Enter the Dragon 40th Anniversary-A Taekwondo Practitioner's Perspective

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 Park and 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!

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!"

May, 2013

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Y.H Park Taekwondo Academy Students Celebrate Medal Winners

Y.H. Park Taekwondo Academy Students Celebrate Medal Winners

Contact:  Master Edward Park (516) 735-3434 

LEVITTOWN, May 11, 2013 – It is with much excitement that Y.H. Park’s Taekwondo Academy introduced it’s tournament medal winners 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 Medal Winners Pose

For information on the Y.H. Park Taekwondo Academy, please visit  www.yhpark.com

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