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History |
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The story of the origin of Yim's TaeKwonDo Institute is itself a tribute to the
founder, for it exemplifies dedication and perserverence. Master Instructor Kyu
Boong Yim began his training in the martial arts at the age of twelve in his
native Seoul, Korea. With many different styles and schools from which to choose,
he selected Chang Moo Kwan because of its impressive techniques and the qualifications
of the instructor. Mr. Yim studie in secret until his first promotional test,
at which time he surprised his family with an invitation to attend. With
excitement and enthusiasm, his family wished him much success and encouraged
his advancement. After two years of rigorous training, Mr. Yim earned his first
degree Black Belt under the instruction of Grand Master Soon Bac Kim of Seoul.
Although TaeKwonDo is considered a major Korean sport, such as football is in the
United States, its roots reach deeply into the history and culture of the country.
Training is taken very seriously, with an atmosphere of discipline much stricter
than in most U. S. Martial arts schools. When Mr. Yim began his training, students
were expected to attend every class session, with severe consequences resulting
if too many were missed. It was also assumed that the trainees would dedicate
themselves to performing all techniques to the best of their abilities. Mr Yim's
own dedication and hard training throughout high school brought him the title
of 1966 Korean National TaeKwonDo Champion in the high school division lightweight
class. Tournaments and competition were much the same as they are now, with emphasis
placed on the scoring of points through powerful, clean techniques. However,
there was no formal competition at the time.
Mr. Yim's championship status led to a four-year scholarship to Chung-Ang University.
As a college student, he won the 1967 and 1968 National Championships. In his junior
year he relaxed his training somewhat in order to devote time to student politics.
He was elected President of his class for his remaining two years of college while
he also held the posoitin of TaeKwonDo team captain. He returned to rigorous training
in his senior year to again win the National Championship.
Upon graduating with a bachelors's degree in Physical Education in 1971, Mr. Yim taught
middel school "P.E." in Seoul and advanced his own education to earn a master's degree.
He also taught TaeKwonDo classes and provate lessons to adults, including Americans
living and working in Seaoul. From them, he learned of opportunites for doctoral studies
in the United States. Such a degree program was not available in Korea at the time. One
of Mr. Yim's, Master Lee, had moved to San Diego, California, and opened a TaeKwonDo
school. Master Lee brought another of his students, Mr. Ed Meech, together with Mr. Yim
to discuss opportunites for opening a school in Dallas, since Mr. Meech and a colleague
beleived that agood school of TaeKwonDo with a highly qualified instructor would be very
successful in Dallas. The first class of the Yim's TaeKwonDo Institute was held on May 4,
1974, at a facility in a small shopping center. The first student was Dr. Bill Nance,
who, on the school's tenth anniversary, was a second degree Black Belt, still registered
with the institute.
Mr. Yim feels that the knowledge and advice passed on from one's seniors and friends
is extremely important throughout life. He communicates often with his own seniors, both
in the U.S. and abroad, and is grateful for their help and guidance through the years.
He is also fortunate to have many friends from Korea now living in the United States.
Two especially close friends have been as source of support and encouragement for him,
and no doubt their presence had benefited the institute and its students. Mr. Sang Jin Kim
was on the Chung-Ang TaeKwonDo team and was the team captain unti he graduated two years
ahead of Mr. Yim. Mr Kim is now in private business in Dallas. Mr. Jin Song Chung, a
high school friend and TaeKWonDo teammate, now teaches at his own school in the Dallas area.
Mr. Yim maintains a full teaching schedule at the school and at other educational institutions
in Dallas and surrounding communities, including many secondary schools and colleges.
Even though his week includes instruction, managing school business, and working on
his doctoral dissertation, he also takes time to practice TaeKwonDo several hours per
week. During practice, he reviews forms, techniques, and basic skills and explores new
techniques that might be effective in free match and advanced TaeKwonDo training. This
makes it possible to create and apply training methods geared to modern society and,
at the same time, teach the essentials of an ancient art.
While being dedicated to the form ands its many benefits, Mr. Yim believes that the mental
aspects have been the most rewarding to him personally. Claiming to have had a wild
temper as a child, he says TaeKwonDo helped him to develop a sense of self-control,
self-discipline, and self-confidence. He therefore sets an excellent example for his
students since he is seen as a poised, soft-spoken gentleman of great patience! It is
also evident that the enjoys what he does, as he is able to arouse enthusiasm for hard
training in his students - adults and children alike - while exhibiting true concern
for their well-being.
Mr. Yim is known internationally as a TaeKwonDo Grand Master and traveled to Korea in
July of 2000 to test for the rank of Ninth Degree Black Belt. He and his wife, Kyong,
live in suburban Dallas with their two children, Jeanie and Eugene, and Mr. Yim's mother.
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