A History of Anacortes Soo Bahk Do
In 1996, Colette and Andy Arvidson and their nine year old son Joe began Soo Bahk Do training with Jason Coleman Kyo Sa Nim as a family activity in Seattle. In 1999, the Arvidson family moved to LaConner, WA for a better quality of life and to be close to family, as well as the opportunity to train with a large DoJang of primarily adult students, Channel Town Soo Bahk Do.
In July, 2003, Colette Arvidson became the first Soo Bahk Do practitioner in the nation to complete the newly developed training program for assistant instructors (the Korean designation for this new certification was Jo Kyo.) Over the following year, she continued her apprenticeship under her instructor, and embarked on the more rigorous program of training for Kyo Sa (Certified Instructor). At the same time, Andy Arvidson was proceeding along his certification for Jo Kyo. Colette tested regionally for Kyo Sa in the summer of 2004, and Andy tested at the national level for his Kyo Sa in January 2005.
During this time, the Arvidson Kyo Sa Nim decided to open a DoJang of their own. They selected the town of Anacortes, just 13 miles from their instructor's school, and in November, 2004, held demonstration classes to introduce themselves and the Art to Anacortes. The following January they launched their first classes, held at the Senior Center in cooperation with Anacortes Parks and Recreation (at that time the DoJang was called Skagit Soo Bahk Do.) As enrollment quickly grew, it was clear that the DoJang needed a permanent home.
In July, 2005, the Arvidsons found and purchased a house in a mixed business and residential area that offered the perfect location, close to schools and the Senior Center. Construction to expand the existing garage space into a dedicated Martial Arts Studio attached to their home began, while classes continued to be held at the Senior Center. Students began training in the new Anacortes Soo Bahk Do DoJang, renamed to emphasize its connection to the Anacortes Community, in January, 2006.
The Chief Instructor is Andy Arvidson Kyo Sa Nim, teaching the morning and the afternoon classes; Senior Instructor Colette Arvidson Kyo Sa Nim teaches the evening classes when she returns from her week-day job in Burlington. Students range in age from 4 to 69 years of age, with as much diversity as you can imagine.
Soo Bahk Do is a Martial Art for life, with the purpose of "rejuvenating and prolonging life beyond its normal span." To that end Anacortes Soo Bahk Do works with students to meet their goals even if they have limitations of health, age or chronic conditions. Adaptation is the key, and Chief instructor Andy Arvidson Kyo Sa Nim knows this well from his own personal experience. As a 60 year old insulin-dependent diabetic who is legally blind, his own health, well-being, and confidence have benefited from the thoughtful instruction he has received in Soo Bahk Do. He now shares his insights and experience with adaption with all his students, whether they happen to be a precocious 4 year old, a maturing teenager, or adults or children dealing with cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis. Truly Soo Bahk Do is a Martial Art for Life!
