Creating success and doing what is right, is a hard task. It takes many things to achieve something great, like hard work, practice, patience, etc. But, before it is possible to begin taking steps to achieve success, one must have belief. Having conviction in your beliefs is essential to having the ability to stand by your beliefs. This conviction is your selfconfidence. As a martial artist this self-confidence is of extreme importance. Because we learn dangerous techniques we have more responsibility to know what is right and live honorably. If we cannot stand by these principles that make up our honor, then we are weak and do not deserve to be called a martial artist. This self-confidence and conviction in the principles that define honor is our foundation. We must maintain a positive and strong mind in order to better cultivate our success and our understanding of our true convictions. If you can manage this, the achievement of any goal is possible. If it is a goal related to your work, to your martial skills, to your personal life, or your family, self-confidence needs to be your starting point. Then combine this with hard work and patience, and your goals and beliefs will become a reality and you will know success.
“A Paragon Black Belt must be strong and have the ability to stand for something� 1982 GRAND CHAMPION MASTER WILLIAM HAUPTMAN CHEIF MASTER ROBERT JAGER
Martial art leaders must possess virtue, because those who follow will learn the virtues of their sunbea. That is why it is so important that Paragon Black Belts are properly qualified. If a sunbae cannot exemplify virtue, they are not teaching a true martial art.
Knowing and understanding are two different things. Wisdom is taking knowledge and applying it into life applications. It is through wisdom that you will achieve a successful life. Too many people assume that they know and are too impatient to discover the truth. The search for understanding is the means of obtaining wisdom. Those who are wise do not proclaim to be so. Those who lack this wisdom speak up and make louder noise in order to cover their ignorance. All the wealth in the in the world cannot buy wisdom. It is a gift of living to those who seek it. The martial artist is not just a fight-
“If the Paragon community wishes to maintain any kind of an honorable identity, we must make sure our Black Belts are virtuous people.�
er, cbut should be a student of life, striving always to better oneself in every aspect. Within this world, there is much to learn, but often humans are like a fish in a small pond. To that fish, the pond is the entire universe. However, there is much more to life outside the boarders of the pond. You should never give up and quit. The proper martial art contains more than just physical techniques; but tenets to live one’s life, hence, becoming a way of life. Spend your lifetime practicing, and follow your art to the highest honorable degree. That is the way of wisdom.
Wisdom is the ability to make decisions considering the past, knowing the present, and understanding the consequences in the future.
There exists many different identities. First -there is a familial identity, second – there is a community identity, and finally there is a country identity. These identities define who we are as individuals. Our lives should be dedicated to the betterment and well-being of our larger identities. When the people of a country have strong loyalty, their country will be strongly built. That is why a country first counts its people’s loyalty. The people must give their respect, their pride, selfless service, selfless duty, selfless cooperation, and if necessary their lives for the countries protection and benefit. The mentalities of martial (military) arts and of military service are the best institutions to learn and develop an individual’s sense of loyalty. Your martial art is also your identity, and its name is just like a country’s name.
Our honor is tied to our identities and the support we give to them. That is why we must have loyalty to our family, loyalty to our community, and loyalty to our country.
An individua’s loyalty should be given towards one’s art and the honor of its name. Loyalty should not be given to one man, but the art itself, just as a citizen of a country should not give loyalty to the one designated leader, but to the ideals of the nation. Even if your master makes a mistake, one should not follow such bad example. Stand strong beside your martial art and selflessly work for the benefit and honor for your next generation of practitioners. In the end, one must take a stand. Stand for what you believe and what group you identify with. As a Paragon Black Belt, give your loyalty and commitment to your art and your community. The success and honor of that one art’s identity is also your success and honor.
1983 GRAND CHAMPION MASTER WILLIAM HAUPTMAN MASTER DALE LEE CRAIG
Positive or negative, the foundation of your mind and heart determines the results of you actions.
With a positive spirit and attitude it is possible to build anything. However, if you have a negative spirit your accomplishments will be few and far between. This perspective of positive and negative can be seen in the son who helps his parents in the garden. The son with a positive spirit sees that he is helping his parents to provide food and benefit for the family. However, the son who has a negative spirit only feels that his efforts and position is that of a slave. As a leader at Paragon Martial Arts it is important that you have a positive spirit.
That way you will complete actions that benefit the entire group. On your way to the top of the mountain, never pull your partners down. If you work in a negative manner, you and your partners will never reach the top of the mountain. On the other hand if you cooperate and help each other up in a positive manner it will be easy to reach the summit. Keep that strong positive framework, and then it will be easy to achieve your goals. Understand and feel the power of these virtues, and you will know the positive spirit.
In order to receive trust from others, one must be honest to oneself and tell the truth. Telling truths are not always an easy matter, but it is always the best way. Then, even being honest requires one to be strong. However, one must understand that there should always be consideration for time and place. What is appropriate at one time in one place is not always true at another time and place. This requires wisdom and compassion. One should not lie because even a 1,000 lies are not worth even a single truth. In addition, one
should not lie; because once you start to lie, you will find yourself covering up your original lies with more false claims and stories. However, if you put forth the truth, you will always find truth in what is given back to you. Stay true to the ranks, titles, and positions you have truly earned. Then you will be respected by who you truly are and after all, isn’t that what we really want?
Honesty is the foundation for trustworthiness.
1884 GRAND CHAMPION MASTER HAUPTMAN GRAND MASTER JEEHO LEE
Never lie about who you truly are. know what you have done, know who you are, and know who you want to be. Then all you need to do is practice and study hard to achieve the results you desire.
One must study equally the combination of academic and martial skills. Then you will truly develop the qualities of a warrior. Most martial arts are proud of their own skills. Nobody can say that their style is the best, because their style has the best method for their particular techniques. However, the level of study and practice are different between individuals. Many martial arts have similar skills in their beginning levels, and differ in variety in their advanced training. Presently there are many people who spend a short time studying multiple styles. If a person studies 5 different martial arts for a two year period each, would they be better than someone who spent the same amount of time, 10 years, studying one martial art?
The answer is no, because the person who only studied one art would have learned the basic and the deeper level of advanced techniques. The study of multiple martial arts for short periods is like licking the surface of a watermelon. Doing this you will never know what delicious fruit lies within. Train hard and do not lie about how long you have trained. Some people say they have trained for ten years, but they have only trained once a week or once every other week for that time period. Others may have only trained for 3 years, but have studied six days a week. Who do you think has real knowledge? Do not be deceived by the amount of time people profess to have studied. Your honor and your position is reflected in the
To uphold morals and honor takes much strength and courage. To fall into evil takes little effort and suffices all the excuses and doubts of the weak-minded. One must learn to stay true to the self and find a group, which most defines their beliefs. Within the human mind, there are two types of courage. One is brute courage, which resorts to violent force. This kind of barbaric courage is a human enemy because of the damage it causes to human society. The other type of courage is the courage of bravery. The ability to endure against all odds, yet stay firm to one’s convictions no matter what the cost. This kind of courage is necessary for every
human society, family, and country. This is what develops the strong mind of a human being. Without this courage, there will never be a strong country, culture, or an honorable identity. It is imperative that martial art practitioners develop this strong courage. Without this courage, a weak individual will always change their attitude to sacrifice their beliefs. Therefore, under any circumstance, show your confidence and speak up about what is just! Always stand strong especially when in the presence of others, and never speak behind their backs.
One of the models of strong Taekwondo courage is,
“IL GEE DANG CHUN” “one horsed warrior against a thousand enemies”
Chief Master Roberts Jager
Master William Hauptman
Grand Master Heaung Ung Lee
CHIEF MASTER ROBERT JAGER 8TH DEGREE BLACK BELT ATA HALL OF FAME ATA MASTER’S COUNCEL (MASTER HAUPTMAN’S INSTRUCTOR)
Perfection of techniques requires deeply ingrained habits, and a mental attitude of thoroughness. Exercises, no matter how many times they are repeated, are a waste of time if they are done incorrectly. The time you spend in the dojang is precious in comparison to the time spent on the outside. The perfection of technique requires that they become second nature and reflexive. If you have to “think” of your response, it is already to late. Perfection in the martial arts is like a jewel. It is merely a rough stone until polished. If it is not polished, no one will know its inner beauty. Training is the same. The Paragon Black Belt is understood to symbolise proficiency in the technical abilities of the art. To demonstrate your proficiency, you will be required to perform all the techniques of a color belt student using Black belt proficiency. PARAGON STRIPE SongAhm #1 SongAhm #2 SongAhm #3 SongAhm #4 SongAhm #5 Basic Progressive Interm. Progressive Adv. Progressive 1983 DUSTIN SCHNURR MASTER HAUPTMAN’S FIRST BLACK BELT
A martial artist’s duty is closely connected to the integrity of the art’s name. Our duty is to proudly develop and build our art’s name in order to give honor to the next generation of practitioners. Your duty is to support your art’s identity in order to maintain quality and to leave a positive legacy. This duty requires that we build a community of martial artists. This way all masters and instructors can work together under one roof to support their art’s reputation and show their loyalty. This type of cooperation will ensure that the quality of the art will be passed on. SONGAHM STRIPE As part of the American Taekwondo Association you must complete the organization’s Black Belt testing requirements. Chung Juhng #1 Specified Board Break Free Sparring
Middle ddeltoid Triceps brachi
The martial artist must be both scientist and artist. He must learn the traditions, theories, principles, laws and techniques upon which martial artistry is based. He must then practice them with passion and discipline so as to properly learn and understand what he is doing. Only then can he master himself and the martial arts. There are three aspects of being, which the martial arts aim to develop: Body, Mind and Spirit. These three aspects must be developed in balance for a person to become properly balanced as a martial artist and therefore as a person. S.T.E.M. STRIPE Our wisdom is in our bodies. You will be asked to identify the major muscles that help us gain power in our in our Taekwondo techniques. This knowledge will help you train the proper muscles and focus on the correct training.
Pectoralis major Serratus anterior External oblique Gluteus maximus
DELTOID
PECT
OBLIQUE GLUTE
Rectus femoris
Gastrocnemius Soleus
QUAD CALF
Trapezius Latissimus dorsi External oblique Gluteus medius Gluteus masimus
OBLIQUE
TRAP
GLUTE
QUAD
Rectus fermoris
Side Kick Reverse Punch Gastrocnemius Soeus
CALF
Haidong Gumdo takes its name from an ancient Chinese name for Korea: hai means “sea” and dong means “east.” Wharang warriors considered the swords a part of themselves and sometimes believed the swords were the soul of their warriorship. Duty and loyalty were a great part fo their philosophy. There way of life ranked them at the top of the social hierarchy in Korea. For the ancient Wharang, the sword could have rank depending on who wielded it and what their purpose was. The highest ranking of these swords was known as the Byeolungeom, literally meaning “cloud-splitting sword.” Only two such swords existed and were wielded by the King’s two bodyguards. WEAPONS STRIPE You will be joining many others who become Paragon Black Belts. As a Paragon Black Belt, you will be required to learn a variety of weapons. To prepare you for this, we ask that you practice and earn your first weapons belt in our sister art of Haidong Gumdo. Your rank will be recognized by the World Haidong Gumdo Federation.
Gumdo Basics Ssangsu #2
In some cases the traditional martial art identity seems to have been totally forgotten. Everywhere there are individuals who have made their own “martial art” or their own “organization.” These actions have only caused conflict between members of the same martial art and have more importantly destroyed their martial art’s identity. These arts have become generic and now it will take great effort for the next generation to rebuild their art’s honor. If these actions continue the public will never trust the martial art community. The martial art community must work together in order to protect itself from the many improper organizations that exist today. We must protect our art’s identities against these dishonorable individuals. Then as a community we can regain our respect and once again work to build a better society. BLACK BELT COMMUNITY STRIPE We ask that you visit and work out in three local, national or international ATA schools. When you travel, or visit local schools, you should have your ATA membership card with you.
Please alert your instructor or your plans, so theiy can call ahead. Call ahead and talk with the Head Instructor or owner to determine class times. Please attend either Black Belt or equivilant classes. Be courteous and represent our school well. If you are taught something that is different than what you have been taught, be polite, perform the technique the way they ask and kiscuss it with you instructor.
During its early years, the ATA used the Chahng-hun style of forms (ITF). But although this style was widely accepted in the Taekwondo community, Eternal Grand Master H.U. Lee felt that its forms did not accurately reflect Taekwondo -- particularly the strength and beauty of Taekwondo kicking techniques. As a result, he believed the forms contributed little to the Taekwondo curriculum. For example, white belts were expected to know front kicks and side kicks, but no front kick appeared until the third (yellow belt) form, and there was no side kick until the form after that! HISTORY STRIPE In 1983 Eternal Grand Master stunned the martial arts community by introducing SongAhm. He and his deciples climed to the top of a local mountain where the style was introduced. We ask that you make that same journey to the top of a local mountain with your friends and a Paragon instructor to recreate the introdcution of our art.
1. Trek arrive to the pinnacle of the mountain 20 minutes prior to sunrise. The journey to the top of the hill should be silent. 2. Line-up wearing your traditional dobok, line up facing the east -- sitting in the full command stance. Anyone can participate, however, the Black Belt candidates should line up in the front behind the instructor. 3. Scrolls of SongAhm at the moment the sun begins to rise, play or read the scrolls of SongAhm. 4. Gong The gong should sound 9 times slowly, representing your 9 ranks of color belt and your nine steps to Paragon Black Belt 5. SongAhm #1 to the East All those in uniform should perform SongAhm #1 four times. Each Black Belt candidate should take turns saying the form. 6. SongAhm #1 to the west: 7. SongAhm #1 to the north 8. SongAhm #1 to the south 9. Signatures Each Black Belt candidate should have their book signed by their Paragon instructor who is leading the Trek.
_______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________ _______________________
Your Health is the foundation from which all your accomplishments are possible. You must demonstrate your commitment to your health and achieving rank as a Paragon Black Belt. Fasting has long been a tradition in the martial arts and spiritual practice the world over. All Master Instructors in the SongAhm Style have to do a full 9 Day fast prior to their induction to SongAhm Master Instuctor. Your instructor will ask all your supporters to join you in your black belt fast to honor your commitment. HEALTH STRIPE You should refrain from eating sugar in the last 30 days leading to your Black Belt testing. This includes candy bars, chips with added sugar, sugary drinks, cake, donuts, and catsup. Pay attention to your body and mind as it changes from sugar burning to fat burning as its primary fuel. Any Sugar craving should let up in 5 days or so. If you experience fading energy carry protein rich snacks (builds muscle) or healthy fat (burn for energy) Avacado and coconut are two healthy fats. High performance athletes have found fat burning metabolism to be optimal for high end physical training and healthy living.
The world needs good teachers who can guide them in the right path. “A teacher affects eternity.” What greater service can one offer to humanity, than to create a positive path for the youth to follow in order to preserve the traditional values of love, respect, and honor. When such selfless deeds are accomplished, the rewards maybe be unseen by the individual, but it’s affect will resonate throughout eternity. SUNBEA STRIPE During your recommended Black Belt period you will be demonstrating that you have mastered the colored belt material. During this period, we you should attend as many lower rank classes as possible to help your underclassman learn through your Black Belt example. During this time we ask that you dig deeper into the techniques that you learned as a color belt and start the process of understanding them as a Black Belt.
Leadership is not about a rank or a designation. It’s about impact, influence and inspiration. Impact involves getting results, influence is about spreading the passion you have for your art. You now have an obligation to inspire! MASTER’S STRIPE The last stripe on your journey to Black Belt will be given to each of you individually by your instructor or master instructor. He or she will try to identify your true passion for the art and give you a task that you will perform at your Black Belt testing that represents your passion for your community and your art.
2002 PARAGON BLACK BELT TESTING LAKEWOOD, CO
Your Instructors Kwan-jan-nim . . . . Head of a school system Tae-Sah-bum-nim . . . . . . . Master Instructor Sah Bum nim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Instructor Bo sah bum nim . . . . . . . . Trainee Instructor Kyo-sa-nim . . . . . Student who is a Black Belt Cho-dan . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1st Degree Black Belt E-dan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2nd Degree Black Belt Sam-Dan . . . . . . . . . . . . 3rd Degree Black Belt Jeja . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Student Weapons Ssahng Jeol Bahng . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Nunchuca Bahng Mahng Ee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stick Jahng Bahng . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Long Staff Misc. Words Tae kwon do . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hand Foot Way SongAhm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pine Tree and Rock Ti . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Belt Dan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (Degree) of Black Belt Gup . . . . . . . . . . . (Grade) Rank of Color Belt Dojang . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Training Hall Dobak . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Taekwondo Uniform Ki-hap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Yell Poomse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Form Joe-mahk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fist Jee-reu-gi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Punch Gyeo-roo-gi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sparring Pilsung . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Victory Mo-ah Seo-gi . . . . . . . . . . . . Attention Stance Shim-sah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Testing
Basic Commands Cheryut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Attention Position Kyung-Ye . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bow or Respect Choom bee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ready Position Baro . . . . . . . . . . . . Return to Ready Position Shia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . At-Ease Shi-Jack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Start or begin Goman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Stop Dora . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . About Face Basic Kicks and Blocks Chah-gi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kick Ap-Chah-gi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Front Kick Yeop-Chah-gi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Side Kick Dol-Reyo-Chah-gi . . . . . . . . . . . . Round Kick Makki . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Block Arae-Makki . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Low Block Eugool-Makki . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . High Block Counting 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hanna 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dool 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Set 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Net 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dah Saut 6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ya Saut 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Il Gop 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Yo Dual 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A Hop 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Yoll Basic Greetings & Acknowledgements Yobosaeyo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hello Suo-gohe-sum-nida . . . . . You have done well Anya-ngi h-asaeyo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Goodbye Nha . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Yes Aeh ne yho . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No Kam sa hahm nih dah . . . . . . . . . . Thank you Chun mun a yoe . . . . . . . . . . . . You’re wecome Korean Pronunciation Guide “Sah-bah-nim Kohm-sah-hahm-nih-dah” Thank you Instructor.” “Chun-Hun-A-Yoe” “You’re Welcome” To bow: “Cher-yut Kyung-yeh”
Think about how much love you have given back to your parents. If it were not for your parents you would not even exist. Think about who gave you your life, and never disobey your parents. Rich or poor, never blame your parents. If you follow their teachings in a good manner, you will never lead a bad life. All a parent wants is a better life for you. Always remember that you must be the model case. Someday you will be the parent and your children will follow your example. If you treat your parents well, then your children will treat you well. Your children learn everything you do. With the help of a Paragon Sunbae, formulate a paragraph written to the people outside of your Taekwondo family who have been instrumental in your achievement of Paragon Black Belt. Outline how they have helped your journey through the color belts. At your testing either you, or one of your family members will be asked to read your words aloud to your those who have helped in your journey -- at testing should be the first time those who you intend to honor should hear your words.
Martial art service is like familial service. If you love your martial art, then you should help each other and share your specialty. It is important to have positive emotion, not negative. Only through a positive way can you build yourself and your art. So under one art’s organization all black belts, instructors, and masters need to volunteer their services and specialties in order to selflessly build their art. That way, their art’s name will be greatly respected by the public and society, and their honor will pass from generation to generation, forever. Furthermore, service and selflessness is what is most noble. With the help of a Paragon Sunbae and your family, we would like you to determine how you can “give back” to the Paragon community. Find a cause that you can make a strong committment to. There are many ways to “give back.” Your gift could be financial, of time, of effort or of enery to your cause. Again be bold and fearless in your decision and actions.
Scrolls of SongAhm Children of Songahm: Listen as I tell about the old times and the new dawn. In those unwritten years, thousands of lives ago, the first Ssu Suhng also came to the mountain. His disciples and most loyal students followed his journey. He was a Master of martial art. Ssu Suhng’s vision was that mortal life is short, yet he had much to do and teach. Would his technique and tradition be lost as the morning mists? There were thousands of techniques and postures for the body in movement. There was a steel-tempering of the heart that could change a man’s way of life. He studied how these lessons could live beyond written words or twice-told tales of olden ways. As a Master Weaver looms fine-spun thread, he wove thoughts across techniques in patterns of art with life. As his students learned the fabric of his art, they could see techniques crossed with spirit... the art would remain in spirit and force long after the weaver was dust. Disciples of Ssu Suhng practiced these patterns woven for them by their Master. And they, in turn, passed them to their juniors, generation after generation. Did that first Master martial weaver realize he had wrought so well his art would live millions of days? Did his spirit touch us as he wove those first patterns for hearts of future generations? For he is with us even today. The techniques are the same in spirit as when he taught them.The tree has grown, but holds the same roots. Other Masters grafted their hearts into the great design.The added new life as parents, and in new generations added to the life of their family; and by adding, making it greater, not less. With dawn drawing light across the sky, I, Haeng Ung Lee, invite you, my disciples, students and family, to join me in a journey through our new day. Families need new generations to live: the spirit of Ssu Suhng needs new enthusiasm and growth to be nourished in us. I am duty-bound by the mantle of mastership to refresh tradition of spirit with knowledge and skills of our new age. A sage said ages past, nothing new lies under the sun. Even in my bound duty to keep Songahm at the peak of this age, it is the technique and tradition of the ages... only the patterns of their weaving are new. As given by that first Master to your seniors, his disciples, I offer this new weave for your futures.Your seniors, too, soon will be with you only in the weave and form created of their spirit for you. I dream that you learn to enjoy each day without thought to merely relieve yesterday for its comforts. To climb the ladder of life or art, the security and warmth of the first step must give way to find a higher level. Come, witness with me this affirmation of our art, heritage and renewal. In the spirit of Ssu Suhng, I bring you “Songahm” to join the east and the west, north and south... a new wellspring to mix and join in a voyage to the stars.
Good Horse, Bad Horse: The Trap of Talent
Talent goes along with mastery. Or does it? Often, yes. But sometimes, strangely enough those with exceptional talent have trouble staying on the path of mastery. Most of the masters in Taekwondo have stressed hard work and experience over raw talent. I have seen so many martial artists with innate ability who just didn’t want to work. They were soon gone. I’ve seen others with no ability to speak of who stayed in the arts and achieve great things. In Zen Mind, A Beginner’s Mind, Zen master Shunryu Zuzuki approached this question in terms of horses. “In our scriptures, it is said that there are four kinds of horses: excellent ones, good ones, poor ones, and bad ones. The best horse will run slow and fast, right and left, at the driver’s will, before it sees the shadow of the whip; the second best will run as well as the first one, just before the whip reaches it skin; the third one will run when it feels pain on its body; the fourth will run after the pain penetrates to the marrow of its bones. You can imagine how difficult it is for the fourth one to learn how to run. “When we hear this story, almost all of us want to be the best horse. If it is impossible to be the best one,
we want to be the second best.” But this is a mistake, Master Suzuki says. When one learns too easily, one is tempted not to work hard, not to penetrate to the marrow of a practice. “If you study the martial arts you will find that those who are not so clever usually become the best martial artists. Those who are very clever with their talent often encounter great difficulty after they have reached a certain stage. This is also true in art and in life. “Sometimes, he argues, the worst horse is the most valuable one.”
This leaves a clear challenge for those with exceptional talent; to achieve your full potential, to get to the marrow of your martial art, you have to work just as diligently as those with less innate ability.
Wharang Code Loyalty to one’s king Obedience to one’s parents Sincerity, trust and brotherhood among friends Never retreat in battle Justice in the killing of living things
Keys to Mastery
It’s easier to get on the path of mastery than to stay on it. The most dedicated martial artist will find pitfalls as well as rewards along the way.You might not be able to avoid all the pitfalls, but you can master the keys to mastership.
Key 1: Instruction Your relationship with your instructor is paramount. Your instructor will teach you as much as you want to learn, however, he/she cannot teach you anything you are unwilling to learn. There are many different ways to do the techniques of taekwondo. One instructor may approach the technique from a self defense aspect, while another will take a more philosophical approach. All are worth learning. Your instructor is there every day anxious to teach, if you are willing to learn. The most frustrating experience for any instructor is to teach the same student, the same thing time and again. The student who learns one concept and applies that concept to every technique, form and sparring combination is the student that the instructor loves to teach.
means balancing, ever balancing. A student who looks at me and says, “I don’t have to work on that, because I already know it,” is not on the road to mastery.
Key 2: Surrender In the Master’s ceremony it is tradition that the Grand Master pour water into the master’s bowl until the bowl overflows. The symbolism that there is an endless amount of knowledge and you are never done is understood by both. You do things your instructor’s way, however, you retain your own authority. Wholeheartedness does not mean giving up your intelligence, or your ability to question what is going on. You come to know which techniques are best for you and which aren’t. You take the teaching and you make your own decisions. Surrender means balancing. Master
Key 4: Mental Discipline At one level, all martial arts refer again and again to attitude, the mental set that we knew in more innocent times as character. It takes character, discipline and mental toughness -- all good old virtues -- to keep working and learning when you are stuck on a plateau, when it would be so easy to slip, stop, get bored and quit. I see many martial artist and I can break them down into four types of students. You will fit one of these archetypes. Needless to say, the mastery curve is the best path to perfection of any task.
Key 3: Practice Practice 5000 times. Perfect practice makes perfect. After 5000 repetitions of one technique you can say that you know the technique. Then you can master. The word practice has a couple of uses. You might call on a verb and the other a noun. The verb is what all know as practicing -- doing your side kick, or form over and over. The noun is having a practice as a life’s path, what the Koreans call do or “the way.” When you practice for nothing in particular, but simply because, in some way, your practice defines you.
Approaches may differ, even compete, but that does not cancel the fact that mental discipline and development, on a misty landscape of interest to only the mystical of athletes, is now in clear view for all of us. The martial arts have for decades been a vehicle for millions of martial artists to master the art and themselves.
ed in the finals at nationals received the title due to a mix-up in the newly established point system. I watched as my opponent received the title for that year. I was later offered to share the title, but pride would not allow me to do so at that time. My instructor, Master Jager, claims that it was at that point that I became a true martial artist. My training turned from training to win Key 5: Don’t Obsess with Goals competitions to training to improve myself and The desire of most Americans for quick, sure, my students. I now wear the title uniform after and highly visible results is perhaps the deadliest over a decade. But the lesson of the competition enemy of mastery. It’s fine for a person to have was far more valuable than the uniform. ambitious long-term goals, but the best way of reaching them is to cultivate modest expecta- Key 7: Play tions at every step along the way. When you’re Some of our best workouts happen when we climbing a mountain, in other words, be aware aren’t even looking. We all started the martial that the peak is ahead, but don’t keep looking up arts for fun and fitness, but sometimes we get a at it. Keep your eyes on the path. And when you little too serious and forget that we aren’t the reach the top of the mountain, as the Zen saying Wha rang and we don’t need to train to defend goes, keep on climbing. our nation from invaders. Key 6: Compete Competition provides spice in the the martial arts as in life; it’s only when the spice becomes the whole diet that the athlete gets sick. Competition helps us hone our skills. Not to participate wholeheartedly with a will to win degrades the martial arts and insults the opponent. Take competition as an opportunity to hone your hard won skills to a fine edge. Winning is an essential element in the journey, but it isn’t the only thing. Winning graciously and losing with equal grace are the marks of a master. Competition has offered me some of the highlights of learning on my path. I had just finished an undefeated year at the national level in 1986, when the person who I had just defeat-
Key 8: Avoid Vanity One of the reasons you took up a new art was to look good. But to learn anything new, you have to be willing to look foolish. Even after years of practice, you will take pitfalls. If a Black Belt can lose his balance and fall on his duff, in front of a group of students, you should be willing to do it in the presence of your instructor and a few friends. If you’re always thinking about appearances, you can never attain the state of selfless concentration that’s necessary for effective learning and top performance.
Key 9: Have a Beginner’s Mind Forget your rank. I cannot tell you how many black belts have quit trying, because they’re black belts. They think somehow that their rank proves they have nothing left to learn. Having a beginner’s mind means that you go into each class with the idea that you have something more to learn and you’re willing to learn it. If you can find the enthusiasm that you had on your first day in class, and carry that into every class, you would enjoy the art much more.
China Kung Fu
Goju Ryu
Okinawa Shorin Ryu
Korea
Shotokan
Japan Jui Jutsu
Aikido
Wharangdo Tang Soo Do Taekwondo Hapkido
Chung Do Kwan ITF
Pawlge WTF
SongAhm ATA
Grand Master Heaung Ung Lee Cheif Master Robert Jager Master Hauptman
SongAhm “Pine Tree & Rock”
"Pure and without the "The sun is beginning to rise. As with the knowledge of Songahm Taekwondo. morning's dawn, only the beauty of the As with the Pine Tree, the seed must now be sunrise is seen rather than the immense planted and nourished power." to develop strong roots."
"Coming to the mountain. The tree is in the mid-growth and now the path becomes steep."
"The seed is "The sapling is beginning to see the hidden amongst the sunlight." taller pines and must The student begins to now fight its way understand the basics upward." of Taekwondo.
"The tree reaches for the sky toward new heights."
"The pine tree is beginning to develop and grow in strength."
"The tree is firmly rooted in the earth."
"The sun is setting. The first phase of growth has been accomplished."
"The tree has reached maturity and has overcome the darkness... it must now 'plant seeds for the future.'" The color black is created when all the colors of the light spectrum have been absorbed into an object. That object has "taken control" of the colors and retained them. If one color was to "escape", the object would no longer be black but would appear as that color. The student has mastered the nine geup (grades) of Taekwondo. He/she has "absorbed" all the knowledge of the color ranks and overcome or "mastered" that level or training.
2nd Degree Recommended
2nd Degree
3rd Degree
4th Degree (Stripe on leg)
5th Degree
6th Degree Master
7th Degree Snior Master
9th Degree Grand Master
JUNIOR LEADER Junior Leadership Program
TRAINEE INSTRUCTOR
LEVEL 1 INSTRUCTOR
LEVLE 2 INSTRUCTOR
CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR
CERTIFIED INSTRUCTOR SCHOOL OWNER
BLUE COLLAR Instructors with 200 or more students
SILVER COLLAR Instructors with 500 or more students
GOLD COLLAR Instructors with 1,000 or more students.
8th Degree Chief Master
PARAGON MARTIAL ARTS