Several of the lower belts students demonstrated Coo Yung Bope – a beginning Kung Fu form that emulates the movement of a dragon.  The higher belt kids students demonstrated a series or Kung Fu and Kong Su (Tae Kwon Do) short forms that develop coordination, flexibility, strength and body control.  In addition, the First Degree students demonstrated Kom (Chinese broadsword) and various Aikido techniques against various type of attacks.

Here is the article in the MetroWest Daily News with pictures.  Click Here

On Saturday, July 14th, 2007 a Women’s Self-Defense Seminar was held at the Somerville School of Oom Yung Doe. Women from the Somerville area attended, along with women from Lesley University in Cambridge and Citizen Schools in Boston. Keliko Adams, a Lesley graduate student commented after the seminar, “I like to travel, and I feel much more confident that if I am ever in a situation where I need to defend myself, I will be able to.” Oom Yung Doe schools in New England and around the country frequently offer free self-defense and stress relief lessons, as a way of helping improve our communities.

If you would like to attend a seminar, contact an Oom Yung Doe school in your area.

It is an Oom Yung Doe instructor’s mission to accept the challenge and responsibility to teach the traditional line of Moo Doe (Martial Arts) Knowledge, as it has been taught overthe centuries. It is their hope to apply the morals of Chung Doe or Correct Path to their lives. Someone who follows the Chung Doe path fully considers the consequences of their actions on others before making any decision. Chung Doe implants a good seed within a community, which bears good fruit of right communication, compassion and integrity for the next generation.

Each year instructors look into the community to recognize a leader. In his seven years as a state legislator, Representative Peter J. Koutoujian, a Waltham native, has emerged as one of Beacon Hill’s most influential and well-respected lawmakers.

On the state level, Koutoujian, successfully directed the House to overwhelmingly pass a statewide smoking ban in October.

He also filed legislation that prohibits schools from selling junk food and is currently working on increasing nutritional ducation along with an emphasis on physical activity our public schools.

In recognition of his commitment to improving the quality of life in our community, and especially in honor of his work to protect and educate our youth, The Instructors and students of Oom Yung Doe in the Boston area presented Representative Peter J. Koutoujian with an Honorary Black Belt at the annual New Year’s Banquet on January 15, 2005.

The Distinguished Citizen Award presented at the 2005 Oom Yung Doe Banquet is a good example of changing one’s reality for the better. This particular award is most often given to someone who has exhibited tireless efforts to improve the community. This year’s honoree notonly distinguishes himself as a diligent worker at the Boston Rescue Mission, but also by receiving and making the most of the same kind of care and guidance he is now offering to others.

From a very young age, Marty Miller was a drug user, was homeless throughout much of his life, and had very little prospects for his future. Then he had the good fortune to spend a night at the Boston Rescue Mission’s overflow room. Marty has said, I stil remember how much they touched me with their love. They actually asked me how could they help me change my life.

In the years that followed, Marty freed himself of a lifelong addiction to drugs and found a faith that has helped him sustain his rehabilitation. He enrolled in college and was working at a trade in which he was finding success, when he decided that his calling was to turn around and give a hand to others like himself who were trying to raise themselves out of the depths of homelessness and addiction. Now Marty runs one of the Boston Rescue Mission Programs and has dedicated his life to helping others.

Since 1899, the Boston Rescue Mission has been helping homeless and poverty-stricken people pursue their dreams of a better life. The Mission operates Kingston House, one of Boston’s oldest continuously running homeless shelters. Located in the heart of Boston, they provide meals, clothing, training, and service for as many as 200 visitors every day.

Once again this holiday season, the instructors and students of Oom Yung Doe are reaching out to help others in the community by supporting the Boston Rescue Mission. This year efforts will include a food drive at each of the schools; as well as instructors and students volunteering at the Kingston Street shelter, which is the largest overnight emergency shelter in Boston. On December 7th, three Oom Yung Doe instructors helped serve the three o’clock meal at the shelter and spent some time getting to know the staff. Instructor Sheila Graves remarked, “It’s tremendously informative to actually go down and see the work that is being done and meet some of the clients and staff.” To learn more about the Boston Rescue Mission and their programs visit www.brm.org.

This Thanksgiving Oom Yung Doe teamed up with the Cambridge Community Fellowship Church when instructors and students from the Somerville school delivered over 30 food baskets to members of the community who wouldn’t have had a Thanksgiving otherwise. Instructor Ben Zaroukian noted, “Some of these individuals seemed like they were new to this country or were having a tough time taking care of themselves because they were elderly. It was gratifying to be able to give them a hand.”

The Blue Dragon movements featured at the annual Oom Yung Doe weekend seminar can be practiced both in and outside the water and help the practitioner bring in nature’s energy and store it for good health and strength.

To view the entire article published in the Somerville Journal, click on the following link. Somerville Journal