Our Internationally Certified Instructors

All Soo Bahk Do studios are certified by the U.S. Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan Federation, Inc. and independently owned. It is the only U.S. federation recognized by Kwan Jang Nim Hwang Kee, the founder of Soo Bahk Do and the Moo Duk Kwan. Only certified studios are legally authorized to offer instruction of the Moo Duk Kwan(R) system. All certified Soo Bahk Do instructors must meet strict requirements of theoretical knowledge, teaching ability and written thesis in addition to physical ability.

Andy Arvidson Sa Bom Nim, Sa Dan (Dan Bon 40221)
Chief Instructor
Andy Arvidson is  a 60 year old legally blind diabetic. He started training May 1997 as a family activity and has made it a life changing part of his life. He and his wife started the school 1/11/2005. As Chief Instructor he teaches the morning and afternoon classes, including the Tigers classes for 4-6 year olds.  In November 2010, he tested for and achieved 4th degree and Sa Bom Nim along with his wife, at an 8-day test with the Kwan Jang Nim (Grand Master), and the Technical Advisory Committee of U.S. Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan.

Colette Arvidson Sa Bom Nim, Sa Dan (Dan Bon 40219)
Senior Instructor and Owner

Colette Arvidson began training in November 1996 in an effort to spend more quality time with her 9 year old son and, later, her husband Andy Arvidson.  What started as an activity to support their family, became an intrinsic part of their lives, and something they wanted to share with other individuals and families.  She studied and tested for Jo Kyo (Assistant Instructor) Certification in July 2003; and then Kyo Sa (Certified Instructor) in June 2006.  She teaches most of the evening classes.

Both the Arvidsons sucessfully tested for Sa Dan (Fourth Degree) in November 2010.  They continue to train regularly with their instructor, Curt McCauley Sa Bom Nim (Dan Bon 29451) (Fifth Degree) in LaConner, WA, and annually with the Kwan Jang Nim (Grand Master) H.C. Hwang.

Assistant Instructors and Dan Members

Mr. Don Magness, Ee Dan (Dan Bon 46033)
 Mr. Don Magness was at the first class that Anacortes Soo Bahk Do held in January of 2005.  He had practiced Tai-Chi for many years and loved Soo Bahk Do from the beginning.  After 4 1/2 years of practice he attained the rank of Cho Dan in 2008 at the age of 62. He was the first student at Anacortes Soo Bahk Do to achieve this rank. He loves the balance of hard and soft styles in this art. In May 2011 he achieved his second degree, or Ee Dan, midnight blue belt in Soo Bahk Do. 

Carla Bigelow Jo Kyo Nim, Cho Dan (Dan Bon 46977)
Assistant Instructor
Ms. Bigelow began training September 2006 after spending the summer watching her children train. She enjoys the physical and mental challenges that Soo Bahk Do offers. Ms. Bigelow brings many years of experience as a yoga and hula practitioner to her practice of Soo Bahk Do. She achieved Cho Dan May 2010. She has been a certified group fitness and personal trainer for several years and completed and passed Jo Kyo (Assistant Instructor) Certification in July 2010.

Mr. Justin Ramaglia, Cho Dan (Dan Bon 46978)
 Mr. Ramaglia began training November 2006.  He achieved Cho Dan in May 2010. Although his father was a karate sensei when he was young, he never took to it in his youth. Now he and his family are delighted that he has achieved his Cho Dan in Soo Bahk Do at a later age in life. He loves the techniques he has learned in Soo Bahk Do and feels it to be a great help in his daily battle with obesity. In a show of how people with disabilities can succeed in Soo Bahk Do, Mr. Ramaglia achieved his Cho Dan while weighing over 400 lbs.

Blake Prescott Jo Kyo Nim, Cho Dan (Dan Bon 46979)
Assistant Instructor
Mr. Prescott found Anacortes Soo Bahk Do in April 2007 and began training when he was 10 years old. He achieved his Cho Dan in May 2010 shortly after his 13th birthday. During the time he was training for his Cho Dan, he was also working on his certification as a Jo Kyo, Certified Assistant Instructor, which he attained November 1, 2010. This training included meeting both physical and mental training requirements. His youth and enthusiasm combined with his teaching skills are a valuable asset to our students.

Bailey Ward, Cho Dan (Dan Bon 46675)
 Bailey Ward began his Soo Bahk Do training in July  2005 at the age of 6 in Chesapeake, VA, with James Donnelly Sa Bom Nim.  The following year he moved with his family to Anacortes, WA, where he was directed by his instructor to Anacortes Soo Bahk Do.  On September 6, 2006, he first tested for rank of 9th gup.  In November 2009, at 10 years old,  he became the first young person (under 13) from Anacortes Soo Bahk Do to achieve Cho Dan.  He is currently practicing Soo Bahk Do in Silver Spring, MD with Howard Kea Sa Bom Nim.

Harsimran Bagri Jo Kyo Nim, Cho Dan ( )
 Harsimran (Simmi) Bagri began training in August 2006, as she was entering Anacortes High School, and achieved 1st Gup in August 2010. As part of her Senior Project for Anacortes High School, she completed Jo Kyo (Assistant Instructor) Certification in July 2010. Ms. Bagri is a student at Seattle Pacific University, studying sociology and philosophy with a minor in anthropology in hopes of attending law school.

Matti Masten, Cho Dan (Dan Bon 47471)
 Matti Masten started training in June 2007 at the age of nine.  Originally her sole purpose in taking Soo Bahk Do was to learn self-defense, but since then it has come to mean much more.  She tested for the rank of Cho Dan in May 2011, shortly after turning thirteen, and was promoted at summer camp by the Kwan Ja Nim.  She is currently working on her Jo Kyo certification so that she may instruct others and share the wonderful art that has affected her life.

 

About Instructor Training

  •  As a demonstration of respect, the word/honorific "Nim" is added after each of the certification titles when someone of lower rank or age addresses the certified individual.

  • Sa Bom
    Certified Master Instructor
    Proof of previous Kyo Sa Certification Minimum age: 25 years old
    Minimum rank: 4th degree (Sa Dan) Minimum training time: 2 years Participation in individual and/or group training preparation with the student's Sa Bom Nim. Review of all questions from the Jo Kyo and Kyo Sa certification programs regarding structure, organization, teaching techniques, history and philosophy. An apprenticeship log of required supervised classes is also required, as well as preparation of lesson plans, and demonstration of independent. Successful evaluation of ability to demonstrate techniques as well as teaching skills and recommendation of Instructor. Final evaluation is conducted annually at the Ko Dan Ja Shim Sa. This is an 8 day examination reviewing everything learned in the previous 14 years and requires preparation and teaching of a class presented for evaluation by the Kwan Jang Nim and TAC (Technical Advisory Committee.)

  • Kyo Sa
    Certified Instructor
    Prerequisite:  Jo Kyo Certification
    Minimum age: 21 years old
    Minimum rank: 2nd degree (E Dan)
    Minimum  training time: 1 year
    Participation in individual and/or group training sessions.  Completion of questions that require the study of the Green and Red Belt Instructional Guides, as well as a compilation of  more in-depth essays of further detail on structure, organization, teaching techniques, history and philosophy. An apprenticeship log of required supervised classes is also required, as well as preparation of lesson plans, and demonstration of independent.  Successful evaluation of ability to demonstrate techniques as well as teaching skills and recommendation of Instructor. Final evaluation is a three day practical test at either the Regional or National level. The certified Kyo Sa can facilitate a Gup Test and recommend promotion.

  • Jo Kyo
    Certified Assistant Instructor
    Minimum age: 13 years old
    Minimum rank: Red Belt
    Minimum training time: 90 days Participation in individual and/or group training sessions. Test on the White and Orange Belt Instructional Guides, as well as a compilation of essays on structure, organization, teaching techniques and philosophy. An apprenticeship log of required supervised class assistance is also required. Successful evaluation of ability to demonstrate techniques as well as teaching skills, and the recommendation of Instructor. The Certified Jo Kyo can teach in his/her own school, under the supervision of a Kyo Sa or Sa Bom (since the higher certification is required to facilitate a Gup test and recommend promotion).

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