1. Back Ground
2. Panama's Private Martial Arts Schools
3. Response of Private School Participants
4. Seminar for Government Martial Arts Experts
5. Response of the Government Martial Arts Personnel
6. Future Plans
1. Background
Panama is a small country with a population of only 2.9 million, but it has 150 martial arts schools. Martial arts are very popular in part because Panama's climate is very hot and humid making outdoor sports too strenuous, while martial arts is an indoor sport. Martial arts training started in Panama almost 50 years ago. Therefore, Panama seemed an excellent place to introduce the unique approach of Tong Il Moo Do.
The TIMD team consisting of Master Takahashi, Don Harbour, Gustavo Guiliano and Jorge Martinez gave three seminars in Panama from July 29 through August 17th. Two in seminars were in Panama City and one in Panama's second largest city of David in West Panama.
Total Number of Seminar Participants : 170 including 71 black belts.
2. Panama's Private Martial Arts Schools
A two day seminar was offered for the directors of private martial arts schools and their students in which there were 70 participants including, 20 instructors and 36 black belts. We were told that our seminar was first time in Panama martial arts history where the top leaders of each different school came together for a martial arts event. Usually, they have events with their own school- Karate, Taekwondo, Kungfu etc.
This 2 Day Seminar in Panama City for private school instructors and students included 70 participants, 20 instructors and 36 black belts.
A similar one day seminar in provincial capital of David had 45 participants including 13 black belts
3. Response of Private School Participants
Their response was very interesting. First of all they loved the TIMD philosophy lectures. As martial arts school directors that work with young people they are naturally concerned about the morals and direction of the young people they teach. Many commented that they wanted their young people to hear these lectures.
The top leaders of martial art schools attended. One of them is a highly respected woman who is the head of Karate in Panama and Panama's first woman black belt. She said about the TIMD philosophy lecture "Now I feel that my life has not been in vain. Please continue to teach us and don't abandon us."
The founder of the first martial arts school in Panama, a 60 year old man was not in good enough health to participate. But he watched the seminar and later came to warmly congratulate the TIMD team.
The Korean head of Hapkido sent his two sons who are martial arts school directors to the seminar. In his 30 years in Panama, this is the first time he ever sent anyone from Hapkido to learn from another martial arts group. At the end of the day, the sons humbly gave deep respect to the TIMD team and expressed appreciation for this new approach to martial arts.
Other comments from these participants-
" "This is the first time an international team comes and does not charge money- usually such seminars are very expensive."
" "This is the first time martial arts are combined with an ideology of life and values and spirituality." Many teachers asked to learn these lectures.
" "This is the first time the masters don't hit and hurt them!" Usually the masters come in and hit and kick people hard showing off their strength and in a way humiliating people. But TIMD teachers don't hit, and teach very effective new techniques with heart and love. Especially Master Don Harbourīs techniques are fascinating in this area.
" The first time they study a martial art that combines linear and circular movements.
" The first time they see all the martial arts schools coming together to study a martial art which is not their own.
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