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
 
 

Kaizen Concept Applied to Martial Arts Training--- Chief Instructor's Blog October 2025

The concept of Kaizen is that small, incremental changes can lead to significant improvements over time.

When training, sometimes we think we need to make radical changes (Kaikaku) and sometimes that may be the case.  But unless there is a safety issue or your techniques are not aligned with the Han Moo Kwan philosophy, I would contend that the Kaizen approach is more applicable and appropriate way to improve over time when studying and practicing martial arts.  I believe this to be the case because (1) studying martial arts is a journey and (2) as you reach new ranks, there are adjustments expected to improve and refine your skills.

So, how would you put the Kaizen concept into practice for martial arts.  Let’s look at a few examples.

1.       Physical adjustments

·         Take one item at a time.  If you are given three or four things to adjust in a technique, I would work on one at a time.  And most likely by adjusting that one item, your other techniques will improve as well

2.      Break down the techniques

·         Break down and focus on the various aspects of the technique one at a time (for example, in one session focus on stance, next alignment, next balance, next precision, next power, next timing, etc.)

3.      Nuances

·         Pay attention to the finest details and nuances of techniques.  Spend time on those nuances

Lifelong learning and continuous improvement are part of the philosophy of Kaizen.  So along with the above, while studying martial arts, this includes:

·         Being open to feedback from instructors and consciously making the adjustments. 

·         Spending time on personal self-reflection, noting areas you need to focus on to improve.

·         Being consistent in your training.

·         Continuous self-discovery about the art form and how you express the art form.

For martial artists, improvement is not a one-time occurrence.  It is not about reaching the rank for black belt.  It is a lifelong journey of continuous improvement as Mr. Kim would say, “To better ourselves.”

Regards,

Kelly

“Martial arts is a journey that never ends, as there is always room for growth and improvement.” ~ Unknown

Short Strikes --- Chief Instructor's Blog September 2025

One of the most impressive techniques you may see from a martial artist is Bruce Lee’s one inch punch.  While it may seem impossible to generate that much power from one inch, it is not only possible, learning to generate power in the shortest amount of distance possible can be the difference of walking away from an altercation unharmed or not.

As a self-defense based martial art, short strikes are one of the key principles of our style.  For black belts, it is expected you focus more on short strikes and generating significant power from a shorter distance.

The value of short strikes include: (1) They are harder to see coming and to stop, and (2) they put you at an advantage since most people cannot fight close in.  This advantage will keep you safe and end an altercation more quickly.

Below is a list of drills and concepts to work on and improve your short strikes (and all your other techniques as well).

·         Be grounded.  Continue to strive to always be grounded.

·         Practice short strikes.  Practice against air or a bag the shortest strikes possible.  Maybe you start with half your normal distance and then continue to shrink the distance as you get increasingly more comfortable with throwing techniques at a sorter distance.

·         Practice focusing on alignment precision and motion precision.  The more precise your alignment and motion the more effective your techniques are.  For more information on this topic, see Jan 2018 blog, “Key Alignment/ Motion Fundamentals”.

·         Practice focusing on using your stance and driving your techniques from your stance. 

·         Practice your techniques so you are connected to your center and throw your techniques using your entire body. 

·         Practice strikes using explosive energy. 

·         Practice with intense mental focus where your entire focus is on the strike and your mind is void of other thoughts.  For more information on focus, see the August 2010 blog, “Focus and Concentration” and September 2017 blog, “Training The Mind by Staying Focused”.

 

Regards,
Kelly

"The successful warrior is the average man, with laser like force." ~ Bruce Lee, (1940 –1973) American-born Chinese Hong Kong martial artist, actor, and founder of Jeet Kune Do

Improving Your Speed --- Chief Instructor's Blog August 2025

 

Speed is an important attribute in your techniques.  A mechanically correct technique that is easily blocked is not effective in protecting you.  Focusing on and improving your speed should be part of your practice. 

To improve your speed, you must perform the techniques faster, initiate your techniques faster, and you must decrease your reaction time.

Below are some exercises and drills you can do without a partner to improve your speed.

·       Just go faster.  Practice as many as you can in a set amount of time or challenge yourself to get a certain number of techniques in a set amount of time.  As you do this, be very conscious of your mechanics.  If your mechanics start to get too sloppy, then I suggest you stop since this can lead to ineffective techniques or even injury.

·       Focus on the reciprocal or retraction.  Given we practice and study for self-defense, it is not about just one strike or kick, so you need to be ready for the next technique.  By breaking it down and focusing on one aspect of the technique, the entire technique will be faster.

·       Initiate the technique as fast as possible.  For example, raise your knee as fast as possible to initiate your kick, start your cross block for medium block as fast as possible.  Your techniques are only as fast as the slowest portion of the technique.

·       Start from a relaxed state and explode into the technique

In addition, the shortest time to a target is a straight line.  Therefore, if you work on making your techniques as linear as possible this will also improve your speed.  Linear techniques have other benefits as well, see the February 2017 blog, Why Linear? for more information.

Mindset is also important.  Some concepts to incorporate into your practice focusing on mindset include:

·         If you believe you will be fast, you will be fast.  So, imagine and believe you are fast.

·       When performing techniques, imagine instantaneously your technique goes from point A to point B. 

Flowing more energy and relying less on muscles will also improve your speed.  Your muscles can slow you down if you are trying too hard to muscle through a technique versus using energy.

Improving your speed does not happen unless you practice and focus on it.  So, I encourage all of you to incorporate improving your speed in every practice.

Regards,

Kelly

”The athlete who is building muscles though weight training should be very sure to work adequately on speed and flexibility at the same time. In combat, without the prior attributes, a strong man will be like the bull with its colossal strength futilely pursuing the matador or like a low-geared truck chasing a rabbit." ~ Bruce Lee, (1940 –1973) American-born Chinese Hong Kong martial artist, actor, and founder of Jeet Kune Do