As a 5th Dan Master in Taekwondo, I have the privilege of incorporating my martial arts expertise with my work as an Occupational Therapist and a Certified Trauma Practitioner – Clinical. Recently, I have had the opportunity to share these skills on APTN’s Season 2 of Queen Of The Oil Patch through my work with 2-Spirited entrepreneur Massey Whiteknife & Iceis Rain. I am proud to be featured in this incredible Reality TV Docuseries (episodes 3-8) and can be viewed on APTN or online using the APTN Lumi App.
In one of the webisodes (link above), I teach Massey the 5 Tenets of Taekwondo: Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control, and Indomitable Spirit. To me, martial arts is more than just the physical expression of strikes, blocks, moves, and patterns; it is also the spiritual, emotional, and philosophical ways of being as well. I believe that it is through the physical training and discipline that we have an opportunity to learn and practice these guiding tenets not only in the dojang (or training studio) but also when out in society or when we are alone and by ourselves (where no one is observing us).
I am grateful to my parents for exposing me to martial arts training at a young age and to my first Master, Grand Master Sung Ju Kim of Regina, Saskatchewan. Grand Master Sung Ju Kim is one of the last living old school Masters who taught me the importance of consistent and fully committed training in the art of Taekwondo. I am blessed to be able to share this art form with my clients wherever and if ever appropriate.
