Various Types / Forms of Energy --- Chief Instructor's Blog May 2026

 

In last month’s blog I wrote about other terms that sometimes get confused with being grounded.  In this month’s blog, I will discuss some different forms of energy to help clarify what we mean by directing / projecting Energy in our classes.

As a reminder for what we expect as progress in the art form and use of Energy, I refer you to the April 2009 blog, What Is Energy?

First off, Chi, Qi, Ki, and Energy are all synonymous.  However, there can be confusion on what these terms mean, and people have different understandings of these meanings since there are different types / forms of Chi, Qi, Ki, Energy.  Similarly, thermal energy and mechanical energy are both energy, but they take on different forms.  Below describes the three most basic forms of Energy martial artists and energy workers (healers, yogis, etc.) are familiar with: Universal Energy, Earth Energy, and Internal Energy.

Universal Energy

For some healing modalities like Reiki, practitioners tap in and use Universal Energy which is subtle and used to attract the body to wellness and alignment.  Or in meditation, folks tap into and use Universal Energy to open their intuition.

Earth Energy

Earth Energy is very powerful, abundant and not subtle.  When grounded, one can tap into Earth Energy which gathers at one’s Center and then one can focus the Energy channeling / directing it through the body.  In the Club, this Energy is sometimes referred to as External Energy.

It is this directing of Earth Energy with intent, combined with good mechanics, and focus creating mind-body-spirit connection that can make one extremely effective and increase power (i.e., Power = Energy/Time).   This will make techniques much more powerful without the use of muscular force or strain.  This is how small stature martial artists can move and knock down attackers much larger than them or penetrate a target that ends an altercation quickly.

In addition, Earth Energy has no intelligence and is neutral in nature, therefore one can add intention (sometimes referred to tinting) when focusing and directing it.  It is when one adds intention, Earth Energy can then take different forms (hot or cold, hard or soft, linear or circular, large and massive or be a thread, etc.), can be directed in different directions, and can be used for different purposes (to damage to end an altercation quickly, to heal, to guide, to teach). 

For practicing Han Moo Kwan, we expect First Degree Black Belts and above to add the intention to Earth Energy that matches the Han Moo Kwan philosophy (Han Moo Kwan is a direct, offensive, linear, harsh style); therefore, the intention added to Earth Energy should be direct, offensive, linear, and harsh. 

A side note, Martial Arts Masters for centuries have used this same powerful Earth Energy if students get injured to accelerate their healing by adding different intentions (soothing, warm, knitting bones, etc.).  If you are familiar with the original Karate Kid movies, Mr. Miyagi used healing techniques on Daniel, most notable was to help his leg so he could continue to compete in the championship in the first movie.

Internal Energy

The Energy that is produced by and, radiates through one’s body (and is required for us to live) we refer to in class as Internal Energy.  Internal Energy can be used in martial arts along with intentional movement and timing to direct Earth Energy.  One’s Internal Energy is a limited resource and can get depleted quickly.  Therefore, to maintain a powerful flow of energy, one must be grounded and leverage Earth Energy.

As a side note, in Chinese medicine, when discussing Energy (Chi), they are usually referring to Internal Energy of the body versus Universal or Earth Energy.  And in some martial arts like Qigong or Tai Chi, their focus is also primarily on Internal Energy and maybe Universal Energy, especially if the training is focused on health and wellness.

As an unrelated topic, some Instructors in the Club also have used the phrase “be more energized” with students from time to time.  What is meant by this is to “be more energetic” that is, an adjective: demonstrating an attitude of being ready, perform techniques with vigor and intensity, etc. 

Hopefully this information is useful to understand the different forms of energy and what we mean when we discuss energy in the Club.

 

Regards,

Kelly

"Form follows ki and ki follows the mind." ~ The quote is associated with Nitobe Inazō (1862-1933), a Japanese scholar, diplomat, and writer (most notably "Bushido: The Soul of Japan," published in 1900).

 

What is Being Grounded vs Being Rooted or Heavy? --- Chief Instructor's Blog April 2026

 

As noted last month, being grounded is one of the concepts as martial artists we strive for all the time and in everything we do.

If you are not sure or confused, you are not alone.  This confusion is because you may hear that when you are grounded you feel rooted to Earth, you may read or hear an Instructor say to be rooted, and in some literature being rooted is used synonymously with being grounded.

As a reminder for what grounding is, I refer you to the March 2009 blog, What Is Grounding?.

And while they can be synergistic, being rooted and being grounded are not the same.  You can be rooted and not grounded, and you can be grounded but not rooted.   Being rooted is more a physical, structural connection to the surface of the Earth.  In some literature, people recommend being more rooted to go barefoot and feel the dirt.  It has also been described as literally as if roots are growing from one’s feet into the Earth and the deeper the roots, the more stable and balanced one can be (especially if one also has proper alignment).  Whereas when you are grounded you are connected deep to the core of the Earth.

In a static situation, adding being rooted on top of being grounded can be useful.  Imagining being rooted is a good aid/ tool because it can mentally help move your consciousness to your lower body, reduce or eliminate muscular tension in your upper body which will improve your ground state.  But if you are too rooted through your feet, you may not be very mobile and feel stuck when you need to move.  You might also come off as too rigid.  And when you try to get unstuck, you may even unground to move again. 

In addition, being rooted will not automatically allow you to tap into and flow Earth Energy.  As a reminder for what energy is when we talk about it in the Club , I refer you to the April 2009 blog, What Is Energy?.

Similarly, sometimes we use the visual of getting heavy or filling lower body with lead. In fact, this is part of the Light & Heavy exercises we introduce to students (sometimes as early as Belts) to aid students to get grounded or tell them in their stances they should feel heavy to invoke significant focus on the lower body. 

By focusing on the lower body this sometimes physically makes you consciously or subconsciously lower your stances (therefore lower your center of gravity) and/or reduce or eliminate muscular tension in your upper body which can aid you in being more grounded.  But being heavy is not the same as being grounded.

In addition, to effectively use one’s grounded state, proper alignment is critical.  If you do not have proper alignment, then you will be using more of your focus to staying upright and move easily versus focusing on powerful techniques.  Sometimes a visual of a rod through your spine through your Center is a good aid to maintain proper alignment.  Imagining a rod is very useful, but this rod image does not mean you are grounded and is not required to be grounded.

As another note, advanced students can also leverage energy-based connections to one’s Center.  While these energy-based connections to one’s Center are very effective in being more stable, grounded, powerful, the energy-based connections themselves are not considered to be grounded and are not required to be grounded.

Hopefully this information is useful to understand what grounding is versus other terminology you may hear related to being grounded or practicing being grounded.

 

Regards,

Kelly

 

“Move like a beam of light: fly like lightning, strike like thunder, whirl in circles around a stable center.” ~ Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969), founder of Aikido, author of the book The Art of Peace

 

Martial Arts As A Lifestyle --- Chief Instructor's Blog March 2026

 

I have mentioned in class that martial arts (at least traditional martial arts like Han Moo Kwan) are not something you do a few hours a month, but it is a lifestyle; it is the way you live your life and grow through it. 

So, what does it look like when it is a lifestyle?  Before I start listing many examples, I will preface that as a lifestyle, it does not mean you are perfect in all the items below all the time.  Martial arts, even as a lifestyle, is a practice, which means you continually strive to do these things and note when you may have fallen short and work to do better next time. 

Be Grounded

You are grounded and move from your center in everything you do.  You move through / from your center as part of how you move in the world, whether it is walking, running, sitting, standing, hiking, lifting weights, etc. 

Be Focused

You remain focused on the task at hand versus being distracted, and laser focused in situations that are critical (examples: a critical conversation at work that could be the difference between an employee quitting or staying; critical conversation with your child or spouse, or driving a car where distractions can cause a collision resulting in injury or worse).

In Control and Self-Aware

You control the situation.  You are not reactive to aggressive behavior whether it is an angry friend, co-worker, manager, customer, or aggressive driver.  You are not over sympathetic to people who are being manipulative.  You are not reacting to someone’s behavior that you are not happy with.  You are able to be in control of yourself and not be controlled and stay calm under emotional or mental stress.  You are aware of your triggers and practice staying in control through mental exercises or actions like deep breathing.

Be Disciplined and Demonstrate Commitment

You practice discipline in your everyday life.  You work to meet your commitments on time.  You continue to push through one step at a time and be persistent to achieve your goals, complete projects, learn a new skill, etc.

Be Balanced

You practice being balanced in your everyday life.  This means being physically balanced in your other physical activities but also encompassing the concepts to other aspects of your life.  To be physically balanced you are not overextending or pushing too hard or trying to muscle through things, such that you are overexerted and get injured or cannot sustain the activity.  This can apply to mental and emotional balance as well, not pushing too hard and overextending yourself such that you cannot sustain or are easily exhausted. 

Positive Mindset

You maintain a positive mindset in everything you do, especially in the most challenging times.  This means continuing to work on it and persevere and not just give up because it appears to be difficult at first or you are not succeeding in the beginning.  A great quote by the legendary 16^th Century samurai Miyamoto Musashi is "It may seem difficult at first, but everything is difficult at first".  This can apply to learning a new physical skill; a new task or role at work; meeting a challenging deadline or customer demand, etc.

Practice Continuous Learning and Self-Improvement

You are open to learning and continue to learn whether that is learning more about subjects you are familiar with already or learning something totally new.  You are open to learning and do not let new things stop you from trying.  You practice self-improvement and strive to always be /get better in everything in your life (examples: your hobbies; communication with a spouse / partner or a manager / co-worker). 

These are several examples of what it means instilling what you learn in the dojang as part of your everyday life and therefore becoming part of your lifestyle and who you are; not just what you do 1-2 hours a week.

 

Regards,

Kelly

 

After asked why we practice the reply was “To better ourselves.” ~ Mr. Ui Jung Kim, 6th Degree Black Belt, Founder of the Han Moo Kwan Club, Sunnyvale, CA

Do You Know What You Should Be Working On? --- Chief Instructor's Blog February 2026

Becoming proficient in martial arts encompasses many attributes: mechanics inclusive of flexibility, agility, balance; body awareness; accuracy and targeting; speed and reaction time; timing; endurance; foot work; grounding; focus and intent among other things depending on your rank. 

With so many things to work on, how do you know if you are working on the right things and not potentially spending too much time on some things while ignoring other items important for your continual improvement in the art form. 

Here is a good time to remind you of our Club’s expectations for your training:

·       When you are a White Belt, the Instructor of that class takes primary responsibility to ensure you have the information to test.

·       Once you are promoted, the responsibility is primarily yours (i.e., Instructors will provide training at a level appropriate for you, based on your skill set and experience.  If you miss classes, it is your responsibly to seek that information out from a qualified Instructor of what you might have missed). 

·       If you are not sure of what you should be working on, or need extra guidance or clarity, it is your responsibly to ask the questions and seek additional training outside normal class hours if needed. 

So, with the above said, you should be getting feedback from instructors in class and have notes from a testing sheet.  This is the starting point.  If it has been a long time since you have tested (and many are in that category), test at the next available opportunity to get more recent feedback.

In addition, other things you need to be doing (if not already):

·       Share with the instructor what you are working on and get feedback about if that is the priority for you at your current rank and what is expected to progress towards the next belt level. 

·       Ask for input on a very regular basis. If you are waiting for right before a test, or waiting for what ends up on a test, that is not enough and may not necessarily be comprehensive but just stating some key or items that stand out.

And then how do you know if you are improving?

·       Keep a log.  If you are working on speed for example, maybe you time yourself every few weeks going through a set of repetitions or how many repetitions can be done in a set of time and monitor if improving.  Keep in mind that if one week you are not as good as previous week, note what other things might have prevented you from doing better that day (e.g., did you not get enough sleep night before, did you not eat well, etc.) so you are not discouraged if you are not always showing improvement week to week or have a setback.

·       Video / Record yourself.  With today’s smartphones, it is easy to video / record yourself and see for yourself.  For example, if you are trying to ensure your basic knife hand is linear or your turnaway kick you are not leading with the pinkie toe, then you can record yourself periodically and see for yourself.

·       Ask for feedback during or after class from a qualified instructor if you see any improvement or if you appear to be on track.

Martial arts is a personal journey of continuous improvement and growth, so if you are looking to improve you need to make sure you have the information, a plan to work on those items, and ways to track progress.

 

Regards,

Kelly

“There is no finish line. When you reach one goal, find a new one."  ~ Chuck Norris (1940 – present), American martial artist and actor with black belts in Karate, Taekwondo, Tang Soo Do, Brazilian jiu jitsu, and judo.

 

References:

1. Fighter's Fact Book: Over 400 Concepts, Principles, and Drills to Make You a Better Fighter by Loren W. Christensen

2. Fighter's Fact Book 2: Street Fighting by Loren W. Christensen
3. Ultimate Fitness Through Martial Arts by Sang H. Kim

 

Empathy Can Get You Killed --- Chief Instructor's Blog January 2026

 

Human nature is we react and match the intensity and speed of an opponent.

If an opponent speeds up, it is human nature to speed up.  If an opponent becomes more aggressive, it is human nature that you become more aggressive. 

Reacting to your opponent/assailant is not the goal / objective.  If you are always reacting and matching their speed or intensity, then most likely you will get injured or even killed if attacked.

The goal is to move faster than an attacker - always.  The goal is to move and project the appropriate intensity for the situation regardless of what the attacker is doing.

To practice this, you must break human nature, and it starts with each class and with the basics.  Your goal should be to move and perform each technique as fast as possible while just maintaining control and good posture/mechanics regardless of how fast or slow the instructor or the Black Belt leading basics counts.  It is ok to be waiting for the next count.  Notice next time in basics if you are (1) just keeping up with the cadence of the count or of the speed of the person next to you or ahead of you or (2) focused on your own techniques and performing as fast as possible with control and good mechanics.  As a Black Belt, this is what is expected.  For more information, and a demonstration of this, see HMK Black Belt Challenge 02, Fast Basics / Slow Count; Speed; do not match speed of opponent.

Notice next time you are free sparring, (1) are you keeping up with the pace of your sparring partner and matching their pace or intensity or (2) are you performing at the speed and intensity required to control the match? 

During open, random attack self-defense, notice if (1) you are defending at the same speed / intensity / force or (2) are you performing at the speed and intensity required to disable / damage / end the altercation quickly?  

In all cases above, the answer should be number 2.  If you are unsure about how to get faster, please refer to the August 2025 blog, Improving your Speed.

And if you do not consciously go faster and perform at the intensity required during class, it will not translate in a real altercation.  In a real altercation body memory will take over and if your body memory is always reacting to your opponent then that is what you will do.  For more information on this, see the February 2018 blog, You Will Fight How You Practice.

 

Since it is the start of a new year, this is a great time to set that intention to practice not reacting but moving faster and with the intensity required regardless of your parter on class or the count of an instructor.

 

Regards,

Kelly

 

“When your opponent is hurrying recklessly, you must act contrarily and keep calm. The opponent must not influence you.”  ~ Miyamoto Musashi (c. 1584 –1645) - famous Japanese swordsman, the author of The Book of Five Rings

Be Curious --- Chief Instructor's Blog December 2025

 

In my October 2025 blog, Kaizen Concept Applied to Martial Arts Training I talk about continuous improvement and continuous learning of martial arts, which includes continuous self-discovery. A means to self-discovery is to be curious (i.e., to be curious of how and when something works [or does not] and why it works, etc.). 

Curiosity has shown to have several brain and learning benefits:

1.      Curiosity releases dopamine and therefore becomes a motivator.

·         “Higher levels of curiosity lead to higher levels of activity in areas such as the striatum, which is involved in the release of dopamine, the neurotransmitter most associated with feelings of reward.” [Ref. 1]

·         “Dopamine plays a role in how we feel pleasure and rewards. It's a big part of our unique human ability to think and plan. It helps us focus, work towards goals, and find things interesting.” [Ref. 2]

2.      Curiosity could improve your memory.

·         “In addition, the researchers found that curious minds showed increased activity in the hippocampus, which is involved in the creation of memories. In fact, the degree to which the hippocampus and reward pathways interacted could predict an individual’s ability to remember the incidentally introduced faces. The brain’s reward system seemed to prepare the hippocampus for learning.” [Ref. 3]

Some ways to cultivate or strengthen your curiosity include:

·         Embrace a Growth Mindset [Ref. 5]

·         Martial arts is a lifetime journey and there is always something to learn if you maintain an open mind, have a beginner‘s attitude, and recognize you can always learn and that there is something to learn.

·         Stay Open to Feedback and Learning from Others [Ref. 5]

·         Hand in hand with a growth mindset is being open to feedback (do not immediately dismiss the information) and knowing you can learn from others.  You can learn not only from instructors, but also peers and even lower ranks.

·         Ask “what if” more often [Ref. 4]

·         Jeff Burgess used to do this a lot especially during self-defense practice – what if you moved more this way or that way?  What if you changed stances?  What if they grabbed you this way versus that way, how would that work?

·         Ask more questions - ask probing questions that challenge assumptions or explore different angles [Ref. 5]

·         Follow your “hmm” moments [Ref. 4]

·         When something seems interesting, find more information about and/or try it out.

·         Explore unfamiliar subjects / Develop a reading habit [Ref. 4 and 5.]

·         If you want to learn more about a subject you are not as familiar with (e.g., history of Tae Kwon Do, a different or adjacent martial arts, applications within the martial arts, use of energy, etc.) research it, read about it, watch videos, take a class.

·         Embrace ambiguity: Curiosity thrives in not knowing. Learn to be comfortable with the feeling of “I don’t know yet.” [Ref. 4]

·         Martial arts is a lifetime journey, so if something does not click yet be okay with that and know that at some point it will as long as you are open to it.

If you tend to be curious, keep it up and try some of the techniques above if you do not already use them.  If you are not a naturally curious person, take one of or two of the suggestions above and try to adopt them.  Curiosity can improve learning and actually make learning more enjoyable.

 

Regards,

Kelly

“Without Knowledge, Skill cannot be focused. Without Skill, Strength cannot be brought to bear and without Strength, Knowledge may not be applied." ~ Alexander the Great (356-323 BC), king of Macedon, an ancient Greek kingdom

References:

1.      How the Science of Curiosity Boosts Learning | Scientific American, retrieved 11/14/2025.

2.      Dopamine: What It Is, Function, Deficiency & how to boost it, retrieved 11/14/2025.

3.      Curiosity Prepares the Brain for Better Learning | Scientific American, retrieved 11/14/2025.

4.      How to Cultivate Curiosity and Never Stop Learning - Very Big Brain, retrieved 11/14/2025.

5.      Why Curiosity Is a Learnable Skill - Very Big Brain, retrieved 11/14/2025.

 

 

Know Your Enemy --- Chief Instructor's Blog November 2025

Sun Tzu said “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle. “
 
In today’s times, one way of knowing your enemy is understanding and seeing the signs of what may turn into an attack.  Besides a few exceptions such as the once popular “Knockout game”, attackers do not typically just attack someone out of the blue. 
 
There are cues to determine if a person may resort to physical violence and understanding those signs will help you to know your enemy.
 
Some physical clues include:

• Rigid or confrontation stance [Ref. 1]

• Clenched first or jaws [Ref. 1]

• Shallow or rapid breathing [Ref. 1]

• Pacing or fidgeting or erratic movements [Ref. 1 and 2]

• Subtle cues such as signs of discomfort, irritability, frustration, or tension [Ref. 1]

• Cursory eye contact leading to Staring {Ref. 2]

• Erratic eye movement [Ref. 2]

• Adrenaline rush indications (e.g., dilated pupils, rapid breathing, pale or flushed skin, trembling, arm splaying, finger beckoning, head nodding, closing the distance [Ref. 2 and 3])

 
Some verbal cues include:

• Raising their voice [Ref. 1]

• Use of sarcastic or aggressive language (e.g., “What are you looking at?”,” Are you looking at me?”. etc. [Ref. 1 and 2]

• Disarming dialogue (e.g., “Haven’t we met somewhere before?”, or “I don’t want any trouble” all while moving forward aggressively [Ref. 2]

• Incoherent speech or rapid talking [Ref. 1]

• Adrenaline rush indications (e.g., quivering voice [Ref. 2])

 
You should also be aware of where people’s hands are.  If they look like they are concealing something (i.e., hands in their pocket or behind their back, etc.), this may be an indication of an intention to start an attack.
 
If you feel you can avoid, walk away, or de-escalate from any situation where a person shows the signs above, those should always be your first options.
 
To see the signs, you must be aware of your surroundings, so encourage everyone when they are out in public to always practice situational awareness. For some additional thoughts on awareness, refer to the blogs More Awareness August 2009 and Awareness Revisited March 2014.  Knowing the signs of an enemy allows you to be practice in your response and gives more time to avoid and walk away before any physical altercation begins.

Regards,

Kelly

"The ultimate aim of martial arts is not having to use them." ~ Miyamoto Musashi (1584-1645), legendary Japanese samurai and author of The Book of Five Rings

References:
1. 4 Tips for Recognizing and Addressing Aggressive Behavior | Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI), retrieved 2 October 2025
2. Three Second Fighter by Geof Thompson
3. What Happens When You Get an Adrenaline Rush? 8 Symptoms, retrieved 2 October 2025