Woodbury Family Karate

When I first started thinking about a logo for our new school, I was inspired by the depth of symbolism Master Scott Homschek incorporated into his logo. His River Valley Tang Soo Do logo (http://www.rvtsda.com/logo.htm) is a graphical representation of his life's journey in Tang Soo Do.

In keeping with his example I thought about our background in karate, how we got started and what influenced our journey. When Karin and I started our Tang Soo Do experience we had two small children. The local school where our eldest son Branden had started only had adult classes twice a week. Watching our son in class both Karin and I soon realized we would also enjoy karate so Karin signed up and started classes. Because they were held at our usual dinner time, I felt I couldn't take classes with Karin as we would both be gone at dinner time twice a week. I started looking around and soon found Master Beaudoin had a satellite school in Southbury, just across the river. Thus we established our tradition of training in the same style in different schools. As a cho dan bo I also trained at Master Beaudoin's main school. After getting my black belt Master Adams invited me to train with him. Master Beaudoin's Southbury school changed hands several times and I ended up transferring to Master Haney's school in Oxford. Shortly after this Karin, decided to transfer to Master Tolderlund's school in Wolcott. Thus our traditional training in Tang Soo Do has been influenced by many Masters.

Our traditional Tang Soo Do background is symbolized by the red and blue Um Yang in the background and the Sip Soo Choon Bee (clasped fists) viewed from the student's perspective. The Um Yang is rotated 90 degrees from the usual orientation to symbolize the male & female aspect side by side rather than superior/inferior in keeping with Karin and myself running the school as partners.

In addition to our Region 9 Masters, we have both been influenced by Masters from other regions, probably most significantly by Masters Michael Kaye and Scott Homschek. We have become interested in weapons training through their Warrior's Path Silk & Steel seminars. This is depicted by the circle above the clasped fist with horizontal, vertical and diagonal lines of colors representing each gup belt color. The lines depict the direction of attack with weapons, be they knives, swords, staff or flexible weapons. The figures to each side below the circle depict traditional Korean swordsmen in defensive postures. This is to emphasize that weapons (and by extension open handed karate) are available but only used as a last resort to protect life.

We are told that Tang Soo Do is a life journey and that black belt is only the first step in the journey. I was greatly surprised after attaining black belt at how strongly the change in rank effected my attitude and outlook. There really was a difference between gup and dan rank! After I was presented with my second degree black belt I was again struck by an unexpected alteration in my perspective. Not only was I sought out by the gup ranks for advice, but now also by black belts and realized I was viewed by the parents differently. I guess I should have expected Sam Dan to further alter my perceptions but I was again taken by surprise. We are told that we should bring something to Tang Soo Do and I previously felt I didn't have any special expertise or knowledge to fulfill this duty. The Warrior's Path training has given me something to share with my Tang Soo Do family. In 2006 I taught multiple sessions at our black belt clinic, adapting segments of the weapons training I have had to be age and rank appropriate for the cross section of students I was presented with, from pre-teen cho dan bo to senior adult rank black belts. This was an exhilarating experience, both more satisfying but also more demanding that the years I had taught conventional classes in our school. It made me realize I desired to establish my own school and pass on what I have learned and continue to learn. This is why the circle of lines of attack are above the Sip Soo hands in a superior position symbolizing how Master Kaye & Homschek's influence has enhanced our traditional knowledge and abilities.

Finally the Korean "Do" symbol in the lines of attack circle translates as "way of life". I have placed it here to indicate that Tang Soo Do is truly a way of life, forever altering your previously held perspectives and attitudes. It is not just a sport or an art form, but it is an instruction manual that teaches you how to harmonize mind and body with yourself, your family, your community, and your world. As Grand Master Shin says "be one with nature".

Tang Soo!!

John Roumanis V.M.D.
Sam Dan

The information/content within the pages of the World Tang Soo Do Association web site is the sole property of the World Tang Soo Do Association. The images and information contained herein may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the World Tang Soo Do Association.