10/10/2025
Press release, to be released at 12 am, Pacific, October 10th, 2025
WEST KELOWNA WOMAN, 61,
JOINS THE KOREAN MARTIAL ARTS
GILLIAN VU (above)(photo courtesy of Gillian Vu)
WEST KELOWNA, B.C.- West Kelowna resident Gillian Vu (not her real last name) has always
wanted to join a local martial arts school, for as long as she can remember.
The main problem for Gillian (and others) is finding a local school that is both worthy of her time and also, affordable.
Her first exposure to martial arts came through the original Warner Brothers television series, Kung-Fu, starring the late actor David Carradine, and in the 1970's.
"I was absolutely fascinated by David Carradine and that show, the various self-defence moves of the Chinese arts, and the non-violent philosophy behind those moves," she said.
Years later, several attempts were made to join an actual school, but the right opportunity didn't arrive, as she expected.
" The level of instruction at the last school that I tried out was horrible. So, I ended up not joining at all," said Gillian.
The reality for Gillian (and others) is that all schools (and styles) reveal both good and bad about them.
Today's martial arts schools are mostly businesses
Long-time West Kelowna, B.C. based instructor Master R.J. Smith admits that Gillian`s story "is not unfamiliar to me," as much as the martial arts world (but not everyone) has increasingly become a sport for the wealthy, and where "McDonald's hamburger type`` training caters to the wealthiest possible, while quantity of students, rank promotion, and competition, hold more currency, these days, than producing good students (or even low income students).
`` People (like Gillian) do fall between the cracks, as the cost of these programs are increasingly unaffordable for working parents, but also, for seniors, and the disabled (like her), who probably need the training much more than the well-off."
Gillian, age 61, identifies as a disabled, female athlete, who sustained a major car accident, followed by a stroke, 25 years ago, which left her paralyzed on the left side of her body, while receiving little or no encouragement from her immediate family or anyone else.
Previously worked as a night club singer
Opportunities for meaningful career success have been rare, but not denied, for Gillian, who was originally born in Calgary, Alberta, and moved to Kelowna at a very young age.
She once worked in the Kelowna bar circuit as an up and coming blues and jazz nightclub singer for some seven years, and which she found great success and fulfillment. However, she also claims that health issues and stereotyping (from fellow musicians) got into the way of that career.
Day of opportunity finally arrived
Meanwhile, her day of òpportunity to learn martial arts finally came, last week, when the mother of three bravely decided to join our non-profit, Kel-West Society of Martial Arts, located in West Kelowna, B.C.
Master Smith, a certified 7th Dan in both Korean Hapkido and I.T.F. Taekwon-Do, is the highest ranked Korean martial arts instructor in the Okanagan Valley, with more than 32 years of teaching experience (the last 30 years in the Okanagan) and 50 years of actual training experience.
The enrollment coincides with the recent 30th anniversary of the Kel-West Society of Martial Arts, (founded October 1st, 1995).
Training is "fabulous and liberating"
"Master Smith's training is both fabulous and liberating, says Vu. I would like to add that the Kel-West Society offers very affordable rates for seniors, so that's appreciated, too. I am using muscles that I haven't used in years, frankly, and each class is enjoyable and the level of training is expertly adjusted for a disabled person like myself."
We kindly thank Ms. Gillian for those comments. Our program does feature stretching, cardio, Taekwon-Do striking (kicking, punching, blocking, elbows, and knee strikes), plus training in the Tuls/patterns, non-contact free sparring, and step-sparring.
Hapkido self-defence, including Hapkido striking (different from I.T.F. Taekwon-Do), standing, sitting, and ground defenses, along with Kum-Do weapons training, are big features of our program.
Students benefit best from a non-political, training environment
Master R.J., a two time, former assistant coach to the Canadian National Taekwon-Do team and who once represented the Okanagan at two world championships, continues: " We have found that students benefit best from a non political, non judgemental, training environment and will not be denied from learning proper technique, or kept back in rank, either, provided good character is shown.
The training is purposeful and focused on self-discipline, self-empowerment, and Sajeji Do, (the student/instructor relationship). We advise newcomers like Gillian to train, slowly, at the beginning and focus on the proper fundamentals, (dallyon) first, such as correct fundamentals, proper stretching, cardio, flexibility, stress relief, fun, and basically, the thrill of the workout. ``
What is the definition of a best defence
Self-defence, or a best defence, must be made simple and takes years to learn, properly. We also try to teach "the fight that never happened," by focusing on the expansion of one's mind, through higher learning, acts of kindness, advanced education, proper exercise, diet, and by following a peaceful, non-violent lifestyle.
*Master R.J. adds: " You can also defend yourself, legally, however, because the Criminal Code of Canada says that you can, and it must be reasonable and proportionate to the type of attack, itself. An attack on one's life allows for much greater force than someone who merely swears at you or sends you a derogatory email. "
Therefore, all Kel-West students, including young children, are trained in assessing real threats and to what degree their life is in danger. If your life is not in danger, it might be best to walk away, or avoid a physical fight, or you can also use "verbal judo" to de escalate a potential threat.
All fight outcomes cannot be predicted in advance
Sometimes, you can't walk away, and the bully proof (threat assessment) training that we offer at our Kel-West school is outstanding for obtaining self-confidence among children and parents, alike. But, all fight outcomes generally cannot always be predicted, in advance (it must be made clear). even if you claim to be an expert. This is something that you must keep in mind, if you ever do decide to go to battle, one day !
My own daughter (below) once trained at the Kel-West Society (for 10 years), starting at age four)`and by age 9, she had become a seven-time, provincial Taekwon-Do free-sparring champion. As her coach and father, I did not plan for her to be a champion, at all, but to just be a kid and have some fun, as competition is actually a very small part of the martial arts paradigm. She later became the youngest Taekwon-Do and Hapkido student to obtain Black-Stripe Belt in the history of this area.
At age 18, Melissa (I am happy to say) went on to become a confident, disciplined young woman, who later made Rachel Steen`s principals honor role at Kelowna Secondary School for scholastic achievement. If you decide to stay with these arts, there will be benefits, I promise, although I cannot predict, for sure, when you ship will finally sail in, one day.
Meanwhile, If the training is good enough for my own family, then, it`s certainly "good" for yours, as well !
Free tryout available for the whole family !
About the writer: Master R.J. (Rus) Smith, M.A., certified 7th Dan, and trainer to over 1,200 athletes, is the widely-accepted founder of the I.T.F. Taekwon-Do and Hapkido genre in the City of West Kelowna, B.C. For more information on joining the Kel-West Society of Martial Arts classes, or for a free tryout, please call (778) 581-8205. We also offer affordable rates for working Okanagan families. You can also email us at: [email protected] Our website is www.kel-west.org
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