From G. Martin Kocanda, Streamwood, IL. Copy from ksdi.net Signed Guestbook, April 15, 2004

I finally had the pleasure of meeting Master Koo and participating in a workout as a guest of a former student, Bridgette Bowen, on April 12, 2004. I was visiting the area as a prospective graduate student at Georgia Tech. Having viewed the KSDI website several months prior to the visit, I was most certainly impressed and had made the visit to the studio an integral part of the trip to the area. I wasn't sure what to expect in terms of intensity and duration, as this was to be an hour-long training session. The workout was exceptional! Having been an active participant of martial arts and also a certified fitness instructor, I had assumed that I was in good shape. I was in for a rude awakening. What an intense and satisfying workout! From what I have seen on the website and from this brief personal experience, Master Koo certainly has a way of reaching in drawing out one's inner strength and using it to the maximum potential. The multiple-punch combination aerobic routines during the first half of the class made my deltoids feel as if they were on fire. The target punches and kicks against a resistance were a real killer! I haven't ever worked this hard in all the years of practice! I'd give this class the highest rating of all the workouts that I've ever done and would give the school a very high rating. Should I choose to pursue graduate studies at Tech, I'll be an active participant at KSDI!

Email to Master Koo From: "G. Martin Kocanda"
To:masterkoo@ksdi.net
Sent: Sunday, April 18, 2004 11:18 AM
Subject: Thank You
Master Koo;
I wanted to take the opportunity to extend my gratitute for allowing me to attend one of your classes last week. I was visiting the metro area as a prospective graduate student for the fall '04 term in chemistry at Georgia Tech and was invited as a guest of Bridgette Bowen if you may recall.
The class was certainly the most intense that I've experienced, specifically the punch and kick drills against resistance. This has been missing from my workouts for a long time. Should the opportunity arise that I am accepted into the graduate program, please be advised that I will enroll in your school.
Also, I want to concur with you on your viewpoints regarding many of the "structured" mainstream forms of martial arts. These never seemed practical, should the need arise to defend one's self. The first personal exposure was that of the traditional Japanese karate while attending high school. This was much too rigid and did not allow one to develop a personal style. Likewise, the katas were never really understood, maybe an artform, but again not practical. I've also studied Hapkido. This was more of a practical fighting art, as one developed a personal style and was allowed a "free form" style of sparring. The grappling and throws were very practical, again, should one be required to defend in a "street" situation.
From the information contained in your website, I am really enanored by your ability to reach in and draw out the student's inner strength and also to see the remarkable things that your students have done.
Please keep me in mind, or at least on your mailing list if you are planning on offering any short seminars during the summer, as I'd like to attend.
All the best in your success!
Sincerely,
Martin Kocanda, Streamwood, IL