Our Tradition · Grandmaster

Grandmaster
Song Kyong Sik

Known in the United States as Edward K. Song

A lifetime devoted to the Song family’s martial arts, eastern medicine, philosophy, and the responsibility of passing their teachings forward.

Explore his journey ↓

Portrait of Grandmaster Song Kyong Sik — Grandmaster Song Kyong Sik · Chun Seung Won

A life of dedication

The Last Master

In Chun Seung Won’s family tradition, a Master serves as an example and guide—a father figure within the martial arts family. Teaching carries a responsibility for character, knowledge, and the well-being of those who follow.

The school honors Grandmaster Song as “The Last Master” in recognition of his lifelong dedication, discipline, and sacrifice in preserving the Song family traditions. The title expresses respect for a life of practice and for the generations of Masters before him.

The journey

Learning a way of life

Roots in Korea

Grandmaster Song began training at five under his father, Grandmaster Song Jung Soo, and grandfather, Grandmaster Song Keum Sool. Much of his early knowledge came directly from his grandfather, with whom he lived and trained in the mountains of Korea.

Martial practice was part of a broader education: gathering traditional herbs, observing nature, studying eastern medicine, breathing exercises, meditation, and philosophy. The family’s reputation also gave him opportunities to study with other Masters throughout Asia.

Study, service, and responsibility

Alongside his formal education, he devoted himself to the Song family’s educational system. He completed formal studies in eastern medicine in Korea while continuing the practical learning passed down by his grandfather.

Before moving to the United States, he fulfilled his military service in Korea. The school’s biography records that he trained Korean and American Special Forces stationed there.

Bringing the tradition to the United States

In 1981, Grandmaster Song moved to the United States, initially settling in Washington, D.C. He began sharing teachings that had previously been reserved for family members and selected disciples with a wider public.

His American schools used the name OHTC, initially “Oriental Heritage Total Concepts” and later “Optimal Health Total Concepts.” Schools were established in the Midwest and Texas, including Waco and the Dallas–Fort Worth area.

The name Chun Seung preserves the identity of the Song family system, which the school’s history credits Grandmaster Song Duk Soon with bringing together from Shaolin, Tai Chi, and Korean Soo Bak traditions.

Age five

Formal training with his father and grandfather begins.

1981

Moves to the United States and shares the family teachings.

1983

His father entrusts him with the Chun Seung system as Chairman.

March 2022

Retires from public teaching and health service; U.S. leadership passes to his disciples.

Photographic archive

The years in Korea

Photographs from Grandmaster Song’s life before his move to the United States, preserved in the school’s original collection.

Select a photograph to open the larger image.

The years in Korea — archive photograph 1 — Photograph 01

The years in Korea — archive photograph 2 — Photograph 02

The years in Korea — archive photograph 3 — Photograph 03

The years in Korea — archive photograph 4 — Photograph 04

The years in Korea — archive photograph 5 — Photograph 05

The years in Korea — archive photograph 6 — Photograph 06

View all 32 photographs

The years in Korea — archive photograph 7 — Photograph 07

The years in Korea — archive photograph 8 — Photograph 08

The years in Korea — archive photograph 9 — Photograph 09

The years in Korea — archive photograph 10 — Photograph 10

The years in Korea — archive photograph 11 — Photograph 11

The years in Korea — archive photograph 12 — Photograph 12

The years in Korea — archive photograph 13 — Photograph 13

The years in Korea — archive photograph 14 — Photograph 14

The years in Korea — archive photograph 15 — Photograph 15

The years in Korea — archive photograph 16 — Photograph 16

The years in Korea — archive photograph 17 — Photograph 17

The years in Korea — archive photograph 18 — Photograph 18

The years in Korea — archive photograph 19 — Photograph 19

The years in Korea — archive photograph 20 — Photograph 20

The years in Korea — archive photograph 21 — Photograph 21

The years in Korea — archive photograph 22 — Photograph 22

The years in Korea — archive photograph 23 — Photograph 23

The years in Korea — archive photograph 24 — Photograph 24

The years in Korea — archive photograph 25 — Photograph 25

The years in Korea — archive photograph 26 — Photograph 26

The years in Korea — archive photograph 27 — Photograph 27

The years in Korea — archive photograph 28 — Photograph 28

The years in Korea — archive photograph 29 — Photograph 29

The years in Korea — archive photograph 30 — Photograph 30

The years in Korea — archive photograph 31 — Photograph 31

The years in Korea — archive photograph 32 — Photograph 32

Photographic archive

Arrival and life in the United States

Beginning with his arrival in 1981, this collection follows the American chapter of Grandmaster Song’s journey.

Select a photograph to open the larger image.

Arrival and life in the United States — archive photograph 1 — Photograph 01

Arrival and life in the United States — archive photograph 2 — Photograph 02

Arrival and life in the United States — archive photograph 3 — Photograph 03

Arrival and life in the United States — archive photograph 4 — Photograph 04

Arrival and life in the United States — archive photograph 5 — Photograph 05

Arrival and life in the United States — archive photograph 6 — Photograph 06

View all 43 photographs

Arrival and life in the United States — archive photograph 7 — Photograph 07

Arrival and life in the United States — archive photograph 8 — Photograph 08

Arrival and life in the United States — archive photograph 9 — Photograph 09

Arrival and life in the United States — archive photograph 10 — Photograph 10

Arrival and life in the United States — archive photograph 11 — Photograph 11

Arrival and life in the United States — archive photograph 12 — Photograph 12

Arrival and life in the United States — archive photograph 13 — Photograph 13

Arrival and life in the United States — archive photograph 14 — Photograph 14

Arrival and life in the United States — archive photograph 15 — Photograph 15

Arrival and life in the United States — archive photograph 16 — Photograph 16

Arrival and life in the United States — archive photograph 17 — Photograph 17

Arrival and life in the United States — archive photograph 18 — Photograph 18

Arrival and life in the United States — archive photograph 19 — Photograph 19

Arrival and life in the United States — archive photograph 20 — Photograph 20

Arrival and life in the United States — archive photograph 21 — Photograph 21

Arrival and life in the United States — archive photograph 22 — Photograph 22

Arrival and life in the United States — archive photograph 23 — Photograph 23

Arrival and life in the United States — archive photograph 24 — Photograph 24

Arrival and life in the United States — archive photograph 25 — Photograph 25

Arrival and life in the United States — archive photograph 26 — Photograph 26

Arrival and life in the United States — archive photograph 27 — Photograph 27

Arrival and life in the United States — archive photograph 28 — Photograph 28

Arrival and life in the United States — archive photograph 29 — Photograph 29

Arrival and life in the United States — archive photograph 30 — Photograph 30

Arrival and life in the United States — archive photograph 31 — Photograph 31

Arrival and life in the United States — archive photograph 32 — Photograph 32

Arrival and life in the United States — archive photograph 33 — Photograph 33

Arrival and life in the United States — archive photograph 34 — Photograph 34

Arrival and life in the United States — archive photograph 35 — Photograph 35

Arrival and life in the United States — archive photograph 36 — Photograph 36

Arrival and life in the United States — archive photograph 37 — Photograph 37

Arrival and life in the United States — archive photograph 38 — Photograph 38

Arrival and life in the United States — archive photograph 39 — Photograph 39

Arrival and life in the United States — archive photograph 40 — Photograph 40

Arrival and life in the United States — archive photograph 41 — Photograph 41

Arrival and life in the United States — archive photograph 42 — Photograph 42

Arrival and life in the United States — archive photograph 43 — Photograph 43

Doctor, educator & author

Practice, scholarship, and service

The Song family tradition connects martial arts with eastern medicine. Known to his patients and colleagues as Dr. Song, Grandmaster Song founded the OHTC Healthcare System and pursued a career in education, clinical practice, and professional leadership.

The school’s biography records doctorate degrees in Physical Education, Traditional Medicine, and Philosophy in Traditional Medicine, and formal practice in acupuncture and herbal medicine beginning in Korea in 1974 and continuing in the United States from 1981.

He retired from public teaching and public health service in March 2022. The career record below reflects the roles and affiliations documented by the school.

Education and professional leadership

Founder and President, Chun Seung–OHTC Acupuncture Clinic
Former President, OHTC Health Care System
President Emeritus, Chun Seung (OHTC) Martial Arts Association
Former President, OHTC Acupuncture and Herbal Research Foundation
Former Professor of Physical Education, University of Sciences
Former President, Korean American Acupuncture Association of Texas—2nd, 3rd, 6th, and 9th presidencies
Founder, Federation of Korean American Eastern Medicine Associations

Professional affiliations recorded by the school

Texas State Board of Medical Examiners—license AC00007
Illinois Department of Professional Regulation—license 198-000260
Acupuncturist Association of Texas
American Society of Acupuncturists
Korean American Acupuncture Association of Texas
Federation of Korean American Eastern Medicine Associations in the USA
The American Association of Oriental Medicine

Books by Grandmaster Song

His writings span martial arts education, eastern medicine, ethics, tea, meditation, breathing, and Baduk.

Vital Spot
Alternative Weaponry
Martial Arts Education
Expert’s Guide
Fundamentals of Martial Arts
Instructor’s Guide of Success in the Martial Arts
Master’s Guide of Success in the Martial Arts
Encyclopedia of Traditional Martial Arts
Moo Sa Sool
Expressions
Conversation
Encyclopedia of Eastern Medicine
Modern Eastern Medicine
Fundamentals of Eastern Medicine
Healthy Life
Korean Tea
Hygiene and Phlebotomy
Hygiene in the Martial Arts
Martial Arts Rescue Methods
The Eastern Way of Health
Preservation of Health
The Natural Healing Art
Yeum Yang and Five Elements
The Ancient Art of Tea
The Ancient Art of Ki (Meditation and Breathing)
Ki to Life
Ethics in the Martial Arts
Art of Traditional Baduk
Chun Seung Sa Sang Eui Hak
Modern Eastern Medicine and Health Science
The Ancient Art of Health
The Way of the Last Master
Book of Dr. Song’s News Column
Clinical Eastern Medicine
Chun Seung Health
Chun Seung Tai Chi Chuan
Chun Seung Eastern Medical Treatment
Chun Seung Eastern Medicine
Healthy Life (Updated)
Martial Arts Education (Updated)

Tradition continues

Entrusting the next generation

In March 2022, Grandmaster Song entrusted the United States school to Disciples Clayton Moore and Kristopher Glover, together with his remaining disciples and selected instructors.

Head Instructor Kristopher Glover, Grandmaster Song, and Head Instructor Clayton Moore, from left to right, at the March 2022 leadership transfer. — March 2022 · Head Instructor Glover, Grandmaster Song, and Head Instructor Moore, from left to right.

Clayton Moore serves as Head Disciple and Head Instructor for New Mexico. Kristopher “Kris” Glover serves as Head Instructor for Texas. Their responsibility is to preserve the teachings and history while carrying their principles into daily life.

Explore our history →View the lineage →Read the teachings →

Grandmaster

GrandmasterSong Kyong Sik