How many days a week do you train?
You may find yourself thinking you aren’t training enough, maybe too much, or any amount in between. However, notice I didn’t ask ‘How many days a week do you go to class?’. What are you like on the days where you’re not in the studio? What about the interactions you make throughout your day when you’re going through your usual routine? In other words, do you conduct yourself as a martial artist all the time?
The word “Do” in many arts (Tae Kwon Do, Tang Soo Do, Hapki Do, Aiki Do, etc.) refers to a way of life. They acknowledge the fact that the benefits of training seep into all aspects of your life and mind. You train your physical body, and in the process, your conscious mind as well. In a continual process of becoming an overall better person, you can then begin to have an overarching sense of awareness of your actions at all times.
As part of our black belt oath in Tang Soo Do, we say we will “forever conduct all [our] affairs, both public and private, in accordance with the invincible spirit of Tang Soo Do” [1]. Obviously, this is taken with a grain of salt, as you don’t have to go through life feeling the need to continuously prove yourself to your art. However, you can use it as a guideline. Try to stay connected with yourself throughout your day. Start with something simple. Where is your body weight when you walk? Do you favor one leg as you stand in place? Just as we do when we train, you want to be aware of your body and muscles, especially the ones that keep you grounded. Do you take heavy steps, or are they evenly dispersed as you walk? I’ve heard it said that you should be able to tell who is a martial artist just by the way they walk.
This awareness also applies to what you do and say. How do you treat the person taking your order in the drive-thru? What do you do if you see a piece of trash on the ground? Are you a cheerleader for your friend’s successes, or do you find yourself being constantly jealous and condescending towards them? Do you only see the world through your own perspective, or do you actively seek to understand others’ struggles when they open up to you? Do you act on emotion or logic?
There isn’t necessarily a right or wrong answer to these, some of them don’t have a binary answer anyways. But something to keep in mind, as the martial art has been passed down through centuries, creating great leaders, mentors, and warriors, how do you fit in? Martial artists help people; help them grow, learn, and find the best versions of themselves. What are you doing to keep that alive?
Overall, are you consciously trying to make the world a better place for you and the people around you?
Source: [1] “Black Belt Oath.” Tang Soo Do: Korean Martial Arts: Black Belt Manual, The World Tang Soo Do Association, 1984, p. 87.
