Helping you discover the ki to life - Grandmaster Tae Yun Kim teaches how to harness the life force energy of ki - Cover Story

American Fitness, March-April, 1994 by Peg Jordan

Twenty years ago, Tae Yun Kim, a petite 4'11," 90-pound Korean woman shocked the entire martial arts world by becoming the first and only female master in the exclusive male dominion of tae kwon do, the martial art of Korea. Breaking a 5,000-year-old bias against women, Kim was only 7 years old when she became emblazoned with the goal of becoming the highest ranking female martial artist in the world. She defied her family and community, and finally overcame the entire federation of martial arts masters in order to pursue her dream.

Today, at 48, she has surpassed her goal, earning the revered status of Grandmaster, a title reserved for those who dedicate their lives to unparalleled service, helping others break through barriers of fear and obstacles to achieve their innermost dreams. Founder of a successful martial arts academy in Milpitas, California, Grandmaster Kim teaches her own unique Jung SuWon discipline, a "way of uniting mind, body and spirit through harmony." She is recipient of the Susan B. Anthony award, has received recognition from former President George Bush and California Governor Pete Wilson along with many other honors, is author of the Seven Steps to Inner Power and The Silent Master, coach to Olympic athletes and an internationally recognized master of ki (Korean pronunciation for life force energy, same as the Chinese chi).

But what Grandmaster Kim wants to be remembered for above all else is making ki accessible for everyone. "I teach people to use and maximize their ki--beginning right now, without waiting a lifetime," she says. In fact, she is the only ki master who will "guarantee results in a very brief period," and help people not only feel but actually visualize ki energy. She believes the secrets to developing ki have been safeguarded by a long line of teachers who selfishly protected the lessons, thereby establishing a hierarchical exclusivity and a closed door for most Westerners. "Sweep the floor for five years, and then maybe I'll teach you one move you can practice for a year," was the old line tai chi masters gave lifetime apprentices. Not exactly something you could slip in between child care drop-offs and 10-hour workdays. "Those days of slow learning are not practical forAmericans," she explains. "Life on the planet is speeding up, and we don't have time to learn like that. Our world needs this knowledge now. People can benefit right away by using their ki, and they will feel increased joy, peace and vitality."

Teaching the Power of Ki

Ki or tai chi masters have taught their energy techniques in a tradition-bound wrapper of utter seriousness, with humorless faces, urging selfless, lifetime devotion. On the other end of the style spectrum is Grandmaster IGm. She dismantles the aura of seriousness by using humor, telling entertaining stories and radiating joy and enthusiasm-- and she gets amazing results.

One student approached her with a goal of increasing his paltry salary and now, after two years, he is ready to topple six figures. Another student, an instructor, was incredibly shy and unable to do any public speaking. However, you wouldn't know it based on his performance at her holiday gathering. Grandmaster Kim had this same self-conscious instructor, plus her entire staff, perform amazing martial arts demonstrations dressed in outfits that would make a drag queen blush.

In the past few years, Grandmaster Kim has moved beyond the competitive arena of conventional martial arts, seeking ways in which to share her message that "we are all part of the Universal Heart." Now her vision extends far beyond her Jung SuWon martial arts academy. She believes she can transmit her powerful message and energizing ki through the far-reaching airwaves of the telecommunications industry, empowering millions to achieve positive goals and lead more fulfilling lives. Just imagine it--KiTV--an intriguing notion for those seeking to learn the ancient secrets of maximizing energy all within the privacy of their living room.

Whether or not home viewers are ready for a blast of ki, Tae Yun Kim is still "perfect TV." Picture this channel-stopper: this lovely woman delivers a compelling, self-empowerment message, while demonstrating a series of mind-blowing Jung SuWon feats. (I nearly passed out when I saw sledgehammers smash through six concrete blocks posed on one instructor's abdomen, while he was in a state of heightened ki thanks to her handson preparation.)

After hearing dozens of loyal testimonials from students of every walk of life, I learned Grandmaster Kim was much more than razzle-dazzle martial arts tricks. She kept insisting the physical display is only the veneer of personal mastery--that her real message was the substance behind the sizzle.

The Making of a Grandmaster

Tae Yun Kim describes an event in her early childhood with the fervor of someone who has had a near-death experience. For individuals who have undergone this type of epiphany, there is a shared vision that life is meant to be lived as fully as possible, that we are here to express our soul's true mission with authenticity and freedom. They report a moment of transformation, resulting in a clear intention to live every day with exuberance and meaning. This is the identical passion that marks Tae Yun Kim's life.