World Youn Wha Ryu Association
Grandmaster Han has stated several times that he is indeed a blessed man. He has had the unique opportunity to train and master several martial arts and in addition he trained under three famous martial artists of his time.
His first teacher was Son Bop Sa. Master Son was a traveling monk who had observed the young Man Han. He then presented himself to the young man's mother and asked permission to take the boy along with him and educate him in the meditation and martial arts. Permission was granted and the six year old Man went off with the monk to train and learn.
Most of the training Grandmaster Han went through was the strengthening and sensitizing of the mind. In other words, he was trained to have a strong 'sixth sense' mainly through Zen and other mental activities. His training consisted of focusing the mind through meditation and qigong or breathing exercises.
Six years later, the young Han began to long for home and asked his master for permission to go back and see his parents. The monk conceded and let the young man go. It would be the last time he would ever see his master again.
The second of his famous instructors was a man known as Byung In Yun. Master Yun taught Grandmaster Han a system that predated Tae Kwon Do called Kong Soo. Grandmaster Han began training under Master Yun at the age of 13.
At the same time, the young Han met Sae Chong Wang, who taught him Youn Wha. This system is a conglomeration of high level fighting techniques from all martial arts systems, but it does contain some forms.
During this same time period, middle school and high school, Grandmaster Han also studied Hwarang-do, Kendo, Kong Soo, Hapkido, and various weapons. He has attained an 8th dan in Hwarang-do, 7th dan in Kendo, 8th dan in Hapkido, 4th dan in Judo and has trained extensively in 24 different weapons including rope, throwing star, double sticks, short stick, six foot staff, Hapkido cane, tonfa, and sai, among others.
After leaving high school, Grandmaster Han entered the law program at Kon Kuk University and graduated with his Bachelors degree.
Grandmaster Han was, and still is, a respected member of the martial arts society. He was on the Board of Directors in the Korean Tae Kwon Do Federation in its early days and helped design the Palgue forms presently used by the World Tae Kwon Do Federation. During his tunure with the Korean Tae Kwon Do Federation, Grandmaster Han was appointed president of the North Province of Seoul.
Along with his martial arts credentials, Grandmaster Han has served as a Special Tactics Instructor for the Korean Intelligence Agency, teaching the member martial art techniques. He was also called to train the 7th Army Infantry Division from 1970 to 1972 in hand to hand combat and served as Close Combat Instructor for the 2nd Army Infantry Division from 1972 to 1976.
In 1976, Grandmaster Han and his family made the choice to move to the United States. His first encounter with the U.S. was New Jersey. From there the Han family moved to Tennessee, then soon after to Florida and in 1978, they made the final move to Texas.
Grandmaster Han has a dream of reaching the entire world with the Youn Wha system, and through his instructors he hopes to accomplish this. Grandmaster Han firmly believes that because of its completeness, the Youn Wha system is the best available.
"Empty Hands"
Many of thousands of years ago my teachers met. They sought meanings for life and the lessons it had to offer. The things they learned were shared with a chosen few, at first limited to priests within the Oriental Temples. Each lesson was passed to others...and ultimately to me.
These lessons have been proven through constant testing over many centuries. Only those principles which have stood the test of time have been passed on; thus what I have been privileged to learn has been based not on theory, but on constant application.
My body is under my control. Countless hours of practice in basic skills have given it strength and vitality. Hours of discipline have developed graceful movement, effortless speed, and devastating power.
As my body developed, my mind developed also. There is unity between the two. They are blended as a single unit. Whether my fundamental skills were developed through training in Tae Kwon Do, Kung Fu, Jujitsu, Akijitsu, Judo, Ninjitsu, or other form of Martial Arts, my purpose is the same...understanding myself and understanding life. I will achieve the maximum possible with the skills I have been given, for my mind too is under my control.
Though I have been privileged to share lessons taught by the greatest teachers in the world, greater lessons sill will be taught by life itself. Through life the meaning of each lesson will be made clear. Each day is an opportunity for greater understanding. Thus, of the priniciples I have learned, the most important is that there is yet much more to learn. I am a student of life. I am a student of Martial Arts."
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