Meditations: a martial art teacher’s thoughts.
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New Year, New Practice
You probably know the symbol at the center of the Korean flag as Yin and Yang. Those are the Chinese words for the concept that could be defined as “Universal Balance”. In Korean, they are known as Um and Yang and those are the words we use in class. Light and dark, male and female,…
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White Belt Kicking Drill
This is the first in a series of video posts. This little drill gives the White Belt student all the kicks that she needs to learn for her level. Of course, additional kicks may be taught, but these are the ones used in the White Belt curriculum. All kicks should be at least belt high. Some will…
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Students or Members?
As I work on longer, more involved articles, I wanted to take a moment this weekend to share some perspectives with my students and parents. I have shared this before, but it’s critical. Thanks for taking a minute
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Thoughts on Martial Art Testing
I have found through bitter experience that talking too early about Blackbelt Testing scares students away. As a new instructor, I used to think that the idea of being a Blackbelt would inspire new students to train and give them something to look forward to. Apparently, that’s not how most people’s minds work. In fact,…
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It Doesn’t Have To Be Perfect
I’ve heard it my whole life. My mom and dad were probably the first to say it. I remember my brother and sister and lots of other kids saying it to me when we played or worked together on projects. Probably every teacher and boss that I ever had said it to me at one…
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Su Suhk Kwan Jang Nim Sung Nin Suh Performs Ki Cho Hyung (White Belt Form)
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The Notebook
I wish I was better at taking notes. I wish that I had thought to take notes from the beginning of my martial art career. My first Kuk Sool Won seminar I was still a white belt, and Kuk Sa Nim gave a lecture and said things that I’ve never heard him say since. I…
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Advanced Myofascial Release Technique
This is an advanced version of the myofascial release that we did in class the other day. This focuses on releasing the hip to relieve tension in the lower back. There’s a TON of stuff online about it if you’re interested in going farther (and I recommend that you do). Let me know what you…
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Simple, But Never Easy
I’ve been working on some very time-consuming projects lately and have ignored my blog. I have missed three posts in a row, and that’s just not acceptable. I need to continue to make time for this, as well as my other business-related writing and creative writing. And that kind of comes down to the topic of this…
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Martial Art Endurance Training
If you are a student of mine or a reader of this blog, then you know that I’m working hard on endurance training. That’s what this article is about. There’s a kind of “hierarchy of needs” to martial art training. When we come in as a White Belt, everyone has a different level of talent, knowledge,…
Got any book recommendations?