News

Habit of Being a Good-finder                                      

Good-finders train themselves to look for good and avoid fault-finding.

 Unfortunately, criticizing and finding fault is all too common in the real world. I recently saw a great quote that said it all…

“When you judge others, you define yourself not them” - Wayne Dyer

The 2013 New England Black Belt Camp was held June 14^th, 15th and 16th in the campus of Springfield College in Springfield, Massachusetts. Friday night started out with a bang! We had a total of fifteen (15) students take part in the Dan Shim Sa (Black Belt Test) –Nine tested for Cho Dan, two tested for E Dan and four tested for Sam Dan.

On the weekend of May 3^rd – 5th, the Southeastern region of the Atlantic-Pacific Tang Soo Do Federation had its spring cycle Dan Shim Sa (Black Belt test) and review, as well as its annual championships in Cleveland, Georgia.  As always, it was a great opportunity to renew friendships, test ourselves and strengthen our Tang Soo spirit.

The Atlantic Pacific Tang Soo Do Federation, headquartered in Suwanee, Georgia recently hosted their annual Ko Dan Ja or Master’s Clinic. Masters and Master’s candidates from across the U.S. traveled to the annual Ko Dan Ja and spent three (3) days focusing on the history, tradition, culture, philosophy, and physical skills related to the ancient art of Tang Soo Do. The clinic took place from Friday, March 1st to Sunday, March 3rd at Federation headquarters in Suwanee and also at Sugarloaf United Methodist Church in Duluth, GA.   

 The Southeastern region of the Atlantic-Pacific Tang Soo Do Federation had its second annual Instructor’s Symposium on Friday, November 2^nd & its 10^th annual Black Belt Camp on the weekend of November 2 – 4, 2012. Everything was held once again at Camp ASCCA in Jackson’s Gap, AL. The Instructor Training Symposium (ITS) & Camp started on Friday morning November 2^nd at 9 am with approximately 175 Masters, instructors, and instructor trainees coming together to learn, grow, and share.

On the weekend of October 20 -21, the New England Region of the Atlantic Pacific Tang Soo Do Federation (APTSDF) held their annual Regional Championship and fall Dan Shim Sa (Black Belt Test) in Dover New Hampshire. The event was hosted at Great Bay Karate and hosted by Sr. Master Antonio Rivera of Meriden, CT.  It was our honor to have Kwan Jang Nim St. James and Sr. Master Deborah Jett from Headquarters attend again this year.  

On July 11, 12, and 13th 2012, the Atlantic-Pacific Tang Soo Do Federation hosted its annual Ko Dan Ja Master's Clinic and bi-annual International Championships. The events took place at several different locations including Sugarloaf United Methodist Church in Duluth, GA, APTSDF World Headquarters in Suwanee, GA, and the Gwinnett County Fairgrounds in Lawrenceville, GA.

The 2012 New England Black Belt Camp was held May 4th, 5th, and 6th in the beautiful Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts at Camp Winadu.

 
Friday night started with ten students taking part in the Dan Shim Sa (Black Belt test). Best of Test went to Riley Curtin, from Cambridge Tang Soo Do, and Samantha Maxwell, from Great Bay Tang Soo Do. Samantha also took top honors in the written exam with a score of 95%.

While the Dan Shim Sa was taking place, the rest of the group participated in a general workout session led by Mrs. Noelle Drewicz and Mr. Oleg Khodko, both Sam Dans.

Birmingham Academy of Martial Arts (BAMA), owned by Sr. Master Heather Potter and Mr. Will Potter, Sam Dan hosted the very successful event. The black belt test opened with the announcement of the high scores on the written test. Charlie Smiley of BAMA scored highest among the children with a 96, and among the adults, Laura Lee Sandberg of Karate World of North Georgia scored highest with a perfect score.

The Atlantic Pacific Tang Soo Do Federation came together to kick-off its second annual TAC Tour of the Southeastern and Northeastern United States. Kwan Jang Nim John St. James, founder of the Atlantic Pacific Tang Soo Do Federation and Senior Master James Allison, TAC Ho Sin Sul Coordinator joined forces for the four (4) week tour.  Master Allison in addition to being a 5^th Dan Master instructor with the APTSDF is also the founder and president of the International Hapkido Sun Moo Kwan Association and an 8^th Dan in Hapkido. The Atlantic Pacific Tang Soo Do Federation and the International Hapkido Sun Moo Kwan Association are associated through the Asia Atlantic Alliance and work closely together.