Sometimes a student has difficulty executing a skill they’ve been performing well for months. How come? Surely that’s a problem? There could be many reasons a technique stops working: lack of practice or bad posture, poor alignment or loss of
Does being in ‘mushin’ conflict with productive thinking?
Being ‘in the zone’ or experiencing ‘flow’ are terms now used commonly in sport. They both refer to a mental state of being totally immersed, energised and focused in an activity. In Hapkido we refer to this state as ‘mushin’
Out with the old, in with the new
July, 2013 Last weekend I was presented with my 5th degree black belt. Many of my students have asked how it feels – I’m not sure I totally know yet, but here are some initial thoughts… As with every new
Does the environment have an impact on our learning?
Given that Chang’s Hapkido Academy (UK) moved premises earlier this year, this is an interesting question. Two months after an unexpected loss of our venue, we are pleased to have a full timetable back in action and proudly hang our
Q. What’s the point of practising hyung (forms)?
Forms are a sequence of techniques, a pattern, practised repeatedly; they usually occur towards the start of a class. At Chang’s Hapkido Academy, each new level requires the student to memorize a new form which is then practised under the watchful eye of the
Feeling a connection
When a beginner learns a new technique they naturally rely on their five physical senses and try to understand the skill at an intellectual level. They commit to memory what they can see and take pride in being able to explain the
Right now, stress melts away.
It’s unfortunate, but most of us spend a high percentage of our time suffering from stress. Anxious and frazzled, we become distracted, worried and as a consequence, unproductive. We slog away at a problem or task resenting it, wishing we were
The Cockerel Fight
Happy New Year! I thought I’d start the year off with an old story I’ve heard Grandmaster Chang tell many times. I look forward to hearing your thoughts… The Cockerel Fight One day, a noble man brought one of his
Loosening the grip.
Last time I discussed how personal growth within Hapkido training requires that we look within ourselves. With that in mind, I’d like to comment on two important qualities that help us do just that. Developing these qualities will not only
Asking deep questions.
I was recalling a conversation I had with Master Chang a good twenty years ago. I was interviewing him for a martial arts magazine and asked him whether he encourages his Hapkido students to question? He responded, “I assume that