Grandmaster Hyong K. Shin

E-Mail: hyongshin@hyongshin.com

Grandmaster Hyong K. Shin was born in Dae Jeon City, Republic of Korea, in 1938.  Shortly after the Korean War, while Hyong was in his mid-teens, Korea went through desperate times.  Political corruption and crime were prevalent.  Gangs, hoodlums, mobs and racketeers controlled the Korean society.  Most Korean people were impoverished and violence was commonplace.  These circumstances taught Hyong early in life that violence has negative effects on individuals and society.

One day as young Hyong began his walk to school, a gang of six young men refused to let him exit the gate in front of his family’s home.  Unable to stand up to the gang, he felt ashamed at his lack of courage and skills needed to help him and his siblings.  This event became a turning point in Hyong's life.  Shortly afterwards, Hyong began learning martial arts from Grandmaster Douk Kyun Oh, training in Tang Soo Do (Moo Duk Kwan).  He trained in Tae Kwon Do with Grandmaster Jin Soo Lee (the current Korean ITF President) and Grandmaster Ho Young Chong.  Hyong studied Hap Ki Do under Grandmaster Chul Kyun Shin, his oldest brother.  He also studied ju-do under Master Won Kyeo Choo (Sang Moo Kwan).  From all of his instructors, Hyong learned to become mentally disciplined, to have patience, to practice self-denial and humility, and how to live a moral life.

Education was also important to Hyong.  He graduated from the National Normal School in 1957, qualifying as an elementary school teacher at the age of 19.  He began teaching and also attended the College of Education Psychology and Guidance in the education program specializing in education administration.

It was on a Buddhist holiday, April 8, 1961, around age 23, that Hyong went with his mother and sister to worship at Gae Sim Sa Temple, in Sick Jang Mountain Village, near his hometown.  Hyong's mother and sister introduced him to a Zen priest-monk named Moo Sim, with whom they were close friends.  Moo Sim began to teach Hyong about the human mind.  Hyong still remembers Moo Sim's teachings, especially a message that became deeply embedded into his way of life: "A man's mind makes everything.  Your mind may make you a Buddha, or it may make you a beast, so you must discipline yourself to control temptation and to be the master of your own mind."  After meeting Moo Sim, Hyong began to learn about oriental medicine, along with Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucianist secret rules and exercises for healing and maintaining good health.  A year after meeting Moo Sim, Hyong met Great Monk and Zen Master Hon Dam.  In 1963, he met Ham Souk Hean, a Christian pastor, and in 1965 Hyong met Great Monk and Zen Master Hyoo Bong.  From these men, he learned the basic philosophy of how to live one’s life and interact with others to promote peace and well being.

In 1969, Hyong married and in 1972 he attained a First Class Chief Teacher license.  Hyong continued to teach in Korea until 1979. By that time, he had three children, and his desire to provide them with the best possible education led him to immigrate, alone, to the United States in 1979.  Immigrating to the United States was difficult for Hyong.  Finding work to support his family (which was still in Korea) and overcoming language barriers presented many challenges.  Hyong credits his self-discipline and mental discipline in helping him successfully provide a chance at a better life for his family.  Finally, in 1982, Hyong was able to petition for his family to join him in the United States as well.

Since 1962, Hyong has rigorously studied various aspects of Buddhist, Taoist, Confucian and Christian philosophies and found common ideals that he calls the "human right way of life," or a common set of moral rules by which humans can achieve peace, health and happiness.

Grand Master Hyong Shin's original reason for learning martial arts was to protect himself and his family against violence, but he has learned to understand over the years that "one act of violence leads to another act of violence, and thus creates an endless and unnecessary circle.  We must understand martial arts training and teaching goals more than fighting techniques.  We must pay more attention to self-discipline, good manners and respectful behavior.  We must be sound in mind and strong in body. We must never make an enemy. "

Today, Grand Master Shin teaches oriental alternative medicine and holistic health for disease prevention and self-healing.  He is also a holistic health consultant, a Ki Gong and Tae Chi instructor, and continues to develop Sun Ki Do and Sun Moo Kwan, in addition to his continued teaching of Tae Kwon Do, Hap Ki Do and Kum-Do, Hyel-Do Sul.

"Now I am good enough of age, to seriously understand that a human's best treasure is his enjoyment of good health, bringing happiness to one’s family and peace to all.  To accomplish this, one must first be disciplined and control one’s mind and body.  If we control our mind, we will have happiness both now and in the future."

"In May 1979, when I immigrated to America I worked almost 16 hours each day, seven days a week.  I am now 68 years old, but 68 is only a number. I am still in excellent physical, mental and spiritual condition".

Grand Master Shin attributes his excellent health to practicing Sun Ki Do each and every day.

Chronology:

1957: Graduated National Normal School

1961: Began martial arts training

1970: Sun Do/Ki Gong training

1970: Chinese Acupuncture – Dr. Byeong Ku Lee

1971: Chinese Hand Acupuncture – Dr, Tae Woo You

1971: Moxibution – Dr. Nam Soo Kim

1972: Chiropractic/Osteotherapy - Dr. En Oh, Dr. Komayashi, Master Chung Wan Oh, Master Won Kyeo Chao

1976 WTF qualified 5th Dan International Black Belt Instructor

1979 Immigrated to the United States

1980: Metropolitan Community College of Portland, Tae Kwon Do Instructor

1981: Established World Sun Moo Kwan Association

1981: Linn-Benton Community College (Corvallis), Tae Kwon Do Instructor

1982: Petitioned for family to immigrate to the United States

1981: Can-Am & Pan-Am Games, Oregon team coach, (Portland) Rose Festival Tae Kwon Do demonstration with Grandmaster Tae Hong Choi.

1986: Lewis & Clark University (Portland), Tae Kwon Do instructor

1987: Hewlett-Packard, Corvallis, Oregon – until 1997, Employee stress management class

1988: Miami, Florida – US Olympic tryout team coach (Oregon)

1992: Wisconsin – US Olympic tryout team coach (Oregon)

2000: Oregon State University – Korean Cultural Show, Tae Kwon Do demonstration

2003: Benton County (Oregon) Sheriff’s Department – Sun Ki Do/Ki Gong for stress management

2003: US Tae Kwon Do Grandmasters Society – Ki Gong seminar, Dallas, Texas

2005: 9th Dan Tae Kwon Do Promotion Test and Qualification