There is an impressive aura about the school which hits you as soon as you are met by the admirable Mr.Smith, one of the most senior instructors in the school. The School has 3 dojangs, all used extensively throughout the day and evening. Classes start at 10 .00 am and end at 9.00 pm.
I watched some of the morning classes and met students and instructors. From then,I was involved in the classes from 5 30 which emcompassed full range sparring techniques and at 6.30, which was the designated time for forms classes for all levels. Full range sparring classes began at 7.30. This is an exciting new type of class which aims to prepare the student for a real-life confrontation. An all level class was running from 8 to 9 for forms. I took a lunch break and was a guest of Mr Smith and Mr K M Hwang at a students bar and restaurant, owned by Angus O'Leary, a fellow Irishman. His Irish bar is a must visit for anyone going to the School.
On Saturday morning, an early morning was the order of the day as it became clear that a new schedule for our school should be drawn up, with the purpose of increasing the number of classes over a seven day period to facilitate everybodys needs in what is a busy world. The mass availability of classes in Boston prompted me to add ten more classes to our ever expanding schedule. One of the things which struck me most about the school was how seamlessly people from all walks of life blended into school life. Doctors, bankers, graduates, shopowners all have found a place within the school.
I have been training for 33 years and I have trained with many masters and instructors. I have to say that Mr Kim has the perfect balance. He operates a very successful school and he has very well trained and hard working instructors who work long and hard days. The students are at a very high level and some whom I met train as many as 6 days a week. Some of the senior people in terms of age not grade trained 3 classes in one day.
Mr Kim’s extensive knowledge has come from being personally trained by Gen Choi himself at his home,and from the years of teaching in USA Korea, Singapore, China, Canada and soon Europe.