General Information:

The seminar dealt with the relationships between the various martial arts and the idiocy displayed in the division of them into separate ranking disciplines.

The seminars were well attended. Many national and international people of different styles asked to attend but were told that the academic information was so complex and esoteric that it was best appreciated by Kwanmukan students. Not that they could not understand it, just that our instructors would have to spend valuable time explaining where we are coming from and the context of the study. As the time was limited, this would not be beneficial to the Kwanmukan. We are seriously considering having an open training camp in which all can participate. Controversial or arcane issues would be put on the back burner.

Those who completely understood the strength of the Kwanmukan concepts used this opportunity to move ahead in their martial arts careers. I don't know where they would get the information otherwise, and I am certain that they understood this. Winning tournament is important, but by itself, it produces an empty ending. Training should provide students with the tools, methods and philosophy for excellence, and with us it does.

In Academics we studied the history and genealogical roots of the Kwanmukan. We detailed the philosophical framework of the Kwanmukan: our conceptual framework, the resulting cognitive restructuring, and corresponding virtual reality induced by our learning methods. The higher dans studied the expanding concepts of leadership within the arts that are based in a comprehension of the core-knowledge curricula for Tai-ki, Karate, Ju -Jitsu, Taekwondo, Kwon-Bop, Kobudo, Kempo, Judo, Weaponry.

In physical training we went over yoga and preparatory exercises; standards and methods of Japanese, Korean, and Chinese forms; kumite; kobudo, Chanbara; jujitsu/aikido and physical conditioning for the recreational and elite athletes. Open hand forms covered: Kwan Kong Chung Kwan. Kwankudai / Kong San Goon. We also reviewed the standard morning exercises and their relationships to dojo training.

The symposium began with class Thursday and lasted through Sunday. Saturday was at Hickey's spacious studios and the other days were at the Akron Center.

The following weekend of the 10th, a related symposium was held in Tucson, and the weather was great. Shihan John Linebarger was the host and the group there is doing very well. Several months earlier, we had the seminar in Worcester, MA hosted by Shihan Jim Del Garbino.

Text dealing with the thrust of the seminar can be found at 99symposium_academics.pdf and other pictures at 99symposiumfoto.html

Please don't hesitate to send in comments for posting on this site.

Best Personal Regards, George Anderson