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TESTIMONIAL --
From: John Connolly
To: kellersma1@core.com
Sent: Thursday, April 17, 2003 12:05 PM
Subject: A note to Master Keiler from a former student
Dear Master Keiler,
My name is John Connolly. I was a student of your school for about 5-6 months, a couple years ago. I have
since moved to Seattle. I am writing to say "Thank you." I came across your website and remembered my
training at your school. You may remember me.
I was with Hyun's Hapkido shortly before joining your school. I had to leave Hyun's just a few weeks before
testing for my black belt, due to an instructor maliciously gouging my eye because I resisted a technique too
well when asked to resist. The teacher who gouged my eye (leaving me with a scratched cornea) had been
sytematically abusing me and others for about 6 months (I guess he was getting cabin fever from working 6
days a week, early morning through late evening.) I had no support where I thought I had a solid extended
family situation. When I brought the problem to Hyun, he wanted me to continue, saying "Koreans don't
wrestle" as an excuse for this teacher's assault on me (I guess he never heard of Yudo or Ssireum.) It was
clear from his attitude that he was more interested in getting the balance of my contract and testing fees, than in
my well being or good training. Hyun was much more interested in his profits than in keeping students, so I
left. I was also forced by Hyun's greed to take legal steps to get out of my contract, which he sent to collections
after agreeing to let me out of it! This was a huge disappointment for me, as I was with that school for about 4
1/2 years. So much for a family atmosphere!
I tried training with a couple other Hapkido/Kuk Sool places in town, but was put in a white belt and subjected to
very low level training (in my opinion, a not-too-subtle effort to collect belt testing fees and prolong contracts.) It
was extremely frustrating to be "shown" techniques (often performed incorrectly) by students that I should have
probably been teaching. What a disheartening experience. I almost gave up on Hapkido (I had previous
training in Muay Thai and Wing Chun), but I really felt an affinity for it, so I had to keep searching...
That's when I found Keller's Martial Arts. Man, was I ever bitter by the time I got to you! But you really helped
me get back into training. You let me continue training at a higher level, even permitting me to wear a brown
belt (I had a red belt w/ Hyun, but that translated to brown with your belt system.) This symbolic gesture made
me incredibly grateful. I loved the attitude at your school. I really appreciated the relaxed, informal, but
mutually respectful atmosphere there. I respected your willingness to get on the mat and roll with your
students. I also really valued my experience with training with your actual fighters. I liked that you made the
smart addition of ground fighting to your school's curriculum. Over all, it was a great experience. I felt
re-invigorated about martial arts. I was sad to leave your school when I moved out of town.
I am living in Seattle now. The Hapkido schools here are pretty much just TKD schools that added a few joint
locks and throws to their curriculum. But luckily, I have found a very good and reputable Aikijujutsu teacher who
I am studying under, refining and developing further the skills I learned in Hapkido. And in true Keller's Martial
Arts spirit, I am also training with a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu club.
Basically, I just wanted you to know that I deeply appreciate my experience with Keller's Martial Arts . Although
I only trained at your school for a short time, it was very valuable for keeping my enjoyment of martial arts alive,
and for helping me grow as a martial artist.
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