The Official Blog site of the YH Park TKD Academy highlighting exciting martial arts events, feature stories on Taekwondo practitioners, tournament and belt test coverage plus much more. This site includes informative articles on training and health.
Pre-Registration Begins for the 2014 Y.H. Park Taekwondo Academy Summer Camp
2013 Camp Highlights
February 17, 2014- The Y.H. Park Taekwondo Academy announced the opening of its pre-registration period for its 2014 Summer Day Camp. Between now and March 31, 2014 students can register for just $499.00 for either of the two sessions to be held:
Session 1: July 7th- 18th
Session 2: August 4th- 15th
Camp Times: Mon-Fri from 9am-2pm
With the success of last summer's program this year is expected to close registration early. The camp highlights include:
Exercise
Martial Arts Fun
Creative projects
Reading Time
Talent Shows
Team Building Games
Field Trips
so much more
Sign up now and reserve your child's chance for a great a summer.
Regular registration begins after March 31, 2014 and is $599.00 per session.
YH Park Taekwondo Academy in the November 2013 Taekwondo Times
September 27, 2013-The November 2013 issue of Taekwondo Times hits the newsstands next week and the YH Park Taekwondo Academy and its students, once again, are prominently featured.
The YH Park Demonstration Team is praised on page 19 of the magazine for their world class demonstration in Flushing Queens which was a predecessor to the K-Tigers performance in a piece entitled K-Tigers Sell Out NYC.
On pages 62-63 of the magazine, lead correspondent and YH Park Taekwondo Academy Black Belt, Marc Zirogiannis' monthly fitness column entitled Improving Core Strength For Martial Artists, is beautifully laid out with accompanying photographs.
Look for more press coverage of the YH Park Taekwondo Academy as the 2013 NY Open Taekwondo Championships & Korean Cultural Festival approaches.
The day will go on to feature a Break-A-Thon for the benefit of St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. This event will feature students raising funds for the hospital while honing their skills at Board Breaking, a staple of Taekwondo practice. This is an important and exciting event forged in the philanthropic spirit of Taekwondo practitioners, generally, and the YH Park Taekwondo Academy, specifically.
Thanks to donors, no family ever pays St. Jude for anything. Care, housing, transportation, meals—the list of services we provide to our families is unequalled. But it is for one purpose: To ensure the very best outcome possible for every child.
At St. Jude, donor dollars help fuel the groundbreaking research that leads to pioneering care and treatments for childhood cancer and other deadly diseases.
How are donations used?
During the past five years, 81 cents of every dollar received has supported the research and treatment at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
It costs $1.8 million a day to operate St. Jude, and public donations provide more than 75 percent of our funding.
July 30, 2013- The September 2013 issue of Taekwondo Times will hit the newsstands next week with a new look and a new lead correspondent. Marc Zirogiannis, Y.H. Park Taekwondo Academy 1st Dan, has been named to this position as part of the magazine's attempt to improve the substance of its content and return to the ranks of top notch Martial Arts' publications.
Look for articles featuring YH Taekwondo Academy on pages 19-20 of the issue, as well Marc's feature article Gaining a Competitive Advantage in Sparring Through Weight Training on page 46.
Future issues will focus on the accomplishments and happenings at the Y.H. Park Taekwondo Academy as the school is, literally, the premiere Taekwondo School in the Nation.
July 23, 2013- Senior Grandmaster Yeon Hee Park demonstrates his devastating, jumping side kick in 1978 while board breaking. This is part of the great legacy of the Y.H. Park Taekwondo Academy of Levittown, NY, celebrating its 40th Anniversary this year.
Alex Turcios Competes at the 2013 USAT National Championships
July 15, 2013- The Y.H. Park Taekwondo Academyhas a 40 year tradition of training Taekwondo Champions and top level competitors. At the 2013 USAT National Championships, held in Chicago, Illinois earlier this month it was apparent that 2013 offers no exception to that proud legacy of excellence in competition. One of Y.H. Park's finest students, 2nd Dan Black Belt and Junior Kyosanim, Alex Turcious represented the Y.H. Park Taekwondo Academy proudly by returning home a medalist after an outstanding performance in board breaking and poomse competitions.
Jr.Kyosanim Alex has been training at the Y.H. Park Taekwondo Academy, and preparing for national level competition, since he was only 11 years old. It was at that time that Alex's father encouraged him to try Taekwondo, and although he was reluctant at first, he soon found his passion training at the Dojang of the undefeated Korean National Champion from 1971-1975 and former U.S. Olympic Coach, GrandmasterY.H. Park. Alex has worked diligently over the years, starting out as a Y.H. Park white belt and earning his Black Belt after years of hard work and practice. His has since earned his 2nd Dan and his accomplishments include his work on the Y.H. Park Taekwondo Academy Demo Team, the Korean Cultural Service of NY Demo Team, as well as earning the role of Junior Kyosanim. Over the years Alex has worked closely with Master Edward, Master Elliott and Grandmaster Y.H. Parkin preparation for competition, and he has earned his share of individual and team medals in Sparring, Forms and Board Breaking.
In January, after preparing rigorously, Alex competed and proudly qualified for the 2013 USAT National Championships. At the beginning of July he traveled to Chicago with his coach and Master, Edward Park, as he competed in his first national level competition. After several days of competition Alex emerged with a Silver medal, in his age category, for Board Breaking. He also made it to the prestigious semi-finals in the Poomse competition, an amazing accomplishment for his first appearance in the arena of the nation's best Taekwondo practitioners, most of whom have competed at a national level before.
It is apparent that the future is bright for Alex Turcious. He has matured into a serious, hard working, Taekwondo practitioner in the Y.H. Park system and tradition. What is more important, he distinguishes himself as a helpful, kind and respectful individual; also signature traits of Y.H. Park Academy students. Master Edward summed up Alex's experience at the Nationals and his character best, "For Alex's first time competing at the national level, I believe he displayed the true tenets of Taekwondo such as respect, humility, and sportsmanship. He represented his family, school and peers with the utmost dignity that would have made everyone proud. This is just the beginning of a bright future of competing for him." Congratulations Alex! We look forward to you future.
The Y.H. Park Demo Team Warms Up The K-Tigers Crowd In Style
July 29th, 3:15pm- The curtain was ready to rise and the final spectators were rushing to their seats at the Jerusalem Theater in Flushing, NY for an afternoon sponsored by Dynamics Martial Arts Supplies. The Y.H. Park Taekwondo Academy Demo Team, having spent the morning impressing families at another of Master Edward Park's successful color belt graduations in Levittown NY, was ready to take the stage as the opening act for the world's most famous Taekwondo Demonstration Team, The K-Tigers.
This was no ordinary demonstration. Opening for the K-Tigers is an honor reserved for only the best demonstration teams; an honor that every Demonstration Team hopes for but few Demonstration Teams have ever been rewarded with. The event had even greater significance because it came on the birthday of Grandmaster YH Park and following the presentation of a special award to him for his efforts in making the K-Tigers visit to New York a huge success.
As the doors closed and the lights dimmed, the Y.H. Park Taekwondo Academy Demo Team rose to the occasion, leaving the crowd stunned by their poise, accuracy and skill. Under the supervision of Master Edward Park and tutelage of Master Elliot Park, they performed masterful breaks and acrobatics, enthralling the sold out crowd. Demo Team captains, Alex Turcios, on the eve of departing for the 2013 USAT Nationals in Chicago, IL and Jason Aptekar played the role of leaders and demonstrators of master precision, and they were flawless. This performance was worthy of the YH Park name and worthy of Korea's jewel, the K-Tigers.
By the time the Demo Team's performance was done, the crowd was warmed up for a spectacular performance by the legendary K-Tigers. The K-Tigers did not disappoint. Their union of skill and art, their contrast of tradition with contemporary, and their fusion of song and sport made their performance memorable on a date which was monumental for the Y.H. Park Taekwondo Academy legacy.
The K-Tigers Return To NYC For A Command Performance
Saturday June 29, 2013 marks the return of the world famous K-Tigers Taekwondo Demonstration Team to the New York City Metro area. This internationally acclaimed demonstration team will be thrilling audiences with two performances to be held at 3:00PM and 7:00PM at the Jerusalem Theater at the Promise Church located at 130-30 31st Avenue, Flushing, NY 11354. This is a return engagement at this venue, where the K-Tigers sold out performances in 2012.
The K-Tigers have become an international sensation with growing popularity that originated in Korea and has spread as they have travelled the globe, holding demonstrations, and amassing a network of devoted fans in The United States, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Their unique blend of expert Taekwondo skill, personality, and story-telling ability transcends language and culture and accounts for their increased popularity in the past few years across the globe. "I have been to many Taekwondo events, I have seen major Broadway plays and musicals, but I have never experienced anything as exciting as watching the K-Tigers perform. I can't wait to see them again", is how one Taekwondo practitioner summed up his experience with the group.
This event is being sponsored by Dynamics Martial Arts, a major martial arts equipment supplier located in Nassau County, NY. The event is also supported by some major Taekwondo organizations and Corporate Sponsors.
A highlight of this year's event will be the appearance of the acclaimed Y.H. Park Taekwondo Academy Demo Team, who will be opening up the performance for the K-Tigerswith a demonstration of their own, an honor that is sought after by every major Taekwondo Demonstration Team in the area.
June 29th has the additional significance of being the birthday of Grandmaster Yeon Hwan Park. Come to see the K-Tigers, enjoy the performance, and help Grandmaster Park celebrate his birthday. For more information visit: http://dynamicsworld.com
Enter the Dragon 40th Anniversary: A Taekwondo Practitioner's Perspective
June 11, 2013 marks the 40th Anniversary of the release of the Bruce Lee's film Enter The Dragon. This Warner Bros film became an international sensation, grossing $25 million dollars in the United States alone in its first theater run. Taekwondo practitioners may not always fully recognize the importance of this film, or Bruce Lee, to them or their art; however, it is substantial.
Bruce Lee was an individual whose persona and fame transcended one martial arts style. The bold, courageous work done by Lee helped to make martial arts practice attainable to a western audience. The popularization of martial arts by Lee forever made it impossible for the western world to be isolated and shielded from martial arts practice. This tidal wave lifted all martial arts and martial artists and paved the way for Taekwondo Grandmasters like Yeon Hee Parkand Yeon Hwan Park to flourish teaching the martial arts in the United States and, eventually, helped to get Taekwondo full medal status at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Coincidentally, Lee was no stranger to Taekwondo. In 1964 he crossed paths with Jhoon Rhee and they became friends. Rhee helped Lee develop his side kick. It was this Taekwondo side kick that is prominently featured in the film Enter the Dragon by Lee, a visionary that some believe was the true founder of Mixed Martial Arts.
As legitimate proof that Bruce Lee and his films transcend not only martial arts styles but martial arts itself the Library of Congress, in 2004, selected Enter The Dragon for preservation as being, "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant." That speaks volumes about the impact of a great martial artist and cultural icon whose life ended before the full extent of his work could be appreciated.
2013 not only marks the historic 40th anniversary of the release of Enter The Dragon but also the 40th anniversary of the Y.H. Park Taekwondo Academy. Visit www.yhpark.com for more information and a preview of the Academy's upcoming 40th Anniversary events.
Another Successful Black Belt Power Weekend at The YH Park Taekwondo Academy!
Candidates at the 2013 YH Park Black Belt Power Weekend
Candidates for Conditional Black Belt through 7th Dan participated in an intensive but exciting Black Belt Power Weekend at the YH Park Taekwondo Academy in Levittown, NY. This unique, two day experience tested the skills, character, knowledge, and endurance of candidates-some of whom trained two years for the opportunity to participate.
In addition to be tested on their standard curriculum of poomse/forms, kicking techniques, sparring and Board Breaking candidates were required to run several miles, demonstrate their knowledge of self defense, kicking combinations, weapons, and Taekwondo history and culture.
In keeping with the spirit of the YH Park Taekwondo Academy, the weekend wasn't all "kicking and punching" as candidates were treated to a traditional tea drinking ceremony, a thirty (30) minute motivational meditation and Referee Seminar conducted by International Referee, Seven (7) time Korean National Champion and former United States Olympic Coach, none other than Grandmaster Yeon Hwan Park.
Family, friends and supporters were impressed by the devotion and dedication of the candidates and their instructors, under the direction of their tireless leader, Master Edward Park. These supporters were treated to lunch, as well as a dinner consisting of traditional Korean cuisine, and a World Class Demonstration by the medal winning YH Park Taekwondo Academy Demonstration Team.
An additional treat for candidates and spectators alike was a glimpse of the public portion of the promotion test for Master Donald Dancer by Grandmaster Park. All were inspired and amazed by the skill and commitment of Sabumnim Dancer. Opportunities for the public and students to witness testing on this high level are very limited and the students and spectators felt extremely privileged to witness this event.
Congratulations to all candidates and their families for a memorable event and many thanks to the instructors whose painstaking dedication and patience prepared them for this milestone in their life. One candidate summed up the experience, "I have never felt so exhausted yet so alive at the same time!"
LEVITTOWN, May 11, 2013 – It is with much excitement that Y.H. Park’s Taekwondo Academy introduced it’s tournament medalwinners on Saturday May 11, 2013 in a ceremony and photo session held in Levittown, NY. These students, from ages 4-60 years old, trained rigorously for months and competed in the 2013 U.S. Taekwondo Festival held on Sunday May 5, 2013 at the Fitzgerald Gym of Queens College, located in Flushing, NY. Competitors from around the metropolitan area came together for this festival to compete and showcase their skills in forms, board breaking, and competitive sparring. Y.H. Park’s Academy students earned an unprecedented number of Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medals in all categories. Most significantly, the Y.H. Park Taekwondo Academy’s renowned Demonstration Team earned a Silver medal in the team Demo competition, solidifying their position as one of the premiere Demonstration Teams in the United States.
Photo Attached: Select MedalWinners Pose
For information on the Y.H. Park Taekwondo Academy, please visit www.yhpark.com
This review is from: Tae Kwon Do: My Life and Philosophy (Paperback)
My brothers, and now, my children, and nieces and nephews have all been students at Master Park's Dojang for over twenty (20) years. My brother met his wife at the East Meadow School, where they both attained their Black Belts. There is no question that the Grandmaster is the pre-eminent Tae Kwon Do practitioner and ...instructor in the States and, probably, the world. In a time when martial arts practice is devoid of the spiritual and mental context, it is refreshing to witness a program that cultivates the mind, the spirit and the soul as well as the body. It is so important, in our time, for our children to be reminded of the importance of discipline, honesty, hard work and
perseverance. This is why in a field of so many Martial Arts Schools to choose from there really was no choice for me in where to send my children. They have benefited so much from the program and they love it. My youngest son has even improved in his concentration and his school work has improved. I am so pleased he has the chance to study in such a rich program.
On an additional note, I wrote that I have been honored to know Grandmaster for over twenty years. I recently was honored with a copy of his new book TAE KWON DO: My Life And Philosopy. I picked up the book expecting to learn little that I hadn't heard or learned over the years. How wrong I was. I was blown away by the book. I could not put it down. It is a bold, brave, intelligent and enjoyable work. As he always does, Grandmaster exercised great courage in writing a personal, revealing work that touched me. It also made me laugh out loud at times at the charming, witty stories of Grandmaster's international adventures. The book nicely summarizes the Philosophies that have helped to make the Grandmaster's programs so successful. I didn't think I could have more respect for Grandmaster Park. After reading this book I discovered he is not only a Grandmaster of Tae Kwon Do but also of the human spirit. Book Specs:
Children were flying through the air, wood was snapping and splintering, and the air was filled with laughter. This is what spectators witnessed at the 1st annual Y.H. Park Family Board Breaking Day on Saturday March 23, 2013 at 12:30PM at the Y.H. Park Taekwondo Academy located in Levittown, NY 11756. Students, parents and instructors spent the afternoon honing their breaking skills, demonstrating their techniques, and bonding with family and friends. For more information on how to become involved check out the Academy website at http://www.yhpark.com or call (516) 735-3434. Here are some of the day's highlights.
The Y.H. Park TaeKwondo Academy marked the 3rd anniversary of its hugely successful YouTube Channel on March 3, 2013. This channel has become a regularly visited forum for showcasing some of the exciting happenings at the Y.H. Park Taekwondo Academy including upcoming events, demonstrations, belt graduations, interviews, qualifying events, fundraisers, and more. Over the next several months the Academy's goal is to use the channel as forum to keep all the Academy students, parents and public informed of the events and happenings at the most exciting Taekwondo institution in the United States. Don't miss out-sign up today.
YH Park Taekwondo Academy Board Breaking Day March 23rd
Yh Park Taekwondo Academyin Levittown, NY will be hosting a Board Breaking Day for students and parents on March 23, 2013 at the Academy headquarters. This will be a great opportunity for students to hone their techniques and practice for upcoming belt graduations while spending a great time with other students, their family, and instructors. This event will also be a great pre-cursor to fundraising, charity "Break-A-Thon" to be announced for later this year.
Students may purchase boards individually or in groups of 10 for a discounted rate. Student sign up is at the Dojang located at 3701 Hempstead Turnpike, Levittown, NY 11756. For more information students may call the Dojang at (516) 735-3434 or email info@yhpark.com
