Soo

Introduction to Grandmaster Kim Soo

Grandmaster Kim Soo began studying martial arts as a child in Korea. He was promoted to 1^st degree black belt when he was 13. He started several Korean university martial arts clubs. He has instructed Korean presidential body guards, Korean military intelligence and US armed forces personnel.

Grandmaster Kim Soo immigrated to the US in 1968 with $100 in his pocket. He came with a dream of teaching martial arts to any student that was interested in learning regardless of age, race, religion, sex or physical ability. He established his first school in Houston, Texas and began teaching at several of the Universities there including the prestigious Rice University. Over the last 25+ years he has had thousands of students. He has graduated hundreds of black belts and, currently, he has had 30 individuals that have achieved the level of master (5^th degree black belt or higher).

Grandmaster Kim Soo has attained 10^th degree black belt (the highest rank that can be awarded) and continues to provide instruction to his students at his home schools in Houston. He is one of very few grandmasters that continues to actively teach their students. He also oversees the Chayon-Ryu International Martial Arts Association which has locations in over 20 states and many countries.

Philosophy of Chayon-Ryu

Chayon-Ryu means “natural way”. Grandmaster Kim Soo has developed Chayon-Ryu to focus on and enhance the natural movements from its parent martial arts. Because Chayon-Ryu is focused on basic principles such as breathing and rhythm, students of all ages are able to use their natural, human abilities to perform powerful techniques. These techniques are taught to students in a way as to develop, not only their physical skills, but also their minds and spirits. Chayon-Ryu is sometimes referred to as a “lifestyle martial art”. Many students have incorporated Chayon-Ryu into other aspects of their lives from improving their golf games to their marriage. How it will help you can only be known in time.

Instruction of students happens in a safe environment. Students work with one another under the tenants of respect, humility, patience, persistence and the careful guidance of the instructor to develop self confidence. This confidence will help prepare students to deal with, not only physical attackers, but internal struggles such as worry, insecurity, jealousy, impatience and depression.

History

Chayon-Ryu was developed by Grandmaster Kim Soo. He studied with several masters in Korea before refining what he had learned into what is now Chayon-Ryu. Grandmaster Kim Soo established his first U.S. school in downtown Houston in 1968. Now headquartered in Houston, Texas, Grandmaster Kim Soo is one of the few, true grand masters who still directly instructs his students. Today, Chayon-Ryu has schools throughout the US as well as several countries.

Click here to see the history and lineage for Chayon-Ryu hosted on the headquarter's web site.

What is Chayon-Ryu

Chayon-Ryu means Natural Way martial art. The fundamental basis of Chayon-Ryu is that all the movements are natural in their motion. Often in other styles of martial arts you will see people punching, kicking or twisting their bodies unnaturally in an effort to perform a technique. Over time, this unnatural motion strains the body to the point where many martial artists must stop training due to injury. Grandmaster Kim Soo developed Chayon-Ryu with this in mind. Because of his studies, he has developed his system of teaching to promote power, safety, fitness and health. It is an art that can be easily practiced by young and old alike.

Chayon-Ryu is a martial art developed by Grandmaster Kim Soo over many years. It incorporates the natural movements of its parent martial arts including Japanese Karate and Judo/Jujitsu, Korean Tae Kwon Do and Hapkido, as well as Chinese Chuan Fa (Kung Fu). Due to the complexity and depth of the material taught in Chayon-Ryu, most individuals will need many years of study to achieve higher ranks within this system.

Introduction to Chayon-Ryu