Dear Grandmaster Kim Soo,

     I began my study of Chayon-Ryu in January of 2004. Within that short amount of time, I have learned much. The outstanding component of Chayon-Ryu is the incorporation of the Mind and Spirit along with the physical (Body) training. I feel this is essential to all human beings especially to children.
     In my scholastic endeavors, I have graduated with a BA in Psychology. I will be getting my Masters in Psychology and hope to make a career in counseling and assessing children who have been physically and sexually abused, focusing on the sexual abuse. I have learned through my studies that the physical components to the sexual abuse are not the ones that endure. Another thing I have learned is that the children who are preyed upon are the ones without self-confidence, self-esteem and self-worth. Predators prey on the children who are looking for a meaning to their life and this lack of self-awareness makes them easy targets.
     Chayon-Ryu can be beneficial to those who have been abused and prevention for those who are in danger of abuse. I am focusing on the Mind and Spirit part of the art because with children, more times than not, the predator could over power them physically. Teaching the child to have the self-confidence, self esteem and love for themselves is a far better tool in the war on child sexual abuse.
     As I continue my study of Chayon-Ryu, I hope to gain mental and physical balance that will help me in my life and I would like to pass the knowledge along to others. To date, there are several methods of helping sexually abused children, to name a few: Dance Therapy, Play Therapy, Art Therapy, and Music Therapy. I would like to see Chayon-Ryu become a pre-emptive tool as well as a healing tool.

Thank you for sharing your knowledge, skills and determination!

Kara E. Elliot
Orange Belt
Spring Branch School
Sept. 18, 2004