Lessons from the Netherlands:A JSKR Seminar Worth Crossing an Ocean For ...

[HAEDONG]

Lessons from the Netherlands 🇳🇱: A JSKR Seminar Worth Crossing an Ocean For
By Keith Fentress from USA 🇺🇸

From July 3–6, 2026,
I had the privilege of attending the JSKR seminar in the Netherlands.

Having now trained in Belgium and the Netherlands over the past two years, I can honestly say that the level of instruction is exceptional.

Coming from the United States, where our exposure to Grand Master Kim's knowledge and philosophy is still growing, it is both humbling and inspiring to experience the depth of training that has developed in Europe.

I arrived on Friday morning after an overnight flight from the United States and somehow managed to stay awake long enough to attend a first Dan examination (congratulations, Patrick!) followed by a black belt training session.

Despite the jet lag, it felt good to be back on the training floor, reconnecting and preparing for a weekend of learning.

During that evening's training I was introduced to something entirely new:
Jiri Hyung forms.

Until that moment,
I didn't even know these forms existed.

We reviewed the first form, but the real highlight came when Grand Master Kim worked with two third Dan practitioners, Ben and Dominic, on one of the advanced Jiri forms.

Watching Grand Master Kim teach is always remarkable. He has an uncanny ability to transform movements that appear awkward into techniques that flow effortlessly from one position to the next.

Ben and Dominic demonstrated exactly that. Somehow they transitioned from one seemingly impossible stance to another with precision and grace.

It looked natural. I'm fairly certain that if I attempted the same sequence, it would resemble someone trying to avoid stepping on hot coals.

Saturday marked the beginning of the full seminar. As expected, we began with the fundamentals.

Grand Master Kim reminded us that mastery always starts with the basics, beginning with proper stances.

From there, the instruction evolved into the natural movement of the body and how efficient body mechanics allow both sword cuts and empty-hand defensive movements to emerge from the same principles.

Watching Grand Master Kim move is always inspiring. He seems to glide effortlessly through every technique, while my own version often feels more like negotiating a truce with gravity.

We also spent time working through forms, and I was especially grateful for the opportunity to review Yedo Forms 5 and 6 as preparation for an upcoming promotion test.

The corrections and insights alone made the trip worthwhile.
Lunch offered a welcome opportunity to slow down and simply enjoy the fellowship of practitioners from five countries.

One of the things I appreciate most about these seminars is that the conversations around the table are just as valuable as the training on the floor.

The afternoon introduced one of my favorite parts of the weekend: double sword Kyukum, the paired self-defense drills.

I enjoy learning how the double sword techniques flow and how important distance is to proper technique.

Sunday morning focused on sparring, another first for me at an international seminar.

The drills emphasized footwork, avoiding attacks, timing, and single-sword Wae Su movement patterns.

We spent plenty of time hustling across the dojang performing raised stepping movements followed by jump spins designed to evade low attacks. It looked considerably more graceful when everyone else did it.

That afternoon I again had the privilege of serving as a judge during the tournament.

The competition featured single-sword forms, double-sword forms, and Geommu, or sword dance.
The performances were outstanding.

One lesson became increasingly clear as I watched the competitors: great forms are not defined by speed.

They are defined by flow, balance, intention, and commitment to every technique. It is a lesson that I hope to remember each time I practice.

The tournament concluded with foam sword sparring, where I served as a line judge for several matches.

The competitors fought with intensity while maintaining excellent control and respect for one another.

It reminded me that realistic sparring does not require reckless contact. There is a balance between commitment and control, and it is a lesson I look forward to bringing back to my own students.

Our final day together took place in a beautiful, peaceful facility owned by one of the participants, Carla, who generously welcomed us into her acupuncture and wellness center.

There we learned more about Ki Mu philosophy and experienced a healing session.

I never imagined that one of the most memorable moments of a sword seminar would involve lying quietly while someone (shout out Chris) placed five needles into the palm of my hand.

Somehow, instead of wondering what I had gotten myself into, I walked away feeling remarkably relaxed, refreshed, and ready for the journey home.

Looking back on the weekend, I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to train alongside such talented and generous people.

Every seminar deepens my understanding of the art, not only through Grand Master Kim's instruction, but through the willingness of fellow practitioners to share their experience and encourage one another.

Choosing to spend the Fourth of July weekend in Europe instead of celebrating at home with family was not an easy decision.

But it proved to be the right one. Rather than spending the weekend around a backyard barbecue, I invested in something that will continue to benefit my own training, my students, and my appreciation for this remarkable art.

Most importantly, I was reminded that JSKR is much more than techniques and forms.

It is a community built on friendship, humility, continual learning, and a shared passion for preserving Grand Master Kim's teachings.

I returned home with sore muscles and a long list of things to practice.
I couldn't ask for a better souvenir.
I look forward to returning next year.

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Beyond Techniques... Building a Family

Thoughts on Keith's Reflection from the Netherlands Seminar

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One of the greatest rewards as a teacher is not seeing students simply copy techniques, but seeing them begin to discover the deeper meaning behind their training.

After our JSKR Seminar in the Netherlands, Keith from the USA shared this wonderful reflection.

Reading his words made me smile because they weren't simply about techniques, forms, or examinations. They reflected friendship, humility, learning together, laughter, healing, and the joy of growing as one international family.

I especially enjoyed his sense of humor. His comment about "trying to negotiate with gravity" during training, and his surprise that one of the most memorable moments of a sword seminar involved acupuncture needles in his hand, made me laugh. 😊

To me, this is what JSKR is truly about.

We certainly train hard to improve our techniques, but more importantly, we learn to move naturally, to follow the energy, to respect one another, and to grow together—not only as martial artists, but as better human beings.

Thank you, Keith, for traveling all the way from the United States to train with us and for sharing such a sincere and thoughtful reflection.

Now Keith is preparing to host our next JSKR International Seminar in Maryland, USA, this coming September.

I believe the experiences and lessons shared during our seminar in the Netherlands will naturally become part of the spirit of the upcoming event.

More than techniques, I hope the atmosphere of friendship, open learning, humility, and mutual encouragement will continue to grow there as well.

Keith, organizing an international seminar is never an easy task, but I have complete confidence in your dedication, sincerity, and leadership.

I am sure your hard work will create a meaningful experience for everyone who attends.

I sincerely wish you every success with the September seminar, and I look forward to seeing many new friendships, new discoveries, and another unforgettable chapter in the journey of JSKR.

Keep learning. Keep growing. And always... Follow the Energy.

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July 11, 2026
JS Kim

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한글 논평(Ai 번역)

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지도자로서 가장 큰 기쁨은 제자가 단순히 기술을 따라 하는 것이 아니라, 수련의 의미를 스스로 깨닫기 시작하는 모습을 보는 것입니다.

이번 네덜란드 JSKR 세미나를 마친 후, 미국의 Keith가 정성스럽게 후기를 보내주었습니다.

글을 읽는 내내 미소가 지어졌습니다. 그는 무엇을 배웠는지보다, 무엇을 느끼고 경험했는지를 진솔하게 담아냈기 때문입니다.

검술과 형, 승단심사뿐만 아니라 함께 땀 흘리며 수련한 시간, 여러 나라 수련생들과 나눈 우정, 웃음, 겸손, 그리고 힐링까지… 그 모든 과정이 하나의 소중한 추억으로 남았다는 것이 참 인상적이었습니다.

특히 "중력과 타협하는 것 같았다"는 유머와, "검 세미나의 마지막이 손바닥에 침을 맞는 경험이 될 줄은 몰랐다"는 표현에서는 저도 한참 웃었습니다. 😊

저에게 JSKR는 단순히 검술을 배우는 곳이 아닙니다.

기술을 익히는 것에서 더 나아가, 자연스럽게 움직이고, 자연의 흐름을 따르며(Follow the Energy), 서로를 존중하고 함께 성장하는 길을 배우는 공동체입니다.

이렇게 진심 어린 후기를 남겨준 Keith에게 다시 한번 감사드립니다.

그리고 이제 Keith는 오는 9월 미국 메릴랜드에서 열리는 JSKR 국제세미나를 직접 준비하고 있습니다.

저는 이번 네덜란드에서의 경험과 배움이 미국 세미나에도 자연스럽게 이어질 것이라 믿습니다. 기술뿐만 아니라 따뜻한 분위기와 서로 배우고 성장하는 정신까지 함께 전해지는 멋진 세미나가 될 것입니다.

Keith, 행사 준비는 쉽지 않지만 지금까지 보여준 열정과 성실함이라면 분명 많은 사람들에게 의미 있는 시간을 선물하게 될 것입니다.

미국 세미나의 성공적인 개최를 진심으로 응원합니다.

우리 모두 9월 미국에서 다시 만나 새로운 배움과 새로운 인연을 이어가기를 기대합니다.

Keep learning. Keep growing. And always… Follow the Energy.