Strength and Wellness Tips

Life with Tae Kwon Do

Imagine yourself on an open plain, the sky stretching endlessly above a vast ocean of rocks, plants and trees gently swaying back and forth with the winds tide. As each day begins the open plain extends a warm welcome to the challenges and obstacles of the sometimes unpredictable circumstances we encounter as a result of the elements: Earth, wind, fire and the heavens. There is a constant ebb and flow in the struggle for balance within a system. Tae Kwon Do is a system. Our bodies are a system that can be broken down to even smaller systems. Balance between the mind, the body and spirit is necessary for living a healthy, happy lifestyle, personally, communally, nationally, internationally and heavenly.

How do we achieve this balance? Peace? Is it constant or does it continuously change like the plain? Do we have control over our destiny? Can we achieve total mind and body control by practicing Tae Kwon Do? These are the questions that I am continuously researching. Tae Kwon Do is more than kicking and punching; it is a way of living and thinking, a way that has been working for thousands of years. The traditional thought of the Korean (hongik-ian) is based on the “seon” principle. Impeccable virtuousness. The seon principle has it roots in the old chosun age and was left in legacy to the three kingdoms of Koguryo, Chosun and Silla. The Martial spirit of the Hwarang-Do is what brought Silla, the smallest of the Kingdoms to victory and is Korea today. The Tae Kwon Do Spirit has not changed in 5000 years. There are the three virtues of loyalty, filial piety and reliability. Five virtuous conducts such as modesty, frugality and restraint. Respect to superiors and kindness to subordinates.

According to the great scholar Yi Yul Kok in his writing he states:

• "I endeavored incessantly to achieve self-restraint until I could reach the realm of a saintly life,"
• "I speak little when I have to make a decision,"
• "I do what is to be done with all my sincerity," "I make one understand a thing however arbitrary he may be," and
• "Cultivation of the mind and learning should be continued without slowing down the tempo."

These words are easy to say but to live them is another story.

We are fortunate to have as a teacher a man who like Yi Yul Kok lives these words. Through his actions and example he passes on what he’s found through practicing the Art of Tae Kwon Do to his students. Grandmaster Kim is a true martial artist and my mentor. Through his patient teaching I am learning to live life according to these ancient principles. Tae Kwon Do was once an education for the “common” people. The discipline of Tae Kwon Do and all the opportunities it brings creates a foundation for higher learning and continuing to practice beyond the black belt level is the key.

Most students quit before black belt and those that make it to 1st degree black belt usually consider their Tae Kwon Do education complete when in reality it has only just begun. 1st Degree black belt is the completion of basic training, the physical body is intact by this time and the mental aspects of training begin. To achieve total mind and body control we must first become aware of our weaknesses, only then can we make the necessary changes.

My life with Tae Kwon Do has been quite an adventure. In the past two years I have learned that living up to these principles takes incredible discipline and the willingness to dig deep into my soul. I must say that life with Tae Kwon Do has been you, each student teaching me something new about myself and pushing me to improve. I realize that the last two years with Tae Kwon Do has not been easy, it has been like climbing a mountain without a peak, climbing and climbing, searching for the peak instead of enjoying where I am and who I’m with, a waiting period. The one thing that keeps me climbing is the thought of you, the next test, the next event, the next person who walks in the door looking for help or a kind word, the child who with this great opportunity to experience life with Tae Kwon Do that may somehow do better than I. The next generation.

When I am thirsty I go to the well but when I hurry I forget. I forget to remember where the water came from, how it came to be, the purity and quality. When I step back before I drink and think deeply a simple drink of water becomes so valuable that I want to savor every drop. We must always remember the man who dug the well, stop and smell the roses, appreciate all that is put on our plate and share it with the hungry.

Tae Kwon Do has been a Spiritual journey. From the beginning its physical challenges brought me to a place of confidence in my physical body. The mental challenges of Tae Kwon Do have been an even greater challenge. Overcoming emotion, learning how to control my reactions to people places and things, outward reactions as well as inner reactions.

Spiritual challenges, the highest of all the mountains we must continue to practice. We have only one choice in our lives, as I know it. Wherever we are, whomever we’re with, at home, at work, in the grocery store line, in a traffic jam, in a battle with the enemy, we still have only one simple choice. Who we love. When we achieve this, we are free. All systems go.

Halloween Safety

On October 31st children and adults will roam the streets, avoiding the tricks and searching for treats. The night will be dark, the spirits so bright, we must teach our children what is wrong, What is right? The trick is to know do I walk away or fight? The treat is which decision will make it a good night? So when you go out on Halloween night, remember to think, what is wrong and what is right and you will be sure to have a good night!

Halloween brings back some of the fondest memories for me. My brothers and sisters really went all out decorating and setting up our porch to greet all the neighborhood ghosts and goblins. My mom on the other hand was usually worried about what we were wearing because the weather was either very cold or very cold and rainy. At the crack of dusk we were out the door, knocking on doors and collecting the goodies in our very big pillow cases with our very big roars! Trick or Treat!!

The rules were simple. Don’t talk to strangers, don’t go in houses and don’t accept un-wrapped items which made it difficult for the little old ladies in the neighborhood who would bake fresh cookies. “Stay together!, Mom would yell as we were leaving.”

Since that time Halloween has become bigger than ever. Not only younger children our going out but our teens and college students are usually going out to.

Safety is an issue every day. Any holiday presents a higher risk because of the activities that go along with them. Below is a list of safety tips to keep you safe during the Holiday season. Self-Protection training is something that should be continuously practiced. Just like you learn your ABC’s and read automatically, your body will respond automatically when provoked by a negative situation. Practice makes progress and progress leads to perfection. Knowing what action to take can save you or your children from physical or emotional harm. Please take self-defense seriously. Violence can happen to you.

Be Aware!!!!

1. If you are driving, watch for children.
2. Instruct your children to travel only in familiar areas along a known route planned out by your family. Adults should travel with children.
3. Stop only at houses or apartment buildings that are well lit.
4. Never enter a home or apartment-stay outside. Keep one arms distance at all times.
5. Review all safety precautions with children. Make them aware of possible danger situations.
6. Pin a slip of paper with your child’s name, address and phone number inside a pocket in case of emergency or if your child gets lost.
7. Costumes should not be to long that they are a tripping hazard. They should be made of light material or have reflector tape on them. Flashlights and or glow sticks work well.
8. Walk, don’t run from house to house.
9. Bring all treats (drinks too!) home for inspection before eating. Take a couple of pieces of candy and bottled water with you from your house if you must snack during your adventure.
10. Stay with your group.

Contact us today to discuss how martial arts training can help your family members achieve their self-defense, personal safety and self-confidence goals.

Halloween Then and Now

As we approach Halloween I can’t help but remember my own Halloween experiences as a child. They are nothing like the Halloweens that I see today.

When my family of 10 celebrated Halloween we went wild! We spent weeks preparing our own costumes. My mother would be up in arms looking for old costumes from years past or sewing new ones for new ideas.

We decorated the house inside and out hoping to give a little thrill to the special visitors we’d be hosting on Halloween night. My oldest brother was surely the most creative and always surprised us with some spooky, inventive costume. Pumpkin carving was done in many sizes, shapes and creative faces. Mom would worry while wondering if the night would bring rain and cold. (and it usually would). We would all gather together moving from house to house, collecting our goodies while the neighbors would try to guess who we were and what family we belonged to. Everybody new each other and their wasn’t much to worry about.

Halloween today isn’t as simple. There is much to worry about. Over the years safety has become a huge concern for trick or treaters and their parents.

It is common today to hear daily about physical and sexual crimes against children. The truth is we MUST educate our children in self-defense. Self-defense for children is just as important as learning their ABC’s.

We can never assume that any of these horrible crimes won’t happen to us or our kids but the fact is that one in five girls will be sexually or physically assaulted in their lifetime. Boys are also frequent victims and must learn to protect themselves from predators.

Do you really know who your neighbors are? Do they keep weapons in their home? Are they locked up?

Do you know where your teenagers are? Have you met their friends’ parents? When your sons and daughters go off to college are they prepared to defend themselves as well as they are prepared for their SAT’s?

Halloween is a potential event for a predator to attack. At any age you must use caution. There is trick or treat house to house for young children and parties happening everywhere for teens and adults.

The first rule of self-defense is to keep your distance. If you are outside of an arms reach you will be safe. Stay with close friends, never separate and always keep your concentration. Avoid alcohol and always say no to drugs. Prevention is much better than having to use physical force. Trust yourself. If you feel like there is danger there probably is!

Contact us today to discuss how martial arts training can help your family members achieve their self-defense, personal safety and self-confidence goals.