Most Martial Artists will agree with me that there is one question that we will inevitably be asked. We are always annoyed by this question, and there is seemingly no right answer to it. The question takes one of two forms. The first form of the question is, “So, do Continue Reading
Philosophy
Abdominal Breathing in Everyday Life – Not Just in Martial Arts
When was the last time you paid attention to how you breathed? It’s one of those autonomic body functions that we take for granted until we find ourselves in a situation where that very function is put at risk, such as during a taxing exercise, when we are under duress, Continue Reading
Shake up Your Schedule – You Might be Stuck in a Rut
So at the beginning of the year, my instructor decided to move our Hap Ki Do Classes to Thursday nights. Initially, I was hesitant about this change, as I had a very steady routine of going to work, assisting with class, then going home for dinner and chores. Admittedly, Thursdays Continue Reading
In Order to Go Fast, You Need to Go Slow
When I first started training, there was a single black belt in the class that my instructor referred to as “Steve the Marine”. I’m not sure if he actually was a marine, but he had crisp technique, a no-nonsense attitude, and very hard shin and forearm bones. He provided a Continue Reading
Our Friends and Who We Associate With
While reading through Malcom Gladwell’s Tipping Point, one point that he made really stuck with me. He points out that those with whom we spend the most amount of time and build connections are not necessarily those that share the same values with us, but rather those that partake in Continue Reading
The Meaning of Dojang
We discussed the Meaning of Do here, and if you haven’t had a chance to read it yet, I highly encourage you to do so before continuing on. This is because the “Do” in “Dojang” is the same character, and it is critical to understanding “Do” first to truly appreciate Continue Reading
Bruce Lee’s Take on Sparring
After enjoying the book Bruce Lee Artist of Life and using its takeaways towards my 4th Dan Thesis, I decided to purchase Bruce Lee Jeet Kune Do by the same author, John Little. The former book dives into Lee’s personal philosophy for life, whereas the latter book dives into his Continue Reading
Meaning of “Yin” and “Yang”
The terms “Yin” (or “Um” in Korean) and “Yang” have become commonplace in our modern Western culture, and whenever anyone uses these words, it is mostly used to contrast two individuals or two objects. The Yin and Yang symbol is commonly represented by a white and black circle, as shown Continue Reading
Find Solace in Solitude
One of my favorite parts about martial arts is how individualized it is; many other physical activities are team-based. While we do utilize partner work in martial arts, a majority of our training and progression in skill comes from working on your own. Everyday you train you are aiming to Continue Reading
The Meaning of Cho
Learning to count is one of the first things one learns when learning a language, whether it is their first or tenth. It was no different when I began training Tang Soo Do; while I am fluent in Japanese, the Korean language is quite different enough that it took a Continue Reading