October 2026 Black Belt Ceremony | Hong Ik Martial Arts
HIMA Black Belt Ceremony – October 2026
The Hong Ik Martial Arts Fall 2026 Black Belt Ceremony took place at the Headquarters location in Tarrytown, NY. It was divided into three groups. Grand Master Yoo and all Masters under him shortly spoke about various topics to guide all new black belts in their journey going forward:
— Grand Master Yoo
– Anybody who reaches black belt is not a normal person because they endured the martial arts training over the many years it took to achieve that degree. Unlike most sports, martial arts has no season. So for most students, their schedules change throughout the year. Furthermore, as each individual moves up in belt rank, the requirements become more difficult. Only a few people who started with them as white belt made it with them to black belt. This exemplifies great discipline.
Notes on Saam TaeGeuk
– The Saam TaeGeuk symbol consists of three colors: red, blue, and yellow. Red represents Heavenly Sky energy which is received through the DaeChunMoon or Bae Hoi. This determines an individual’s spiritual brightness. Blue represents the energy of Mother Earth. The food we ingest, and its quality, plays an important role in our physical body’s condition. Yellow represents Humanity. As we are blessed to receive this precious energy from Heaven and Earth to sustain our physical bodies and are consequently given the opportunity to grow our souls, we should bless our fellow brothers and sisters of humanity as a way to express our gratitude. We can simply use the 8 Hong Ik Commandments as a reference to check. Something as little as a child greeting their parents when they arrive and leave the household could be a blessing. Helping one’s friends at school understand a certain subject better could also be great. As one upgrades their energy level and consciousness, their capacity to bless the world also rises.
Meditation
– Regarding seated meditation as done in the outdoor test, as the length of the breath naturally extends, the breath should deepen to the Dahnjon. Students should track their meditation using the charts included in their new black belt study guide. It will need to be submitted for the next degree.
– Meditation, however, can also be done while lying down and standing. Qigong is also a form of moving meditation. Black belts should incorporate that in their weekly training as well to continue to mature in their study. HISA trainings in the past (i.e. Saam TaeGeuk QG, TaeGeuk Saam TaeGeuk QG, Kaak Jeo Shik, Haak Ik Shiik, Chun Ji In Qigong, etc.) can be referenced for this.
— Master Shinmin
– Principle
New Black Belts should take pride in having studied principles through each color belt to coincide with the physical skills they learned from each color belt. Few martial arts schools have tangible methods to help students understand the importance of using this practice as a tool to become contributing members of society. Consequently, they should try to keep applying those principles whenever a suitable circumstance arises for them to actualize them.
– Vision
Students should create a new vision for using their improved health, confidence, and positive mindset. By knowing why you do something, it is easier to continue training despite sometimes being busy or running into difficult life situations. A vision for how they will be an asset to their home, school, and Hong Ik community would be ideal.
– Leadership
We are very fortunate Grand Master Yoo has constructed a unique HIMA Leadership Group with Hyunsas, Myungsas, Susas, and Musas. So members can look to their various Masters and seniors for guidance, along with learning from their peers and juniors. Each individual can be proud they are now black belt leaders and can pioneer what it means to be a HIMA black belt. Diligent meditation and tracking it with the new black belt study guide charts will be a good action step towards continued growth. In addition to that, they can be encouraged to train sincerely so their life can become elevated, beautified, and luminous.
— Master Chunshim
– Inspirational Diversity: The candidates span six decades in age, a testament to HIMA’s 30-year history of serving students from all walks of life, proving that major goals can be accomplished at any stage of life.
– Overcoming Obstacles: Candidates successfully pushed past physical limitations and emotional hurdles, boosting their confidence to handle daily life difficulties.
– The Power of Martial Arts: Unlike regular sports, martial arts uniquely harmonizes the body, mind, and spirit. It requires increased patience, effort, and focus as one advances in rank.
– Inner Peace & Purpose: Through disciplined practice and introspection, martial arts teaches students to calm their minds, think less, and sense more. This deep focus fosters lasting inner peace, resilience against external triggers, and a stronger capacity to help others.
— Master JiSun
– Black Belt Test preparation can catalyze one’s curiosity into how they can reach their potential. Because they have the examination to prepare for, it almost becomes easy to accomplish many tasks. Why? So many things are outlined: running, board breaking, holding pushup position, etc. But the question becomes: can I work this earnestly without a test coming up? If somebody can be self-motivated, then this test can serve the individual very well for the future. They can experience extra reserves of energy they never thought they could tap into and then use it for their own improvement and bettering society.
— Master Oh
– As beginners in practicing martial arts, we row a boat in the pond of life. As we step into black belt, we are equipped to row our boat in a lake and then eventually the big ocean. When adversities, like treacherous waves in the ocean, come up, we know we just need to keep rowing by taking action. For example, when we have so many activities, it is easy to think of just training the following day. But through the experience of making it through the color belts, the martial artist knows that those are the days where they need to attend class. In addition to that, they have gone through that thought before and know those thoughts will come but do not need to be listened to.
– written by: Shin Min HyunSa (Master Patrick Malonso)