Overview of Martial Arts Yesterday, Today, and Our Responsibility for the Future - - Chief Instructor's Blog July 2016

I recently read a blog from a yoga instructor who shared some thoughts and concerns about yoga.  Some of the questions that were going through his mind and wanting to explore/discuss were “Where is yoga going? Where do we want it to go? How is capitalism influencing yoga? What are we losing in the modernization of yoga? What's the benefit of this western yoga renaissance? What's the impact? What is our role and responsibility to yoga and future generation of practitioners as modern practitioners of yoga? “

I paused when I read it because these questions are relevant to where martial arts were 40-50 years ago and are still relevant today.   

For this blog, I thought I would share an overview of how martial arts have changed with the modernization, what I believe has been lost, benefits, impact, and as current students and instructors of martials arts, what is our responsibility to the future of martial arts. In future blogs, I intend to expand on some of these thoughts in more detail.

Some martial arts were changed very consciously during modern times and some were not.  For example, World Tae Kwon Do Federation intentionally went to a more sports style of the art form in order get into the Olympics and to spread the art form internationally.  (For more information on WTF and how it differs from Han Moo Kwan, please read my October and November 2015 blogs).   Gichen Funakoshi made several changes to Shotokan Karate intentionally.  In Funakoshi’s autobiography Karate-Do. My Way of Life, he says, “Hoping to see karate included in the universal physical education taught in our public schools, I set about revising the kata so as to make them as simple as possible.”  He believed. “Times change, the world changes, and obviously the martial arts must change too.” 

Many martial arts were changed more unconsciously, mostly, I believe, due to capitalism.  Many instructors start studios to teach martial arts and the art form is the focus.  Eventually, if the studio is also the means of earning a living, the business side of running a studio takes front and center and the art form because second.  In addition, changes were and are made to attract and retain students that change the art form.   In my opinion, Martials arts were never meant to be a means to earn a living.  It was meant to be shared with community to better the people and the society around us.  For example, the changes that dumb it down because the studio or art form is trying to attract children not only make the martial art not effective any more, it defeats the overall objectives of the true essence of martial arts.

Are there benefits to these changes?  

The biggest benefit is it has spread martial arts to places and people that may never have been interested had it been the original style and intent.  The question in my mind is does this outweigh the impact and what is being lost.

What is the impact?  What are we losing?

In my opinion, two major items are being lost.  Those just looking for a black belt, or a means to protect themselves, or participate in it as a sport only, are losing out on the benefits to their overall self  (not only physically, but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually) that last a lifetime, not just the years they study martial arts.

In addition, the energy side of martial arts is being lost.  The energy side has many benefits not just in martial arts but in your life. Practicing the energy side allows your physical techniques to be more effective, is a wellness practice in many ways by ensuring your energy is flowing and removing any energy blocks that can lead to injury, and it brings mental clarity to your life to name a few benefits.

What is our role?

I believe we are very fortunate our Club that made a conscious decision to stick with the original style, philosophy and intent of the art form and is not influenced by capitalism. We have chosen to stay with the true essence of the art form.  And as students and instructors in a Club that for the last 43 years has intentionally retained the traditions and original intent, we all have a responsibility to share what we know with others, encourage other martial artists to learn the energy side where they can, and to promote martial arts as a way of life, not a 2-3 hour a week activity.

Regards,

Kelly

"Since Karate exists for cultivating the spirit and training the body, it must be a moral way surpassing mere techniques..."  ~ Masutatsu Oyama  (1923-1994), karate master who founded Kyokushinkai Karate

"The purpose of training is to tighten up the slack, toughen the body and polish the spirit." ~  Morihei Ueshiba (1883-1969), founder of Aikido

"The purpose of the study of judo is to perfect yourself and to contribute to society." ~ Jigoro Kano (1860-1938).  Founder of Judo

Seven Virtues of the Martial Arts …..- - Chief Instructor's Blog September 2016

Learning and living the tenets of martial arts, as I have mentioned in several blogs to date, improves one physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.  However, how does one studying a martial art improve community or society?

In a letter written in 1882 from Sokon “Bushi” Matsumura, one of the original karate masters of Okinawa, to his younger brother, he mentions the “Seven Virtues of the Martial Arts.” He states, “They were taught by wise men, and are contained in a book called the Godan-sho.”  The seven virtues mentioned by Master Matsumura are:

(1) It prohibits intentional violence
(2) It rules the actions of the warrior
(3) It edifies
(4) It promotes virtue
(5) It promotes peace among the people
(6) It produces harmony in society
(7) It brings about prosperity

I have been thinking how and if this applies in today’s modern society and believe it does. I will share my thoughts on why I believe this by looking at each of the virtues individually.

(1) It prohibits intentional violence

As noted in class and in several blogs, martial arts are intended to be used ONLY for self-defense when you feel there is no other option.  This is still the tenet today, 134 years after Master Matsumura wrote his letter.  In martial arts violence is never planned but an unintended result of someone else’s actions.

(2) It rules the actions of the warrior

As mentioned in several blogs, warriors of the past were ruled by a code of conduct and this is still the case today.  The code of conduct is the principles and tenets to guide our use of the art form, which is an imperative since the skills we teach in the Club can cause bodily harm and severe damage.  For a more detailed look at the martial arts code of conduct and how it applies today please refer to my August 2013 blog entitled, “Martial Arts Code of Conduct”  (http://hanmookwan-svl-chiefinstructor.blogspot.com/2013_08_01_archive.html).

(3) It edifies

This continues to be the true essence of martial arts – to instruct, educate and encourage teachings to improve one physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

 

(4) It promotes virtue

As mentioned under the second virtue, martial arts were built on a code of conduct which drives a behavior of high moral standards which remains a critical piece of being a true martial artist. In addition, martial arts provide the training and skills to act with strength and courage.

 

(5) It promotes peace among the people

As noted above, martial arts are to only be used as a last resort and for self-defense purposes only.  In addition, martial arts teach students to try all means possible to avoid conflict through awareness, avoidance, and de-escalation strategies, among other methods therefore promoting peace. 

(6) It produces harmony in society

By promoting the conduct and demonstrating the behavior of a true martial artist, the community and society around martial artists will also take on this behavior and tend to be in more accord and agreement. 

(7) It brings about prosperity

Prosperity or being successful does not necessarily equate to being financially wealthy.   In our Club, we teach to promote the art form and provide the best instruction possible to all students so that students can reach their full potential.  In reaching their full potential and learning all there is that martial arts can teach a student, students can become focused, confident, physically, emotionally and mentally strong. These characteristics will help student’s succeed and thrive in whatever tasks they take on. 

Regards,

Kelly

“To all those whose progress remains hampered by ego-related distractions, let humility – the spiritual cornerstone upon which Karate rests – serve to remind one to place virtue before vice, values before vanity and principles before personalities.” ~ Sokon ‘Bushi’ Matsumura, (~1797-~1890), one of the original karate masters of Okinawa

ITF Compared to HMK (Part II of II) - Chief Instructor's Blog May 2016

Note:  This is the second installment of a two part series describing the key differences between International Tae Kwon Do Federation (ITF) and Han Moo Kwan (HMK).  The first part described how ITF came to be and two of five areas where we differ.  In this second part, I will describe the other three areas (sparring, forms, and ranking).

1.      Sparring differences/rules

In order to objectively judge competition and for safety reasons, techniques and permitted striking areas are limited in ITF.  According to the International Taekwondo Federation Tournament Rules (Ref. 1), the following are permitted areas (targets):

T33. Target Area

• Head at the front, sides and top of the head but not at the back.
• Trunk of the body from shoulder to navel vertically and from a line drawn from the armpit vertically down to the waist on each side (that is frontal area only, excluding the back).

Note, the rules talk about legal hand and legal foot attacks, but no details could be found on what was legal specifically in Ref. 1, but there are specifics on what results in warnings, deductions of points or disqualifications:

T 36. Minus Points/Fouls

• Heavy contact.
• Attacking a fallen opponent.
• Leg sweeping.
• Holding/grabbing.
• Intentional attack to a target other than mentioned in art. T33.

 

T37. Warnings

• Pretending to have scored a point by raising one or both arms.
• Stepping completely out of the ring (both feet).
• Falling down, whether intentional or not (it means any part of the body, other than the feet, touching the ground).
• Faking a blow, pretending to be injured to gain an advantage.
• Intentionally avoiding sparring.
• Adjusting equipment during the bout without the consent of the Centre Referee.
• Unintentional attack to a target other than mentioned in art. T33.
• Pushing with the hands, shoulders or body.

 

T 38. Disqualification

• Misconduct against officials or ignoring instructions.
• Uncontrolled or excessive contact.
• Receiving three (3) minus points/fouls directly given by the Centre Referee.
• Being under influence of alcoholic beverages or drugs.
• Loss of temper.
• Insulting an opponent, coach and or official.
• Biting, scratching.
• Attacking with the knee, elbow or forehead. Causing a KO.

As noted in the blog in November 2015 and repeated here for convenience:

When we spar in HMK, we do limit the permitted area (targets) to some extent and have a couple prohibited acts (more in intermediates class than advanced class until students demonstrate the control required).  Those permitted areas (targets) are in place to ensure the safety of our students.  For safety reasons, we do not allow lower ranked students to strike towards the head until they show control.  Due to the weakness of the knees/groin, we do not permit students to strike each other’s knees or groin but do practice knees as targets in a slow, controlled manner as well as pinning/trapping the knee.  In addition, at the Intermediates level we limit attacking fallen opponents and grabbing opponents.

For advanced students as we practice combat (separate from sparring) which promotes continuing an assault until the opponent is disabled (or the referee determines sufficient damage has occurred) we also allow strikes to the head, attacking fallen opponents, grabbing if it is safe and effective, etc. 

From a HMK perspective where the focus on self-defense and sparring is a form of self-defense (for more information on my views of sparring versus self-defense, please read my October 2009 blog, “Sparring vs Self Defense”, www.hanmookwan-svl-chiefinstructor.blogspot.com/2009_10_01_archive.html), limitation of techniques, target areas, etc. limit’s a person’s effectiveness to defend themselves.  So, for any reason other than safety, if you are training for self-defense purposes, I believe you should minimize any limitations of techniques (weapons) or permitted areas (targets).

2.      Forms (Hyung)

ITF currently has 24 forms and is said to be symbolic of the 24 hours in a day. The names of these patterns typically refer either to events in Korean history or to important people in Korean history. Elements of the patterns may also be historical references, such as the number of moves, the diagram, and the way the pattern ends, and so on. (Ref. 2).

“The names of the patterns are derived from the most illustrious people to have been produced by nearly five thousand years of Korean history. A proper understanding of the patterns leads inevitably to the realization that Taekwon-Do is a martial art to be used only for self-defence and only in the cause of justice” (Ref. 3).  Unlike WTF and similar to HMK, ITF forms are intended to be another means to practice techniques whose purpose is self-defense.  In Choi’s words, “I created a wide variety of techniques that can be used in almost any situation. (Ref. 3)”

As noted in the blog in November 2015 and repeated here for convenience:

HMK teaches 15 forms (hyung).  The history and genesis of the forms is from Okinawan and Shotokan Karate.  To learn more of the origins of the HMK forms, refer to my three part blog series Origins of HMK Forms - Part I, II and III posted in Feb 2010 (www.hanmookwan-svl-chiefinstructor.blogspot.com/2010_02_01_archive.html), March 2010 (www.hanmookwan-svl-chiefinstructor.blogspot.com/2010_03_01_archive.html), and Apr 2010 (www.hanmookwan-svl-chiefinstructor.blogspot.com/2010_04_01_archive.html), respectively. 

3.      Ranking

As noted in the blog in November 2015 and repeated here for convenience:

 Until the late 1800’s, there were no belts at all worn as part of martial arts uniforms, then there was black, then black and white and then additional colors were added.  One reason for adding colors was to encourage students (mainly children who tend to require more constant feedback to assess their abilities).

ITF appears to have a standard of 11 ranks (belts) (including stripes): White Belt, White Belt Yellow Stripe, Yellow Belt, Yellow Belt Green Stripe, Green Belt, Green Belt Blue Stripe, Blue Belt, Blue Belt/Red Stripe, Red Belt, Red Belt/Black Stripe, and Black Belt (up to 9^th degree).  Each belt color is symbolic and represents continued growth and maturity.   Interesting note on the ITF Wikipedia page (Ref. 3), each belt has a minimum enrollment time requirement. If you add up the minimum time, then it would take at a minimum of 43 months before one could become a black belt.  The process and promotion to black belt is also standardized, and qualified instructors may test up to one half of his/her holding degree  (e.g., 4th degree may grade students up to 2nd degree and a 6^th degree may grade students up to 3^rd degree).  However, promotion to 7th degree or above must be done by the ITF's Master Promotion Committee. 

As noted in the blog in November 2015 and repeated here for convenience:

HMK has six (6) ranks (five different belt colors and one which has a stripe).  When the Sunnyvale HMK Club was founded, the founders were adamant that we limit the number of ranks/belt colors.    For the most part, various colors were introduced for instructors to indicate a student’s level, other students understand that level so they can train with them appropriately.  And so students understood their ranking and receive feedback on the intermediate improvements from beginner to a first degree black belt.  Also, rankings provide an indication of various levels of skills which helps students to understand who are the upper rank students are to take any queues from.   

In addition, HMK Club has no minimum requirement for time in a rank before they are eligible to be promoted to the next rank.  We do, however, have a minimum time in the dojang under a certified instructor before we allow one to test each session.  In addition, Club Members testing at any rank of black belt must be judged by two black belts (interim or above) of higher [point score] rank under the guidance of the Chief Instructor.

As noted in the blog in November 2015 and repeated here for convenience:

 For more details on the history of belts and rankings please read the June 2012 blog, “History of Belts and Rankings”, www.hanmookwan-svl-chiefinstructor.blogspot.com/2012_06_01_archive.html.

While HMK is different than both ITF and WTF, it is closer to ITF in philosophy.  While ITF does advocate that part of learning the art is a sport, the philosophy of ITF is structured around learning self-defense for self-protection purposes only. 

Regards,

Kelly

“If we consider ourselves as one with Taekwon-Do, we will respect it as we respect our own bodies and Taekwon-Do will never be used in a dishonourable way.” ~ Choi Hong Hi (1918-2002), South Korean army general and founder of International Tae Kwon Do Federation (ITF).

References:

1. ITF World Junior & Senior Tournament Rules – Rules and Regulations, January 2013, www.tkd-itf.org/competition/#rules-regulations.  Retrieved 10 April 2016.
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Taekwon-Do_Federation. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
3. "Taekwon-Do" (The Korean Art of Self Defence) by Choi, Hong Hi, 1999

ITF Compared to HMK (Part I of II) - Chief Instructor's Blog April 2016

In a two part blog in October and November 2015, I shared my thoughts on how Han Moo Kwan (HMK) was different from World Tae Kwon Do Federation (WTF).  Starting in this blog and concluding in next month’s I will attempt to share how HMK is different another large TKD association: International Tae Kwan Do Federation (ITF).  In the first part of this blog, I will provide a brief overview of how ITF came to be, name the key areas where ITF and HMK are different, and describe the first two areas where we differ. 

General Choi Hong Hi was also the founder of one of the original kwans Oh-Do-Kwan and was quite active in collaborating with other founders of the other kwans to unify Tae Kwon Do thorough a newly formed Korea Taekwondo Association (KTA).  Choi was the first President of the KTA.  In 1965, Choi (who was Korea’s country's first ambassador to Malaysia) was appointed by the Korean government to lead a goodwill mission to West Germany, Italy, Turkey, United-Arab Republic, Malaysia, and Singapore.  This trip was significant in that, for the first time in Korean history, it declared Taekwondo as the national martial art of Korea.  Choi returned to Korea and stay briefly to start an international branch of the KTA, but was not successful.  On March 22, 1966, General Choi Hong Hi formed the ITF in Seoul, Korea, with the consent of nine countries.  You can read more about the history and details of ITF on their website (Ref. 1) or on the HMK website (Ref. 2).

 The key differences between HMK and ITF are:

 

1. Focus
2. Style
3. Sparring differences/rules
4. Forms (Hyung)
5. Ranking

Focus

Similarly to WTF, I believe much of the differences between ITF and HMK, stem from the difference in their focuses.

Similarly to WTF, one of ITF’s goals was to spread the art form internationally and a great way to exhibit and demonstrate is to hold competitions.  However, ITF is different than WTF in that ITF continues to focus on hands and feet and their competitions include free-sparring, pre-arranged sparring, patterns (hyung), and team patterns.   ITF also focuses on breaking techniques and self-defense. 

The current ITF competition rules, ITF World Junior & Senior Tournament Rules – Rules and Regulations, (Ref. 3) is 21 pages in length covering various topics including but not limited to: Dress, Ring Size, Division of Competition, Point Awards, Warnings, and Disqualifications. 

Based on the competition rules, it appears ITF is focused on speed, precision, and control (but not power).  And while those that learn ITF do also learn self-defense, because they limit the techniques for competition I contend it also limits the effectiveness of the style for self-defense purposes, although maybe less so than WTF since their limitations (targets area and uses of techniques) appear to be less than WTF’s.  In additional, since ITF schools focus on competition and spreading the art form, those schools rarely if ever, teach and practice the energy side.  More on that subject when I go over sparring differences/rules in Part II of this blog.

As noted in the blog in October 2015 and repeated here for convenience, HMK continues to focus on an art form for adults who are more interested in learning and training for self-defense purposes.  In my opinion, competitions have many rules that could be counter to training for self-defense purposes and the two different focuses tend to not mix well.  Because the HMK Club’s focus is on self-defense, we only limit a few techniques or targets for safety reasons.  In addition, in HMK the energy side is taught and considered a critical skill to be able to demonstrate to progress in the art form.  You can read more about what sets HMK apart from other schools on the HMK Association About Us webpage (Ref. 2).  In fact, HMK Club members would probably not do well in competitions – mainly due to the rules. 

Style

ITF teaches and expects their students to use a wave movement for the development of power by generating a maximum of speed and mass through relaxation, breathing, and hip movements.  This concept, called the Theory of Power, was introduced by Choi as both a scientific explanation on where the power comes from and as a way to explain how to develop (more) power in the techniques.

HMK is very linear and expects students to be grounded for the entire technique and transition, and never “relax”.  From our perspective this wave movement would result in being vulnerable at the peak of the wave.  In HMK we teach students to develop more power through cultivating internal and external energy versus body movement. By doing so, physical size and strength have little to do with generation of power.

In part II of this blog, I will discuss the other three areas where HMK differs from ITF.

Regards,

Kelly

"To help others to develop and succeed in life is a reward itself and only has value when nothing is expected in return." ~ Choi Hong Hi (1918-2002), South Korean army general and founder of International Tae Kwon Do Federation (ITF).

 

References:

1.      ITF History webpage,  www.tkd-itf.org/about-us/about-itf-taekwon-do/our-history/

2.      Han Moo Kwan Association About Us webpage, www.hanmookwan.org/about_us.htm

3.      ITF World Junior & Senior Tournament Rules – Rules and Regulations, January 2013, www.tkd-itf.org/competition/#rules-regulations

Six Rules - - Chief Instructor's Blog March 2016

In Gichin Funakoshi’s book, “Karate-Do My Way of Life”, he writes of the six rules of Karate-do (although only five rules are actually noted).  These rules are applicable today to any martial art as they were when Master Funakoshi wrote the rules over 40 years ago.

The rules are:

1.      You must be deadly serious in training.

In studying a martial art, you are training to protect yourself. 

Brian Rainie tells a story of training with Mr. Kim , “If I used something that was not effective he would turn to me with those very cold eyes and simply say “You’re dead.”  Nothing drove it home faster, or more effectively, than those two words.”

In order to be effective in your training you must focus while practicing as if you are in every instance protecting yourself and your life may be on the line.  This will make the most out of your training. 

2.      Train with both heart and soul without worrying about theory.

Students can get wrapped around the axel about why something works or get concerned they are not learning something as fast or as well as they think they should.  If one continues to train and practice, concepts will be revealed in time to where a student understands it.  And in time, techniques that seemed impossible to master become second nature.  I can still remember the first time I was shown our side kick thinking I may never be able to throw a side kick.  But over time and through continuing training, eventually I could.  Mr. Kim would just say, “Show Up.  Practice”.  There is nothing more to it.

3.      Avoid self-conceit and dogmatism.

Regardless of the number of years you have practiced or how “good” you think you have gotten, you should always be humble.  Thinking you are better than others can lead to getting injured.  One should never underestimate an opponent.   In addition, you should not be fixed on absolutes.  Getting your mind set in such a way where you do not stay open and flexible in your learning and training will result in stalling out and limiting any further progression in your training.

4.      Try to see yourself as you truly are and try to adopt what is meritorious in the work of others.

We all have our strengths and areas we need more effort.  Mr. Kim would say more often than not on a test form “More Work”.   Ensure you are honest with yourself when you are doing your best and when you are falling short.  You might ask yourself if you are not trying your best, are you really doing yourself a favor or just developing bad habits? 

Emulating others who demonstrate effective techniques (as long as it works for your body type and is equally effective) is always encouraged. 

5.      Abide by the rules of ethics in your daily life, whether in public or private.

Martial artists are honorable and live by ethics.  They abide by ethics in all things they do regardless of place or time.  Martial arts, at its essence, is a way of life not something one does two or three times a week.  This rule of all the rules is probably the most important.

Many of these rules should sound familiar if you have been in class for some time or have read some of my previous blogs.  While I may not have used the exact words Master Funakoshi has used, the rules are fairly universal in traditional martial arts. 

I encourage you all to think about these rules and how you are applying them in you practice and if not, when will you start?

Regards,

Kelly

"With Karate-Do, by extending help to others and by accepting it from them, a man acquires the ability to elevate the art into a faith wherein he perfects both body and soul and so comes finally to recognize the true meaning of Karate-Do." ~ Gichin Funakoshi (1868-1957), founder of Shotokan Karate

References

1.  Karate-Do My Way of Life by Gichin Funakoshi

Be Like Bamboo - - Chief Instructor's Blog February 2016

I have mentioned in class on many occasions we need to be like bamboo in our practice (and in life, but that is another blog for another time).  For this blog, I am going to explore some of the keys attributes of bamboo and why being like bamboo is so beneficial to your martial arts practice.

1.      Flexible

Bamboo is extremely flexible.  It can withstand extreme environments (wind, snow, etc.).  It does so by bending with the wind or bending underneath the snow, but then becomes upright again, standing tall and firm.  In martial arts, we can be rooted and grounded without being stiff.  If you are stiff, it is harder to move and it will make it more difficult to defend and attack.

2.      Strong (even if it does not appear so)

Based on its size and how it moves, bamboo may not appear to be strong and yet Bamboo has a higher compressive strength than wood, brick, or concrete and a tensile strength that rivals steel [Ref. 1].  Appearances can be deceiving.  As martial artists we should not pre-judge what we are capable of (keeping an open mind as noted by #3 Hollow Trunk) and do not pre-judge an opponent of what they are capable of.  The first will limit our progression in the art form, the second could result in injury or damage.

3.      Hollow Trunk

Bamboo has hollow trunks.  To grow as a martial artist it is very important to always create space in our minds to new concept, ideas, skills, etc. The hollow truck can be viewed as a representation of that space we must create in our minds to continue to grow.

4.      Always Ready

Bamboo can grow anywhere, is durable, resilient, and can survive some of the harshest conditions (bent and buried in snow but then bounces upright and straight once the snow melts).  Bamboo is ready regardless of the conditions to persevere and is always ready for what environment it encounters.  Aikido master Kensho Furuya in Kodo: Ancient Ways [Ref. 2], states it best by saying, “The warrior, like bamboo, is ever ready for action." 

Regards,

Kelly

“Notice that the stiffest tree is most easily cracked, while the bamboo or willow survives by bending with the wind.” ~ Bruce Lee, (1940 –1973) American-born Chinese Hong Kong martial artist, actor, and founder of Jeet Kune Do

References:

1.      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bamboo

2.      Kodo: Ancient Ways by Kensho Furuya

3.      http://www.presentationzen.com/presentationzen/2010/07/be-like-the-bamboo-trees-lessons-from-the-japanese-forest.html

4.      http://www.slideshare.net/bright9977/15-great-lessons-from-a-bamboo-tree

 

What Makes a Good Instructor-Student Relationship- - Chief Instructor's Blog January 2016

Learning a martial art takes time and effort; it is a lifetime pursuit and the skills and concepts are not learned in a six week training session.  While at an advanced level, much of the training is individualistic and requires self-reflection and self-study, for lower ranked students the instructor-student relationship is critical in the training.

For a student to progress in the art form, it is important that the instructor is knowledgeable in the art form, passionate in teaching the art form, an able instructor, and possess a continuous learning mindset: open to continually learning about themselves as a practitioner of the art form as well as an instructor.   And for a student to progress in the art form, a student must be motivated, excited to learn the art form, and willing to be open to the teachings. 

The relationship between the instructor and student is also critical for both parties to be successful in their roles.  For me, the two most important factors that make a successful instructor-student relationship and enhance both the teaching and the learning for both are trust and a student meeting an instructor halfway.

Let’s start with trust. 

As stated many times in class and other blogs, Han Moo Kwan is an art form to be used strictly for self-defense and can cause significant damage and harm.  So, as instructors, we build a relationship of trust with a student since we must learn to trust students to use the skill and information learned only as it was intended.  If an instructor does not trust a student, they will either not instruct them anymore or only provide limited information which will limit the student's progression in the art form.

On the flip side, the student must trust the instructor.  The student must trust the instructor will not harm them directly or indirectly in class, the student must trust the instructor is sharing information as needed or when they think a student is ready for it, and most importantly for me, the student must trust that the instructor is knowledgeable in what they are instructing and even if the student does not understand the information today, eventually they will.  If a student doubts an instructor’s information as accurate or believes it is incorrect, then a student will not benefit from the information and it will limit their progress.  If an instructor senses or knows a student does not trust the information they are being provided, eventually the instructor may stop providing information to a student.

This leads to the concept of students meeting their instructor half way.

Learning a martial art is a lifetime of study and practice.  Instructors have a wealth of information to share and as stated above, they should be continually perfecting their instruction techniques.  Students should show interest in what is being taught and be attentive at all times.  Students should take the information and practice on their own coming back to the instructor asking for more details and information to refine their skills.  Students should have an inquisitive attitude toward the art form and seek to understand and learn as much as possible from their instructors with the understanding that becoming proficient in the art form is an evolution and, as they grow, more details of the art form will be taught and uncovered.  Those students who do not practice on their own and those students who want to be spoon fed the information will limit their progress.  This is due in part because an instructor has limited time and can never cover every minute detail or have time to continually cover the same information over and over again.  In cases such as these, an instructor may eventually choose to spend more energy with other students who are making an effort and demonstrating they value the instructor’s time and information.

I encourage instructors and students alike to evaluate their relationships with each other and determine where there can be improvements to get the most out of our time in and out of the dojang.

Regards,

Kelly

“The test of a good teacher is not how many questions he can ask his pupils that they will answer readily, but how many questions he inspires them to ask him which he finds it hard to answer.” ~ Unknown

References

1. Kodo Ancient Ways by Kensho Furuya