I remember the free trial class very well. That lesson was a completely new experience for me in Martial Arts. As I have been practicing Tae-Kwon-Do for a year and a half, which is up to this point I believed it to be the best Martial Art. Then I found out that my friend James had started practicing a Martial Art called Pil Sung Do. I was intrigued; to be honest I had not heard of it before. This of course started disagreements between us to establish which Martial art was better. James insisted that Pil Sung Do was a Martial art of fluency, continuous weight-shifting and ultimate agility. To cut the story short, James took me to a free trial class. That was when I first met Grandmaster Hammouda. After few minutes from the Grandmaster showing me some of the basic bio- mechanics and movements in the art, I couldn't believe my eyes!! From my knowledge all Tae-Kwon-Do fundamental basics, combinations, Pre arranged sparring drills and Patterns require you to stop your punch or kick just short of the target during practice at the focus point, very much the same as Karate and Kung Fu. Grandmaster Hammouda explained it as (negative transfer training), while Pil Sung do techniques follow through the target with all punches, strikes and kicks during all drills and Patterns to maximize the full effect , but you do this through the bio-mechanical movement rather than brute force, and without even hyper extension, I also found that Pil Sung Do teaches you all techniques thoroughly (frame by frame), and every thing you learn, and I mean every thing, without any waste is applicable in real-life situations. All the practical side that I have learned in Tae Kwon-Do for a year and a half just became redundant in those few minutes, and from that moment I decided to join the Pil Sung Do transfer plan for other stylists, this plan is great as I do not lose recognition of my Tae Kwon-Do rank. The art of Pil Sung Do is easy to learn, and is amazingly effective (very fast and very very powerful). It didn't take me long to learn the basics and catch up to my previous Rank!! I now realise that practicing Pil Sung Do has made me feel so much better about my self, physically, mentally, and spiritually. My fitness level has gone through the roof, and my body is much more toned. I am now able to do activities for a lot longer than when I started, which is very beneficial for me. I know that Pil Sung Do has incredibly affected my mental ability, especially with my confidence and out look on life. Before I started I was not able to talk to anyone without feeling shy, now my confidence has grown (and is still growing). I no longer feel inhibited and I can talk with anyone without hesitation or feeling shy. It has also improved my spiritual balance, I can not even begin to explain to you how much deep breathing and mediation can do for you unless you experience that for your self, I am much more together as body mind and soul. I am now focused, more assertive with others and more content and happy in life. I have changed mentally; from I cannot do this or that, to yes I can, yes I will, something every one learns in Pil Sung Do, basically it has transformed all my negativities to positive thoughts in my every day living. I consider my self very lucky as I train under Grandmaster Hammouda directly, where learning never seems to have any boundaries, I look forward to every class with the same excitement knowing that once again I shall surprise my self with further progress. Lee Goulden. / Addlestone Academy.