Golden Hands

07/25/2026

🏆 GOLDEN HANDS NATIONALS RECAP 🏆

What a beautiful tournament, an incredible turnout, and an unforgettable experience for our Golden Hands family!

Our students returned from the All Tang Soo Do National Championships with:

🥇 26 Gold Medals
🥈 26 Silver Medals
🥉 17 Bronze Medals

That is 69 medal finishes, along with two Grand Champions!

🏆 Ko Dan Ja Women’s Grand Champion: SBN Holly Holt
🏆 Adult Forms Grand Champion: Mr. Abhinav Kumar

Our team forms competitors also made Golden Hands history:

🥇 The Golden Three
Bhavyaranjan Sinha, KSN Sparsh Palankar, and Mr. Abhinav Kumar
Their first-place performance officially retired the Dan Team Forms National Cup after three consecutive National Championship victories!

🥇 The Wavy Greens — Green Belt Forms Team
🥇 The 4 Peaceful Warriors — Orange Belt Forms Team

🥈 The Flaming Ninjas — Red Belt Forms Team
🥈 The 3 Green Beans — Green Belt Forms Team

🥉 The Elements — Red Belt Forms Team

Every single one of our Gup team forms groups placed. Each team filled the room with confidence, unity, and some of the strongest performances we have ever seen from them!!

Medal Breakdown by Rank:

⚪🟠 White & Orange Belts
🥇 3 | 🥈 2 | 🥉 2

🟢 Green Belts
🥇 6 | 🥈 8 | 🥉 2

🔴 Red Belts
🥇 6 | 🥈 6 | 🥉 7

⚫ Black Belts
🥇 8 | 🥈 8 | 🥉 4

Beyond the medals, I am most proud of the character our students displayed. They supported one another, remained attentive, handled victories with humility, and treated difficult moments as opportunities to learn. 💪🏼

Some students competed at Nationals for the very first time. Others stepped into new divisions, performed unfamiliar forms, or faced strong opponents in the ring. Every one of them returned with more experience, greater confidence, and a clearer understanding of where the next stage of training can take them. 💛🙏🏼

Throughout the weekend, instructors, families, competitors, and senior masters continually approached us to praise our students and our school. That recognition belongs to this entire community….to the students who train, the families who support them, and the instructors who continue pouring their knowledge and hearts into the next generation.

We are incredibly proud, but the training never stops! Many students were back Monday night after Nationals!

Sometimes winning is winning. Sometimes losing is also winning, depending upon what we choose to learn from the experience.

Congratulations, Golden Hands! I’m so incredibly be proud to be your SBN. Let’s carry this energy, connection, and encouragement forward!🥋💛

(Videos to come soon!)

Full Nationals results: https://www.tsdmgk.com/2026-nationals-results

07/22/2026

From my instructor who started it all… Tang Soo!! Can’t wait to post about this tournament.

Tang Soo !!! Does training in a traditional martial art benefit young kids ?? I'm a HUGE advocate for just that....I made it my full time job for 25 years.

Master Holt recently sent me a picture of former students (now her students). Look at this discipline...and what really matters is they are not doing it because they have to, they are doing it because they want to.

These young people will accomplish anything they set their minds to...they won't quit when it gets hard...they will help others along the way...and they will lead by example.

I could not be prouder of these young people and Master Holt.

07/06/2026

⚔️ Summer Camp Week 4: The Way of the Warrior ⚔️

This week, our campers discovered that being a warrior isn’t about fighting…it’s about building the confidence, awareness, and discipline to protect yourself and others when it matters most.

From self-defense training against aggressive opponents and obstacle courses that built real-world strength, to exploring one of Texas’ largest indoor playgrounds, an outdoor scavenger hunt, Wheels Day races, and ending the week with a performance of “Shine” by Collective Soul, every activity reinforced the same lesson: strength is earned through challenge.

As the saying goes, “It is better to be a warrior in a garden than a gardener in a war.” We strive to develop peaceful confidence, strong character, and leaders who know when, and when not to use their strength.

What does being a warrior mean to you?

06/28/2026

🌎⚡️ Summer Camp Week #3: The Elements ⚡️🌎

Our most adventurous week yet!

Like the elements, we learned to adapt and overcome. When our original field trip plans were canceled, we improvised and ended up having one of our favorite days ever at Barton Creek Greenbelt. Thanks to all the rain, campers got to experience flowing waterfalls, natural rock slides, and the kind of outdoor adventure that felt like childhood before screens.

Many of the kids said it was “the best day of my life.”

This week reminded us that martial arts isn’t just about kicking and punching—it’s about how we move through life. We practiced respect in nature, explored rhythm through footwork and music with Sir Duke by Stevie Wonder, discovered a love for gelato, and planted seeds that will teach us patience as we wait for them to grow.

Sometimes the unexpected becomes the memory you treasure most. ❤️

adaptandovercome

06/16/2026

As kids, we often think heroes are people with special powers. As we grow older, we realize heroes are ordinary people who choose courage, kindness, and perseverance when life gets difficult. Becoming a hero is not about being fearless, it’s about showing up anyway, service to others, and continuing to grow through life’s challenges. In many ways, becoming a hero simply means becoming the best version of yourself.

What does being a hero mean to you?

06/10/2026

We are excited to announce the launch of our very first Golden Hands Collective: Music Lab!

This weeklong program was created for teen musicians who want more than traditional music lessons. Music Lab is designed to help young artists grow as musicians, performers, collaborators, and confident young leaders.

Throughout the week, students will:
🎹 Play and create music together
🎸 Learn ensemble and band skills
🎤 Develop stage presence and performance confidence
🎙 Experience a professional recording studio session
🎶 Perform in a live community showcase

Students will also explore mindfulness, focus, communication, and martial arts-inspired awareness training — skills that help young people navigate both the stage and the world with confidence and integrity.

The camp is intentionally limited to 8 musicians to provide individualized mentorship and a highly collaborative experience.
📅 July 6–10, 2026
🕘 Monday–Thursday: 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
🕔 Friday (Studio & Showcase Day): 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
📍 Golden Hands Martial Arts:
13091 Pond Springs Road, Suite 220
Austin, TX 78729

Led by Holly Holt (B.M. Jazz Piano Performance, University of North Texas), Murphy Sasser (bassist/vocalist @ Berklee College of Music), and Abhinav Kumar (fantastic drummer/percussionist and senior on McNeil H.S. Band).

If you know a young musician who loves music, creativity, and community, we'd love to meet them.

Registration is now open at https://registration.goldenhands.love/preview/NJZMmKIYW6CtDNCD48q8

06/10/2026

🚨 EXCITING NEWS! 🚨
Registration for our 2026-2027 After-School Program is now OPEN!

We're excited to welcome students back beginning August 19th and are thrilled to announce that we will be providing pick-up from:
🥋 Pond Springs Elementary
🥋 Live Oak Elementary
🥋 Laurel Mountain Elementary
Our After-School Program combines traditional Tang Soo Do martial arts, mindfulness, leadership development, music, movement, and plenty of opportunities for students to build confidence, discipline, and friendships.

We also have a brand-new website that is now LIVE! 🎉
The new site makes it easier than ever to learn about and register for:
✅ After-School Program
✅ Summer Camp
✅ Tang Soo Do Evening Classes
✅ Teen Music Camp
✅ Special Events

We're entering our second year of After-School and couldn't be more excited to continue making a positive impact in the lives of young people throughout our community.

Spots are limited, so don't wait too long!

https://registration.goldenhands.love/preview/D7MG89KAPfDR9x4lQvGo

06/09/2026

🌟 Summer Camp Week 1 is in the books! 🌟

From Urban Air adventures and creek-side hikes at St. Edward’s Park to recording our Hall of Fame performance, our campers had an incredible week of fun, challenge, and growth.

Our Ninja theme focused on awareness, focus, and learning that success isn’t always about being the fastest or strongest… it’s about being observant and making smart decisions.

One of the most memorable moments came during meditation when a student raised their hand and said, “I realized the world isn’t crazy.” A simple statement, but a powerful reminder of what can happen when we slow down, breathe, and pay attention.

We’re grateful for all the returning and new campers who are making this summer so special. Onward to Week 2! ☀️🥋

05/19/2026

We’re so proud of our own, Ms. Abby! She’s a rockstar. And we are going to miss her tremendously as she continues her next chapter on her journey! Come join us for dodgeball all day and night as we celebrate her time with us!

05/14/2026

summer camp 2026 is still open, with a few more slots to fill! ☀️🥋🎶🌿

our summer camp runs june 1 – august 14 and includes martial arts, mindfulness, music, outdoor adventures, field trips, and positive life skills in a supportive community environment.

students may enroll in:
• session 1: june 1 – july 3
• teen music / meditation / self-defense workshop: july 6 – july 10
• session 2: july 13 – august 14

minimum enrollment is 3 weeks. families may choose any weeks out of either sessions.

more information, schedule details, and pricing are available on the registration page — link in bio.

looking forward to making more incredible experiences with this amazing team and community!