Cooperative Spirit Martial Arts Academy, located in Apopka, FL, stands as a testament to the enduring appeal and transformative power of martial arts. This training center offers a diverse range of martial arts classes tailored to individuals of all ages and skill levels. With a strong emphasis on teamwork and discipline, students are provided with opportunities to enhance their physical fitness and acquire valuable self-defense techniques. Through structured classes and guidance from experienced instructors, the academy fosters a supportive environment where students can cultivate their martial arts skills and achieve personal growth.
The Unique Origins of Ko Am Mu Do
Ko Am Mu Do is a modern Korean Martial Art which has taken 2000 years to evolve. What makes Ko Am Mu Do truly exceptional is its origin. It is the ONLY Martial Arts system in history created together by 4 world famous and highly respected Korean Grand Masters. There is also the culmination of their experience along with their teacher’s knowledge. Ko Am Mu Do teaches true Korean Martial Arts.
The Philosophies Behind the Art
The Grand Masters strongly agreed to develop a system whose philosophies would be based on the historical principles of the art. It would stress inner peace, mental and physical strength, and harmony with others and society. The new system had to encompass breathing techniques and discipline while respect was to be emphasized. It also had to have practical self-defense techniques that flowed and would work in modern day martial arts schools. This was a big order. Cooperation and open minds were essential.
So, what exactly does Ko Am Mu-Do mean? Here's a breakdown:
- Ko: The mental aspect of the art, representing Heaven or Sky. It refers to a person’s personal dreams, visions, and goals. It develops a students discipline, respect and patience. It encourages goal setting and allows a student to develop his own philosophy. More knowledge leads to higher goals. This relates to martial arts goals and your goals in life as well.
- Am: Meaning “rock mountain” or “earth” in Korean. This is symbolic in many ways. It is the persistence, strength, patience, and energy of the art. The student is determined to achieve his or her goals. Hard work, failing, and trying again is part of the plan. Through training and discipline they know they will reach their goals. As you need ambition, persistence, and determination to climb a mountain, so too to move through the ranks of white to black belts. As climbing one mountain leads to another, so does one belt level lead to another. As you gain experience from climbing a mountain, both good and bad, you gain experience from Ko Am Mu-Do. Nothing happens until you actually do something. This becomes the action philosophy of the martial arts. This action leads to more knowledge. As you gain more experience and knowledge, your goals get higher. This relates to your goals in life as well. The good experiences might be performing a good technique or form, or winning at sparring or at a competition. The bad experience might be an injury or an embarrassing moment. In any event you will gain experience and therefore be a better, stronger person. Respect the mountain, have patience and use your concentration and focus.
- Mu: Meaning Martial Art. It is the strength or power and the physical aspect of the art. You will develop accuracy, balance and coordination. You will increase your power and develop a good foundation to build upon with solid techniques. The experiences will lead to an increase in courage, self-confidence and self-esteem.
- Do: Meaning “The Way” in Korean. It is the essence of the art. It is the philosophical way. It manifests after thorough training in the martial arts. The student practices, theorizes, and practices again. After much practice the student finds his own answers. The Do is the spirit with which the martial art student undertakes his journey. It becomes his or her way of life.
It is a combination of several traditional Martial Arts such as Tae Kwon Do , Hap Ki Do, Jiu Jitsu and weapon techniques. It incorporates both mental and physical aspects, it teaches meditation, proper breathing, kicking and punching.
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Benefits of Studying Ko Am Mu Do
Studying Ko Am Mu-Do will give you many benefits. You will achieve mental benefits. You will learn discipline, respect, gain patience, confidence and self-esteem. You will earn to set and then reach your goals. The physical benefits are no less important. You will increase focus, concentration, balance and body coordination. You will kick, punch, and block with more power and strength. You will be more flexible (mentally and physically) and less prone to injury. Finally, with the benefits and experiences you will develop a philosophy and way of life. Your mental outlook as well as your body will improve. You will look and feel healthier.
Ko Am Mu Do training is specifically designed for different ages, gender and physical attributes.
Benefits for Children
Our Ko Am Mu-Do curriculum is a scientifically and anecdotally proven program designed to increase a child’s self-confidence, esteem, focus, concentration, discipline, body coordination, and of course, ability for self-defense. Through strict goal-setting and hard-earned accomplishments, children become more self-confident, and, in turn, their self-esteem also gets a tremendous boost. We also use Positive Reinforcement to instill a sense of responsibility and discipline.
Such benefits have irrefutably been shown to lead to greater focus and effort in school and better grades. These results are seen not only in school, but also at the home. Our students, who are taught to control their emotions and impulses, behave better at home, are more disciplined in homework and household chores, and become more amiable brothers and sisters. Overall, they grow tremendously as individuals because they progress at their own pace and not in comparison to others.
Our youngest students experience the martial arts in a “Little Dragons” class where they develop improved listening skills and focus which leads to success at school. Our exciting youth program offers not only an effective self-defense program in a thrilling and extremely fun environment but also a means for character development and discipline.
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Benefits for Teenagers
The teenage years, for many, was and is the most important period in their lives. It is the fork in the road of life and taking the right path is crucial. Under supervision of the Grand Master and Masters, our adolescents are given opportunities to act as leaders through class instruction and mentoring of younger students. Our Grand Master, as well as our masters and instructors, serve as life-long mentors promoting and espousing morals and philosophies derived from Oriental and Confucian cultures. Our adolescent martial arts students, equipped with the essential characteristics to help them avoid bad situations, are better able to stay out of trouble and to become leaders of society. During these very important years of your child’s life, every part of their body, mind, and spirit is growing.
Training and Techniques
The human body continually develops and maintains a balance of 4 channels of chi energy, which circulate throughout. Along these lines of circulation are 365 vital chi points, also known as pressure points. Ko Am Mu-Do will train you in Hap Ki Do (defense against grabs, chokes, etc), judo (throwing techniques), street grappling, advanced weapon defense, and devastating offensive techniques.
Ko Am Mu-Do also trains you in a variety of weapons such as the nun-chuks, bo staff, the juk-do (bamboo sword), kum-do (Korean fencing), and the kum (real sword). Additionally, for those of you who are looking to get an intense calorie burning workout, you have come to the right place. Our Olympic Tae Kwon Do training, which involves kicking and punching drills, will whip you into shape in no time.
The Spread of Ko Am Mu Do
For the first time in the history of martial arts, a 37 video tape set encompassing white belt through 5th dan black belt curriculum was created. This system of traditional martial arts was recognized by the Kukkiwon (international headquarters of Tae Kwon Do) and asked for seminars to introduce it to the world of martial arts. The four founding Grand Masters hosted Ko Am Mu-Do seminars throughout Korea, and then throughout the world, with attendees in the thousands including world renown Grand Masters and instructors.
The First Ko Am Mu-Do Martial Arts Seminar was held March 1997 in Ft. Myers, Florida. Over 120 masters, instructors and black belt students were introduced to the systems.
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Last September 27 through October 11, 1997, Grand Master Jin Chung and Grand Master Noah Guak traveled to South Korea to present Ko Am Mu Do demonstrations. The two Grand Masters participated in the grand opening of the Korean Tae Kwon Do Consultative Company as well as presenting exhibitions for Korean Masters and Grand Masters of Seoul, Sang Nam City, Keung Gi Providence, Tae Jun City, Tae Gu City, Pusan City, and Sok Cho Kanguin City. The demonstrations consisted of breathing and meditation techniques, grappling and grabbing, falling and rolling techniques, blocking, punching, and kicking techniques, combinations, joint locks, and the use of weapons.
The program was received enthusiastically by the Grand Masters and masters, who were presented with a complete Ko Am Mu-Do curriculum including programs for adults and children. The South Korean Grand Masters and Masters were extremely receptive and enthusiastic about Ko Am Mu-Do.
Grand Master Guak and Grand Master Chung told the masters that they had a tremendous responsibility. They had to be many things to the students: psychologist, teacher and family. They were important to the student, like a doctor. The student goes to a doctor if he is sick.
Ripple Effect Martial Arts: Continuing a Legacy
In a move that epitomizes their unwavering dedication to community growth, Middleburg Martial Arts has merged with Ripple Effect Martial Arts. Under the esteemed leadership of Middleburg’s founder, Master Jan Lappin, the legacy of excellence continues to flourish. Guided by Master Lappin’s daughter, Master Rachael Macy, and her husband, Master Greg Macy, the school’s vision of cultivating resilient leaders in the community remains steadfast. Together, they weave the fabric of tradition and innovation, blending the rich heritage of Middleburg with the dynamic spirit of Ripple Effect Martial Arts.
Located in a historic city in northeast Florida lies a pillar of the community: Middleburg Martial Arts. In 2021, Ripple Effect Martial Arts drew upon the Middleburg tradition by opening a new Tang Soo Do school in nearby Fleming Island, Florida. Students from Middleburg were invited to train and compete at Ripple Effect, and vice versa. This is a testament to the positive impact of martial arts.
Along the course of three decades, Middleburg Martial Arts (now Ripple Effect) has made its mark not only on the lives of students and their families but on the community itself. The school’s founder, 5th-degree black belt Master Jan Lappin, recently talked about the origins of the school and some of her proudest moments as an instructor. These students claim their black belt training at Middleburg as key to their success in other parts of life. And their stories are representative of the positive life courses of hundreds of other students and families.
There are several reasons why Ripple Effect Martial Arts has impacted these students’ lives and the community at large:
- Providing Positive Role Models: Middleburg has always chosen instructors who have the capacity to lead. This began with Master Lappin and her late husband upon the founding of the school. Master Lappin has since written a book that draws on her experience as an instructor and businesswoman to provide life-long lessons on leadership. Some adult instructors have advanced degrees in History and Education, bringing knowledge from these disciplines to the student body, and thus into the greater community. The school’s instructors live the lessons they teach to kids, and kids respect the leadership and positive attitudes they model in and out of class.
- Teaching Discipline and Respect: Martial arts emphasize discipline, respect for oneself and others, and adherence to a code of conduct. This is particularly true of Ripple Effect Martial Arts and its discipline of Tang Soo Do, a traditional martial art that has roots deep in Korean culture.
- Inspiring Self-Confidence and Empowerment: Through training and practice, black belt students develop increasing self-confidence, which can positively impact their interactions within the community. At first, a student may be too nervous to speak in front of an audience of one; after training for years to earn a black belt, they’re giving a commencement speech to their entire graduating class.
- Fostering Camaraderie and Social Connection: The best marital arts schools create a culture that’s unique. Everyone is invited to join and contribute and reap the benefits. If you can commit to the experience of earning a black belt, the school’s community will help you achieve it. On top of all this, of course, is the pure fun of practicing martial arts.
Master Lappin, now in semi-retirement, knows the benefits of having fun and has always built enjoyment into the curriculum. Kids smile as they overcome challenges. Instructors smile as they hand out well-earned medals and trophies and high-fives. Parents smile as their children receive that 1st (or 2nd, or 3rd) degree black belt. Every black belt journey has its own remarkable milestones, and we’re so proud that the tradition of Ripple Effect Martial Arts in Middleburg will continue.
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Mental Discipline | Improved focus, respect, and patience. Goal setting and personal philosophy development. |
| Physical Strength | Increased balance, coordination, power, and flexibility. |
| Self-Confidence | Enhanced self-esteem and courage through training and achievement. |
| Community | Fostering camaraderie and social connection through shared experiences. |
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