Attention students of Shinsei Hapkido and Akayama Ryu: Shinsei Hapkido continues a relationship of mutual respect and friendship with Akayama Ryu. This has been proven out over the past 30 years. Last year, due to my health issues at the time, there was discussion of combining the systems, making Shinsei an arm of Akayama. However, since Shinsei continues to be ministry driven and Akayama is a secular organization we could not find a way to merge without compromising the distinct advantages of our styles. Normally there are both winter and summer camps held which combine the styles. This year, due to scheduling limitations and the need to conference with the leaders of Shinsei regarding future growth we decided to hold separate events. This does not in any way reflect negatively on our partnership with Akayama Ryu, as some students erroneously concluded. Shinsei is not Akayama and Akayama is not Shinsei, although we freely acknowledge our common points and common historical roots we also acknowledge and respect our differences. Shinsei Hapkido affirms its distinct identity as well as its abiding respect for Akayama Ryu, its leaders and its students. Shinsei students and teachers are encouraged to attend Akayama events and Akayama students are welcome to all Shinsei events. In fact, our Shinsei homecoming features a highly ranked Akayama Ryu instructor in our list of excellent teachers on the mat in July. I hope this clears up any misunderstanding. In case it does not, I will conclude with these words. “I have no better friend than Nidai Soke Mark Barlow. When I thought there was a chance my health would fail I looked to him to “adopt my students”. I believe he feels a similar way about me. Holding separate events does not mean there is friction. It simply speaks of distinction.”
Posted on: Wed, 12 Jun 2013 19:20:11 +0000