BEST HOLIDAY WISHES TO EVERYONE...

FROM ALL OF US TO ALL OF YOU !

2006 is slowly approaching its end... 2007 is waiting to start it's journey very soon. I wish to extend holiday greetings to our extended family in the Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan® World. It is a very large family and I can only state how "proud and privileged" I am to be a part of it.


Please keep all our brothers and sisters who place their lives in "harm's way" on a daily basis for ...US... in your thoughts and prayers and hopefully those thoughts and prayers will provide them with the courage to continue doing what they do on a daily basis. Our Nation's military! Many of our Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan® brothers and sisters serving in uniform are returning home this holiday season, we wish them a safe return and a very Happy New Year and that they get the opportunity to spend quality time with their families and some quality time in the their respective dojangs.
Last but surely not least, keep Frank Schermerhorn Sa Bom Nim
and his family, in your daily thoughts and prayers so he can have a permanent recovery in his fight; as we have always appreciated his humble leadership, his strong example and countless contributions to us.

Respectfully Submitted,


...and Happy New Year.

R Bonefont Sr.

WE NEED TO NOMINATE...

photo courtesy of the U.S. Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan Federation Inc.™

HELP NOMINATE
Vic Martinov, Sa Bom Nim
as 2006 Man of the Year









I hope this email finds you in great health and spirits.

I am sending this email to Registered Studio Vision Tour Committees in hopes that you will get the word out quickly to your fellow practitioners. This can be done through email, class announcements or class flyer. If you have access to your regional Yahoo Group, that would also be appreciated (if not already done).

Kwan Jang Nim H.C. Hwang would be honored if members moved quickly to action over the next 8 days and voted for his nominee, Senior Advisory Committee member, Vic Martinov, Sa Bom Nim as 2006 Man of the Year in Black Belt Magazine's Hall of Fame.


With only 8 days left until the JUNE 15th deadline for the 2006 Hall of Fame Voting ends, is it possible for the Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan membership to move quickly enough and in suffcient number to induct another well-respected member of our Federation into the 2006 Black Belt Magazine Hall of Fame as 2006 Man of The Year?

Wouldn't that be a SUPER birthday gift from the Federation's members for one of our Charter Members, a former Chairman of the Board of Directors, a former TAC member, a recently featured instructor at the prestigious Guardians of the Art Seminar Series and personal instructor to some of the highest ranking members in the U.S. Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan Federation Inc.?

What better way to honor our history than to successfully vote Sa Bom Nim Vic Martinov into Black Belt Magazine's Hall of Fame as 2006 Man of the Year? What better way to demonstrate our philosophy in action than by doing it in only 8 days!?

The link to cast your vote is

http://www.blackbeltmag.com/forms/hall_of_fame.cfm

Pass it on to everyone that would like to support the nomination.

Yours in the Moo Duk Kwan,

Joshua Duncan

Region 9

Student Presents "Soo Bahk Do™" For Class Project

Ms. Gabrielle R., a student at Baran's Soo Bahk Do™ dojang recently did a school project that presented the various aspects of our Soo Bahk Do™ Moo Duk Kwan® martial art. She included listing all the unique hyungs of our art, included terminology, standardized techniques and some history about our art. We want to thank "Gabby" for her efforts to educate her fellow students and teachers at her local school. We salute you... SOO BAHK!

HISTORY OF THE MOO DUK KWAN® FIST

CLICK ON THE FIST IMAGE ABOVE OR THE LINK BELOW:

http://www.soobahkdo.com/Library/Articles/There_Is_Only_One_Moo_Duk_Kwan.pdf

READ ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE MOO DUK KWAN® AND THIS INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED SYMBOL OF MARTIAL ARTS EXCELLENCE. The excellent article is written by Phil Duncan, Sa bom Nim, our Federation Executive Administrator.

The Strong Link between Soo Bahk Do™ and Character Education

Master Roberto Bonefont, Sr. (left) and Allen Ruqus, Sa bom Nim (right) at the "Fitness Night" in Poughkeepsie, New York


On Wednesday April 26th, The President's Vision Tour Committee of Baran's Soo Bahk Do™ participated in a local Elementary School's Fitness Night. The Oak Grove Elementary School, located in Poughkeepsie, New York, hosted their annual "Fitness Night." The event is organized by the Physical Education department to bring increased awareness to Parents about their children's physical wellness. The school invites local businesses that cater to physical wellness.

The PVT Committee of Baran's Soo Bahk Do™ received an invitation to attend. The Committee setup the Federation Display and printed up some trifold handouts to give to parents and students. The trifold provided them with information on class schedules, a brief history of the Soo Bahk Do™ Moo Duk Kwan® martial art, and a short piece on the increasing need for "Character Education" for our children.

Through the use of Soo Bahk Do™ Moo Duk Kwan® training, children are guided through the various facets of "Character Education" that are taught through the use of the "Eight Key Concepts", our "Five Moo Do Values" and many other aspects of the Moo Duk Kwan® Philosophy. Basic to any character education, it concentrates on teaching children how to successfully meet life's challenges, by learning about responsibility, ethical behavior, developing and understanding trust, being respectful or learning about citizenship; it is this basic instruction that every Soo Bahk Do™ instructor probably teaches everyday, but may not label it "Character Education." Don't we teach our students how to meet life's challenges through the training they receive? Of course we do.

Not wanting to use the word "We" because I'm not a studio owner, but as loyal practitioners, we certainly are aware of our art's philosophy and it is the philosophy that affects our students, practitioners (parents and friends too) and keeps them in the dojang. There is a solid link between Soo Bahk Do™ Moo Duk Kwan® and character education, it's important that we keep that link strong through our training.

"Our Vision in Action"

Respectfully Submitted,
Roberto Bonefont, Sr.
Region 2

Moo Do In Action - Dan Sparring From Last Week's Tournament - Enjoy!

Here's a video review of the Tournament - this video is about 8 minutes long and will take some time loading based on your internet connection. Enjoy.

Dan Candidates Training Hard for Upcoming Dan Shim Sa April 22nd!

Press Release for the Poughkeepsie Journal

On Upcoming Dan Shim Sa in Piscataway High School

In New Jersey, April 22, 2006

(provided by the President’s Vision Tour Committee

Of Baran’s Soo Bahk Do™ school of Moo Duk Kwan ®

Martial art style.

Published in the Poughkeepsie Journal, April 5, 2006

President’s Vision Tour Committee Members are:

Debbie Lindeman, Sa Bom Nim – Co-Chair

Master Roberto Bonefont, Sr. - Chairperson

Allen Ruqus, Sa Bom Nim – Logistics Coordinator

Master Rachael Schepperly – Event Publicity Support

Parents:

Mrs. Catherine Parsons

ANNUAL MID HUDSON MOO DUK KWAN ® style Tournament is a BLAST!

Students from Baran's Soo Bahk Do™ martial art school in Fishkill NY celebrate their attendance at the Annual Mid Hudson Moo Duk Kwan ® regional tournament held at Haldane High School, in Cold Spring NY. Just look at those happy faces. The Federation Display was available for photographs to all who attended, part of our PVT initiative to raise the awarness of our "Living Art". SOO BAHK!

Here are some more pictures.




Baran Sa bom Nim making the introductions!











Our early morning helpers!





This video may take some time to download based on your internet connection, it is 28 MB in size. At 48 Mbps the download takes less than a minute, slower connections will take longer.

Play the google video below and take a look at one parent who is actively involved in her daughter's character education through the practice of the Soo Bahk Do™ martial art Moo Duk Kwan ® style. Mrs. Catherine P has agreed to allow us to link her videoblog here. Thanks to Mrs. P and of course Sabrina, who shows us how "Yong Gi" can instill great spirit in what you do. Congratulations Sabrina on your great Moo Do demonstration. We salute you and your Mom and Dad.

Soo Bahk!

REGIONAL TOURNAMENT DATE SET FOR APRIL 2ND

REGION 2 KICKS OFF THE TOURNAMENT SEASON Sunday, APRIL 2nd! Ed Frampton, Sa Bom Nim and Alex Baran, Sa Bom Nim will hold the Annual Mid-Hudson Soo Bahk Do™ art Moo Duk Kwan® style regional tournament. Mark your calendars now!

LOCATION: Haldane High School, Cold Spring, New York, activities and line up start early. Call the school at 845-896-2245 for further information on registration and start times.

Parents and Friends: Bring your cameras to take pictures, after the Tourney you can email them to me for posting here on the blogsite. We will have the Federation Display on hand for memorable photo opportunities.

In Moo Do,
Roberto Bonefont, Sr.
Dan Bon 29085

Training Tip Of The Week - Ahp Cha Nut Gi - Using the "Huri"

Using the photos taken at a recent Ko Dan Ja training session with our Kwan Jang Nim H.C. Hwang, he displays the proper contraction and expansion when performing an Ahp Cha Nut Gi (Front Kick). Notice in the sequence that he starts the contraction, then extends the leg forward, and most importantly retracts the leg to the same position. Start your movement with an inhale, exhale when you expand or extend your leg into the kick, inhale again when you retract your leg back to the preparatory position. Another tip to work on is to pivot on the standing leg when you extend the leg, this allows your "huri" to open when you extend and close when you retract.

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Guardians Of The Art Seminars Coming... Register now!

TIME TO MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR MARCH 18TH, 2006. THE "GUARDIANS OF THE ART" (Hu Kyun In) SEMINARS WILL FEATURE CLINICS CONDUCTING BY PAST FEDERATION TECHNICAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE (TAC) AND SENIOR ADVISORY COMMITTEE MASTERS. IT'S AN ALL DAY EVENT AT FEDERATION HEADQUARTERS, SPACE IS LIMITED SO REGISTER NOW. One Day ONLY - all ranks - Early registration before March 4th, unlimited seminars $99 or $29 per session, late registration after March 4th, unlimited seminars $119 or $39 per session. Call Headquarters (888) SOO BAHK to register - Official Certificate of Participation for all who register before March 4, 2006.

CLICK ON THE PHOTO ABOVE AND CHECK OUT WHO IS COMING.


OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Post 60th Anniversary of Moo Duk Kwan® celebration, July 28-30 Long Beach, California, at the Black Belt's Magazine 2nd Annual Festival of Martial Arts, Kwan Jang Nim will be presenting 4 seminars.

2006 National Championships
August 10-12, 2006, San Diego, California
Town and Country Resort Reservations: (619) 291-7131

Dojang Member's Trip to Korea Highlighted in NORTRAX NEWS

Allen Ruqus, Sa Bom Nim, one of the Certified Master Instructors at Baran's Soo Bahk Do™ martial art school was recently given some local publicity in the regional newsletter NORTRAX Northeast News. Nortrax employs Ruqus Sa Bom Nim when he is not teaching the Soo Bahk Do™ martial art at the dojang (school). Nortrax featured a color photograph showing the members of the dojang who attended the 60th Anniversary of the Moo Duk Kwan®style in Seoul, South Korea this past October 2005. The members who attended the week long event are Master Roberto Bonefont, Sr., Allen Ruqus, Sa Bom Nim, Master Jared Rosenthal, and Master Rachael Schepperly. As part of the our President's Vision Tour Committee, the membership of the dojang is seeking ways to increase the awareness of the Soo Bahk Do™ martial art and the Moo Duk Kwan® style in our local community. We salute Sa Bom Nim for making our Soo Bahk Do™ style well known in the Northeast region and to all the Nortrax employees in the Northeast. SOO BAHK!

We teach the Korean SOO BAHK DO™ martial art MOO DUK KWAN® style Exclusively!

Celebrating 60 Years of Martial Art Excellence!

Above: Debbie Lindemann, Sa bom Nim performing a traditional Korean Hyung (form) at the Dojang.

Baran's SOO BAHK DO™ school is celebrating it's 10th year of operation in Fiskhill, New York.

Our instructors and support staff: l to r:

Master Schepperly; Master Bonefont; Owner and Master Instructor, Alex Baran, Sa bom Nim; Debbie Lindemann, Sa bom Nim; and Allen Ruqus, Sa bom Nim.



Scheduled Classes: Will be posted here soon, if you need information call our school at (845) 896-2245.

The presentation of this information is privately initiated by Roberto Bonefont, Sr., who is responsible for its content and format. This presentation has been created by Roberto Bonefont, Sr., and presented by Roberto Bonefont, Sr., as a donation to, and contribution in service to, the U.S. Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan Federation® Inc. in harmony with its chartered purpose to increase the public awareness of the Korean Soo Bahk Do™ martial art and the Moo Duk Kwan® system. Please note all trademark and copyright notices. Thanks to supporting Federation members who have allowed me to use their photographs in this blog.

A Year In Review

The National Championships in Florida

Moment with the Masters and Ko Dan Ja Shim Sa in Ramona, California

Annual Co-Sponsored Tournament

Ko Dan Ja Training Sessions in Springfield, NJ

60th Anniversary of the Moo Duk Kwan ® style in Seoul, South Korea - Sept-Oct 2005

Korean Dancers at the 60th banquet in Korea.

Below: Master Rosenthal gets recognized by the Kwan Jang Nim in Korea for his contributions to the Soo Bahk Do™ martial art Moo Duk Kwan® organization in Israel, where he is currently completing his advanced University studies.

The President's Vision Tour in May 2005 - Local areas schools attend seminar.

H.C. Hwang, the World Moo Duk Kwan® system's Kwan Jang Nim Inducted into Black Belt Magazine's Hall of Fame, as "Man Of The Year."

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Now he is honored on the cover as the "Man Of The Year for 2005."

Kwan Jang Nim H.C. Hwang has been featured in many issues of Black Belt Magazine.

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The Founder/Kwan Jang Nim Hwang Kee was also inducted into the Black Belt Magazine Hall of Fame as Man of the Year. Above The Founder was featured on the cover of Inside Kung Fu Magazine in the May 1975 issue, which I believe was the first time he was featured in a Western martial arts magazine.