My Martial Arts Experience By: David Alexander Green Date: March 2009 Purpose: To be the Best I can be in Martial Arts. “A Brief History of Martial Arts” Teakwondo The earliest records of Martial Arts practice in Korea date back to about 50 B.C. These earliest forms of korean martial arts are known as 'Taek Kyon'.Evidence that Martial Arts were being practiced at that time can be found in tombs where wall-paintings show two men in fighting-stance. Others reject this evidence and say that these men could be simply dancing. Teakwondo in the Middle ages.
Back then, time there were three kingdoms: •
Koguryo (37 B.C. - 668 A.D.) • Paekje (18 B.C. - 600 A.D.) • Silla (57 B.C. - 936 A.D.)
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Silla unified the kingdoms after winning the war against Paekje in 668 A.D. and Koguryo in 670 A.D. The Hwa Rang Do played an important role at this unification. The Hwa Rang Do was an elite group of young noble men, devoted to cultivating mind and body and serve the kingdom Silla The best translation for HwaRang would probably be "flowering youth" (Hwa ="flower", Rang="young man"). The HwaRang Do had an honor-code and practiced various forms of martial arts, including Taekyon and Soo Bakh Do. The old honor-code of the HwaRang is the philosophical background of modern Taekwondo.
What followed was a time of peace and the HwaRang turned from a military organization to a group specialized in poetry and music. It was in 936 A.D. when Wang Kon founded the Koryo dynasty, an abbreviation of Koguryo. The name Korea is derived from Koryo. During the Koryo Dynasty the sport Soo Bakh Do, which was then used as a military training method, became popular. During the Yi-dynasty (1392 A.D. - 1910 A.D.) this emphasis on military training disappeared. King Taejo, founder of the Yi-dynasty, replaced Buddhism by Confucianism as the state religion. According to Confucianism, the higher class should study the poets, read poems and and play music. Martial arts was something for the common, or even inferior, man. Teakwondo in Modern times Japan forced taekwondo to be called karate, just because karate and taekwondo had similar aspects. And distributing karate, Japan tried to eradicate taekwondo. Nevertheless, it was secretly passed on among certain t'aekkyon masters even during this period. After national independence in 1945, t'aekkyoun's revitalization began once again, aided by restored personal freedoms. It was during this period that a new word, "t'aekwon," was coined and began to be widely used in 1954. With the foundation of the Korea Taekwondo Association in September of 1961, taekwondo officially became a sport entry.
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In 1962, the Korea Taekwondo Association became a member organization of the Korea Amateur Sports Association, and the following year taekwondo was chosen as a regular entry for the National Sports Festival. The first World Taekwondo Championships was held in Seoul in 1973, when the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) was founded. In 1975 the World Taekwondo Federation eventually became a member of the GAISF(General Association of International Sports Federations), Taekwnodo was selected as a demonstration sport for the Olympic Games at the General Assembly of the International Olympic Committee on July 15, 1980. During the General Assembly of the International Olympic Committee in 1981, taekwondo was also chosen for an official entry in the 1986 Asian Games. Having been selected as a demonstration sport for the 1988 Olympic Games, taekwondo would be an official entry in the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.
BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU Jujitsu is Japanese for gentle art The history of jujitsu goes back over a thousand years. There are references in early literature to empty handed fighting called chikara kurabe, that occured several hundred years b.c.. The Japanese Samurai were most famous for the skill that they developed with the sword. In addition to the sword the samurai developed skill with empty hands, staff, knife, bow and arrow, spear, halberd, chain and weight, and other weapons.
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From what historians can tell, jujitsu didn't become a distinct school of martial arts until about 1600. Primarily, jujitsu employs empty handed techniques for subduing an opponent. The empty handed techniques consist of kicking and punching, called atemi; throwing techniques, called nage waza, holding or restraining techniques, called osae waza; joint locks, called kansetsu waza and strangles and chokes, called shime waza. In addition some schools also include weapons training. The primary weapons of the jujitsuka, or practioner of jujitsu, are the sword, called ken; 4' staff, called jo; the knife, called tanto; and methods of binding with rope, called hojo jutsu. In addition the old jujitsu schools trained their students in methods of herbs and massage for healing. Little surprise that the early jujitsu masters were also the doctors of the community and were know for their ability to set broken bones and reduce dislocated joints.
To those that may not be aware, Jujitsu is the nucleus science of all Japanese martial arts. From Jujitsu came Karate, Judo and aikido. Many people today are familiar with the popular term of Brazilian jujitsu or Gracie jujitsu from its recent popularity of Royce Gracie in the Ultimate fighting competitions. It is still the same jujitsu that was practiced 100s of years ago by the Samurai. But the science has now been refined and developed to its current effective form and most of that development has been lead by the Brazilians and the Gracie family.
What is Brazilian jiu Jitsu? Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a grappling art.
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Brazilian Jiu Jitsu emphasizes ground fighting -- in fact, most Brazilian Jiu Jitsu stylists want to take the fight to the ground, as opposed to the stand-up fighting of other fighting arts. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioners believe that most fights end up on the ground, so you'd might as well learn the most effective ground fighting techniques available. It is also a sport that gives you skill, fitness, strength and endurance, and has many other benefits such as increasing co-ordination, assertiveness, balance, mental focus, flexibility and confidence.
What is the history of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu The introduction of Jiu Jitsu to Brazil is largely credited to one Mitsuyo Maeda, who immigrated to Brazil in the 1920's and taught Jiu Jitsu to Carlos Gracie of Rio de Janeiro (more on the Gracies later). Brazilian Jiu Jitsu evolved into its own distinct style, incorporating techniques honed in the rough favelas (shantytowns) of the big cities.
Brazilian jiu-jitsu really caught on with the advent of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in 1993. The UFC, promoted by the Helio Gracie clan, was billed as the first tournament to pit practitioners of various martial arts against each other in an almost-no-holds-barred setting. The fact that Helio's son Royce won three of the first four tournaments using his family's brand of jiu-jitsu certainly cemented Brazilian jiu-jitsu as an art demanding serious consideration.
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No description of Brazilian jiu-jitsu is complete without mentioning the Gracie family. Carlos Gracie, after learning jiu-jitsu from Maeda, taught the art to his brothers Osvaldo, Gast? Jorge, and Helio. The Gracie family, through challenge matches, televised tournaments, and sheer numbers, have spread their namesake style throughout the world.
It is very common for the smaller trained person to easily beat the larger stronger untrained attacker in a jujitsu fight. Even a well trained black belt in karate alone,, is no match for even a novice Jujitsuist in a ground fight.
“My Martial Arts Experience” I first started training in the Martial Arts early in 2006 with USA Martial Arts under the direction of Mr. Justin Miller. Later the School Changed to Team Miller and moved to a larger location doubling in size.
I progressed at the normal pace, and learned a lot as I went along. Since Martial Arts was new to me, it took a little getting used to. First I was in the “Kids Basic” class that only did Standup. Then over a period of two and a half years I went from “Kids Basic” to “Masters 1” to “Masters 2” to “Masters 3” and finally to the “Black Belt” class. At USA Martial Arts, we were taught more than just Martial Arts. We were taught confidence, respect, discipline, honest and leadership.
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Learning to tie my Belt and being in the right class on time are some of the 1st things that are important to learn.
Self-Esteem and Assertiveness along with Pride were part of the training. Also Physical Fitness helped us with Weight Control, Strength and Flexibility and Coordination. As we learned SelfDiscipline we developed better Concentration, Self-Control, and Integrity. And along with the Self-Defense Training I received, I learned Safety, Confidence, and better Awareness. Testing consist mostly of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Tae Kwon DO, and Board Breaking. Over the 2.5 year Period, I Tested 10 Times until I reached my Black Belt. We tracked my testing dates and listed the name of the form, the amount of moves, and the date I tested along with the color of the belt. It really helped me stay focused along the way.
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“Certificates”
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Toi-Gye
Hwa-Rang 10
Chong-Moo
6 of 10 Forms
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Just after I received my Black Belt in August of 2009, Miller Martial Arts was sold to another owner. I knew before he sold the school that I was going to leave. I learned a lot of tough lessons in Martial Arts at that school. I also learned some grown up lessons as well. Mr. Miller now fights professionally. I hope he does well.
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“My Tournaments” Ricks Kicks October 7, 2006
USTF HILTON DALLAS March 24, 2007
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USTF State Taekwondo Championships May 19, 2007
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Machado Greenhill US NO-GI Tournament June 5th, 2007
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YOUSIF US NO-GI Star Jiu Jitsu Tournament August 4th, 2007
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TXBJJ LUTTER Sept 15th, 2007
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Battle of “H” Town Houston October 6th, 2007
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Machado Green Hill Oct 24th, 2007
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UTA Winter Nationals Arkansas November 17, 2007
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TXBJJ Lutter January 28 , 2008
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Naga May 3, 2008
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And all of that has brought me to the place where I have been training since August of 2008.
“EMPOWER ACADEMY� Empower Academy is Awesome! I wish I could go there everyday. I learned a lot of things that I never knew. Ms. Peiper trained me. I was very excited when I first went there. After a little while, I felt comfortable and like I fit in like a regular student.
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I was able to assist as a Junior Instructor at several graduations at Empower Academy. I am so thankful for the opportunity to not only be treated with Respect, but give it in Return.
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I have learned a lot from Ms.Peiper, Mr.Sanchez, and Ms.Haddix. I have really enjoyed being a part of the Empower Academy Family.
(Space Left Blank for 1st Degree Black Belt Pictures.)
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Student Oath I shall observe the Tenets of Taekwon-Do. I shall respect instructors and seniors. I shall never misuse Taekwon-Do. I will be a champion of freedom and justice. I will build a more peaceful world.
Six Tenets of Taekwon-Do Courtesy: Students should attempt to practice courtesy to build up their noble character and to conduct the training in an orderly manner as well. Integrity: In Taekwon-Do the word integrity assumes a looser definition than the one usually presented in the Webster’s Dictionary. One must be able to define right and wrong and have the conscience, if wrong to feel guilt. Perseverance: One of the most important secrets in becoming a leader of Taekwon-Do is to overcome every difficulty by perseverance. Confucius said: “One who is impatient in trivial matters can seldom achieve success in matters of great importance.” Self Control: This tenet is extremely important inside and outside the dojang, whether conducting oneself in free sparring or in one’s personal affairs. A loss of self control in free sparring can prove disastrous to both student and opponent. An inability to live and work within ones capability or sphere is also lack of self control. Indomitable Spirit: A serious student of Taekwon-Do will at all times be modest and honest. If confronted with injustice, he/ she will deal with the belligerent without fear or hesitation at all, with indomitable spirit, regardless of whosoever and how ever the number may be. Victory: This tenet has two meanings, the first being “success in any contest or superiority in battle or war”. The most important meaning that is not always recognized by many or even noticed by few is the “victory of overcoming obstacles.” Obstacles such as learning a new form or a new kick or a difficult board break. These obstacles are something great, but once conquered, become a victory in the long battle for success and superiority.
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Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, Our presence automatically liberates others. -Marianne Williamson
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