History of Ho-Am TaeKwonDo by Ryan Brandt

The History of Ho-Am TaeKwonDo

Ho-Am TaeKwonDo is the completely unique and effective martial art that we practice, but how did it start? What are its roots? Well, TaeKwonDo roughly started 10,000 years ago, when people migrated from central Asia to the peninsula, Korea, where they relied on hunting, swimming, and climbing mountains to survive. As time went by, these people developed strong bodies, fighting skills, and a sense of teamwork. Their knowledge is that of the beginning of our martial art.

In Korea, about 4,000 years ago, formal martial arts training began with simple basics, like punching and kicking, and added complex things like horseback riding and archery. In the 6th century (A.D) the Silla Dynasty ruled the smallest of three kingdoms in Korea, and during the rule of its 24th king, a group of warriors formed the Hwa Rang Do, whose victories over the dynasty united the Korean Peninsula. Afterwards, TaeKwonDo warriors were taught to balance the mind and body by reading, writing, painting, as well as other artistic activities, which continues today in the ITA.

During the Koguryo Dynasty, anything military was forbidden to be practiced from 1909-1945, but Tae Kyon was secretly practiced and taught by a handful of Masters and Instructors. When Korea was liberated in 1945, people were free to practice martial arts again.

Recently, Grandmaster Won-kuk Lee, who founded Chung Do Kwon, was the first person to organize and found modern Korean TaeKwonDo. On April 11th 1995, a board of instructors selected the word Tae-Kwon-Do, foot - hand – art, to represent the national martial art of Korea. When Ho-Am TaeKwonDo was founded, the Siberian tiger and the rock were chosen to represent our organization. Ho, or tiger, relating to the Siberian tiger, was chosen to represent our bravery and justice, while the rock represented steadfast and the immovable life spirit of Korean and Western civilizations. The tenets of TaeKwonDo were soon chosen over the years, and since, TaeKwonDo has developed and changed little to turn into what is now - the International TaeKwonDo Alliance – the ITA.

~Ryan Brandt

My Senior 5th Degree Testing

Thank You to all of those who supported me. Here are the videos from the test that many of you have been asking about.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7q6SHq5jKI&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&hd=1]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbQlFX0cv-w&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&hd=1]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qr9i_wCsJ8&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&hd=1]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHQVupi-Hrk&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&hd=1]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sh7mSsyNy4&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&hd=1]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oYR_YJYHqc&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&hd=1]

Training for my Senior Fifth Degree Testing…

Thanks for all of the support as I have been preparing for my Senior Fifth Degree testing in TaeKwonDo. There are just 7 days until I put my best foot forward at the national testing on the 13th. Yes, I know it is Friday the 13th! I am not too concerned or worried by this. I am not very superstitious, but was honestly suprised to find this out when one of my students had revealed it to me. I will be ok. I have prepared for this more than any other testing in my life. For those of you who do not know. The Senior 5th Degree is the last rank before master level. Needless to say, I could not have imagined at 10 years old where TaeKwonDo would take me. I just knew simply. "I liked it."

I feel great. I have been preparing every single day in some grueling workouts (heavy cardio, strength and conditioning, and Martial Arts) to get me ready over the last 10 weeks. I have lost over 10 pounds and am at a lean 205-waivering a few pounds here and there when I do not remember to consume calories to compensate for the extra training. I have been eating a diet rich in whole grains, organic, low fat, and natural selections. I am a firm believer that what we consume affects the bottom line of our human perfomance both on the mat and off. It shows quite a bit of discipline to cut out all of the junk that we graze on throughout the day also. It prepares the mind and "cleanses you" physically, spiritually, and emotionally. When we remove a crutch, we must stand on our two feet and with the help of our loved ones. Our relationships are what matter-the one's with our family, our friends, and of course first and foremost our creator. If we are not mentally strong, we will fall short of our true potential.

My wife, Melissa Johnson makes me mentally strong. She supports me in all that I do. Having gotten to experience what it is like to have her in my life for the last 15 years, I would rather have my arm surgically removed then to know what it is like to not have her in my life. As for my child Ashton-James, what can I say. I never thought in my life that I could love, adore, and cherish someone so strongly. I thought I had purpose before. You are my purpose now. When you were born 19 months ago, my life was changed. You are definitely "daddy's buddy". I gave you so much love in your infancy. Now that you are a "big boy" I well up with emotion when you return the unconditional love back. It makes me proud on our "boy's days out" to lunch or shopping when you say with a hug around my arm and a smile "my daddy". You have such a vigor to follow after daddy and train TaeKwonDo. When I work with you on the training floor, it makes me grin from ear to ear. These times are so special. As the country song goes "You're gonna' miss this. My precious family is why I work so hard.

In closing, the final days of preparation are before me. I will see all of you next Friday, and thanks for the support of a strong showing.