Today’s world produces plenty of stress. In measured amounts and properly used, stress is a challenge that creates an opportunity for growth. If prolonged, however, it can lead to emotional upset and physical illness. Stress is a demand for adjustment placed on an individual by a situation or event. The body’s response to stress is to release a hormone that causes physical changes, such as: increased pulse and blood pressure, increased muscle tension, perspiration and sweaty hands, nervousness, and elevated cholesterol. Frequent and repeated exposure to stress takes a toll on the body, the mind and the spirit.
A stress reducer helps the individual regain a sense of control and equilibrium. Doctor Eliot suggests the following stress-reducing strategies: relax, exercise, eat right, talk to a friend, don’t rely on alcohol or drugs, prioritize your responsibilities, do something for yourself. Thinking about it, we realize that Tang Soo Do training does bring all those strategies together: the intense exercise, the Um-Yang philosophy of life, the pride of learning martial arts, and the chance of belonging to the largest world organization where friendship is infinite makes us strive to live in a environment with reduced stress. Each person has a choice. Reducing stress starts with making the choice to change a behavior and Tang Soo Do will help you achieve this goal.
I have seen so many promising martial artists quit that I have literally lost count. These students were not lost due to injury, illness or boredom, but due to the periodic testing process in the studio. These are students who failed to promote to the next belt level, and upon the posting of the test results they left the training hall, never to return.
As an instructor, I am always careful to explain to everyone who is about to test just what a belt is all about. I can explain it in as clear as manner as possible, but somehow it still doesn’t take root for some people. Too bad, but just as well, for these people who quit after not promoting would have eventually quit for some other reason. Not promoting serves not as a reason, but as a convenient excuse.
It is interesting to note that in the early days of martial arts training there were no tests or promotions, and despite the romantic and philosophical implications of all the different colors of the belts (white symbolizes “purity,” etc.), the real truth of the matter is that everyone began as a white belt because uncolored fabric was less expensive and more readily available. The uniforms were tied with a simple belt, and though they were occasionally cleaned and replaced, the belts were not. People’s belts became black from the dirt and sweat from years of training, not from a testing process. There is something very appealing to me about this history, because it symbolizes an attachment to the process of training, rather then the result.
We live in a results orientated society, where the purpose of doing something is to reap some sort of reward. From earliest childhood, children are told that if they do this then they will get that. It is the enlightened parent who impresses upon their children that doing something can be its own reward. Unfortunately, a lot of people work to earn money so they can marry and have children, only to feed and clothe and shelter them until they are old enough to get there own jobs and keep the cycle going. These are the people who suffer the classic “mid-life” crisis of looking back and wondering if they have done anything satisfying with their lives. There are so many people who hate their jobs, yet continue doing them because the results seem so tempting. Invariably, these are the same people who manage to acquire things, but still feel empty. These people are result orientated, and result orientation does not guarantee satisfaction. You have to love the process, regardless of the direction it takes. In martial arts training, the training itself must be more important then the belt which you wear. You must love the look of yourself throwing that perfect kick more then the look of yourself wearing the next belt.
On the island of Maui is a town called Hana, accessible by a scenic yet narrow, two-lane road which twists and winds its way around the island. Tourists are often told that they must take a trip to Hana, and many do only to discover upon getting to Hana that the town is quaint but not much to look at. It’s the road which makes the trip worthwhile. Unfortunately, many people don’t realize this while they are on the road. All they are thinking while they are on the road is getting to Hana, and they miss the best part of the trip in the process.
Training and testing are not unlike this. The only proper attitude for a student of the martial arts to have is that the training is the key. The purpose of testing is to ask the Head Instructor whether or not you are ready to move to the next level. If you truly love training, then even if you don’t promote, you certainly won’t fail. If you promote you will continue to train, and if you don’t promote you must also continue to train. There is no losing. A person who is honestly concerned about their progress will want to hear what the Head Instructor has to say. You must really want the results of the test, regardless of what it is. Testing is part of the process, not the conclusion or final step, and not promoting is, sometimes, part of the process as well. Love the process. If you don’t, don’t test.
Now I am aware of the lure of the ego, for this is what we are talking about here. The new belt does something for a person; a feeling of accomplishment, acknowledgment, and approval that you have done something well, recognition from your peers… I know. I have been, and at all times, continue to be there. The only thing that I can say is the same thing I tell myself; give it up, and let it go. Train for the sake of training. It is only when you let go and become immersed in what you are doing that you get closer to the truth.
Moo Do means the martial way. First and foremost, this means being mindful or paying close attention to our thoughts, words, and actions. It is also about being a great observer or aware of what is happening all around us.
When we speak about using proper Moo Do protocol, we are talking about following a true and time tested path. It includes:
- Behaving Correctly
- Acting Honorably and With Dignity
- Keeping the EGO in check
When it comes to behaving correctly, all we need to do is consider the 5 codes and 7 tenets. These are the core principles that all true martial artists live by.
If the 5 codes and 7 tenets are the root of what we do, then the route or path leads to honor and dignity. Dignity is defined as a state or quality of being worthy of honor or respect.
A total practitioner or enlightened warrior lives the code, the creed, the tenets, the articles of faith, and the attitudinal requirements. By doing so, we demonstrate martial mastery. This includes following Federation policy, procedures, and protocol including our code of ethics.
Tang Soo Do is a traditional martial art based on respect for all life. It is important to develop this respect and apply it consistently to our art, our country, the Grandmaster, Senior Dan members, and all members in accordance with our core principles.
To accomplish this, every member should be well schooled in Federation and Moo Do protocol as it relates to proper courtesy and etiquette. In this first of many peak performance emails on this topic, I will address the various protocols that members should not only understand but always abide by. Of course, it all starts with the leadership. In fact, “Everything rises and falls on leadership” when it comes to protocol. This is why a true teacher of the martial arts practices what they preach. As the old saying goes, “They walk their talk”.
As the year draws to an end, it is a good time to reflect on all of our accomplishments and victories especially for this rollercoaster of a year. While the martial arts industry has been hit hard during this pandemic, we are proud to share that Cambridge Tang Soo Do has thrived in 2021 and it is in no small part due to all our collective efforts. Even though we could not attend our yearly Black Belt retreat nor the regional competition, we have accomplished quite a lot:
- We welcomed 13 new students to our school
- We promoted 8 gups to the rank of Cho-Dan
- We promoted 5 students to 2nd and 3rd degree Black Belt
- We had 11 students from CTSD attend the Master’s Clinic.
I am very grateful for everybody’s contribution and support in these extraordinary times. Practicing Tang Soo Do over Zoom is not easy and I admire everyone’s dedication and perseverance as we struggle to maintain our training. I commend all the instructors for their dedication and focus and for finding new ways to teach classes in this virtual environment we live in. It is clear that as a TEAM, we were able to accomplish some great things. The old saying (TEAM), “together, everyone achieves more”, is surely true in this case. I look forward to the year 2022, when we’ll have the opportunity to go back to in person training. Hang in there, there is light at the end of the tunnel.