Lesson Ahop (9) - It's a commitment

Tonight we went and had our 9th class. Normal stretches, punches kicks, etc. Boy do I need to work on my round-house kick!

Apparently the first time I did the roundhouse kick I pulled something in my groin... as a result my body now says, "mmm uh huh not doing THAT again!" and I just can't get a decent roundhouse kick... I'll keep working on it.. Does anyone have a suggestions for a good way to improve kicking form?

I find it interesting to watch how various instructors and Master Scota, deal with folks of different skills, ability, and understanding. As I would expect, since Master Scota taught them, the instructors all teach in much the same way that Master Scota does, each having their own best form or move which you can see when observing them. They all treat the students with patients and don't seem to mind explaining the same thing to my 8 year old more than once. That may have to do with the fact that he is really trying to "get it" and just needs assistance.

As an aside, since we home school, I wonder if that impacts my children's ability to learn from someone else? I don't think it's a negative impact if any, just uncertain. if you have any opinions on that, I would like to hear them.

Anyhow We have been attending the Dojang for the last month at Master Scota's gracious invitation. Today I told him that we are signing up for the next year and that we feel that if we are going to do it... we may as well do it right! :)

IT's a commitment, just like many things in life, and even though I am just a beginner, I know that Tang Soo Do, takes commitment and determination like so many other parts of life. Marriage takes commitment, a job is a commitment, church and ministry all take commitment.

I think that Tang Soo Do will teach me and my family the benefit of commitment, and perseverance. These are things we know in our heads. But Tang Soo Do will teach us the reward of commitment and perseverance in the body. I can already tell a difference in my muscle tone, particularly in my legs. (Practicing stepping from right to left front-stance, while concentrating on form, and placement and all the other things there are to remember, will do that for you! Oh my legs feel like Jell-o sometimes!)

It's a reward that the commitment itself will turn into. I know that we will come to a point where we don't go to class because we know we have to. (I don't really think we do that now) but because we love to be there. Honestly I can say it's almost like that now.

It's not unlike going to church, it's a wonderful place to go and see people of a like mind. The lesson may be rough, feeling like it's killing us, it never will, but in the end will make us stronger and more prepared for both, the next lesson and life in general.

I leave you with this quote from "A Spiritual Man" - Watchman Nee

In this conflict the child of God must exercise his mind. He must take the initiative in each action and not depend on anyone else. If possible he must make his own decision, not waiting passively for other people or for more conducive environment. He must not glance back at the past nor worry concerning the future but learn to live just for this moment.

I find myself there physically in Tand Soo Do and working to this point in my spiritual life as well.


Jonathan Wagner
Cho Bo Ja

Lesson yuh-deol (8) - You want me to do WHAT?

My two oldest boys and I went to class tonight, we did those wonderful painful, yet somehow satisfying stretches. I am learning more how it's possible to both love and hate something at the same time. Now obviously this isn't me, but there are both boys and girls in our class that can do a full split... I can get my legs further than a 90 degree spilt... maybe 96 degrees! ;)

Anyhow I don't know that I'll ever be able to do a full split like this... but hey, you never can tell, I might get limber enough in my old age (I'll be 41 in 8 days) to do a full split.

Ok, so after stretches we went through some basic punches then Master Scota broke us into two groups those who are moving along nicely, and those of us who are hopefully not too hopeless! ;) ok ok we just don't know enough yet.. Ms. Scully worked with us on the first parts of the first form. That's really cool, and boy am I glad that I am aware of keeping on a level plane when moving. It would look pretty funny to be bouncing up and down like a yo-yo while moving through the form.

I guess being a programmer I like forms. I have noticed as I get older that when I am working on something which can be repeated over and over I can focus both on the physical activity I'm doing and on issues that I need to resolve. As we were learning the form , well the first couple of parts of the first form, I was actually getting it. While we were barely touching the surface of the form, I could feel how the power of the movements will transfer to punches or blocks.

Well at least I THINK I can see how it will. I probably have that part all wrong, but it just felt right.

Then we moved into practicing some kicks. I can do front kicks fairly well, but those side kicks and round-house kicks just make me hurt! However, Mr. Henderson did have us do something a little different We just set up the roundhouse kick, got our leg up where it was supposed to be and chambered the foot, pointing the toes etc, so we could get a feel for where it has to go. There may be hope for me yet! But I'll leave that to Master Scota and the instructors to decide!

I really can't wait to learn the whole form, I don't know what it's called. I'll have to find out and share that with you all.

MORE WORDS AND TERMS
ENGLISH	KOREAN
Beginner	Cho Bo Ja
Gup Holder	Yu Gup Ja
Dan Holder	Yu Dan Ja
Senior Dan Holder	Ko Dan Ja
1st Dan Certified Instructor	Bo KyoSa Nim
2nd, 3rd Dan Certified Instructor	Kyo Sa Nim
Master Instructor 4th Dan & Up	Sah Bum Nim
Grand Master	Kwan Jang Nim
Belt	Dee
Color Belt	Gup
Black Belt	Dan
Uniform	Do Bahk
Training Hall	Do Jang

Lesson Ilgop (7) - Back from vacation

Believe it or not I found myself looking forward to class tonight. I can barely believe it. but even in the stretches and laughable attempts to kick higher than my kneecap, (OK, I can make it just above the belt on an average person if I really try and concentrate and it's a front kick! forget it with a side kick or a roundhouse!... I'm working on it though!

When we got to the dojang tonight I was actually looking forward to the workout. The stretches are just as hard, and I still don't have a hinge in the middle! Reading on another blog that the middle, the way you twist your waist gives you power... right now... I don't have much of a twist. but I'm working on it!

We worked as a large group doing punches and blocks and walking punches and blocks, turning from front to back, the economy of motion in a simple turn is one of the things I really love about Tang Soo Do. Just turn from front to back... it's awesome!

Master Scota walked us through lots of punches kicks and blocks. I know that I'm a long way off, but I'm at least starting to see the symmetry.

I mentioned before that I stumbled upon a bad habit before it became a habit. Now when we move forward I concentrate on keeping my knees bent and "TRYING" to keep my head on a level plain. I did find that when I am doing these types of repetitions if I can focus both my inner man and focus my gaze on a fixed point, that's PAST the wall I'm looking at, I can move much more smoothly than otherwise.

The inner focus is more important I think than the outer. It is more important in many ways in life. If I can find a my inner focus then I can remain in that place of calm peace that is only found there. I know there are many words and terms for this centering, but being a christian, I find my center in Jesus. Other find their center in themselves or in other teaching. It's not my place to tell someone else that they are wring, though I do have a question particularly for those who find an inner focus in your own self, how can you bring balance to your self when you can't control anything other than yourself? It's just something to consider.

Anyhow, I am working on that movement and maintaining (Ha that's a laugh, let's say GAINING) a fluid graceful motion.

I know that no matter how far I progress there will always be room to learn and grow, and I will always approach Tang Soo do as a beginner. Someday I hope to have a good grasp on the basics so I can be prepared to move further. In the meantime, I'm trying to get stronger, pushups stink! oh and don't forget crunches! ARGH!!!

Standing in a deep horse-stance for long periods of time, making my legs quake and quiver, it hurts.. but wow... Even after just a few lessons my legs are starting to get the muscle definition that I had when I was younger and rode my bicycle 20 to 30 miles a day.

So I am looking forward to class on Thursday. I'll let you know what happens!


Here is some more commands and their meanings.

Romanization	Word	Meaning
Charyeot	차렷	Attention
Gyeong rye	경례	Bow
Baro	바로	Return
Shwieo	쉬어	At ease, relax
Kihap	기합	Yell
Junbi	준비	Ready
Sijak	시작	Begin, start
Gallyeo	갈려	Break (separate)
Gyesok	계속	Continue
Guman	그만	Finish (stop)
Dwiro dora	뒤로 돌아	Turn around (about turn)
Haesan	해산	Dismiss

Missed classes last week

Due to a family emergency and having to go out of state for a few days we didnt' get to go to class last week. I really missed it. 

I did notice that since I started taking classes, I have lost at least 10 pounds. I don't know exactly because the last scales I was on prior to taking class, didn't go past...  (gulp) 300  I weighed myself this past weekend and I am at 296 and falling.... I hope.

We'll keep track of that too.

Lesson Yoset - Good habits not bad!

It seems that the more I attend class the more I realize that I'm still not getting the basics right. Doing a simple front stance forward step. You go from a ready stance ( Jhoon Bee Ja Seh) to a front stance (Chun Kul Ja Seh), one leg out in front your knee bent so you can't see your toes, the back leg locked out, foot turned at about a 45 degree angle, then you come to a duck stance, by moving your back leg forward beside your front foot, keeping the knees bent and then stepping out to the front so you are in your front stance again, only with the other leg forward.

We have been doing this lots in each class. Tonight I asked Instructor Henderson if something I was doing was ok or if it was a bad habit... no sense forming bad habits.

Anyhow, when I was in the duck stance I was locking the knee of the leg that was going to be my back leg, so I wouldn't forget etc.

Well that has a tendency to make you move up and down as you do the forward step. Which is not whats supposed to happen, you are supposed to keep your head on a level plane while moving... so I averted (hopefully) a bad habit, and will be certain to do it right from now on.

I'll tell you when I watch Master Scota or the instructors do these moves it's like watching dancers, they are so graceful, I can only hope that someday I'll be close to as graceful! I know they have been doing this for years an I am only just finishing my third week, but I can dream can't I?

Ten Articles of Faith

• Be loyal to ones country.
• Be obedient to parents & elders.
• Be loving between husband & wife.
• Be cooperative between brothers.
• Be respectful to elders.
• Be faithful to your teacher.
• Be faithful to your friends.
• Distinguish the difference between good and evil.
• Never retreat in battle.
• In fighting, choose with sense & honor...always finish what you start.

Tenets of Tang Soo do

• Integrity
• Concentration
• Perseverance
• Respect & Obediance
• Self control
• Humility
• Indominable Spirit

Jonathan Wagner
Cho Bo Ja