Our instrctor's history:

Our instructor is Sabom Nim Gihan Fellah (3rd Degree Midnight Blue Belt).  She started her training in 1987 in the Japanese style of Budo Ku Kan, while still attending high school in Woodland Park, CO.   She later found a Shoto Kan school and trained there for one year, before leaving to start her career in the United States Navy Reserve in 1989. 

In October of 1999, Ms. Fellah was introduced to the style of Tang Soo Do through a friend and  started her training through the Young Olympians Karate program in Colorado Springs, CO.  Nine months later, she began training at  the The Center for Aikido and Tang Soo Do Studies instead of the previous school.   Thus, Ms. Fellah began her studies at “The Center” in July, 2000 as a green belt under the instruction of Mr. Vernon Medeiros.

Mr. Vernon Medeiros started his Tang Soo Do training at San Diego City College under Grand Master Jong  Hyan Lee in 1979, and later founded “The Center for Aikido and Tang Soo Do Studies” in 1998.  For more information on Mr. Medeiros, please visit  www.aikitang.org.  Grand Master Jong H. Lee trained under Grand Master Hwang Kee's Moo Duk Kwan Federation for over twenty-five year.  In 1974, Grand Master Lee separated from the Moo Duk Kwan and establishes the Institute of Tangsoology™.  For more information on Grand Master Jong H. Lee  please visit previous mentioned web site or click here. .

 Sabom Nim Gihan Fellah was awarded her 3^rd Dan rank by Mr. Medeiros on April 23^rd 2011 while attending the annual Korean Festival in Longmont, CO. * As a student is awarded rank, she uses the following time between ranks, to learn and grow into the new rank.  In June of 2011, Ms. Fellah had a disagreement at “The Center for Aikido and Tang Soo Do Studies” and left. She founded “Sun Mountain Tang Soo Do” (SMTSD) in August of 2011, with the first class being held September 1, 2011.  SMTSD is a school for adults and children which emphasizes "the way of peace" and helps students learn to unite themselves physically, mentally, spiritually, and intellectually.

 

September 17, 2011, Ms. Gihan Fellah became a member of “National Women’s Martial Arts Federation.” NWMAF promotes the involvement of women and girls in the martial arts. Ms. Fellah is currently First Aide and CPR Certified and has 11 years of experience in working with individuals with developmental disabilities as a Certified Nurses Aid and councelor.  Individuals with special needs are always welcomed to join our classes.

As a supplement to her continuing education in the martial arts, in November 2011, Ms. Fellah re-joined the "Purple Mountain Dojo/Dojang Association"  which strives to maintain high standards of martial arts practice. Sabom Nim Fellah also has three years of experience in Aikido under Sensei Ryan Goettsche at  "Aikido Koshin Shuri."

 Tangsoology™ is a trademark of VAM, MPP, JDM, TLS.  Used by permission.