Penny Serio began training under Dr. He-Young Kimm while in graduate school with no vision of receiving a black belt. At red belt level, one of her instructors, Jamie Serio, recommended that she set a goal of becoming the first American woman to be awarded a black belt under Dr. Kimm. Dr. Kimm has said that red belt, which is about half way to black belt, stands for blood. By this he meant that the student is tempted to test himself and his training, sometimes physically with painful consequences. A red belt knows a number of techniques but must be put to the test and humbled in order to be able to continue to learn. “I realized at that time how little I really knew and how much more I had ahead of me to feel confident in my skills.” In the meantime Jamie (now Grand Master) also asked her to be his wife. She received both honors in 1985.

In May, 2005, Dr. Serio was awarded the 6th Dan and this year realized that she has been training in martial arts for half of her life. A master spends years practicing ki breathing techniques, studying theory, and reading about philosophy, but only when faced with a challenge can he see where his strengths and weaknesses lie.

“I find myself acutely aware of how much more Han Mu Do has to offer me in my personal development on every level. As instructors our goal is to teach self-defense, self-discipline, self-control and self-confidence to our students so that they may gain self-realization. It is not possible to get on the mat and teach while feeling pain or anger for the circumstances of one’s personal life. It is our duty to be a positive inspiration to the world community by spreading the Han philosophy of optimism, mutual cooperation, and a harmonious life.”