TRAINING WITH THE MASTER

(Los Angeles – December 2005)

The past summer I was very sad to know that the USA government changed the immigration law so it was impossible for me to go to Los Angeles with Giulia and Alice for the Annual Black Sash Conference. You can’t understand how important it is for me to see Do Joo Nim, Kwan Jang Nim and their family at least once a year.

Giulia and I tried to solve the problem by obtaining new passports for USA in the middle of November without certainty that we will have it time for December.  So, I kindly asked Master Lee and Do Joo Nim if it was possible for me to come over to the US to train as well as to meet with them.  They approved and we were ecstatic to say the least.

You cannot imagine my emotion when I saw the West Coast Hwa Rang Do® Academy.  West Coast HQ dojang and the World Headquarters were the two places where I started my training in Hwa Rang Do®.  I can’t help but to get excited when I’m there.  I spent all my time at the dojang (West Coast HQ) while I was there.  This was also my Christmas vacation from work as a Military Police.

For the next 10 days: I studied martial techniques, I spoke a lot with Master Lee, I participated in all the classes, I helped the dojang with its daily chores, arriving at 9am in the morning and continuing until 10, 11 at night.  Staying there the whole time, next to my Master, I realized the true way to learn martial arts.  I consider this the best possible way.  It was an unforgettable experience to be trained one-on-one in this most traditional method of learning.  The dojang was kind of a temple for me and every word; every movement of my Master; every idea was only another step toward greater knowledge.  It’s not only a matter of techniques, but even breathing the same air of the Master is a way to learn if you observe close enough!

I would like to thank Do Joo Nim, Kwan Jang Nim, Sa Bum Nim MacKnigtht, Jo Kyo Nim Olivia Vaatete and all the assistant instructors of the West Coast Hwa Rang Do® Academy for their kindness and generosity.  I look forward to seeing you here (Italy) next June 2006!

Marco Mattiucci – Head Instructor Italian Branch