I felt that it is important I respond to this,
as I am both a part of the School of Oom Yung Doe, and a senior at
Seattle University. I have been training in this school for twelve years now. I can say without a doubt, that I have never experienced anything that is negative, in all the years of my training. Difficult, yes, sometimes the training can be incredibly challenging, but the challenges have only made me a better person. I
have seen so many good things come from training, both for myself and
for others, it is very disappointing to see something like this.
As you have seen, we recently moved the school to the new location on 12th ave. I
personally have spent many hours working on the construction of the
school, along with many other instructors and students who have put
time and effort into it as well. You may remember the condition of that building prior to the school moving in. It had been boarded up for many years, and was run down and filled with trash. Over the course of several months, we have completely redone everything ourselves. People that walk by have commented on how it makes the block look so much better. It has been amazing to see what people can accomplish when they work together and set their minds to accomplish something. So
it is personal to me to see something like this written about the
school, after all of the efforts from myself and everyone else.
In the last few months, I have had the opportunity to begin teaching others. This has been very challenging for me, but has been extremely rewarding. Throughout
the years of my own training, I have benefited in countless ways, and
have always looked up to the care and sincerity that every instructor
in the school has. Now I see first hand just how much thought an instructor puts into everything that they do.
Speaking in front of others has always been very difficult for me. Being a college student, as you know it is something that you have to be able to do. Since I have started teaching, I am now confident when in front of others. As an example, I had to give a presentation last spring, and for the first time I was not nervous at all. I was absolutely amazed. I could finally do something that I was challenged with for a long time. And
more importantly than my own benefits, I have started to see some of
the students that I teach change for the better as well. Some
of them have thanked me for teaching them, and it is an incredible
feeling to know that I have been a part of them improving themselves,
even if it is small.
The school as an organization has always been very involved in community events, throughout the nation. One
of the unique things about Oom Yung Doe is that aside from the physical
movements, there are also principles that are taught. One of these is of the importance of helping others and building community. So being involved with the community through events and charities has always been something important to all of us. There
is a book in the school with photos of many of the events that we have
participated in over the years, and anyone is welcome to look through
this if they like.
When
we first started working on this specific school, we specifically
wanted to offer more things to the local community, especially to the
university community of students. We currently
have free lessons for students to come in and learn in some basic areas
such as self-defense, meditation/stress relief, and strength and
flexibility. Anyone is always welcome to come in and try a lesson, or ask any questions they might have.
I
know that I have gained in so many ways from my own training, and no
matter what anyone says, no one can ever take that away from me. Instructors in the school are human, and do their best to follow the principles taught. However like any organization that is made up of people, people can make a mistake. Because an individual makes a mistake, you cannot say that the entire organization is bad. You need look no further than our own university, and the recent abuse settlement. If the university is truly bad because of that one individual, than none of us should be students here.
Having
a positive effect on another person, no matter how small, is, to me,
one of the greatest things one can achieve in life. It is worth more
to me than any amount of money. I truly believe
that the schools teach a way of improving myself and the community
around me. I know that if I improve myself, I will have a better life. If I have a better life, it will improve those around me. If it improves the lives of those around me, it will help build a better community for all. So, to all I say come in and experience the training for yourself, not by what others say.