Shin Yong Do was created in 2012 by Grand Master Frank Croaro in San Mateo, CA. This art is a traditional holistic approach to martial arts and fitness. Because physical strength is not a critical factor for this art, Shin Yong Do can be practiced by children, women, and men of all ages.
SHIN ( spiritual or higher mind)
YONG ( shadow)
DO ( the way)
Shin Yong Do can be translated as a spiritual shadow, or shadow spirit, that unites in harmony the physical energy with the spiritual way. It is a dynamic, all encompassing martial art which includes:
Shin Yong Do’s origin and Grand Master Frank Croaro’s training came from the martial art known as Sin Moo Hapkido, which was founded by Doju-Nim (Grandmaster Ji, Han Jae) in San Francisco, CA 1983-1984.
Grand Master Croaro started his training in 1986 and is recognized as one of the few true pioneers in Sin Moo Hapkido. He has witnessed countless changes over the years. Many of these changes where adapted to the diversity of students with different backgrounds in martial arts. Some positive changes where made to accommodate the more popular masses but in doing so, Sin Moo has become commercialized to a certain extent. Grand Master Croaro truly feels the founding traditions and highly emphasized basics where lost in the translation.
This is the reason Grand Master Croaro created Shin Yong Do. To keep the highly emphasized basics in check and the original tradition alive. He also restructured, updated and added his version to his former martial art. Simply stated, Grand Master Croaro believes that Sin Yong Do is Sin Moo Hapkido’s spiritual shadow.