Students’ Thoughts and Insights

Keep Learning

Gihan Fellah

The wind blows all around us, swirling the leaves this way and that way. _It is ever changing, always in motion, unpredictable._Even when it appears to be calm and still, the air is still moving and circulating around us. _This reminds me of our ever flowing energy, and also the ever moving techniques in the martial arts. It reminds me of our ever changing lives; how one decision can change the events in our lives in waves that are inconceivable. I recently made a decision to take a different position with my current employer, Mosaic. Formerly, I worked full time as a direct care giver. Now, I am employed part time as the administrative technician and provide direct care only on an on-call basis. It has proven to provide a wealth of learning possibilities that I never would have imagined.

Working for Mosaic over the past 3 years, a non-profit organization that advocates and cares for the developmentally disabled, has shown me the many faces of “man.” I’ve witnessed just about all the ranges of a persons mentality; how deceiving people can be, how “burnt out” one can become, how unfair companies can treat their employees, how people use one another, and on how the ugliness can come forth out of a person. I’ve even been in situations where my Tang Soo Do training came in very handy. But it has also shown me the needs and desires of people, openness, the raw emotions of someone, the beauty in helping a person in need, how a simple act of kindness can go a long way. I’ve learned that some people with developmental disabilities can function nearly as well or better than those who are “normal”, and that those who cannot do anything for themselves still have contributions to make. They also have emotions, desires, and the need for respect from others, just like every one else. I’ve also learned to be thankful in whatever circumstance I might find myself in, because at least I can still make my own choices to improve a situation. At my job, I can connect with the employees who work in various roles such as those who work one-on-one with the persons in service (because I do too), with the administrative staff, and with the population that we serve. I’m thankful for this, and am learning to recognize how good a skill this is. Then of course, there are all the administrative skills, accounting skills, computer programs skills, human recourse skills, etc…

So, I guess where this is leading, is that when opportunities present themselves to learn new things, take advantage of the opportunity. Always be open to change, and look for meanings that are deeper than the obvious.

The Best Medicine

Robyn Gray

They say laughter is the best medicine, and I would probably have to agree. Laughter can make you forget about your problems even for a little while, and it can help you get through those problems or difficult situations. It helps reduce stress so that you can live a long, happy and fulfilling life. If this is true, then I wish people would laugh more, because life really is too short. Laughter can come from a movie, the Sunday morning comics, something a funny little animal does, your children, an expression on someone’s face, or something that someone says. Here are some humorous quotes from well-known authors, politicians, comedians, historians, etc.:

“Always do right… this will gratify some people and astonish the rest.”

“Teamwork is a lot of people doing what I say.”

“As a child, a library card will take you to exotic far away places. When you’re grown up, a credit card does it.”

“It isn’t pollution that’s harming the environment; it’s the impurities in our air and water that are doing it.”

“Do Lipton employees take coffee breaks?”

“Birthdays are good for you. Statistics show that people who have the most live the longest.”

“Giving up smoking is the easiest thing in the world. I know because I’ve done it a thousand times.”

“Human beings are the only creatures on earth that allow their children to come back home.”

“We spend the first 12 months of our children’s lives teaching them to walk and talk and the next 12 telling them to sit down and shut up.”

“Dear Lord, I pray for the wisdom to understand my man, love to forgive him, patience for his moods, because if I pray for strength I’d beat him to death.”

“Men who have a pierced ear are better prepared for marriage… they’ve experienced pain and bought jewelry.”

“A man explained inflation to his wife: “When we were married, you measured 36-24-36. Now you are 42-42-42. There’s more of you, but you’re not worth as much.”

“Never believe anything in politics until it has been officially denied.”

“Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you’re a mile away and you have their shoes.”

Why I train in Tang Soo Do

Brian Brogren

When I chose the art of Tang Soo Do, and half of it I didn’t choose, but it happened by meeting Mr. Speaks. After knowing him for about a year, I finally wanted to go see him train in his art at the USJA. After watching him for about a week, I finally stepped up and told him that I would like to train in the school with him. After the first class of participating, I loved it. The art of Tang Soo Do was really the first type of Karate that I was introduced to. After I familiarized myself with it, it was great to be finally doing something cool like that.

I’ve chosen to practice in this school because of many different reasons. First off, my dad was one of the students, and now instructors of the school, so that made me feel welcome. Another reason why I chose to train in this school is because I liked the instructors “right off the bat”. They were nice and accepted me rather than asking me a lot of questions and eyeballing me for imperfections. I also liked the school due to the fact that I met friends during the first days of my training. The last reason I train at the Center for Aikido and Tang Soo Do Studies is the wonderful atmosphere. The students are nice and the studio is well kept.

Our school varies from other schools of self-defense and other arts in several different ways. In our school, we focus on spiritual, intellectual, and physical improvement. However, other schools may only focus on physical or mental improvement. I don’t believe that other schools practice all three of these concepts. I also believe that we focus more on the art than kicking bags or kicking each other all the time. We do free-matching and bag-work sometimes, but we don’t make a daily routine of it. Also, I believe we focus a lot on Ki. I don’t think that other schools focus that much on it, or they simply don’t even know about it. This concludes why I train in the Art, in the school, and my views on other schools.

Tang Soo Do Newsletter Article

Jason Lew

I began training in Tang Soo Do with Mike Parenteau in February 2006 in Longmont, CO. This is my first extended martial arts experience, having done a very brief stint in Tae Kwon Do in high school. I have always been active in sports and interested in martial arts, but for various reasons, never fully got involved. Working with Mr. Parenteau, this presented a good opportunity to give martial arts a try.

I have been training now for 5-6 months and have so far enjoyed the experience. With Mr. Parenteau’s excellent teaching, we plan to test for my next belt in August.

My original reason for getting involved with martial arts was for the physical fitness. However, I have quickly realized that there is much more to martial arts than just working out. I believe a very important characteristic of martial arts is respect. Respect for your school, instructor, classmates, martial arts traditions, yourself, and more. This can then be carried over to improve other parts of one’s life. As I become more involved with Tang Soo Do, I hope to continue to develop skills that will be useful in all aspects of life.

Instructors’ Thoughts

Thank You Letter

Vernon Medeiros

A heartfelt thank you to all who attended our August 2006 EXPO,

It is very time consuming to write to each and every one of you individually to thank you for your support during my visit to our Colorado Springs schools Expo. (For some of you the support was in spirit because you were not able to attend in person)

I thank Mendiola Sensei for accepting our invitation and for bringing his tired students (they held their morning class before coming to our Expo) to another long workout with me and my notions of how Aikido training is done at our school.

I wish to thank Mr. Scott Arnold for being my special guest for our Tang Soo Do group. Scott and I go way back! 19 years to be exact! I know you would have liked to have trained but I needed you to observe the students and soak it all in.

This was a great opportunity for me because I got to see Scott and Susan and meet Scott's Instructor from their Fountain Valley, Colorado school. I found their students to be very attentive and open to learning different things that I showed. I do not recall doing anything physically difficult but I do feel the concept is difficult to understand fully in such a short time period.

I thank Mike and Jane Parenteau (Sabom Parenteau) for taking care of the presentation and design of our school banner. I was impressed to see our name up on the wall. Mike and Jane always must drive 4 hours just to attend our functions.

I thank Hal Render Sensei for believing in me and keeping the spirit of Aikido alive in Colorado Springs. Hal and I have often spoke about the difference between a person knowing a martial art for themselves and the effort which is required to provide a place to practice an art.

I would like to thank Sam George Sensei for keeping his physical center (HARA) even though the world around us does not. The secret to martial arts success is to keep training. Saturday, the 12th of August, you and I added another training day to our personal log book.

Thank you Kyosah Tim Speaks. I enjoyed seeing your display of our schools history and instructors spread out across the walls of the gym. I did not have the time to read them but I sure liked how nice it looked. I was very impressed with your Friday evening class. Keep up the effort you are expending in teaching the art of Tangsoology. As I watched your class, I felt as if I were in San Diego watching the Institute of Tangsoology's classes when one of Master Lee's students was teaching. This is the reason I did not wish to come in and intrude. I thought my presence might disrupt the flow.

Thank you Kyosah Jude Miller for being my personal escort while in Colorado. For all that you have done for our school, Expo and for taking care of Mendiola Sensei. Great things happen because you care.

I wish to thank my dear friend Bob Labelle and his family for taking time from their busy schedules to come see an old friend. Bob and I met at Debra Noblett's Dojo back in 1987.

I thank Brad Piers-san for all the support he gives to our school. (He was the guy minding the table.) Brad covers a lot of geographical territory during his work week, yet always manages to train after a long drive. My hope is your injuries will heal and you can physically train again. I know you will continue to train in the mental aspects of our art for they are just as important as the others. You have great opportunity to practice because of all the driving you do in your job. Your Ki will develop and help to heal your body. The 5 principles can be practiced while driving.

I thank Jack Hoyt San for coming back off the road to attend the event. It was good to see your Aikido has improved. Keep practicing the 5 principles. That is the secret.

Thank you Rob Roberts San for accepting my invitation to reconnect with our school. We need your knowledge, experience and history. You add color to what we are trying to maintain. Practice the 5 principles often because I really believe this is the key to great Ki development.

Thank you, Mark Crary-san. It was great to see you. Your Aikido is improving. Practice the 5 principles and you will continue to progress.

Thank you, Dave Margrave San for being at our expo in spirit. You always manage to remind me of special things that I forget. I appreciate your presence in my life. Will you be able to come to practice in the future? In the mean time, continue to practice the 5 principles. Say Hello to Karen for us.

Thank you, Gihan Fellah for returning to something that you enjoy. Your experience is needed in our school. Our Art flourishes because you take the time to enhance yourself. Keep practicing the 5 principles and you will develop smooth/fast techniques.

Thank you, Brain Brogren for persevering under heavy manners. I understand you're just a teenager, but I must expect the same from you as I would any other student. You have a rare opportunity to practice at a school that is connected to a great history. Keep training. When you are in college then these things we practice will begin to make sense. This is what I am training you for -- to be an exceptional student in High School, College and life.

Thank you, Mark Soppe for enduring the work out. I know during the week you turn in long hours but I am impressed with your willingness to learn a Korean Art. You must have a special interest with Asian culture. Practice the 5 principles and your Tang Soo Do will improve.

To Tip Harris Sensei, thank you for coming out of my past to engage me in the present. It was nice to see someone from Aikido of Pikes Peak attend our event. It has been a long time since I resigned from that school back in the summer of 1991.

I thank Robyn and Pat Gray for allowing Taylor and I to stay at their Bed and Breakfast Inn. Taylor loved the room. I also wish to thank the radio announcer for pulling out of my astral plane seat at 1:39 am. I guess the announcer wanted to bring me down to earth sooner than 7:00am so I would not be late for the Expo.

And lastly I wish to thank my son's mother, who shall remain nameless, for calling me during our event around 2pm and teaching/reminding me of the lessons of compassion, humility and perseverance as I struggle to train in the arts that I love so much.

I am not really sure if I accomplished my objectives, but I do believe everyone who was training learned something new or was reminded of something that they may have forgotten.

Look! I have been studying Aikido and Tang Soo Do for many years and my views change like the wind, however the basic tenets that were taught to me from the beginning have not changed. My belief in peaceful resolutions of conflict were taught to me early on. (Yes! I fail at this from time to time but that is why I continue to train!)

We train in martial arts to enhance our self defense skills, but as time goes on we begin to develop our interest in the arts for larger reasons -- personal refinement as well as loyalty to those who came before. This is why we belong to Traditional Martial Arts schools. Our school gives us a place to practice.

My main Goal at the seminar was to illustrate that traditional training has the depth that commercial schools cannot ever have because we study the art. Commercial schools have the high student enrollment. Traditional schools have low student enrollment. Both types of schools must seek students but traditional schools are sustained by history not movie punch, kick, grapple scenarios. (Mr. Miller knows what I am talking about.)

My experience has been that all schools can show basic stuff but the higher forms and meanings require connections to people who know these things. I have visited many schools out here in Maryland, Pennsylvania and West Virginia and I do not see anything special being taught. The focus is on fighting, or metaphorical self-healing routines. These types of subjects focus are short lived and misleading.

Martial Arts training, as Sabo Sensei communicated to me on the phone in June, is the same thing I have heard Saotome Sensei and Kashiwaya Sensei expose, "self defense for self, self defense for community, self defense for the world." As I said! I think I missed the mark but I will do better next time.

Thank you all for kind support and allowing me to be your Instructor for that day. May we continue to prosper in the light of peace and kindness.

“Take the Opportunity to Train”

Mike Parenteau

We all have issues in our lives. Some are serious, others aren’t. Friends come and go…people, who we hardly know touch our lives and then are gone. What does this have to do with anything? I’ve met a number of martial art practitioners in the time I’ve trained, and it seems that more often than not, there’s an excuse given why they haven’t trained in times of trouble. I had a discussion with a young lady about nine months ago now, and made her cry. The only thing I said to her was that “…you are a talented individual and it would be a shame if you stopped training.” Sometimes going without makes you yearn for it more, yet there is reluctance for whatever reason.

It wasn’t until recently that a new student came walking through the door. Before that, I was training on my own. Training on your own is not an easy task, especially when you feel like you have other issues in your life. But, that’s precisely when you should train, and train harder. Sabom has said many times, “Leave your baggage at the door. It will be there when you leave”, which frees the student of the Art to train and meanwhile, subconsciously think through difficulties and gain a new perspective. Whether some think it or not, training can be cathartic. I would argue that the hardest part is stepping through the door and putting your uniform on.

What Are Martial Arts, and Where Do They Come From?

-A brief Historical Perspective

Tim Speaks

In order to begin discussing the martial arts, a person must first attempt to define what a martial art is. This may seem like a simple task at first, but the term “martial art” is so general that its precise definition depends on the person or practitioner you ask. It is possible however to simply look it up in a dictionary. For example; the American Heritage Dictionary defines a martial art as: “Any of several Asian arts of combat or self-defense, such as Aikido, Karate, Judo, or Tae Kwon Do, usually practiced as sport.” The problem with this definition is its overgeneralization. Certainly, the most well known types of martial arts are those practiced as a sport, yet many martial arts are practiced for reasons unrelated to sportive competition. Also, any type of physical discipline related to group or personal combat can be interpreted as a martial art. This would include such arts as European Fencing and Greco-Roman Wrestling, both of which developed on the European continent, rather than Asia. Nevertheless, for the purposes of this discussion the topic will be limited to the Asian martial arts, their origins, and development.

The martial arts have existed since before the beginning of recorded history in some shape or form. As it was jokingly said by Aikido and Tang Soo Do instructor Vernon Medeiros, “When the first person was attacked by another person, and performed a basic block to protect their self, then counterattacked, they said, “Aha, martial arts!” This amusing description about the origins of martial arts is probably very accurate. Since the inception of formalized warfare, individuals have been looking for ways to improve their odds of success. Sometimes through careful study, sometimes through trial and error, the martial arts were developed and tested on fields of battle.

Said to be the first literary work detailing the strategies of war; Sun Tzu: The Art of War, written in China around 300 B.C.E., details a strategic approach to how the warrior general and his army should enter into battle (Shaw 1). Therefore China is a good place to begin as a source of the first systems of formalized martial arts. Throughout the various dynasties of China, martial arts were being developed and refined into what would later come to be known as Kung Fu by westerners. Several millenniums worth of martial conflict and bloodshed would make China one of the richest proving grounds for innovative forms of human combat.

However, it is difficult, if not impossible, to discuss the development of the Asian martial arts without discussing the philosophies that define them. Various Chinese sages and philosophers would have great impact on the development of martial arts and the Asian culture as a whole. One such sage, known as Lao-tzu, authored a work of Taoist philosophy called the Tao Te Ching, between 403-221 B.C.E. (Shaw 5). In his writings he outlined the Taoist belief that the spiritual warrior should embrace the principle of non-action. This essentially means that the warrior should accept the inevitable changes that come in life, recognize them for what they are, but not get caught up in them. In the Tao Te Ching it is stated: “Soft and weak overcome hard and strong” (Lao-tzu 36). This principle is fundamental to Chinese martial arts in general. A good example of an art that embodies this principle of “soft” is Tae Chi, also known as Tae Chi Chuan.

Furthermore, Confucius, one of the most famous of Chinese Taoist philosophers, stressed the divine qualities of loyalty to the state. He also emphasized the importance of proper social order, such as the young respecting the old. This philosophy was well received by the various Asian regimes as it served to promote a strong sense of nationalism amongst the people of that region. In other words, it did well to discourage public dissention against the government. Confucianism would come to be the defining doctrine of Chinese statesmanship and professional military practice. It would continue to have great appeal and influence on later Chinese, Korean, and Japanese regimes. In traditional Asian martial arts, the hierarchy of practitioners based on age and experience reflects the Confucian doctrines.

Equally important, the ancient Chinese concept of Chi, or Ki, was first introduced in the written text commonly referred to as the Nei Ching. Written down around 300 B.C.E., the Nei Ching takes the form of a conversation between the famed Yellow Emperor, Huang-ti, and his minister, Chi-po (Shaw 9). The Nei Ching describes Chi as the omnipresent universal energy that sustains all life. Furthermore, it gives the first known explanation of the human blood circulatory system, and describes how the invisible force of Chi likewise circulates through the body along “meridians.” As a result, the Nei Ching has led to modern day acupuncture and pressure point exploitation by martial artists.

Yet, perhaps the most profoundly influential philosophy and religion to impact the martial arts is Buddhism. In 520 C.E., the Buddhist monk Bodhidharma, or Daruma in Japanese, traveled to China from India in order to help spread Buddhist teachings to the Chinese. Upon his arrival at the Shong-shan monastery, he found the monks to be in ill health due to the relatively inactive lifestyle of constant meditation and minimalist living. In order to improve their physical condition he taught them a series of exercises that may have been based off of the ancient Indian martial art of Kalaripayit. Some historians consider this to be the beginning of what is known as martial arts today. At this time martial arts began to be practiced by Buddhist monks and common people, rather than just professional military men.

Consequently, many schools of martial arts began to emerge among the various Taoist and Buddhist temples of China; each with their own unique interpretations of martial principles. One of the most famous institutions of warrior monks is the Shao Lin Temple. Their particular system of self-defense is based off the movements of animals and is often referred to as the five animal style or system (Shaw 13). Through their interpretation of various animals defending and attacking in nature, the Shao Lin developed a system of martial arts that is unique and highly adaptive to almost any self-defense situation. Moreover, their high level of mental, physical, and spiritual discipline has gained them world renown for seemingly supernatural feats of strength and agility. Many martial arts claim heritage to either the Northern Shao Lin style or the Southern Shao Lin style of Kung Fu. The primary differentiating factors are that the Northern style utilizes more kicks in offensive defensive applications, while the Southern style utilizes more close in hand techniques (Shaw 13).

Another noteworthy institution of warrior monks that arose in this tradition was the Hwa Rang in Korea during the Silla Kingdom in the sixth century C.E. Their name meaning, “flowering youth”, the Hwa Rang were for the most part a group of adolescences that had been trained from a very early age to be spiritual warriors. However there were also female nuns known as the Won Hwa, meaning “original flower”, who served as the spiritual leaders to the Hwa Rang. The Hwa Rang spent their entire childhood training in all forms of martial warfare. They also studied the Nei Ching and received extensive education on the doctrines of Buddhism. The Hwa Rang spent many years in meditation and were known for their healing skills as well as their fighting prowess.

Additionally, the Hwa Rang were among the first groups to combine the teachings of the Nei Ching with that of Buddhist doctrine and meditation. It is said that due to their understanding of Chi, as outlined in the Nei Ching, and the discipline of non-attachment to the physical body, as taught in Buddhism, they were able perform seemingly supernatural feats. For example, they were said to be able to endure extreme cold and heat unscathed.

Some of the Hwa Rang’s more noted contributions were the development of Soo Bak, Kup Sul, and Yu Sul styles. Soo Bak was a hand-to-hand combat style designed to kill an opponent with one deadly strike, such as a kick or punch. Kup Sul was the art of disabling an opponent through the exploitation of vital pressure points, as outlined in the Nei Ching. The Hwa Rang were among the first to develop this art of pressure point fighting. Lastly, Yu Sul was a softer grappling style focusing on the utilization of Ki energy as opposed to strength or brute force. Given the continual cultural exchange during this period between Japan and Korea, it is believed that Yu Sul may be a predecessor to Japanese Kenjutsu, the forefather of Jujitsu (Shaw 17). Japanese Aikido, developed by Morihei Ueshiba, is a good example of a “Do”, or “Way”, that has developed with this line of martial arts, implementing the Yu Sul principle of Ki (Medeiros).

In addition to this influence from Korea to Japan, there was considerable influence from the Southern part of China on the islands of Okinawa, located off the Southern tip of Japan. These islands were a coveted maritime vantage point for the warring Chinese and Japanese, changing hands between them many times. As a result, the Chinese martial arts, particularly Chinese Kempo, were propagated to Okinawa’s local inhabitants. In order to defend their homeland from invasion, the Okinawans began to develop the Chinese arts further, according to their unique interpretation. By the 17th century, three major systems of martial arts had developed in Okinawa: Naha-te, Shuri-te, and Tomari-te. Later in the 19th century, these systems evolved into the modern day Shorin-ryu, Shore-ryu, Goju-ryu, and Uechi-ryu systems. Around this time, Okinawan martial arts masters such as Gichin Funakoshi, founder of Shotokan Karate, brought their arts to Japan. As these systems began to be integrated into the Japanese mainland, Okinawan martial arts began to be referred to as “Kara-te”, or “Way of the China hand.” A later interpretation of the Chinese character for “Kara” changed its meaning to “way of the empty hand” (Medeiros). This meaning was intended to emphasize the “unarmed” aspect of this self-defense art.

Furthermore, during the Second World War, Japan occupied the Korean peninsula. The Koreans were subsequently subjected to cultural extermination by the Japanese, who dictated the exclusive practice of Japanese culture and martial arts. Thus, practitioners of Korean martial arts were driven underground or completely out of the country. Some of the Korean men were permitted to practice Japanese martial arts however. After the war had concluded, this Japanese influence remained, and several Korean masters integrated the Japanese/Okinawan arts with traditional Korean arts such as Hwa Rang. The result would be arts such as modern day Tang Soo Do and Tae Kwon Do. However both of these arts bare a strikingly Korean flavor, favoring highly developed kicking more so than their Okinawan counterparts. The art of Tang Soo Do, developed by Grand Master Hwang Kee, is a good example of an art that has Okinawan influence in addition to the Hwa Rang Soo Bak heritage.

In conclusion, a long tradition of cross-cultural “pollination” has occurred over the centuries between the Chinese, Japanese, and Koreans to bring the martial arts to their current state. The intimate relationship between Asian philosophy and the martial arts has facilitated highly developed systems of personal self-defense as well as mental, physical, and spiritual refinement. For these reasons, they have continued to be practiced and refined into modern times. Also, even though they developed in an era were human warfare was conducted without guns or bombs, martial arts continue to have validity, particularly in the area of individual self-defense. In today’s world, the perception of what a martial art is, or should be, depends on the practitioner you ask on a given day.

Opening Old Doors, Exploring Old Rooms

Hal Render

Medeiros Sensei has always encouraged us to practice the five principles:

+ Breath

+ Relax

+ Focus on my one-point

+ Weight Underside

+ Extend Ki

Although I have often tried to do these things, lately I have been putting extra effort into it. At home I have been performing breathing, centering, and ki exercises, and in class I have been trying to emphasize the principles throughout my practice. To my mind, the results have been significant. I feel that my understanding of the principles and techniques has improved along with my performance of the techniques.

For example, by breathing deeply into my center, I increase my awareness of my center and my ability to move from there. I can combine this with synchronizing my breathing and my body motions, both during warm-ups and during the practice of techniques. This increases the power of the techniques and helps to make them smoother and more harmonious. O-Sensei, Tohei Sensei and others have stressed the importance of breath (kokyu) and the development of "breath power" (kokyu ryoku), and my own limited success bears out this out.

Relaxing during class, at home and at work alleviates stress, reduces unnecessary expenditure of energy, and improves my ability to extend ki and to blend with my partner. I believe all aikido techniques are improved if I do them in a soft, relaxed way. Given recent stressful times at my job, I have found the ability to relax to be a huge benefit when trying to stay positive and productive.

Focusing on my one-point (center, hara, or tanden) affects not only how I move but the power I can generate from my movements. It allows me to move in a more powerful way, and it allows me to gather the energy of my partner into my center so that it can be combined with my own. One's center is the spring from which ki emanates, and developing my center provides many, many benefits. It's only too bad that eating doughnuts isn't enough to increase the size of one's center.

Speaking of weight, I have always found “weight underside” to be one of the more elusive and difficult principles to develop and use. I have often watched Medeiros Sensei demonstrate "rooting" exercises, and I have more recently watched videos showing O-Sensei and Koichi Tohei Sensei making themselves immoveable through such exercises. Although I am always impressed by such demonstrations, I found the practice of weight underside to be a challenge. I think that my difficulty arose because I associated "weight underside" with immovability, and I have enough trouble getting my body to move how and where I want without concentrating on making myself immoveable. Lately, I have begun to understand that ‘weight underside’ is not about making oneself immoveable. It's more like being able to increase my mass. It's like I absorb the mass of the earth into my center, and it increases my gravity. I use the rise in my gravity to draw in my partner's energy and hold on to it. Doing it correctly seems to cause subtle yet profound changes in my ability to perform technique. I have found all techniques can be improved with it. I have also found that increasing my "mass" helps to calm my mind, as it makes outside influences (especially stressful ones), seem less important and less noticeable.

Lastly, I have tried to practice extending ki. For many years Medeiros Sensei has made "extend ki" a mantra during class. Over the years, I have tried to do it, and I have met with varying degrees of success. Over the last few months I have increased my efforts at this. In the mornings at home, I practice ki extension while sitting, standing, and moving from different positions. In class during seiza and breathing practice, I concentrate on ki flowing out of my pores into the space around me. While stretching, I think about projecting ki into the body parts I am stretching. While doing warm-ups like rowing (funakogi) and tenkan, I work on extending ki in different directions in accordance with the movement of my body. Finally, during partner practice I extend ki into my partner's center and the surrounding space. Doing all this improves my ability to move, reduces the fatigue accompanying the movements, and improves the "power" of the movements. I am not able to do it as well as Medeiros Sensei, but my own ability to extend ki has improved.

The benefits of doing all this are many and varied. I liken the effort of doing all this to going into a building you know well and opening old doors so that you can explore old rooms. Doing so allows you to rediscover things you thought you had lost. You might even find something you had been seeking but had not found before now.

A Brief Set of Guidelines to Utilize in Tang Soo Do

Jude Miller

Over the past month, I have been stressing a different approach to everyone’s Tang Soo Do development. These concepts are geared towards improving your art, your general health, and well being. Here, I will attempt to intellectualize these methods more so than I do during class. Take note and meditate on these, as the answers are not always easily apparent.

1) Stretching and Flexibility: This is important to increase the body’s default range of motion, which leads to better execution of technique and injury prevention. Without a good range of motion, the body cannot relax or properly extend ki.

2) Execution of “Soft” Technique: It is important to not force or muscle any motion, as this locks up the body and most importantly the mind/spirit (with ideas of winning or domination). Even more interesting is that forcing or muscling a technique can lock up a partner’s or attacker’s body/mind. The body should always be like a whip, only tensing when it strikes out. Just like the running water will wear down a mountain, soft technique will wear down an enraged or overzealous “attacker”. Seek stillness in motion, while seeking motion in stillness.

3) Yielding: Everyone must learn to yield while practicing with others. One must yield physically to prevent injury and to learn how to counter techniques. Even more important, one must yield their mind, so that the spirit is not clouded with ego or petty thoughts of triumph and winning. If the mind is of a giving and yielding nature, it is easier to see “truth”. Not only will you be able to learn more effectively, but so will your partner. Meditate on the saying of “Cooler heads prevail” to understand the self-defense application of this concept. Failing to yield robs not only you, but your partner of good practice.

4) Practice the underlying Principles in all of your endeavors inside and outside of class –

· Ki Extension: It is most important to extend ki in each and every motion. Ki equates to awareness. One must always be aware of every aspect of their training. This includes not only every mechanic of the body, but all processes of the mind, the state of the spirit, and surrounding environments (social or otherwise). The mind must be sharp and focused to visualize execution and penetration of techniques beyond what is physically natural (i.e., touching Pikes Peak with your knuckles when you punch, rooting yourself to the center of the earth when holding your stance, holding down the earth while meditating, etc).

· Relax: One must relax both the body and mind in order to properly stretch, execute technique, breath, yield, clear the mind and spirit, etc. If you are not physically relaxed, you become a slave to your own body. If your mind if not quiet, you become a slave to your own ego and passion.

· Breath: This adds life and ki to all techniques. Breathing helps to relax the body and still the mind. Breathing physically engages the center of the body, developing it both physically and spiritually. Without breath, the body dies. The same holds true for all Do arts.

· Focus on the Center: The body, mind and spirit must remain centered. If the body is not centered it is off balance, which will lead to being countered, falling, injury, etc. Being physically centered is also the basis for all technique. If you cannot move in a balanced and centered fashion, you cannot execute technique. You will simply stress the joints of the body, and eventually injure yourself. All technique comes from the center. A centered mind is devoid of all selfish thoughts and emotions. One must recognize and seek truth in their training and daily lives. If the mind if not centered, this goal cannot be accomplished. An un-centered mind/spirit is like a maze of mirrors.

These four principles are all tied together. The practice of one principle will lead to the practice of all four. The neglect of one of these principles will lead to a collapse of all four. Without these principles, you will simply be a physical fighter who is only as skilled as their youth will allow. “Do” arts are about preservation of life, character refinement, humanity, and servitude. The development of these four principles will allow you continue the pursuit of your art well into old age, in addition to increasing the quality of life and the positive effects of your interactions with others.

Train well, be alert, and be humane. Practice great hope and great patience. It is from personal experience and the teachings of those who came before me that I believe the above concepts will help all students of “Do” to practice a more complete and dynamic art.