Christian Hinish demonstrates the “Power of Tang Soo Do”

Pittsburgh, PA, October 19^th and 20^th – Kwan Jang Nim Andy Ah Po, founder of the Tang Soo Do Martial Way Association, traveled to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania October 19^th to conduct South Hills Karate Academy’s 1^st Dan Testing Championship and Gup Shim Sa held on October 20^th, 2007. Grandmaster Ah Po was invited to Pittsburgh by Master Gene Garbowsky, 4^th Dan and head instructor at South Hills Karate Academy. Kwan Jang Nim Ah Po was accompanied Sa Bom Nim Stephen Propst, 6^th Dan.

In conjunction with South Hills Karate Academy’s Dan and Gup Shim Sa, Grandmaster Ah Po, with the help of Master Propst, conducted two Ko Dan Ja and Yu Dan Ja clinics along with one Gup clinic. Overall, there were over 100 participants. In attendance were high ranking Ko Dan Ja and Yu Dan Ja along with students from local Tang Soo Do schools in the Pittsburgh area. Those in attendance included members of Master Peter Oien’s North American Tang Soo Do Association and Master John Ennis’ United Tang Soo Do Association. Also attending from Myrtle Beach, S.C. was Master Kevin Watson. Master Watson a 3^rd Dan in Tang Soo Do and now a recently promoted 6^th Dan in Shito-Ryu Karate-do summed up the weekend with Grandmaster Ah Po, “Learning and training again with Grandmaster Ah Po reminded me of the beauty and power of Tang Soo Do! It was truly an awesome weekend”

	Howard Murphy concentrates during the Gup Clinic

The weekend events kicked off Friday night with Kwan Jang Nim Ah Po teaching a clinic for the Ko Dan Ja and Yu Dan Ja in attendance. The clinic focused on “Understanding the difference and significance of the Tang Soo Do Weh Ga Ryu (Hard Style), Neh Ga Ryu (Soft Style) and Choong Ga Ryu (Combination Style).”  Grandmaster Ah Po explained that many of today’s instructors of Tang Soo Do focus solely on Weh Ga Ryu, and to truly understand the beauty and power of Tang Soo Do, instructors and senior students of Tang Soo Do need to incorporate Neh Ga Ryu into their training. This concept was incorporated into Tang Soo Do’s development in the later years with the ultimate goal being to achieve the “Middle Road Style” Choong Ga Ryu. Grandmaster Ah Po drilled those in attendance until he felt comfortable that Na Ga Ryu concepts were grasped.

Saturday’s events included South Hills Karate Academy’s 1^st Dan Testing Championship and Gup Shim Sa. During the Shim Sa, South Hills Karate Academy’s Gup students and Dan Candidates, Charles Durney and Richard Polinski all gave a phenomenal demonstration of Tang Soo Do techniques including, Hyung, Ill Soo Shik, Ho Sin Sul, Kyok Pa, and Ja Yu Deh Ryun. Kwan Jang Nim Ah Po remarked afterwards, “All students of South Hills Karate Academy gave a great account of themselves during the Shim Sa.”

Grandmaster Ah Po takes time out to pose with future Yu Dan Ja

Following the Shim Sa was a Gup level clinic that was geared to both students and instructors of Tang Soo Do. Grandmaster Ah Po reinforced what it takes to learn Tang Soo Do from a student’s perspective. He emphasized his “Responsibilities of Students” which included the steps necessary to achieve a higher level of technical perfection in Tang Soo Do. In addition, he taught specialized breathing techniques and the simpler concepts of Neh Ga Ryu training as only he can. Grandmaster Ah Po wowed all in attendance including a huge audience of friends and family. Many remarked that Grandmaster Ah Po was simply awe-inspiring!  Everyone was amazed by Kwan Jang Nim Ah Po’s humbleness and accessibility.

The weekend capped off with Grandmaster Ah Po again teaching a Ko Dan Ja and Yu Dan Ja clinic that emphasized “Chi Gong” and how to access it during Tang Soo Do practice. Although each clinic conducted over the weekend could stand alone, those who attended all three clinics were really treated to something special. The final clinic was the culmination of Kwan Jang Nim Ah Po’s teaching for the weekend and included a few of the “Chi Gong” demonstrations that has made Grandmaster Ah Po one of the most sought after “Masters of Tang Soo Do!”
 

Grandmaster Ah Po with Ko Dan Ja and Yu Dan Ja