[part 1] Before Christmas I surveyed some of Chang’s Hapkido Academy (CHA) black belts to discover what keeps them coming back after achieving their black belt. I’ve received over a dozen responses now from black belts across four of our schools, which gives me quite a bit of data to start noticing various recurring themes. [...]
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Training beyond black belt (part two)
By Ms Parlour on January 30, 2012 in Black belt, Learning in martial arts, Martial arts etiquette and discipline, Mental training for martial arts, Motivation for training
Mentally tough Hapkido.
By Ms Parlour on December 5, 2011 in Martial arts etiquette and discipline, Mental training for martial arts
There are three factors that will influence our sporting ability: our fitness, technical skills and mental skills. Many people spend loads of time on the first two, but neglect number three. In sport however, an athlete’s mental toughness is a strong predictor of their success. So what is mental toughness? A study by Jones et. [...]
Changing ourselves first.
By Ms Parlour on November 8, 2011 in Ki Meditation, Martial arts etiquette and discipline, Martial arts myths, legends and stories, Mental training for martial arts
Students often tell me that as they progress in Hapkido other parts of their lives also seems to move forward, to improve… like somehow things are linked… The following is an epitaph from an anonymous Anglican bishop who was buried in the crypt of Westminster Abbey in A.D. 1100. I think it speaks for itself… [...]
Helping lower belts.
I remember about a year ago a blue belt student being very annoyed about having to work with a young yellow belt girl. I told him that I understood how he felt, “Yes, I know… Sometimes the black belts also come to me and complain that they have to do skills with you because you [...]
Taking time to appreciate a black belt.
Last month, after years of training and months of testing, one of my students received her black belt. As is the custom, the belt was presented to her at the end of a recent rank test. She was called to the front and asked to remove her red belt. Master Chang then congratulated her and [...]
Who is the bow for?
By Ms Parlour on November 8, 2011 in Martial arts etiquette and discipline, Mental training for martial arts
Most of the time, when I enter the gym, I will look directly at the students who have congregated outside the studio. Naturally they bow, “hello Saboumnim”. Occasionally I will overt my eyes. My peripheral vision sometimes allows me to see their response. Sometimes I see a student who is ready to bow, but then [...]
Why must I accept with two hands?
By Ms Parlour on November 8, 2011 in Martial arts etiquette and discipline, Mental training for martial arts
As the Rank Test results arrived at the weekend, I have spent the week handing out new belts. It’s so wonderful to see all the new colours… Before conducting the presentations I always explain the process: When your name is called, answer loudly and step forward. Accept the belt and certificate with both hands and [...]