World-renowned martial artist Kim Jeong Seong brought star quality to Summit Academy Community School for Alternative Learners – Lorain during his cultural and martial arts sessions with students on October 24.
Grandmaster Kim invented a two-sword martial arts technique (Jin Young SSang Kum Ryu) that combines skill,
philosophy and healing. He traveled from Busan, Korea to present a series of immersive training sessions to the school’s K-8 students.
“Through training, you can continue martial arts [lessons] into daily life, to be kind, to be sincere,” explained Grandmaster Kim. “Otherwise, we cannot reach healing in daily life. A strong and kind mind leads to a healthy body.”
In three separate groups, the students followed Grandmaster Kim’s instructions using black rubber tubes, repeating his steps and sounds.
“Good! Excellent!” he praised the students. “When we train with the sword, we do it with kindness and joy.
Enjoy every moment.”
Grandmaster Kim continued by explaining that the key to using a sword is to follow the energy, and to do it with thought, focus and respect.
Prior to their session with the grandmaster, fourth graders in Erica Bigham’s class spent time studying Korea’s location on a globe, asking questions about the special guest and expressing their anticipation about meeting him. Among the excited cohort, student Milani shed tears of joy after training with the famous visitor.
“It was a good experience; I like that I get to learn from someone in Korea. I want to travel to Korea,
learn the language and meet people from the country,” said Milani, adding that she is a fan of K-pop music and K-drama.
The student sessions preceded a weekend-long “Follow the Energy” seminar, which Grandmaster Kim presented at the school to attending martial artists from around the country. The student portion of the program was a continuation of a lesson Grandmaster Kim provided to the children virtually on June 16, as part of the school’s summer Therapeutic Martial Arts and Literacy Mini Camp.
As part of their curriculum, the students receive therapeutic martial arts training, which instills confidence in overcoming obstacles, martial arts physical skills, and mental and emotional self-control.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to bring this seminar to Summit Academy … a meaningful and educational experience that reflects Summit Academy’s mission of supporting diverse learners through innovative opportunities,” said Sensei Lisa Kozak, who teaches therapeutic martial arts at the school. “The lesson was clear. True strength is not only in the sword, but in the mind and spirit behind it. This experience was about more than martial arts. It was about self-control, awareness and honoring our energy through movement. Grandmaster Kim reminded us that clarity and presence are just as important as physical skill.”