Yearly Archives: 2017

James, Jess and Chris Pass their HapKido Black Belt Tests

Black Belt Test, HKD, Testing
James, Jess and Chris with Master Yun at the end of the HapKiDo black belt test on December 16, 2017.

Congratulations to James, Jess and Chris! James passed his third degree HapKiDo black belt test, while Jess and Chris passed their 2nd degree HapKiDo black belt tests.

It was a grueling 3 1/2 hour test last Saturday. The candidates performed all the techniques for 1st and second degree, while James had to perform 3rd degree techniques as well. They did zillions of push-ups and sit-ups, broke boards and fought against other black belts during yusul.

The highlight of the test was the power breaking, or the breaking of cement slabs with hand strikes. James successfully broke 3 cement slabs, while Jess and Chris broke two. Amazing!

James is the ONLY student to ever take and pass a third degree test at BeRyong; James is also a 2nd dan in TaeKwonDo. Jess is also a 2nd dan in TaeKwonDo, while Chris is a first dan in TaeKwonDo.   Congratulations!

You can see photos and videos on the BeRyong Facebook page. Please like, comment and share!

You can also watch most of the test on YouTube! Daniel recorded the test using his GoPro!

Mac’s 2nd Degree Black Belt Test Scheduled for Saturday, December 2

Black Belt Test, TKD

It’s a really big deal when someone takes their 2nd degree black belt test. At Be Ryong, it takes an average of 3 years to get your first degree black belt, and then an additional 5-7 years to get your second degree.

Why so long? The curriculum is much harder: all the kicks are jumping kicks,  the forms are long and complicated, and the conditioning needed to take a 2nd degree black belt test is off the charts.

But 12-year old Mac is taking his 2nd degree black belt test on Saturday, December 2, 11am. This test will run at least three hours, most likely longer. So come on down, cheer Mac on, keep him motivated during the 1,000+ push-ups and sit-ups he’ll have to do, and cheer him on during the intense sparring he’ll have to endure. And as always, bring snacks because it’s going to be a long test.

TKD Black Belt Scheduled for Saturday, November 18, 11am

Black Belt Test, Testing

There will be a TaeKwonDo black belt test on Saturday, November 18. Four students will be taking the test. The test will begin promptly at 11am and will likely go for 3-4 hours.

If you or your child is a red belt or higher, Master Yun recommends attending a black belt test so you know what happens during a black belt test. You should also read this blog post by CJ – What happens during a black belt test?

Students who are cleared by Master Yun to take the test will have shown proficiency in all of the kicks and forms needed for the 1st degree black belt test. During the test itself, students will perform the kicks and forms for each belt, do a total of 770 push ups and sit ups over several hours, 350 squats, 9 breaks with a kick, 3 rounds of sparring, and 1 hand break. Sounds brutal, it’s meant to be grueling. And that’s why you train for a minimum of four months for a black belt test, after years of training and mini-tests.

A black belt from Be Ryong is a true test of endurance, perseverance and skill. Come on down and support the candidates. Oh, and bring snacks. It’s gonna be a long test.

New Demo Team Schedule – Tuesdays at 6pm and Saturdays at 12:45pm

Demo Team, Training

Master Yun has changed the schedule on Tuesdays. The 6pm TKD class has been replaced with practice time for the Be Ryong demo team, which will now practice on Tuesdays at 6pm and Saturdays at 12:30pm.

The Be Ryong demo team performs are local community events and at least one martial arts tournament every day. You don’t need to be a black belt to be part of the demo team. But you do need to come to class regularly, make a commitment to attend practice sessions, and work hard to learn the routines.

Interested in joining the demo team? Please see Master Yun.

Schedule for September 29-30 Open House

Demo Team, Events

Master Yun has announced the schedule for the upcoming Open House. The Open House will take place at the BeRyong studio, which is located at 218 W. Glebe Road, Alexandria, VA. The trial lessons will take place in the studio. The demos will take place in the parking lot.

Friday, September 29, 2017

5pm – Trial Lesson *
6pm – Trial Lesson *

Saturday, September 30, 2017

10am – Trial Lesson *
11:30am – All Students doing forms and breaking
12noon – HapKiDo demo
12:30pm – TaeKwonDo demo

Students, please come and support the school, have some fun and show off what you’ve learned.

If you’re curious about martial arts and want to learn more, or if you just want to do some cool stuff, come on down on September 29 or 30! Bring a friend, or two!

* If you are participating in a trial lesson, please be sure to wear comfortable clothes you can come in, like sweats or shorts. No skirts, please!

We’ll see you this weekend!

Be Ryong Open House Scheduled for September 30, 2017

Events, HKD, TKD

Save the date for the Be Ryong Annual Open House, this year scheduled for Saturday, September 30! The Open House will go from 10am – 2pm. We’ll post the final schedule in the next week or so, but we already know that there will be trial classes and demonstrations.

The award-winning TaeKwonDo and HapKiDo demo teams will show off their kicks, forms and breaking!

Trial lessons will happen in the studio. The demonstrations will take place in the parking lot outside the studio.

If you’re curious about martial arts, want to take a trial class, or just want to see some awesome stuff, come on down on September 30!