from the writings of Grandmaster Moo Hwan Kim
United Martial Arts Black Belt Association
Purpose of Training
Dear Students October 2005
I would like to share with you a story shared with me by Master Shin who I went to school with in Korea. Master Shin was two years older than me and attended the same University. He trained the American martial artist and movie star Chuck Norris when Mr. Norris was stationed in Korea in the early 60’s. Master Shin came to the United States in the early 70’s and opened up a tae kwon do school in Philadelphia. A short time after he opened a man passing his school and seeing the martial art activity wanted to make trouble and entered his school. This man was over 6”5” tall and over 300 pounds and was a professional wrestler. He demanded to see the instructor and ask Master Shin if he could give him a lesson. Many things went through Master Shin’s mind as this huge man came at him to ready to hurt and embarrass him in front of his students. At 5’7” and 140 pounds Master Shin wondered if he should run and possibly loose his school or should he stand and fight and possibly loose his life. Without hesitation Master Shin delivered a skip front kick to the groin and a double punch to the solar plexus and this giant of a man fell. An ambulance eventually took him away. The word spread quickly and Master Shin’s school and his reputation grew quickly.
The above story shows us that we must have:
Courage to overcome our fears.
Determination to defend our loved ones, our reputations, and ourselves.
Proper technique that by repetition and practice allow execution to become automatic without hesitation or panic with effective delivery in a in a split second.
My students must remember that consistent training like any other habit will make reaction automatic in risk situations. Like Master Shin we need good mental and physical conditioning, regular disciplined training and an indomitable spirit. Self-defense is not just a series of movements but the coming together of mental conditioning, physical conditioning and proper technique.
God Bless You,
Master Moo H. Kim
Comentarios