At the opening ceremony of the 2010 International Shaolin Wuzuquan Federation Conference and Competition, Master James Chee, of International Shaolin Wu Chu Chuan Australia, provided a demonstration of qi application.
Master James Chee is recognised by the Federation as a 10th dan master in the art of wuzuquan (aka Five Ancestors Fist / Ngo Chor) and will also be assuming the role of chairperson of the Federation at the end of the current term of Master John Graham.
Master James Chee is the son and successor of Grandmaster Chee Kim Thong, whose own abilities also defied belief.
Father of Singapore taekwon-do dies, aged 72. -TNP
Benson Ang
Sat, Mar 31, 2012
The New Paper
The man known as the father of Singapore taekwon-do lost his final battle on Wednesday morning.
But the 72-year-old had fought his illness with all the dignity and tenacity that his beloved martial art had imbued him with.
Grandmaster B S Huan, whose full name is Huan Beng Seng, died from urosepsis, an infection of the urine tract.
His health had deteriorated after he suffered a stroke in 2010, said his daughter, Ms Anjanette Huan, 38.
After that, he had difficulty walking and was wheelchair-bound.
He developed the infection last year and also had diabetes and high blood pressure.
Every month, he spent a week in hospital undergoing treatment for this condition.
Ms Huan, also a taekwon-do instructor, said: “He was in and out of hospital for two years.
“There were times when the doctors said he wouldn’t make it. But he fought death all the way and won every time.”
After his stroke, Mr Huan had lived with his daughter’s family in a four-room flat in Pasir Ris.
On Monday morning, he had developed a fever and Ms Huan called an ambulance.
He was taken to Changi General Hospital (CGH), where doctors attended to him.
On Tuesday evening, Ms Huan received a call from the hospital saying that the infection had spread to the rest of his body.
She said: “His oxygen levels were low and he was not responding to treatment. The doctors told us to prepare for the worst.”
Mr Huan’s wife, four children and seven grandchildren went to CGH to say a final farewell.
Said his youngest son, Aaron, 33: “He clenched his fists and he kept breathing deeply, still fighting for his life.
Ms Huan added: “At first, I told him that I wanted to be able to take him home. But after seeing his condition, I decided that I had to let him go in peace.
“I told him that I didn’t want him to suffer. It was then that his muscles slackened and he left us.”
Mr Huan died at about 3.30am yesterday.
His wake is now at the bottom of Block 476, Pasir Ris Drive 6, and his funeral will be held on Saturday.
His family remembers him as a family man who loved animals. He was also a devout Catholic.
‘I’m proud of him’
Said his wife, retired teacher Elsie Ee, 69: “I’m proud of him. He lived a full life and had a huge heart.”
Added his son: “My father was sociable and well-liked. He befriended everyone he met.”
Not surprisingly, Grandmaster Huan was proudest of his taekwon-do.
He brought the martial art to Singapore from Korea in 1963, when he and a few other Singaporeans wrote to the taekwon-do movement in South Korea and requested that some experts introduce the art to Singapore.
Grandmaster Huan and eight others gained their black belts.
While the others eventually dropped out, he remained devoted to the martial art.
He was determined to initiate a taekwon-do movement in Singapore and set up his own training school in Jurong.
He also trained his first batch of students, a group of officers from the Police Security Branch.
In 1971, Grandmaster Huan set up the Singapore Taekwon-do Academy (STA) in Serangoon Road.
To date, he has trained more than 50,000 students, including National Kidney Foundation chairman Gerard Ee.
Mr Ee, who learnt taekwon-do from Grandmaster Huan in the 1970s, told The New Paper (TNP): “His passing is a big loss to the area of martial arts. He was very dedicated and passionate about the sport.”
Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong also received an honorary black belt from him in 1986.
Grandmaster Huan, who had also written two books on the subject, even franchised his teaching methods in other countries.
STA’s chief instructor, Master Henry Low, said Grandmaster Huan never retired from taekwon-do.
Said the 64-year-old: “Even in a wheelchair, he would attend the central grading every three months.”
But Grandmaster Huan shunned violence.
In a 1994 interview with TNP, he said: “It takes two to fight.
“If you are not aggressive, I don’t think the other person will attack you.”
This article was first published in The New Paper.
In this video clip, the incredible Ven. Lama Dondrup Dorje demonstrates his internal chi to ward off and immobilize hand and leg attacks by a 3rd Dan Karate Champion.
This is truly amazing!. Click below and watch.
A Discourse on the Heart Sutra, with Chi Kung – Part1
Lama Dondrup Dorje gives a Discourse on the Heart Sutra Through the Manifestation Of Classical Chi Kung Practice.
A Discourse on the Heart Sutra, with Chi Kung – Part2
A Discourse on the Heart Sutra, with Chi Kung – Part 3
A Discourse on the Heart Sutra, with Chi Kung – Part4
Ven. Lama Dondrup Dorje activating students chi to clear blockages in channels during the 2006 Pathgate Summer Retreat. Students own energy then propels them to move.
Demonstration by Ven Lama Dondrup Dorje from 1996
Ven Lama Dondrup Dorje, a renowned master, teacher of international champions who collected 370 gold medals from 1992 to 1998; here demonstates at the Fifth International Chinese Internal Arts Festival, England in 1996.
Ven Lama Dondrup Dorje demonstrates the application of Energy Bubble, Fa Jing, Fa Chi and Fa Shen.
Energie Bubble Demonstratiom
Lama Dondrup Dorje talks about the Energie Bubble and Buddha Nature
Humanity Healing Network invites you to embrace a revolutionary concept:
The Integrity of Human Nature
Together,
By valuing the Integrity of our fellow man
We can renew the Human Species
MENTERI BELIA DAN SUKAN RASMI KEJOHANAN TAEKWAN-DO KEBANGSAAN PGTF 2012 Disediakan oleh : Yusfadhila Yunus (Unit Komunikasi Korporat, KBS) yfadhila@kbs.gov.my
KUALA LUMPUR, 26 Februari 2012: Menteri Belia dan Sukan, Dato’ Sri Ahmad Shabery Cheek hadir meluangkan masa seterusnya merasmikan Kejohanan Taekwan-do Kebangsaan, Pan-Malaysia Global Taekwan-do Federation (PGTF) yang berlangsung di Stadium Chinwoo di sini hari ini.
Kejohanan selama dua hari bermula 25 dan 26 Februari ini melibatkan penyertaan Persatuan Taekwan-do PGTF seluruh Malaysia seperti dari Selangor, Perak, Pulau Pinang, Wilayah Persekutuan Labuan dan Putrajaya, Johor, Pahang dan Kedah dengan jumlah peserta kira-kira 500 orang.
Dato’ Sri Ahmad Shabery Cheek dalam ucapan perasmiannya menyatakan sukan taekwan-do merupakan salah satu sukan mempertahankan diri yang paling terkenal di dunia dan banyak disertai terutama golongan belia.
Tambah beliau lagi, “golongan belia terutamanya digalakkan menyertai apa juga sukan mempertahankan diri seperti taekwan-do sebagai salah satu gaya hidup aktif dan sihat.”
Beliau juga menyarankan supaya persatuan dan kelab sukan di negara ini untuk mencari sumber kewangan sendiri tanpa bergantung sepenuhnya kepada kerajaan bagi menjalankan aktiviti masing-masing.
“Pelbagai cara boleh dijalankan bagi menjana pendapatan kelab atau persatuan masing-masing dengan mengadakan promosi dan publisiti produk kelab melalui jualan barangan seperti topi, jersey, beg dan sebagainya,” ujar beliau.
Hadir sama pada majlis tersebut adalah Timbalan Presiden PGTF, Senator Dato’ Ng Fook Heng, Penolong Presiden, Ng Hooi Lai dan Pengerus Penganjuran Kejohanan PGTF, Steven Soo.
Pada Kejohanan tersebut, negeri Selangor diumumkan sebagai juara keseluruhan menewaskan negeri-negeri lain dengan jumlah kutipan pingat sebanyak 204, di ikuti oleh negeri Perak di tempat kedua dengan jumlah pingat sebanyak 121. Manakala ditempat ke tiga menjadi milik negeri Pahang dengan jumlah pingat yang diperolehi sebanyak 60.
Disunting oleh : Lizza Imelia M. Sulanah, Unit Komunikasi Korporat
Minister of Youth and Sports, Dato ‘Sri Ahmad Shabery Cheek took time off to officiate the Pan-Malaysia Global Taekwon-do Federation (PGTF) Taekwon-Do National Championships held at Chinwoo Stadium here today.
The two-day tournament commenced on Feb. 25 and 26 involving the participation of the PGTF Taekwon-do Malaysia comprising Selangor, Perak, Penang, Federal Territory of Labuan and Putrajaya, Johor, Pahang and Kedah with the number of participants totaling about 500 people.
Dato ‘Sri Ahmad Shabery Cheek in his opening speech said that taekwon-do sports is one of the most popular arts of self-defense in the world being participated especially by the youth.
He added, “the youths especially are encouraged to participate in any sport or martial arts such as taekwon-do as a healthy and active lifestyle.”
He also suggested that the associations and sports clubs in the country should seek their own financial resources without relying solely on the government to carry out their activities.
“Various ways can be done for the clubs or their association in their promotion and publicity through the sale of products and items such as caps, jersey, bags and so on,” he said.
Also present at the ceremony was the Deputy President PGTF, Senator Dato ‘Ng Fook Heng, Vice President, Ng Hooi Lai and Championships Organizing Chairman Steven Soo.
At the final results of tournament, Selangor state was the overall winner beating other States with a total collection of 204 medals, followed by the Perak state in second place with a total of 121 medals. While the third place went to Pahang with a total of 60 medals won.
Edited by: Lizza Imelia M. Sulanah, Corporate Communications Unit.
The name Tashi Mannox represents both the Eastern and Western artistic disciplines in his 30year journey as a painter and calligrapher. Born British to the family name of Mannox, that originates in Celtic Ireland and coincidentally translates as ‘the monastic’. His first name Tashi was given shortly after gaining a BA [Hons] degree in Fine Art, when he became a Buddhist monk of the Tibetan Kagyu order, at the tender age of 22. He is now recognized as one of the world’s foremost contemporary Tibetan calligraphy artists. Exhibiting across the globe in London, Moscow, New York and Sharjah of the United Arab Emirates. In resent years Tashi has established his home and studio near Hay-on-Wye in Herefordshire, Great Britain.
Drawing on a lifetime of study and practice in the rich iconography and wisdom that the Tibetan culture and Buddhist faith offers, my creative enthusiasm as a calligraphic artist is the enjoyment of delivering what is initially born as ‘thoughts’. Though of no solidity, thoughts have an amazing ability to hover in the limitless space of ‘mind’, perhaps held by the glue of emotion and the ever reaffirming ‘memory’. Artworks may remain painted and stored in my consciousness for many years, before the right moment comes along to liberate these ‘ideas’ as an actual art piece.
Fundamental to me is the importance of a foundation in the discipline of a trained hand, which not only helps keep the scriptural traditions alive, but also gives the confidence to allow the creative freedom to emanate through the medium.
The whole creative process is likened to meditation, where calmness is essential for clarity to manifest untainted.
I like to think that my work provides windows, through which others can see the symbolic world, that may provoke to question and even to wake up, if not to be pleasantly inspired. All I wish, is for people to be happy. If I can simply cheer people up, then my intentions are rewarded.
Tashi Mannox
February 2012
Tashi Mannox | Iconographies of Dharma
[click images to enlarge]
Integral Calligraphy
Calligraphy is the art of beautiful writing, the art of exquisite hand-written linguistic marks. Such is the aesthetic impact of the script that the verbal meaning need not be understood for the calligraphy to shine forth in profound significance.
Many world-historical cultures have evolved ramified calligraphic traditions, perhaps most well-known being those of Asia and Islam. Less popularly acknowledged amongst the Asian traditions, Tibet has its own remarkable lineages of calligraphy.
Tashi Mannox, an Englishman, and for many years an ordained Buddhist monk, has trained for decades in the arts of Tibetan calligraphy. Today he preserves this tradition as a vehicle to communicate and transmit dharma, all the while adapting and updating his approach within and for contemporary contexts. He identifies three streams in his work: (1) contemporary and traditional; (2) contemporary black on black, and (3) illuminated iconography.
In honoring contemporary contexts and concerns, some of his designs are presented as sacred tattoos. With certain commissioned work he offers the option of including bespoke seals that are specific to the calligraphic project and its patron. In all cases Tashi’s art is an expression of his long and devoted meditative practice and spiritual realization, such that his art energetically transmits the Tibetan Buddhist View.
Several of the circular designs in the present exhibition approach the status of calligrams—the arrangement of script to form a picture—a device most often associated with strains of Islamic artistic practice and with experiments in Western modernism aligned with the poet Guillaume Apollinaire. A work like Emanate from Emptiness and Samsara—Cyclic Existence visually articulates the verbal meaning in a picture-like manner, amplifying rather than compromising the calligraphic beauty and integrity of the script itself. Indeed, the variety of Tashi’s approaches is astonishing. With a work like Primordial Purity, Golden World, the pictorial is no longer built up from the script, but is an image in its own right, aspects of the script incorporated then meaningfully and expressively into the image. With Hum, Jyo-Protection, the mark-making itself is of a refined exquisite delicacy, the script streams and seals composed on the page to generate extraordinarily aesthetic coherence and expressive nuance.
Grounded thoroughly in the pre-modern Tibetan tradition, incorporating modernist visual schemes, and being multi-cultural and postmodern in drawing on other calligraphic lineages such as the spatial awareness proper to Zen calligraphic practice (while preserving the Tibetan core of style), Tashi Mannox’s art is an authentic and exemplary instance of an integral calligraphy for our age.
Michael Schwartz
February 2012
A short film about the work of Tibetan calligrapher Tashi Mannox.
A Book Review By Wee Sun, Ngiaw – Special Correspondent, TKD Times Magazine.
Those who had received their TKD training in the 1960s and 1970s, this book provides an informative insight into the geo-political and military history on the development of Taekwon-Do, featuring the pioneer Instructors spearheaded by General Choi
And it will definitely make an interesting read for those had started learning TKD in the 1980s, 1990s, and right up to the present moment. This book entitled, “A Killing Art – the untold history of Taekwon-do” takes the form of narrative stories of struggle for power and domination punctuated with allegations of bribery, corruption, assassination and blackmail. Some of the names of Korean Masters mentioned in the book may be familiar to some of us who had had the opportunity to have been taught by them.
Written by Alex Gillis, a Canadian Instructor who received his training from ITF Korean Instructors, this book, as the author admitted, is partly biography, and partly memoir streamed together, giving a seemingly bizarre account of how General Choi, during his pre and post ITF era maneuvered his game plans in exploiting his Korean Instructors and dictating to his advantage, thus claiming authorship to the founding of the art, though there were several ‘founders’ of the various ‘kwans’ (schools)earlier before him. [His 4th Degree was awarded to him by one of the earlier seniors in Korea]
Even more grotesquely descriptive were the stories of the involvement of KCIA, CIA and the famous cult preacher Sun Myung Moon and the Unification Church with some of the well-known pioneer Korean instructors in the United States. Plots and counter plots of assassination, and ‘gangsters’ ala mafia’ were treated as customary events during these turbulent times of Taekwon-Do’s historical development.
Some of the Korean Instructors [who are by now Grandmasters] are still alive to reminisce those tumultuous events, feeling morose at having had to experience such anguished moments of their lives. One of them is Grandamster Kim Bok Man whom I met recently in November 2008 with the assistance of a colleague who managed to trace him at his dojang in New Jersey
Grandmaster Kim had graded me in 1968 in Singapore YMCA where I received my early TKD training. And much to my surprise and awe, a picture of me in the group photo of the Grading test was found hanging on the wall of his dojang in New Jersey– after a lapse of 40 years!
Grandmaster Kim as some of you may know was considered the pioneer in introducing TKD in South East Asia. The book did mention that during the time when Gen Choi was the Korean Ambassador to Malaysia , Grandmaster Kim together with Master Woo Jae Lim ( now deceased) were instrumental in developing, formatting and refining the 16 original ITF patterns at the compound of the Korean Embassy in Kuala Lumpur under the starry eyes of Gen Choi.
Talking and listening to his stories after a lapse of 40 years was quite an experience, especially his emotional outbursts of lashing out at those who ‘betrayed’ him during those troubling periods.
The hard cover book comes with chapters creatively crafted under the headings of the tenets of Taekwon-do, such as indomitable spirit, courtesy, self control, and perseverance though the contents within this chapters may not lend credence to the spirit of this tenets, belying the scandalous and controversial series of events that had occurred since the introduction of TKD to the martial art world.
The changing of the guards under the helm of the Presidents of both the two world bodies of ITF and WTF was also marred with scandals and disgrace that were heralded as breaking news in the world of martial art, and TKD in particular.
In one of the chapters, the story was told of the Korean government officials raiding the residence of the former President of WTF and discovered millions of dollars in currency notes and expensive gifts and items being stashed away in the cupboards. It was reported that millions of government funds meant to be disbursed to the world body were kept by the former President. The rest was history as he was found guilty of corruption and CBT and was sentenced to jail. The current President of ITF was not spared either, as allegations of corruption and embezzlement of funds were reported in the inner circles of the TKD community.
For the past 5 decades or so, TKD has been tossed around as a political tool manipulated by the major players to forge their struggle for power, dominance and financial gain. The very fact that ITF has split into more than three world bodies bespeaks the lamented commercialization of the martial art. It was reported that WTF with its Kukiwon headquarters in Seoul, Korea, is also embroiled in such similar scandals.
When a question was posed to Grandmaster Kim Bok Man as to his purpose of pending visit to Seoul, South Korea in December 2008. he answered vaguely that he will be having some official discussions relating to TKD, about the condition of certificate issuance, inferring that another new TKD body might be set up.
On another piece of development, it was also reported Choi Jung Hwa, Gen Choi’s son, was in South Korea recently revealing some controversial information to the government officials accusing the current ITF President to be acting as a government spy for North Korea.
In light of such circumstances and development surrounding TKD, will the proposal for the unification of TKD ever become a reality or is it just an exercise in futility?
One thing is certain, there will be many steep mountains to climb, there will be more challenges to overcome, and last but not least, more concerted effort is needed in the ‘slaying of the beast’, and that is the EGO, if ever TKD is be free from the shackles of one-upmanship and territorial turf dominance.
For those serious TKD practitioners who nonchalantly continue to focus on the traditional and spiritual values of the art, making positive contributions in promoting goodwill and a sense of fellowship and camaraderie, there is still a beacon of hope to excel in the perfection of execution of techniques that this art offers.
Against the backdrop of continuing struggle for dominance and control for selfish gains, the serious practitioner has to be steadfast and disciplined, and diligently divorce himself from such temptations of ‘wheeling and dealing’. He has to come to terms with the realization that, viewed from spiritual perspectives, there exist the many dimensions of reality when one meditates and transcends the egoic self. He will then find the answers as to the much sought after secrets of happiness and life fulfillment
Some 2,500 years ago, a wise man became enlightened and preached to the world that LIFE in the relative world, there will be happiness and sorrow, love and hatred, richness and poverty, laughter and sadness, freedom and bondage, war and peace and all the dualities in living. In short, the wise man said, LIFE situation contains SUFFERING.
He further revealed the prognosis on the causes of suffering:
* Identification with a separate self;
*Attachment to the ego;
*Clinging to the permanency in life;
He then prescribed the cure for this suffering – in what we call the noble eightfold path.
Time constraint does not permit to go into details of this noble eightfold path, but perhaps one of the most important and cardinal concepts amongst them that, through the life long practice of TKD, one precept that one can cultivate and achieve is:
RIGHT MINDFULNESS – mental ability to see things as they are, with clear consciousness.
Every movement and step that we execute in our TKD practice is consciousness in motion, to be totally focused in the present moment awareness – the witnessing self observing the martial artist performing the art. Practiced progressively over periods of time, the martial artist and the art converge and merge into one wave of consciousness – the martial artist becomes the art in motion. (The Rig Veda of India’s vedic science also mentions about the Samhita of Rishi, Devata and Chandas having similar transcendental experience and spiritual understandingon the 3-in-1 consciousness)
Upon experiencing the transcendence on the boundaries of our thought, the many dimensions of reality give the notion that our body is just our re-cycled earth, our body fluids are re-cycled water, our breath is re-cycled air, and our thoughts are re-cycled information. Is there permanency in life that we need to cling so fearfully not knowing who we are, where do we come from, what is the purpose of our life?
One favorite past-time whenever traveling to places of sights and sceneries, is to visit the cemeteries and glimpse at the tombstones and the dash sign ( – ) in between the two dates. Therein lies the greatest revelation about our LIFE. Our lives are just a dash, pure and simple. We are mortal beings. And having realized this simple truth, we are a step closer to the secrets of happiness and the awakening to enlightenment.
For those who are interested in ordering the book, it is available at www.amazon.com , now presently offering valuable discounts.
Although Bruce Lee is best known as a martial artist, he also studied drama and philosophy. He was well-read and had an extensive library. His own books on martial arts and fighting philosophy are known for their philosophical assertions both inside and outside of martial arts circles. His eclectic philosophy often mirrored his fighting beliefs, though he was quick to claim that his martial arts were solely a metaphor for such teachings. He believed that any knowledge ultimately led to self-knowledge, and said that his chosen method of self-expression was martial arts.
BRUCE LEE INTERVIEW
Faith makes it possible to achieve that which man’s mind can conceive and believe. .
“In the great scheme of things, what matters is not howlong you live, but why you live, what you stand for, and what you are willing to die for.” – Paul Watson
April 11, 2008 marked the sixth anniversary of the passing of Grandmaster Park Jung Tae, the Founder of Global Taekwon-Do Federation (GTF). The demise of this legendary Tae Kwon Do exponent had left a profound indelible mark in the lives of his close disciples spread out across the GTF member countries worldwide.
Unanimously elected by the Executive Board to take over the helm as President, Grandmaster Linda Park is poised to perpetuate the legacy that her late husband had left behind. Ably supported by her core group of masters, Mrs. Park lays out strategies in revamping the organizational structure of the GTF World Body to ensure that its members near and far, continue to receive the best training techniques and methods as originally taught by the late Grandmaster Park Jung Tae.
In this up close and personal interview, Mrs. Park shares and recalls those endearing moments in the life history of her late husband, as well as her aspirations on the future development of GTF
TKDT:Can you briefly describe your first encounter with the late Grandmaster Park Jung Tae, how your relationship blossomed and the events that followed?
Linda Park: I met Grandmaster Park in March of 1970 in Toronto, Canada. At the time I was training at the Tae Kwon Do club where he came to teach the class as a guest instructor. The chemistry of that first encounter lead to a romance, marriage, children and a lifetime commitment until his death on April 11, 2002. From the beginning, our daily life was intertwined with Tae Kwon Do (TKD) promotion and development. Grandmaster Park was very disciplined and serious about training and always did his utmost to nurture, develop, promote and boost the standards of TKD worldwide. It was natural that I would become well informed about TKD related issues and get to know the senior instructors and officials as we traveled together to many countries for seminars, examinations and meetings. After Grandmaster Park passed away, his loyal students and I continued to honor his name through our commitment to promote his legacy. Today, I think the GTF represents that legacy and TKD well.
TKDT:During the span of 12 years since the GTF was established in 1990, Grandmaster Park created six original GTF hyungs (patterns). What is the rationale for the patterns in addition to the International Taekwon-do Federation’s (ITF) 24 patterns? Would not this place too much pressure on the practicing students, especially when these GTF patterns contain so many movements, multiple leg and jumping techniques, which older students may find difficult to perform?
LP: Patterns created by Grandmaster Park gave the GTF its own distinct identity. Besides fundamental movements, he wanted to incorporate many difficult jumping and slow motion kicking techniques into the patterns because he believed that the true value of TKD can only be realized through disciplined training and consistently pushing beyond one’s limitations. He wanted the GTF hyungs to reflect this philosophy and raise the levels of TKD.
In the beginning, there were some instructors who did not want Grandmaster Park to create new patterns, but now today the instructors are eager for the challenge and are teaching them with pride, knowing they are unique to the GTF. Grandmaster Park, himself a senior, was able to perform these difficult patterns and set an example for the GTF instructors and students, that with disciplined training anything is possible.
TKDT:When GTF was formed in 1990, many member countries disassociated themselves from the ITF and joined the GTF under the leadership of Grandmaster Park, in the wake of stiff challenges posed by the two well-established world bodies of the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) and the ITF. As the closest confidante to your late husband, could you share with us his plans to maintain and promote GTF as an alternative world body?
LP: The GTF emerged out of a need for peace and harmony within the TKD community. The formation of the GTF might have been new but the experience, skill and foresight of the founder was exactly what was needed to combat all the havoc surrounding TKD at that time. I don’t think any other TKD Grandmaster could have been successful at doing this. In fact, Grandmaster Park’s inner wisdom and superior technical skills were crucial to the way Tae Kwon Do’s global image sustained credibility as a strong, traditional martial art. When we decided on the nonpolitical status of GTF, this appealed to many instructors who were tired of the TKD political arena. They welcomed this positive change.
We immediately focused on setting up seminars around the world with the support of the instructors who remained loyal to Grandmaster Park; thus, creating a global network of enthusiastic instructors. GTF rapidly grew. As evidenced by its popularity today, it has become a federation that truly represents TKD in its truest form. GTF was accepted as a Tae Kwon Do world body when recognized by the WTF in August 1990 through a document agreeing to support each other
TKDT:Grandmaster Park’s passing on April 11, 2002, must have posed greater challenges for the future growth of the GTF organization. With you now at the helm, what steps have you taken to preserve the integrity of the organization? How are you going to ensure that the late Grandmaster Park’s legacy of technical excellence and competency continue tobe the hallmark of the GTF?
LP: 2002 was a year that left a void in Tae Kwon Do worldwide as the two TKD icons, Grandmaster Park Jung Tae and General Choi Hong Hi both passed away within a few months of each other. This sudden reality did cause a sense of urgency in the TKD community. As human nature is, a few instructors scrambled between the TKD federations, some became independent or just sat on the fence waiting to see what was going to happen. As president, with almost forty years experience in Tae Kwon Do, my focus is primarily on promoting the philosophy of martial arts. Without protocol
and respect the true martial artist will disappear and we just have to look at the attitude and behavior of many instructors to see this is happening today.
GTF masters and senior instructors have the honor of being the next generation of great instructors. They were taught by Grandmaster Park and now carry on the technical standards and traditions implemented by him. It is through our combined efforts that the integrity of the GTF will be preserved and the hallmark of the GTF will symbolize technical excellence for decades to come.
TKDT:The ITF and WTF have been vigorously involved in the discussion on unification of TKD to ensure its rightful place as an Olympic sport item. What is GTF’s stand on this issue? What role will the GTF play in the TKD fraternity?
LP: I don’t believe TKD as an Olympic sport represents the true martial art Tae Kwon Do and to place such focus on the sport aspect is not in the best interests of traditional TKD. Of course, GTF promotes competition in tournaments, but the handful of techniques permitted only represents a minute fraction of TKD per se. To survive as a true martial art, all elements of TKD training must be practiced equally; fundamentals, forging, patterns, sparring, self-defense and philosophy to complete Tae Kwon Do training.
As a traditional TKD martial arts federation, we are not willing to compromise our high standards but we have always been committed to work for the best interests of all TKD practitioners. Many leaders today have lost sight of the values and standards of Tae Kwon Do but if we can go back to the basics of this Korean art of self-defense, we can find that pivotal point where we can work in harmony to preserve traditional Tae Kwon Do and make the Olympic status reflect that true image. Without addressing those deep rooted factors embedded in Korean culture, unification of TKD in the truest sense is far away from being realized. I think the real question for the leaders of Tae Kwon Do today is; “What importance should be placed on this one sport aspect of our art?”
TKDT:Given the wide range of choices available in the martial art market, what are the advantages and features that GTF has to offer in order to attract more members?
LP: GTF is focused on maintaining a global traditional martial arts organization, providing the best detailed technical training, global competition, innovative marketing ideas and strategies and a nonpolitical forum for our members. If a person wants to achieve personal excellence in training, be certified and recognized for their achievements, have international fellowship and belong to an organization that promotes peace and harmony, then, GTF is the right federation for them.
TKDT:: Most of the Taekwon-Do and other martial art world bodies have their Presidents who are actual practitioners in the dojang after having gone through many years of endurance in training and mastering the art. As a President, how would you strategize to take the GTF to the next higher level of performance, given the constraints that you may face?
LP: From my perspective, every leader is faced with constraints of some kind and even though I am not a physical practitioner anymore I have almost 40 years Taekwon-Do experience. As President I am very dedicated to GTF development and promotion and will not be deterred from continuing in this direction. I work closely with the GTF Secretary-General Master Chris Gantner and the Executive Committee to review key objectives and strategize to improve our performance on all levels.
There is already a plan of action in place, ready to be implemented which will take the GTF to the next level of greatness. We are currently working on administrative changes that will help us become more socially responsible by addressing our concerns about environmental sustainability. Check our website regularly for updates about our new initiatives, GTF events and more. 2008 is going to be a year of innovation and prosperity for the Global Taekwon-Do Federation.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Master Ngiaw Wee Sun who holds an 8th Degree Black Belt serves in the GTF Executive Board as Chairman of GTF Public Relations Committee. He also sits as co-President of Jook Am Taekwon-Do Association USA, established by Master Christ Gantner. Currently based in New York, Master Ngiaw has his regular training and teaching in New York and New Jersey.
Editor’s Note: This article appeared on the Taekwon-Do Times Magazine, March 2009 issue.
Her father was the king of the Silla kingdom, which had emerged in the south about 250 and 350 AD and by the end of the 7th century managed to unify the whole peninsula. Having no sons, he chose as his heir his daughter Sun Duk, which was no great surprise for a number of reasons.
One was that women in this period had a certain degree of influence already as advisers, queen dowagers, and regents. Throughout the kingdom, women were heads of families since matrilineal lines of descent existed alongside patrilineal lines.
The Confucian model, which placed women in a subordinate position within the family, was not to have a major impact in Korea until the fifteenth century. During the Silla kingdom, women’s status remained relatively high.
There were other reasons, too, that led the king to favor Sun Duk. Early in her life she had displayed an unusually quick mind. One anecdote tells of the time the king received a box of peony seeds from China accompanied by a painting of what the flowers looked like. Looking at the picture, seven-year-old Sun Duk remarked that while the flower was pretty it was too bad that it did not smell. “If it did, there would be butterflies and bees around the flower in the painting.”
Her observation about the peonies lack of smell proved correct, one illustration among many of her intelligence, and thus ability to rule. In 634, Sun Duk became the sole ruler of Silla, and ruled until 647. She was the first of three female’s rulers of the kingdom, and was immediately succeeded by her cousin Chindok, who ruled until 654.
Sun Duk’s reign was a violent one; rebellions and fighting in the neighboring kingdom of Paekche filled her days. Yet, in her fourteen years as queen of Korea, her wit was to her advantage. She kept the kingdom together and extended its ties to China, sending scholars to learn from that august kingdom. She was drawn to Buddhism and presided over the completion of Buddhist temples. She built the “Tower of the Moon and Stars,” considered the first observatory in the Far East. The tower still stands in the old Silla capital city of Kyongju, South Korea.
Sun Duk’s respect as a ruler may have been reinforced by the ancient tradition of female shamanism, which was prominent in Korea, and among some peoples still is. Up until Sun Duk’s time, the word shaman was assumed to apply to women. Shamans had great power as recognized intermediaries between gods and humans. Some presided over national ceremonies, but most were a kind of family priestess, whose role usually was inherited.
Through spirit possession, shamans performed healings and exorcisms, revealed causes of family strife and advised on their resolution, picked auspicious days for weddings or burials, conducted rituals to guarantee continual prosperity, and healed those who were broken in body or soul. As foretellers of the future, shamans had enormous power.
Histories tell us that Sun Duk was revered for her ability to anticipate advents. Might it have been this more than any other attribute that led to her popularity as a ruler? If so, it is a prime example of a way time honored female tasks have helped women assume leadership roles.
The Royal Tomb of Queen Seondeok (선덕여왕릉), located in Bomun-dong, is a round-shaped tomb with earthen layers, 73 meters in circumference. Aside from the fact that it was constructed using natural stones in double layers, the tomb has no other unique features. As the oldest daughter of King Jinpyeong, Queen Seondeok became the first queen of the Silla Dynasty. During the 16th year of her reign, Bunhwangsa Temple (분황사) and Cheomseongdae Observatory (첨성대) were built. She also ordered the construction of the famous nine-story pagoda of Hwangyongsa Temple, an achievement of Buddhist architecture. While many of her efforts laid the foundation for the unification of Three Kingdoms of Korea, Queen Seondeok’s reign was plagued by rebellion and strife and she died in 647 during a rebellion, 23 years before unification was realized.
Reference:
Yung-Chung Kim, “Women of Korea – A History from Ancient Times to 1945” Seoul: EWHA Women’s University Press, 1997.
There is a site called “Teaching About Korea” with curriculum handouts. Some deal with “Queens of the Silla Era.”
Note: This is the abridge version of the biography. For a more in-depth and detail account, it is available on request.
Compiled and prepared by: Master Ngiaw Wee Sun
SUN DUK HYONG
This pattern is named after Queen Sun Duk of the Silla Dynasty 668 A.D. She was known for bringing martial art from China to Korea. The diagram represents “Lady”. The 68 movements of this pattern refer to the year 668 A.D. This pattern was designed and created by Grand Master Park Jung Tae for 4th Degree Black Belt.
Grand Master Park developed Pyong Hwa and Sun Duk, realizing that everything in life is a confluence of relationships. Everything is a balance between feminine and masculine energies, the yin and the yang, and anytime when there is more of one than the other, we are out of balance. Pyong Hwa denotes peace and to bring about peace and order in the world, Grand Master Park invoked the presence of Queen Sun Duk , the yin qualities ofsweetness, beauty and intelligence. As the 27th ruler of the Silla Dynasty Queen Sun Duk also showed herself to be a lover of art, architecture, and peace.
Queen Sun Duk was a vibrant woman with an intuitive intellect, a queen who ruled her people well, and who could, according to legend, predict the future. Her life was, in my humble opinion, a life well lived.
Right now we need to awaken the feminine divinity within us because the dominance of the masculine forces has contributed to belligerence, arrogance, and aggression, the very problems we see in the world right now.
Trailer for the forthcoming documentary film, TONG-IL: BREAKING BOARDS, BRICKS, AND BORDERS, about Grandmaster Woo-Jin Jung, martial arts diplomacy, and the historic 2007 North Korea/USA Taekwon-Do Goodwill Tour. Presented by LUV Films. Produced and directed by Luan Van Le. Trailer music courtesy of Michael
On June 27, 2011, responding to the initiative of the Honorable (YB) Senator Andy Ng, we gathered at the Parliament House to meet up with the Sports Minister and the Sports Commissioner during the Parliamentary recess session to discuss PGTF’s outstanding issue relating to the application of registration which has been pending for almost 7 years. Several meetings were held in the past with the Sports Ministry officials to resolve the issue but had yielded no positive results.
PGTF OFFICIALS AT THE PARLIAMENT HOUSE (Left to Right – The Honorable (YB) Senator Master Andy Ng, Master Billy Soon, Master Lee Hok Heng, Master Ngiaw Wee Sun, Master Alex Lee, Mr. Thung Jin Ping
This time around, we reminded ourselves that this could be the final ‘battle’ – a ‘do’ or ‘die’ mission to plead with the sports authorities to approve the certification of registration of the National Body failing which we would hang our belts, bid ourselves farewell and go into our separate ways or maybe join other TKD Group.
But deep within the chambers of our hearts, there still remain that little spark – that pilot light of indomitable spirit that beckons us to ‘fight’ one more round., just one more final round – for TRUTH and JUSTICE to prevail.
If we add up the total count of Degrees ( Dan ) that the 6 of us had obtained we would have accumulated more than 100 years of martial art training experience. Surely with such impressive accumulation of years of experience, we can ‘move mountains’ and make things happen. How true when Sir Winston Churchill said “ Courage is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm.”
While waiting for the arrival of the Sports Ministry officials, we wasted no time and got our acts together and brainstormed the issues relevant to the pending discussion with the Sports Ministry officials. We strategised our approaches, refined our arguments with anticipated reactions, and finalized our presentations.
PGTF MASTERS’ BRAINSTORMING SESSION AT DEPUTY SPEAKER’S OFFICE AT THE PARLIAMENT
After having a preliminary discussion with the Sports Commissioner to review the issues relating to our earlier application which has been pending for almost 7 years, we were advised on the following:
to submit a fresh application to the Sports Commissioner office (PPS);
to obtain consent letters from the current State Associations desiring of affiliating to PGTF; similar requirements at district level,academies and clubs also apply;
to have a minimum of 7 States Associations to meet the requirements of formation of a National Body;
The Sports Commissioner concluded by appealing us to complement each other’s work by submitting all the required documents and applications. He assured us that the papers will be processed and we should receive a reply within 2 weeks.
DISCUSSION WITH SPORTS MINISTER AND SPORTS COMMISSIONER
At 4.30pm on the fateful Tuesday, June 27, 2011, the Sports Minister presided the meeting and commented on some very pertinent and salient issues relevant to the Taekwon-Do development and administration in Malaysia:
that Taekwon-DO ITF & GTF style are not considered as high performance sports as compared to Taekwon-Do WTF;
that only WTF is recognized by the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) and hence will enjoy government support with funding benefits;
that GTF & ITF only seek legitimacy in their sporting activities in compliance to the Sports Act 1976, hence the requirement for the Certification of Registration from PPS.
that GTF and ITF should be allowed to carry out their sports activities, mobilize the youths to engage in healthy life-style, develop leadership qualities and discipline and other value added benefits that come along with the training proper.
GROUP PHOTO WITH SPORTS MINISTER & SPORTS COMMISSIONER
We were very impressed by the Sports Minister’s grasp of knowledge over the state of affairs currently impacting TKD in Malaysia, and we were very grateful for his wisdom and foresight.
As we concluded our meeting, we maneuvered ourselves and walked on the corridors of the Parliament premise now filled with the country’s lawmakers, both the ruling government and the Opposition Parliamentarians, in their crisped official coat suites hurriedly entering the assembly hall for the afternoon session.With hardly 7 days left before the PGTF contingent would depart for the 8th GTF World Championships, Scotland, we collaborated and mobilized our efforts, convened inaugural meetings, elected pro-tem office bearers for the respective States, and filled up the required application forms. With the Honorable Senator Andy Ng attending the forthcoming Parliament session the following week, we gathered all the documents; have them proof-read and edited and handed over to him for his immediate action.
We literally worked our hearts out, day and night, to beat the deadline. We wish to record a word of thanks to all those who had assisted during this final hours for their sacrifice and enduring patience.
The rest was history with the Honorable Senator Andy Ng going back and forth the Sports Commissioner office, tidying up the loose insertions and amendments.
On July 13, PGTF was officially certified as a legitimate Sport Body ( Registration No 4709/2011), the governing body for GTF in Malaysia as sanctioned by the GTF HQ in Toronto, Canada. Together 5 State Associations and district bodies were also issued with the Certificate of Registration by the Sports Commissioner, Malaysia.
On July 18,2011, a Press Conference was called by the President of PGTF, Dato Othman Talib and local TV stations and the Press media were present to witness the official launching of the newly minted TKD Body.
Newspaper Report – July 23, 2011 Sin Chew Daily
Press statement : English Translation:
PGTF, a new Taekwondo Body in Malaysia was successfully registered on 13/7/11 by
the Pesuruhjaya Sukan, kementerian belia dan sukan. It is affiliated to the Global
taekwon-do Federation (GTF), a world body, HQ at Ontario, Canada.
PGTF is the only Malaysia body recognised by the GTF HQ. Presently PGTF has 8 states affiliates, namely:
Persatuan Pan-Malaysia Global Taekwondo P.Pinang (PGTF P.Pinang),
PGTF Pahang,
PGTF Johor,
PGTF Wilayah Persekutuan,
PGTF Selangor,
PGTF N.Sembilan,
PGTF Kedah and
PGTF Perak.
It also has a few district affiliates. We believe that we will be able to expand to every states in the near future. We welcome other Taekwondo members to join us.
PGTF was launched by its president Dato’ Othman Talib in kuala Lumpur on the 18/7/11. The ceremony was witnessed by YB Senator Ng Fook Heng who is also their Deputy President. All the committees attended the ceremony.
Dato said that with the approval from the sports commissioner, we are now officially recognized as a sport body in Malaysia. Before that, we registered PGTF under a Sdn Bhd company. With this approval, we will dissolve the company and transfer what ever asset we have to the new body. We will run it professionally.
He hoped all instructors and affiliates will work together to make PGTF a well respected body. Currently we have about 20000 members in Malaysia. We will organize a national championship this year, probably in Ipoh. He hoped all members prepare for the Championships.
“Every day you may make progress. Every step may be fruitful. Yet there will stretch out before you an ever-lengthening, ever-ascending, ever-improving path. You know you will never get to the end of the journey. But this, so far from discouraging, only adds to the joy and glory of the climb.” – Sir Winston Churchill
PGTF & THE 8TH GTF WORLD TAEKWON-DO CHAMPIONSHIPS, DUNDEE SCOTLAND, JULY 5 – 12, 2011
PGTF CONTINGENT WITH THEIR ‘CLEAN’ PGTF TRACK SUITES
Queens Hotel, Dundee
On July 5, 2011 most of the GTF contingents from various countries had arrived and converged at Queens Hotel, Dundee, the official Hotel for the 8th GTF world Taekwon-Do championships.
At the lobby of the Queens Hotel, there stands the picture wall frame of Sir Winston Churchill along side his personal handwriting inscription of his stay in this hotel in the 1920s when he was elected as Member of Parliament for the Dundee constituency.
It was such a mystical co-incidence that this ‘greater than life’ personality had once stayed in this hotel, the same hotel where the PGTF team were to be housed for a week or so. Mystical because both Sir Winston Churchill and PGTF had imbibed such an awesome deal of indomitable spirit.
For at this crucial time, PGTF stands at the cross road, where back home its future destiny lies at the hand of the Sports Ministry whose approval for registration has been pending for the past 7 years, for reasons not known to the pro-tem office bearers of PGTF.
Just before we left for Scotland, a fresh application has been filed in by the Honorable Senator Andy Ng. There was this strange mystical feeling that the spirit of Sir Winston Churchill might re-incarnate and pound on the doors of Sports Commissioner’s office to expedite the approval.
The senior instructors continued instructing the students, instilling into them the values of discipline and respect, they continued nurturing them to live a healthy life-style, confident that one day PGTF would see light at the end of the tunnel.
In spite of such excruciating circumstances that PGTF have been undergoing, without a ‘house’ to call our home, endlessly groping in the dark for the past 7 years, the senior instructors and their students staunchly plodded on, upholding the virtues of patience and righteousness. They literally spent thousands of ringgit out of their own pocket just to continue representing the country and keeping the PGTF flag flying high for the past 7 years !!!
“Never give in–never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.” – Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965)
RESULTS OF THE GTF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Five (5) Malaysian participants had made fantastic results with 4 Gold, 4 Silver & 3 Bronze medals.
Below are the details:-
1. See Kien Piew (Perak) – Pattern: Gold, Free Sparring: Gold, Flying Kick Special Technique: Gold
We’ve been seeing a lot of ego-centered attitudes flying around Washington with the deficit mess, the frustrating GOP presidential wannabes and in London with the unbelievable Murdoch fiasco.
Seems like the more power one has, the more the ego dominates: Me and my opinions are more important than the needs of others. There is no limit to the damage a powerful ego can cause, from the arrogant conviction that our own opinions are only right ones and everyone should be made to agree, to wielding and abusing responsibility and authority at the expense of other people’s lives and freedoms.
The ego could be the least understood of all our human qualities. It’s the “me” bit that gives us our sense of ourselves. This is not necessarily good or bad, except when selfishness dominates our thoughts, feelings and perceptions. A positive sense of self gives us confidence and purpose, but a more negative and self-centered ego makes us unconcerned with other people’s feelings; it thrives on the idea of “me first” and impels us to cry out, “What about me? What about my feelings?”
The purpose of the ego is to be in control, and so it keeps us focused in the realm of “me-ness.” It makes us believe we are the cleverest, best informed and most important, as easily as it makes us feel unworthy, unlovable and certainly not good enough to be happy. It is this misguided sense of self that is the root cause of so much distress, both in our own lives and in the world: wars are fought, families split and friends are forgotten due to this misunderstanding.
Fostering the delusion that only “I” is important, that me and mine must come before us and ours, the ego makes us believe we are something, that this something is different, special and unique, and that we are separate from everything and everyone else. When we become aware of our essential unity and oneness with all beings, then the ego becomes redundant and loses its job. It will, therefore, do whatever it has to in order to perpetuate its employment.
Creating the illusion that we are the dust on the mirror, the ego ensures that we believe we could never be so beautiful as the radiant reflection beneath the surface. Yet how extraordinary to believe that we cannot be free when freedom is our true nature!
Hypothetically, all we need to do is let go of the focus on “me,” of our sense of separateness, our need for distinction, the grasping and clinging to our story. But this is far easier said than done.
In India the ego is represented by a coconut, as this is the hardest nut to crack. Traditionally, the coconut is offered to the guru or teacher as a sign of the student’s willingness to surrender his or her ego and let go of self-obsession. Such a symbolic gesture shows that the ego is considered to be a great obstacle on the spiritual path and an even greater impediment to developing true kindness and compassion.
As we evolve in consciousness, we move from the animal-like state of preservation and survival to developing our own identity as a separate individual. In the process we become more self-centered. The next step is the development of the true individual — one who experiences no separation between self and other and awakens loving kindness. We always remind ourselves what the Dalai Lama said to us when we met with him: We are all equal here. The depth of this statement always connects us to our humility.
The need to reach the top of the mountain, to accomplish our desires and be successful, is the natural impulse to move toward experiencing greater happiness. The difficulty lies in believing that success means being all-powerful; we forget that there is a difference between being powerful in the sense of being egotistic and controlling, and being powerful meaning full of loving kindness and compassion. True power is not corruptive or abusive, as we are seeing in Washington and London; it transcends greed and serves for the benefit of all.
Meditation cultivates awareness so we are able to see the ego at play, how manipulative and self-serving it can be and how it easily dominates our behavior. Such a reflective practice gives us the experience of no separation and reveals genuine compassion.
GM Park explains sine wave in 1992 seminar in England.
GM Park – Extra moves
Slow motion – movement is performed slowly with slow breathing. This is used to emphasize an important movement and to check balance and control.
Fast motion – urgent and aggressive, normal breathing. Fast motion is nearly always attacks – mainly two punches. Short-cut your sinewave – spring straight from the first movement into the next.
Continuous motion – link the movements together with no pause between the end of one movement and the start of the next. Breath in once then out in a continuous flow of air but emphasizing each movement. Try to link the moments smoothly, with grace and beauty. (Continuous movements always start with a block).
Connecting motion – complete the two movements with one breath and one sinewave. Connecting motion is always with two movements using opposite arms.
- “Releasing motion”, is a releasing technique
- “Consecutive kick”, “do not put your foot on the ground after the first kick”
- “quick” – used for single movements so means “do it quickly”, as apposed to fast motion, which describes how two or more movements should be performed together.
Sine wave Study
This is an analysis of how sine wave is performed in pattern movements in relation to fast, continuous and connecting motion. This is based on watching Gen. Choi and others perform the movement at various seminars over the years.
There seems to be 4 ways of moving from one movement on to the next, as listed below:
Full sinewave means once the first movement is complete, you then drop your weight down, up, then down again as you complete the next movement (down/up/down).
2/3 sinewave means completing the first movement, moving straight up then down to complete the next movement (up/down).
1/3 sinewave means you are already up at the completion of the first movement, so then drop down into the next (down).
The following is a summarized transcript of the above video clip:
Practice of the Art of Peace enables you to rise above praise or blame, and it frees you from attachment to this and that.
Inner principles give coherence to things; the Art of Peace is a method of uncovering those principles.
A good mixture is 70 percent faith and 30 percent science. Faith in the Art of Peace will allow you to understand the intricacies of modern science.
Conflict between material and spiritual science creates physical and mental exhaustion, but when matter and spirit are harmonized, all stress and fatigue disappear.
If you have not
Linked yourself
To true emptiness,
You will never understand
The Art of Peace.
Your heart is full of fertile seeds, waiting to sprout. Just as a lotus flower springs from the mire to bloom splendidly, the interaction of the cosmic breath causes the flower of the spirit to bloom and bear fruit in this world.
Every sturdy tree that towers over human beings owes it’s existence to a deeply rooted core.
To practice properly the Art of Peace, you must:
-calm the spirit and return to the source.
-Cleanse the body and spirit by removing all malice, selfishness, and desire.
-Be grateful for the gifts received from the universe, your family, Mother Nature, and your fellow human beings.
Large does not always defeat little. Little can become large by constant building; large can become little by falling apart.
Loyalty and devotion lead to bravery. Bravery leads to the spirit of self-sacrifice. The spirit of self-sacrifice creates trust in the power of love.
The Way of a Warrior
Cannot be encompassed
By words or in letters:
Grasp the essence
And move toward realization!
The purpose of training is to tighten up the slack, toughen the body, and polish the spirit.
Instructors can impart a fraction of the teaching. It is through your own devoted practice that the mysteries of the Art of Peace are brought to life.
The Way of a Warrior is based on humanity, love, and sincerity; The heart of martial valor is true bravery, wisdom, love, and friendship. Emphasis on the physical aspects of warriorship is futile, for the power of the body is always limited.
There are no contests in the Art of Peace. A true warrior is invincible because he or she contests with nothing. Defeat means to defeat the mind of contention that we harbor within.
The Art of Peace is not an object that anyone possesses, nor is it something you can give to another. You must understand the Art of Peace from within, and express it in your own words.
The totally awakened warrior can freely utilize all elements contained in Heaven and Earth. The true warrior learns how to correctly perceive the activity of the universe and how to transform martial techniques into vehicles of purity, goodness, and beauty. A warriors mind and body must be permeated with enlightened wisdom and deep calm.
The Art of Peace is medicine for a sick world. We want to cure the world of the sickness of violence malcontent, and discord-this is the Way of Harmony. There is evil and disorder in the world because people have forgotten that all things emanate from one source. Return to that source and leave behind all self-centered thoughts, petty desires, and anger. Those who are possessed by nothing possess everything.
Practice of the Art of Peace is an act of faith, a belief in the ultimate power of purification and faith in the power of life itself. It is not a type of rigid discipline or empty asceticism. It is a path that follows natural principles, principles that must be applied to daily living. The Art of Peace should be practiced from the time you rise to greet the morning to the time you retire at night.
The Art of Peace emanated from the Divine Form and the Divine Heart of existence; it reflects the true, good, beautiful, and absolute nature of creation and the essence of it’s ultimate grand design. The purpose of the Art of Peace is to fashion sincere human beings; a sincere human being is one who has unified body and spirit, one who is free of hesitation or doubt, and one who understands the power of words.
Recent Press Article on PGTF, Star Metro, July 29, 2011
Registration with sports commission opens doors
THE Pan-Malaysia Global Taekwon-do Federation is now a registered sports body under the Malaysia Sports Commission Office announced its president Datuk Othman Talib in a press conference recently.
“Previously, we were registered under the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM) and this raised many questions among parents whose children are involved in our many activities,” he said.
Othman said that the federation, comprising eight state taekwon-do bodies from Penang, Kedah, Pahang, Selangor, Johor, Perak, Kuala Lumpur and Negri Sembilan, will now find organising activities much easier with the registration.
Fresh: (From right) Othman, Ng and vice president Ng Hooi Lai looking at the official logo of the federation that was recently registered as a sports body.
“We will be taking over as the representative body of the Global Taekwon-do Federation (GTF) locally.
“Previously, Malaysia was represented by the Malaysia Global Taekwon-do Federation but its membership with GTF had been dissolved,” he explained.
He said the confirmation of their registration came on July 13.
“Wherever possible we try to provide the training for free as we want to meet the Government’s call for all youth to lead healthy and active lives,” he said.
He added that they recently arranged for a team of youths to join the world championships in Scotland earlier this month where they took home four gold, silver and bronze medals each.
Othman said the organisation currently had about 2,000 members in total.
Deputy president Senator Ng Fook Heng said that participating in taekwon-do opened many opportunities in life.
“It will enhance a student’s higher education and can be turned into an occupation by becoming an instructor.
“Learning taekwon-do is a lifetime investment and can keep one healthy,” he added.
“Be impeccable with your word. Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.”
~ Don Miguel Ruiz
While sitting in a restaurant today I had a major league “ah-ha” that really whacked me upside the head, and I would like to share this realization with you. Perhaps you might be able to relate with it (or at least know someone who will ), because at first glance it appears to be a very innocuous form of behavior based on the fact that we all tend to “do it” on a regular basis. It seems to be inculcated in our culture. Perhaps for that very reason it is something to which we all need to pay attention because it affects the emotional (and thus physical) well being of all of us.
The “it” to which I am referring is gossip, and the mindless spreading of hearsay, comments and rumors. As I sat trying to mind my own business while eating my lunch, the people in the booth directly behind me were “having” someone by the name of Jane for lunch … and she wasn’t even there! I honestly did my best to dial it out, but the energy of their conversation was all pervasive. They were talking about her in such a disparaging manner that it was painful to hear.
It was in that moment that I became aware that I have also on occasion been a target of the same sort of mindless, groundless gossip and rumors. And yes, I too have also feasted on savory gossip and noshed on tasty unfounded rumors with others. In a microsecond, I understood that the pain I was feeling for Jane and those who were talking about her had became my pain because they were a reflection of me.
At some point or another in our lives we have all been the target of gossip and rumors, as well as participants in the spreading of them. It is insidious, toxic and yet, oh so juicy. Unless we are mindful and vigilant, it’s quite easy to fool ourselves into believing that what is coming from our minds, mouths and hearts is harmless idle chatter. That’s how gossip works.
It’s hard to detect when we are in the process of gossiping because it is provocative and seductive, but most of all, it is destructive. Why is it that gossip is so prevalent among us? Many people find some sort of power in gossip because it represents “inside” knowledge that not everyone else is privy to.
Some people find great comfort in knowing they can commiserate (in this context meaning “share their misery”) with like-minded people. Others may find gossip and the spreading of rumors a passive-aggressive way of dealing with their feelings of jealousy or envy, or perhaps their own insecurities and fears. For others it may mean that by putting someone else down (who is seldom present) it somehow makes themselves feel more important. The reasons we gossip are legion, however, not one of them justifies the activity.
This message is a reminder of how easy it is to jump into the stagnate pool of mindless gossip in our workplace, our church, the doctor’s office, the grocery store and even our own homes and neighborhoods. From a spiritual perspective, understanding we are all one, it means that when we gossip to others about others we are ultimately doing damage to ourselves as well.
Beyond the aforementioned spiritual reality is the fact that any person who will gossip with you about others will also gossip about you with others. I guess it’s an instant karma sort of thing. Any way you cut it, gossip and the spreading of rumors is counter productive to creating a healthy relationship with life. Speaking with integrity in our daily interactions is a conscious choice we get to make every day.
I invite you to join me in using this test before we unleash words that may be less than impeccable. Before speaking to or about another person, mindfully ask yourself these questions:
1. Is it true? Do I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that what I am repeating is accurate and true, or is it based on hearsay and assumptions that I or others have made without gathering all the facts from an impartial and reliable source?
2. What will I gain from repeating these words to others? Will what I am going to say be life affirming, productive and helpful to all involved? Will the world be a better place because I uttered these words? If not, why would I want to repeat them?
3. Is what I am going to say about another person something I would have the clarity, courage and commitment to say to their face, and if so, why don’t I do so?
4. Will what I am going to say be using the power of my word in the direction of truth and love?
Before we speak, or hit the forward and send button, it would do us well to pause and become witness to our thoughts before they become our word. It was a great reminder for me this week regarding the importance of being impeccable in our word. I invite you to join me in using the power of your word in an intentional and conscious manner.
Not just because speaking with integrity is the right thing to do, but because the world needs and deserves the absolute highest and best that we can bring to it. When we gossip and spread rumors we are declaring our own lack of wholeness. When we speak less than impeccably about others, we are affirming to the universe that hears our every word that we feel separate and apart from the whole of life.
When we are not impeccable in our word we participate in creating pain and suffering for others, and that is not why we have come to earth. When we use our word in the direction of truth and love we honor God’s presence by creating harmony and peace, and that is why we are here. What we think and say matters, so being impeccable with our word seems like a great place to start. Now that is worth repeating, so pass it on!
The Art of Being: 101 Ways to Practice Purpose in Your Life helps readers become inspired and stay inspired, with motivational and uplifting writings that can be read daily, supported by Mindfulness Practices, or action steps to make it simple. Ultimately, the understanding at which the reader will arrive is that spirituality, the art of being, is actually a lifestyle, a way of walking our sacred earth every day. The Art of Being is a user-friendly manual to guide you to become acutely aware of how to live more mindfully on a day-by-day, hour-by-hour, moment-by-moment basis and thus create more peace and happiness in your life and in the lives of those around you.
Professor Philip Zimbardo conveys how our individual perspectives of time affect our work, health and well-being. Time influences who we are as a person, how we view relationships and how we act in the world.
Last weekend saw me making a bee-line to the bookstores, scouting for a topical subject that I have been passionately involved in for the past 4 decades of my life – Martial Art. Literally speaking, it has left a deep cellular imprint in the genetic code.
The common martial art books found on the bookstore shelves are the typical guidebooks printed with glossy photos and step-by-step instructions interspersed with some historical and basic philosophical background of the martial art and the author.
This paper back book entitled ” Martial Arts Teaching Tales of Power and Paradox: Freeing the Mind, Focusing Chi, and Mastering the SELF”. caught my attention with its unique title and thought it would be refreshingly uplifting to write a preview and shared some thoughts on the different approaches towards pursuing martial art.
Most of us martial artists took up martial art for various reasons: -
- for exercise and fitness;
- for self- defense;
- for out of curiosity;
- for improving self-esteem and confidence;
- for instilling self-discipline;
- as a hobby and pastime, etc;
Very rarely do we take up martial art for its aesthetic and spiritual values. On the contrary, as we gain mastery and attain higher Dans , unknowingly and unconsciously, this self achievement has a delusional tendency to heighten our narcissism – the pleasure-seeking falsehood of the ego.
Yet the very nature of the cultural and traditional practices that we martial artists adopt in the dojang such as bowing, paying respect to the seniors etc, and the strict commands often employed with ‘militaristic’ intents, tend to portray a mistaken over-emphasis on the egoistic self, the unyielding demand to be respected, rather than ‘ RESPECT’ that has to be earned in effortless spontaneity.
As years passed and gone by, and gaining more proficient and skillful in the execution of the many movements, kicks and punches, getting promoted to higher and higher Degree (Dan), calling ourselves Masters, Grandmasters, and Supreme Grandmasters, after having exposed to all the grueling test of breaking boards, tiles and bricks, of free-sparring and getting our body bruised all over, our perspectives and outlook would have evolved, our motivations and aspirations would have elevated from the physio-physical aspects to the quintessential and spiritual nature of the art itself.
Unavoidably, by the time this ‘shift’ dawns on us, some of us may have already reached our sun set years of age. But nothing is ever too late to unlearn and learn, for it is in the very word ‘learn‘, that it is the ‘earn’ aspect that our genuine respect will receive its glorious humility.
Inherent in the epistemology of martial art, therein lies the ultimate motivation -the pursuit of Perfection and Self-Mastery – in the trinity of mind, body and spirit. There has to come a time after so many years of disciplinary practice, a shift in consciousness has to occur, whether this shift occurs in tumultuous fashion or in a spontaneous manner.
For it is at this deeper level, that the attainment and experience of the present-moment awareness, and of mindfulness of everything surrounding us, both manifest and unmanifest, that our life will be far more enriching, peaceful, and blissful. Then and then only one truly understands the significance of:
Hi (Humanity),
Sum (Goodness)
Oui (Justice)
Duk (Virtue)
Yeh (Courtesy),
Chung (Loyalty)
Ji (Wisdom)
Yong (Courage)
Sin (Trust)
and the tenets of Courtesy, (Ye Ui) Integrity,(Yom Chi) Perseverance,(In Nae) Self-Control, (Guk Gi) and Indomitable Spirit (Baekjool Boolgool)
It is in-depth awareness of the breath, of mindfulness of the execution in the movements, of being in the here and now. It is the encapsulation of experiencing form and formlessness, of emptiness, the cognition of wu wei and sunyata.
Wu Wei
Wu wei (Traditional Chinese characters: 無為 Simplified Chinese characters: 无为) is an important tenet of Taoism / Daoism that involves knowing when to act and when not to act. Wu may be translated as not have; Wei (2nd tone) may be translated as do, act, serve as, govern. The literal meaning of Wu Wei is “without action” and is often included in the paradox wei wu wei : “action without action.”
The practice of wu wei and the efficacy of wei wu wei are fundamental tenets in Chinese thought and have been mostly emphasized by the Taoist / Daoist school. The aim of wu wei is to achieve a state of perfect equilibrium, or alignment with the Tao, and, as a result, obtain an irresistible form of “soft and invisible power” over things (the self, others, a country).
THE TRINITY OF THE MARTIAL ARTS
There are three aspects of being, which the martial arts aim to develop: Body, Mind and Spirit. These three aspects must be developed in balance for a person to become properly balanced as a martial artist and therefore as a person.
The first aspect, Body, is developed through the physical exercises involved in martial arts training. Rigorous physical conditioning exercises lead to increased strength, endurance, flexibility and equilibrium. In addition, repetition of martial arts basic and advanced techniques leads to improved physical ability and fluidity of movement.
The second aspect, Mind, is developed through mental training. Meditation teaches the student to focus his mind and to coordinate his thinking with his movement. It also aids him in his abilities to relax and to concentrate. Mental training also calls for active learning in the way of listening, reading and thinking. Students are not to restrict themselves to learning just about the martial arts, but must learn about history, philosophy, law, science, medicine and any other subject that might have a bearing on the martial arts.
Following the philosophy and ideals of the martial arts develops the third aspect, Spirit. Practice of the martial arts is a pursuit of personal improvement. It is not enough to have a strong mind and body the true martial artist should also strive to be strong in spirit. He should have a goal in life and a firm foundation of beliefs to guide him. The true martial artist is humble but confident, willing to give way to others but unwilling to accept injustice.
By developing all three aspects of the martial arts trinity a martial artist can become a total person and eventually a master. Without equal development of all three aspects, a martial artist will never achieve balance in his life and will never be a true artist.
The Code of the HwaRang Warrior and the Nine Virtues
The Code of the HwaRang Warrior and the Nine Virtues of the HwaRang are to be observed by all students of the martial arts. They were compiled by Won Kwang Bopsa and taught to the HwaRang knights to give them a proper code of conduct to live by. Together they form the foundation of all Korean Martial Arts philosophy.
THE CODE OF THE HWARANG
1. Be loyal to your country.
2. Be obedient to your parents.
3. Have faith and honor among friends.
4. Perseverance in battle.
5. Justice — never cause unneeded harm.
About Martial Arts Teaching Tales of Power and Paradox
A collection of parables and teaching stories from the martial arts traditions of Japan and China that emphasizes their spiritual foundation.
• The teaching stories in this book are based on the lives of martial arts masters and are meant to inspire questions and insights for the student.
• Written for martial artists and anyone interested in Eastern religions such as Buddhism, Zen, and Taoism.
True martial arts should never be confused with simple combat techniques. Rather, martial arts are a way that an individual, after a long and difficult apprenticeship, can gain a profound understanding of the true nature of reality and one’s place in it.
Over time the apprentice discovers the laws governing the subtle forces of life and realizes that their mastery is only possible after one has mastered oneself. “He who has mastered the Art doesn’t use his sword: he compels his adversary to kill himself.”
Most of the stories in this book are based on actual events in the lives of martial arts teachers who have achieved legendary status. The almost superhuman abilities of some of the masters described here are evidence of the secret powers that can be wielded by those whose martial arts training is not simply the learning of physical techniques but involves the mastering of the subtle energies of the mind and body.
By reading–and comprehending–the tales in this book, we can acquire the same essential knowledge that these masters had–that extraordinary forces are within the grasp of those who have achieved inner peace and self-mastery. ~
His name is Mr. Randy LeGrant, a late bloomer at 62 years now just got promoted to 2nd Dan Black Belt from Master Harris Bonfiglo’s class in Connecticut.
This is an ‘ endangered species ‘ of the human kind displaying enormous indomitable spirit that is rarely found in the Taekwon-Do dojang in this present era. I met Mr. LeGrant some years ago in New Jersey and Toronto during the TKD championships organized by Master Chris Gantner and Master Palella respectively . Check out his website as listed below:
A master illuminates the spiritual foundations of martial arts practice in this fully illustrated guide.
• Presents an overview of the spiritual foundations of the martial arts.
• Takes the reader through a well-illustrated series of self-defense techniques that utilize Ki energy.
• An essential guide for anyone interested in a spiritually-centered martial arts practice.
The Warrior Is Silent presents an overview of the spiritual foundations of martial arts practice in the East and its intimate connection with the perfection of the art itself. In addition, the author, an accomplished martial artist, takes the reader through a well-illustrated series of self-defense techniques that utilize Ki energy. Establishing a balance between the spiritual and physical aspects of the martial arts, The Warrior Is Silent is an essential guide for anyone interested in a spiritually-centered martial arts practice.
The Ki Process: Korean Secrets for Cultivating Dynamic Energy by Scott Shaw
Learn how to call up extra energy on demand! Shaw shows you how to strengthen the Ki you were born with, so you can harness the Ki around you to help you through the many periods of stress in daily life. He gives suggestions for changingyour diet to improve Ki flow, and discusses how to actively focus Ki into specific regions of the body or into your mental functioning. Includes breathing, concentration, and relaxation exercises.
Scott Shaw is a regular contributor to all of the major national martial arts magazines and has a Ph.D. in Asian studies. He is the only non-Korean ever to be promoted to the rank of 7th Degree Black Belt in the Korean martial art of Hapkido by the Korea Hapkido Federation. He is the editor of the Turtle Dictionary of the Martial Arts of Korea, China, and Japan and is the author of Hapkido: The Korean Art of Self Defense, and The Ki Process: Korean Secrets for Perfect Health.
As a practitioner of the Martial Arts for the best part of my life, I am still amazed at the influence the art has on the spiritual lives of people and most commonly the young. It is in many instances their first point of contact with the personal face of spirituality.
Far removed from Sunday sermons, it is immediately a spirituality they can feel in their bones and understand innately. In the flight of motion one can feel their own energy mixing with that around them. They can learn to harness fears and problems through understanding the role of emotion in decision-making, and learn to keep their mind still in the midst of dismay.
While these lessons are best related in the context of battle, they are easily translated to life, and are accessible to anyone who embarks along the martial way.
Clearing Away Clouds relates the personal journey of Stephen Fabian, a Senior Advisor to the Shudokan Martial Arts Association, and one of the highest-ranking members of the SMAA Jujutsu Division.
With over 20 years training under the top teachers in Japan, his qualifications as an educator and martial artist lends this book great credibility. His ideas about Martial Arts are the result of pure experience. From the outset it is clear the writer understands his artform and is a generous source of knowledge.
The premise of the book is to illustrate the way nine key lessons contained in Martial Arts practice can bring about self-mastery in daily life. The writer takes the reader from his initial exposure and introduction to the Martial Arts, through his development to a point when the student then becomes the teacher.
Fabian traces his journey from a young college student first grappling with life away from home, to his standing as a professional working in a foreign country. The book illustrates how these lessons shaped his own life, whether in the United States, Brazil, or Japan, when he was both with and without a master under whom to study.
Part of the tale rests on this concept of taking authority over one’s life. As Fabian travels across various continents, he frees himself of reliance on a teacher figure and lets the world take its role. The main concern Fabian stresses throughout the book is that while the nine lessons are the basis for life inside the dojo, they should also become the basis for life outside the dojo.
He illustrates the lessons one must learn in order to attain mastery, regardless of whether it is the study of Martial Arts, tea pouring, flower arranging or painting. The lessons are presented as life lessons in nine chapters:
1. Embrace a Way
2. Accept Responsibility for Your Actions
3. Control the Breath
4. Focus
5. Develop Self-discipline
6. Train Hard, Seeking Aesthetic Refinement
7. Be Patient and Flow
8. Persevere
9. Cultivate the Mind of No Mind
While these lessons are certainly not new to many readers of the genre, what sets Fabian apart from other writers is his openness in using his own past experiences as illustration. Few writers of Martial Arts texts choose to elaborate on their own life experiences. Generally they will exercise traditional modesty and control of the ego (a battle that all experienced martial artists encounter at one time or another), but fewer still will bare themselves openly by retelling their own personal discoveries of important life lessons.
In Fabian’s candid account, some lessons came easy and some came very hard. He relates his pitfalls, successes and heartbreaks throughout the learning process, providing a more human vehicle for a reader’s understanding. This tact also lends Fabian the ability to deal with abstract Eastern concepts with a more practical approach far removed from the usual esoteric ponderings. He cleverly demystifies the mind/body connection within Eastern thought without losing the powerful qualities that focused attention in this area can bring.
Overall the book does great service in providing a comprehensive picture of the martial spirit and what the over-used term martial artist really means. The art in the practice revolves around the way that individuals use the lessons found in training to express their true spirit. They learn to view the world in a different way. They will see clearer and further, and recognise that the same beauty flowing through nature also flows through them.
Fabian quickly differentiates between the fast-food type of Martial Art school whose primary objective is the development of commercial “martial athletes” and the more traditional dojo’s or training schools that cultivate the true “martial artist.” Clearing Away Clouds does well to realistically present the personal metamorphosis occurring throughout martial training and relates the subtle shifts in awareness, in a way those new to the subject would understand easily.
It will certainly be enjoyable reading for anyone who has already started martial training as it seems the pitfalls encountered by a Westerner commencing a purely Eastern artform are quite universal, and I personally found it relieving to see that Fabian had experiences not unlike my own.
Clearing Away Clouds provides real life experiences of someone that has used the Martial Arts to help shape their life, and become a better person for it.
King Sejong (15 May 1397 – 8 April 1450) was the greatest King of Korea. He invented the Korean alphabet in 1443 A.D. The foot diagram represents the Chinese character ” King”. The 24 movements refer to the 24 letters in the Korean alphabet.
This is an introductory sequel to the forthcoming FACE to FACE ” UP, CLOSE AND PERSONAL “ interview with the Secretary-General of GTF with www.1martial post.wordpress.com conducted by Master Ngiaw Wee Sun
Congratulations to Grand Master Linda Park on her latest prestigious recognition by the Taekwon-Do Hall of Fame.
INVITATION LETTER
JUNE 15, 2011
Dear Linda Park, President
Global Taekwon-do Federation
The Official Taekwondo Hall of Fame ® was established to recognize those individuals who have made a significant impact or contribution to the art of Tae kwon do.
This year will prove to be a landmark year as we will be holding our ceremony in Korea the birthplace of Taekwondo. Furthermore, the location of this year’s ceremony will be the historic KUKKIWON gymnasium which was the venue of the 1st World Taekwondo Championships in 1973 and several international competitions since.
It gives me great pride to inform that you have been selected receive special recognition at the historic ceremony. Others receiving recognition include Dr. Un Yong Kim, Kuk Hyun Jeong (4 time World Champion), and Liang Wong Ming of Singapore.
While our awards presentation is scheduled to be held on Thursday August 25, 2011 at 6:30 PM. in the main gymnasium at KUKKIWON a. dinner reception will be held the day before on August 24th at our official hotel (Samjung Hotel). As in the past, all honorees must be present at the ceremony to receive official recognition.
In closing I sincerely thank you for attending our previous ceremony in which GM Park Jung Tae was inducted and look I look forward to seeing you if possible at KUKKIWON in August..
The following video clips show Master Chris Gantner (7th Degree Black Belt) and Secretary-General of GTF performing the basic exercise syllabus for 9th and 8th Kup.
Master Gantner is also the Co-President of Jook-Am Taekwon-Do Association, USA.
Outer forearm obverse low block – walking stance
Front snap kick with rear foot – walking stance, front middle obverse punch.
Sa Bang Makgo Chago Jirugi [4 Direction Exercise] for 8th Kup.
Fore-arm rising block forming walking stance
Side piercing kick with rear leg
L-stance inner forearm middle block
It’s amazing at his youthful age, he had an intelligent grasp of knowledge in the spiritual and philosophical aspect of martial arts – a rare attribute that is a far cry from the present day of martial art / TKD exponents who seem to seek excitement from tournament sparring, and engaging in ego-trip pursuits.
One of his favorite quotes:
“ Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless like water;
You put water into a cup, it becomes the cup
You put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle;
You put water in a teapot, it becomes the teapot;
Water can flow or it can crash;
Be water, my friend.”
Excelling only in the physical ‘body’ aspects of martial art training is insufficient. Developing the ‘mind’, cultivating and nourishing the ‘SPIRIT’ aspect are requirements for one to be rightfully called a true ‘MASTER’.
There will be more video clips on this martial art legendary and commentary of his philosophy.
Here is the introduction as inserted by amazon.com ( letters in bold are highlighted specifically for this blog )
The Encyclopedia Of Taekwon-Do Patterns is a unique series of books that feature the complete works of General Choi, Hong Hi; Creator of the Ch’ang Hon system of Taekwon-Do and founder of the International Taekwon-Do Federation; as well as the patterns further devised by some of his most talented and legendary pioneers; Grandmaster Park, Jung Tae and Grandmaster Kim, Bok Man.
This 3-volume set is the only series of books in the world to feature all of the 25 patterns created by General Choi and his Taekwon-Do pioneers (including both Juche and Ko-Dang), as well as all 3 Saju exercises, the 6 Global Taekwon-Do Federation patterns developed by Grandmaster Park, Jung Tae and the Silla Knife Pattern instituted by Grandmaster Kim, Bok Man.
Utilizing over 1,600 photographs the student is shown in precise detail, each and every pattern from beginning to end, including useful tips on their performance and things unique to particular organizations (such as Kihap points etc.).
Displayed in full step-by-step photographic detail, which displays not just the final move but the ‘in-between’ motions as well making each book ideal to learn or revise your patterns, no matter which organization you belong to.
Volume 1 takes the student of Taekwon-Do on his or her journey from 10th Kup White Belt through to 1st Degree Black Belt and also includes the first of the Black Belt patterns. No matter which Taekwon-Do organization you belong to, the Encyclopedia Of Taekwon-Do Patterns covers all you need to know to take you from White Belt to Taekwon-Do Master.
Volume 2 takes the student of Taekwon-Do from Po-Eun (1st Dan) to Yoo-Sin (3rd Dan) and includes both Ko-Dang and Juche as well as the Dan grade patterns required by the Global Taekwon-Do Federation (GTF).
Volume 3 takes the senior student of Taekwon-Do from Choi-Yong (3rd Dan) to Tong-Il (6th Dan) and includes both Pyong-Hwa and Sun-Duk (required by the GTF), as well as featuring the first weapon form of Taekwon-Do: The Silla Knife Pattern. ~ amazon.com
Biography
Stuart Anslow received his black belt in the art of Taekwon-Do in 1994 and is a 4th degree, due to take his 5th degree this year (2010). He is Chief Instructor of the renowned Rayners Lane Taekwon-do Academy, which was established in 1999 and is based in Middlesex, UK.
During his martial arts career, Stuart has won many accolades in the sporting arena, including national and world titles. His Academy is one of the most successful in the country winning numerous gold medals at every martial arts championship his students enter, a testament to his abilities as an instructor.
In 2000, Stuart won a gold and silver medal at Grandmaster Hee Il Cho’s 1st AIMAA Open World Championships in Dublin, Ireland and in 2004 he returned with 14 of his students to the 2nd AIMAA Open World Championships where they brought home 26 medals between them, 7 of them becoming World Champions in their own right. ~ Amazon.com
Summary & Critique:
The author, Mr. Stuart Anslow has recognized the differences in approach by the respective TKD Federations on the execution of techniques, such as aligning the forefist with the shoulder rather than with the centre of the body, the movements and the chambering position when executing blocking techniques, different explanation of sine wave, pattern speed etc. All this different approaches are illustrated in the book.
For the more technically focused and competent TKD exponents who have an eagle eye on the finer details of execution of the various techniques, the illustrations and the photos shown do indicate some flaws and inaccuracies need to be further explained.
On the whole, this 3 volumes are informative and serve as good reference materials for the TKD enthusiasts, though the philosophical and spiritual aspects could be further emphasized.
The MASTER is within us all;
If only we turn our attention inwards;
And experience the space in between our thoughts;
Therein resides our truly immortal souls as we touch eternity at the pulse of our heartbeat;
At the blink of the eye, we, the moon, the stars, and the universe
are ONE;
Overcome time we have now;
Overcome space and we have here;
And in between HERE and NOW;
We shall always meet each other;
Know that Greatness consists of simple things in life and they come in only just one word: Truth, love, courage, peace, loyalty, justice, perseverance, strength and wisdom.
- Compiled and composed by 1martialart, New York Aug 18, 2011
“Our greatest happiness does not depend on the condition of life in which chance has placed us, but is always the result of a good conscience, good health, occupation and freedom in all just pursuits.” – Thomas Jefferson
Master Gantner & Master Wee Sun Ngiaw at the USA Jook-Am TKD Dojang
1martialart:Can you tell us about your martial art background and the events that led to your acquaintance with the late Grand Master Park Jung Tae? . You have been one of the closest disciples of GM Park and had the opportunity of attending most of his seminars he conducted in the USA and Canada during those early years. What do you see in him that stands out from the rest of other Korean Instructors?
Chris Gantner: I was practicing Taekwon-do for over 13 years before I met GM Park Jung Tae in 1986. At that time I was only a second degree in ITF. The reason I was only a 2nd degree after 13 years of training is because my first Instructor Mr.Steve Cooper, who was with ITF, moved out of our State and I practiced several other styles of martial arts for several years.
This diversion caused me to lose time in degree but was also great experience that allowed me to better understand martial arts from a broader perspective.
At the time I met GM Park I had already returned to the ITF. I was drawn to GM Park immediately because I saw in him the heart of a true Martial Artist. The level of intensity and effectiveness of the techniques was something I had missed since my training under Mr.Cooper.
In 1987 I completed the International Instructor Training course in St. Lewis USA. It was a nine days training seminar and the beginning of my relationship with GM Park. From that time until his passing I followed him at every opportunity. I attended five more International Instructor courses over the next few years and many more 2 and 3 day courses.
As time went on GM Park recognized that I was determined to be his student and he saw the improvements in my technical abilities and knowledge. I knew he accepted me as a student when he invited me to come to Canada for personal instruction. After more than 20 seminars and occasional private instruction eventually he would use me to demonstrate during seminars and I was never more honored than when he complimented my performance.
Demo by Master Gantner with his students Scot & Patrick
When GM Park informed me that he was leaving the ITF I told him that I would follow him whatever his plans for the future. Then later when he told me that he was starting his own Organization even before it had a name I joined the GTF.
It would take many pages to touch on all my experiences and memories of those times but I hope these highlights shed some light on my relationship with him and more importantly gives some indication of the impact that he had on me and so many others.
For me Grand Master Park Jung Tae was the best living example of technical excellence and moral integrity. Until this day even after his death I still follow him and have attempted to continue and preserve his vision of Taekwon-do.
1martialart: There is so much talk and publicity over GM Park’s technical superiority in his TKD instruction and his explanation of execution of techniques. Even the GTF’s main theme rides on this strength. Unfortunately, there are not so many TKD exponents who have had the opportunity to be trained under him to familiarize themselves with such unique knowledge. Can you share with us more in detail just what are this ingredients of technical excellence that he had expounded? Are they not the same as the ITF-style?
CG: GM Park always said that Taekwon-do must be the very best Martial Art. Whatever is the very best way to elevate fighting to the level of being a form of Art and personal expression and achievement while still maintaining the combat effectiveness of the style is ultimately what Taekwon-do should be.
During the course of over 50 years practicing and teaching Taekwon-do he always searched for the best techniques. Through this study , research, examination and trials he eventually developed a fluid and quite natural approach to applying the theory of power. It is easy, natural and effortless when mastered but extremely intricate and difficult at the same time. It requires a high level of coordination and timing that can only be achieved through proper instruction and endless practice.
It requires the precise coordination of all of the following : action-reaction, rotation of attacking tool, sine wave, knee spring, jerking and dropping the hip and timing of the eye-hand-foot and breath. A key ingredient to making this all happen is the circular motion incorporated into the delivery of the techniques.
In Grand Master Park’s GTF Taekwon-do there is a practical execution and delivery of each technique. When mastered it is subtle and flowing and it all happens simultaneously in one fluid movement.
The end of one movement becomes the beginning of the next to create a rhythmic flow of techniques that allows the energy to be delivered to the target quite effortlessly.
This along with the very practical and effective approach to the application of techniques enabled him to achieve his intended goal – it must be the best!
1martialart: GTF also prides itself as a world TKD body that is well renowned for its technical proficiency as exemplified by the late Founder, GM Park Jung Tae. Can you elaborate more in detail as to what areas of competency GTF aspires to achieve? In what ways GTF differs in its approach in technical knowledge from the rest of other TKD international bodies?
CG: The GTF is similar in many ways to the ITF because he was the Chairman of the ITF technical committee for many years. After GM Park left the ITF he continued to teach the traditional hyungs as he always had with only a few changes in terminology.
However, he had some unique ideas about training methods and application of techniques that he wanted to advance and that was the motivating factor in the development of the GTF hyungs. Through the new Hyungs and Sabang Makgo-Chago–Jirugi exercises and many pre-arranged step sparring examples he left his own mark on the future development of TKD.
I say future because many TKD practitioners have yet to be exposed to his unique approach to the delivery of motion, execution of techniques and innovative training methods.
1martialart: GTF has just completed its 8th World Championship event in Scotland. Since the beginning of hosting its 1st GTF World Championship until today, can you share with us your observations and comments as to the status of progress and development of GTF in terms of organizing capability, fulfilling the aspirations of affiliates’ participation, and the overall improvement on the standard of performance in the respective events?
In what areas do you think that GTF needs to focus on, in order to move forward to the next higher level of operations?
CG: As with any organization the GTF must always try to improve. I think that the GTF has a very high standard for our World Championship and International seminars. However due to the state of the world economy it has been very difficult to compel the Hosting organizations to strictly follow all the set guidelines and standards.
GTF Officials with the Provost of Dundee
Many of the deficiencies we have faced in recent past events were due to financial considerations. So in this area we certainly have room for improvement. We are working to explore various avenues to better fund our World events in the future and to better serve the participants of these events.
1martialart: What are your thoughts on the future of traditional TKD, given the prevailing popularity of sports TKD that is now being promoted aggressively by WTF in the Olympic Games? The current trend in the USA and the rest of the world is that most of the dojangs are now populated by kids and teens, and the working adults seem to be staying away. What could be the reason?
CG: As I mentioned earlier. The promotion of Taekwondo as a sport first and Martial Art second will result in the continued decline of Taekwondo.
If we teach Taekwondo as Martial Art first and a sport second then we can attract mature adults that will see the value of training for self-defense and personal development. Serious training will attract serious people.
1martial: Tell us about the future plans of GTF. What are the strategies that need to be adopted to the ensure the continuing presence of GTF in the world arena and incremental progress in membership affiliation across the nations.
CG: First, I will continue to take direction from our President Hon.GM Linda Park and to help her lead this Organization. It is very difficult in this day and age of instant communication and constant development of new technology to navigate where the future will bring us.
That is the reason our President Linda Park has determined to follow the guidelines of the GTF constitution and to allow through our Executive Committee the input and advice from many wise and experienced Masters and Senior instructors to guide the way for the future development of the GTF.
There is an old parable which talks about a sage describing the Tao to his students. He admonished them to pay less attention to his words, and more attention to the practice. He said “My words are like a finger pointing at the moon – if you look too closely at the finger, you will miss the moon.”
In your own practice, be careful not to get too caught up in the philosophy, or the dialogue which happens in the room. Remember that the philosophy is the finger – the truth, the point of our practice, is what we experience when we do our martial art. You can have all the philosophy in the world, but without the practice, you will be lost. You can have all the practice in the world, and without the philosophy… you’ll be just fine.
Do your practice. Be diligent. The rest will happen.
Being a sport means you are willing to play. Willing to play means you are involved or alive to the situation in which you exist, and that is the essence of life. If there is anything that is truly close to a spiritual process, in the normal course of life, that is sports. Swami Vivekananda went to the extent of saying, “In kicking a ball or playing a game, you are much closer to the Divine than you will ever be in prayer.” You can pray without involvement, but you cannot play sports without involvement, and involvement is the essence of life.
But when people involve themselves in what they do, they often get entangled. Anything that you associate with, you tend to get identified with. The moment you get identified with something that is not you, you have invested in a system of hallucination that will look and feel real. Once you have invested in a hallucinatory process, your mind will be one continuous mental disorder, as a hallucinatory process can be kept up only with unceasing activity of the mind, and hence, one ends up turning a miracle into madness. The mind is a fabulous miracle; you could hold the universe in it, but generally it ends up as a source of all human misery and the basis of madness and suffering.
When people get entangled, they feel ugly within themselves and they will make sure everybody else has a taste of this ugliness. So the fundamental of any sport or game takes care of this; that is, if you want to play a game, you must have the fire of wanting to win but also the balance to see that if you lose, it is okay with you. You never play a game to lose, you always play a game to win, but if you lose, it is all right with you. If you maintain this fundamental with every aspect of life, you are a sport. And that is all the world expects from you, that you are a sport. Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, whatever kind of situation you are in, you are still a sport.
The sacredness of a sporting event is that individuals rise beyond their limitations, achieving a state of abandon that is usually known only at the peak of spirituality.Thus, we have always included sports in our yoga programs. All of our programs have an element of play — as to play is to live, and to live is to play.
1martialart: GTF has vigorously projected itself as an alternative TKD World Body that highlights the traditional aspect of a martial art organization, steep in promoting ancient values of protocol and adhering to the tenets that come along with it.
What approaches do GTF take in resolving counteractive issues that usually occur in tournaments where sport-driven events would more frequently result in winner takes all and the loser goes home empty-handed?
How do you propose to avoid contradicting the objectives of GTF that aims to promote a wholesome and value-system based martial art? What roles do such sporting event like hosting of world championships play in preserving the integrity of GTF as a martial art based world body?
CG: For me this is certainly is a sore subject. I will try to explain my personal opinion. I for one am very concerned with the over emphasis that most instructors are placing on the sports aspect of Taekwondo.
If we do not teach the Martial Art of TKD we will lose the reverence and respect for the Art. Grand Master Park Jung Tae served in the Korean Military and was concerned that TKD preserve its effectiveness in combat situations. Prior to dedicating myself to the teachings of Grand Master Park Jung Tae my first experience in TKD was in the early 70’s. Our instructor served in the US Military and learned TKD while stationed in Korea.
Master Gantner with Grandmaster Park Jung Tae
The Taekwondo that he taught was all about maiming and killing people. Every technique was designed to attack vital points of the human body. Even in free sparring we were encouraged to attack the temple, neck, groin, spinal column, floating ribs, kidneys, knees and the list goes on. We used the backfist, knife-hand, fingertips, sweeps and takedowns. And all with no sparring gear at all.
For us at that time TKD was truly a deadly art and we revered our Instructors and respected each other because we understood that with our skill and knowledge of this Art demanded a certain responsibility. As a result of commercialization this mindset is lost on this current generation of practitioners.
The reason is that it is easier to maintain a large membership in your dojang if you are teaching a fun sport rather than a serious Martial Art. However, if the instructors are willing to work harder they can teach the full spectrum of Taekwondo and still achieve success.
1martialart: Hosting World Championships seem to be the standard norm for most International TKD and other martial art bodies. The usual cliché the organizers normally extol would be to promote fellowship, renew friendly ties and nurture a sense of camaraderie. But critically speaking, tournaments year in and year out, seem to engender more frustrations and angst from the participants, citing biased judging, poor standard in refereeing, unruly behaviors exuding from the supporters, participants, and coaches as well, besides poor organization. Your comments, please.
CG: These problems that you mention all stem from what the students are being taught in the dojang and is systemic of what is going on in all sports and society in general. If we teach TKD as a sport than this is what we will get. To solve this problem we must teach Martial Art with an emphasis on the DO.
This is not to say that competition has no place. If you are competing in the hope for an opportunity to face fellow practitioners who are better than you so that you can test you skills and learn from the experience then you are following the DO. But if you are there to win a medal then you know nothing about Taekwon-Do.
We need to teach our instructors that there is much more to Taekwondo than tournaments. They need to teach Hyungs, Hosin-sul, dalyon, fundamentals and step sparring in a way that shows how to attack vital points with the techniques learned in Hyungs and fundamental exercise. Our instructors need to understand that the Championship is not so important and is merely a just another learning experience for their students.
1martial: GTF also prides itself as a world TKD body that is well renowned for its technical proficiency as exemplified by the late Founder, GM Park Jung Tae. Can you elaborate more in detail as to what areas of competency GTF aspires to achieve? In what ways GTF differs in its approach in technical knowledge from the rest of other TKD international bodies?
SG: The GTF is similar in many ways to the ITF because he was the Chairman of the ITF technical committee for many years. After GM Park left the ITF he continued to teach the traditional hyungs as he always had with only a few changes in terminology.
However, he had some unique ideas about training methods and application of techniques that he wanted to advance and that was the motivating factor in the development of the GTF hyungs. Through the new Hyungs and Chago-Makgo-Jirugi exercises and many pre-arranged step sparring examples he left his own mark on the future development of TKD.
I say future because many TKD practitioners have yet to be exposed to his unique approach to the delivery of motion, execution of techniques and innovative training methods.
1martialart: What future plans do you intend to organize in furthering the objectives of technical enhancement?
SG: It is my hope that with the introduction of Training aids like books and videos we can better standardize technique within the GTF. I believe that the best way to raise the level of techniques is through seminars and individual instruction of the Senior Instructors. If the senior instructors are technically correct then the members will get better training.
Here is another rare video clip on Grand Master Park Jung Tae demonstrating 4 Direction block. Observe very carefully his hands chambering, hip twisting and sine wave motion all performed in the same sequence to exude maximum power and speed.
I just received an email from the Managing Editor of the TKD Times to inquire any TKD association, clubs or academies that are interested to place an advertisement in the TKD Times :
Hello Mr. Ngiaw, I hope you’ve been well. Do you have any interest in signing up for advertising in TKD Times? I can offer you a free ad with a year contract. Please let me know by Oct. 7 if you want to get into our January issue. Thanks!
Laura Stolpe Managing EditorTaeKwonDo Times
Meanwhile here are some interesting video clips on the recent Goodwill Tour North Korean TKD Demonstration team in Cedar Rapids. The team came to the United States through Tae Kwon Do Times as a gesture of goodwill and sportsmanship. Hope you enjoy them
Here is one great Spirit who has always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds. He lived a great life facing and treating Death as one of the greatest opportunities to live life at the fullest. – “ Stay hungry, stay foolish.“
Drawing from some of the most pivotal points in his life, Steve Jobs, chief executive officer and co-founder of Apple Computer and of Pixar Animation Studios, urged graduates to pursue their dreams and see the opportunities in life’s setbacks — including death itself.
“Painting in watercolor is like walking a tight-rope; one must find perfect balance between what the paint wants to do and what the artist wants to do, or all is lost.” – Mary C. Taylor
Taekwon-Do exponent Mr. Thung Jin Ping and his collection of watercolor paintings
When I first met Mr. Thung I only knew him as a TKD Instructor who holds a 4th Degree Belt commuting with his motor bike to the schools to conduct his TKD classes. Only upon further interaction did I find out that he is also an accomplished artist specializing in water color painting.
Water color Exhibition 94_MIA Gallery Taman Melawati 2
More than just a Taekwon-Do exponent, this soft-spoken and reserved artist cum martial artist has also won commendable awards over the years as listed below:
1991 “Tingkatan 4-6 Pinkat Gansa” Pertadingan Melukis Dan Kaligrafi Peringkat Kebangsaan
1994 MIA Financial Aid/Scholarship (Malaysia Institute of Art)
1995 “Third Prize” National Horse Show 95 Art Competition. (STC Equestrian & Sports Centre and the Equestrian Association of Malaysia.)
1996 MERIT in Recognition Of His Leadership Qualities and Involvement. (Malaysia Institute of Art)
1996 In The Extra-Curricular Activities of the Institute. (Malaysia Institute of Art)
“A good piece of watercolor is expressed by heavy washes, calligraphic lines, forceful spirals, luminosity of colors, and chromatic freshness.” – Kwan Y. Jung
BIODATA
Name: THUNG JIN PING
Date of Birth: 02 March 1972
ARTISTIC EDUCATION
1996-97 Certificate in Computer Application in Art & Design (Icon Computer Center)
1994-96 Diploma in Fine Art Major in Oil Painting (Malaysian Institute of Art)
1. Can you discuss your early experiences with martial arts, and Taekwon-do in particular? What were your first motivations to take up TKD?
My earliest encounter with martial arts goes back to my childhood when television was showing lots of martial art related programs and movies. To my delights, when I was in primary standard 4 (10 years old), a martial art class started at the badminton court in the community ground in front of our house at home. I did not know which type of martial art that the members were practicing in their uniform but I was very much attracted and wished to join them.
THUNG leading Black Belt class
However, it was not possible as my family could not afford the fee. Still I would watch them practicing each time through my window. Martial art came into my life since then.
The time came for me when Taekwon-do, karate and judo were implemented as extramural (curriculum) studies /activities in my secondary school at SMK Confucius with only a small fee. It was such a wonderful opportunity for me and my 2 brothers who also love martial arts. By that time I already knew about Taekwon-do and I joined the TKD class whereas my 2 brothers chose karate and judo.
My first motivation to take up TKD was simple. I saw it as a self defense physical training with good discipline.
2. Could you provide a brief overview of your training history and main instructors?
In 1987, our instructor Master Alex Lee Ming Pong (he was a black belt 3rd degree then, currently black belt 7th degree in 2011) taught us from all the basics , guided us and encouraged members to learn from each other through practicing together regularly. He led our team (the Confucius Boys TKD) to participate in various tournaments and presentations.
From 1989 to 1992, our TKD team won Overall Champions in different state tournaments (Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Perak etc.) every year.
3. How has your pursuit of TKD enriched your life on the whole?
The pursuit of TKD has indeed enriched my life on the whole. I have also acquired the tenets of TKD: ”Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self Control , and Indomitable Spirit” to guide me through my daily life and as a person. At times of difficulties, I always remember the tenets and find strength and courage to cope and move forward. It also helped me to gain confidence.
4. What is your proudest moment in Martial Arts?
Mr. Thung Jin Ping performing a jumping reverse turning kick breaking 2 boards with eyes blindfolded.
The way I see my achievements in Martial Arts, there never occurred to me any proudest moment. It is simply because I felt each great moment will soon be shadowed by another. I generally do not get too excited over it.
5. You are also an accomplished artist who does painting work. Can you share with us how you got involved in painting?
Red Clogs in watercolor
I found my passion in art since I was small with the encouragement from my parents. I drew a lot until I got into secondary school when my art teacher Mr. Yong Look Lam taught me watercolor painting which I did very well.
6. Which came first, TKD or painting? Do you pursue any formal study in painting?
Both Taekwon-do and Painting/visual art mean a lot to me. As for painting, I enrolled at the Malaysian Institute of Art in Kuala Lumpur to study Fine Art after I completed my secondary school study.
During the 3-year study, I experimented in drawing, oil -painting, ink-painting, printmaking, design and mixed media work and even experimental studio with installations. I graduated in 1997 with a major in Painting, thus I am a visual artist who may be referred to as a painter. Fine art can be my profession. When I worked as artist designer at The Mines Resort (The Mines Wonderland Theme Park) in Kuala Lumpur, it was an occupation.
7. From the paintings that you have displayed, do you have specific preference on the medium that you use in your painting work?
Yes, I prefer water color as my medium in those close-up still life paintings that I have displayed.
8. Being both a TKD exponent and an artist, what kind of experiences you usually go through when doing your painting work as compared to executing your TKD movements or patterns?
When starting a painting, one generates from point to line and to form a dimension on a blank piece of paper or canvas. With the addition of color, every element in when working well together will take form into a piece of art work. Likewise, this principle is the same as in TKD, for every execution of movements and patterns such as jumping, rhythm and breathing should be performed smoothly, in coherence in order to achieve top form. To achieve form we must keep going practicing. There is no shortcut.
9. Did you host any art exhibition in the past and how was the response from the public? Did you take part in art competition? What was the highest price your painting works have so far fetched?
I had participated in various art exhibitions in the past. I am pleased to mention that sale of my paintings had helped me through my college fees and expenses.
Young Talents 96 Water World 2 Unit Muzium Matawang Bank Negara Malaysia
10. A painter uses paint, oils, acrylics, watercolors. An artist is a broader term. When you refer to yourself or talk about your artwork, do you call yourself a painter or an artist? Perhaps something else? Does it vary depending on who you’re talking to, or do you try to avoid using a label of any kind? Share your thoughts and experiences
I do not try to use or avoid any particular label in referring to myself as an artist. If any community uses different term or label, it is only out of their common knowledge. Surprisingly, the term fine art artist is not common in our society, but people will refer to painter in the arts as artists.
To me artists are more concern about sharing their art creations, less about how they may be called.
11. Given a choice to turn professional, which would you prefer to be – Martial Artist or Painter?
Since I love Martial Art as well as Visual Art, I would like to think that I may be able to make both professional. To me they complement each other, one being physical and the other spiritual.
12. Can you share your personal experience regarding what is going on your thinking process and the thoughts at that very moment when you are actually performing your brush stroke on the piece of art as compared to that of performing the ‘hyung’ movements?
In my case, the instance of executing the brush stroke or the performing of Hyung movement is an instinctive action or reaction excelling the basic steps and rules. It has to have a good flow. Of course this can only be achieved after the skill becomes a natural instinct, through many years of practice.
In the early years of practicing, every movement went through hesitation and decision, thus each action became a decision of a thought process and the end product was not convincing.
Building in Malacca
“Painting is the most beautiful of all arts. In it, all sensations are condensed, at its aspect everyone may create romance at the will of his imagination, and at a glance have his soul invaded by the most profound memories… Like music, it acts on the soul through the intermediary of the senses… hearing can only grasp a single sound at one time, whereas the sight takes in everything and at the same time simplifies at its will.”
– Paul Gauguin,c.1889-90
I’ve jumped into chat groups that are reviewing my book. Most martial artists who post are anonymous, and the talks are as energetic as a punch in the arm, but the comments are thoughtful. One instructor posted my writing about the International Taekwon-Do Federation’s (ITF’s) pattern called Ju-Che. This tul has always been a controversial pattern, because it’s the name of North Korea’s ideology.
The following paragraphs are from chapter 12 of A Killing Art, a chapter set in the late 1970s, when Choi Hong-Hi was sick of the South Korean dictatorship and turned to North Korea for money and manpower:
“One gift that Choi gave to North Koreans was a new pattern of moves that he called Ju-Che… He did this to jettison the Ko-Dang pattern, which had been the pseudonum of one of Choi’s heroes, Cho Man-Sik, a Christian educator and an early North Korean leader until communists imprisoned the hero in 1946. Now that Choi’s friends were those same communists, Ko-Dang had to go. Expunging it and creating Ju-Che was a sell-out to the communists, even though Choi argued that the change was not political.”
“The term Ju-Che is nearly untranslatable in English: it means self-reliance and independence and, deeper, everything that makes Koreans Korean… Today, in gyms and championships around the world, we yell Ju-Che after the final technique of this pattern, saluting North Korea’s ideology whether we like it or not.”
“A more important gift to the communists, however, was a change to “sine wave,” a series of subtle movements that applied to all techniques. Good martial artists had always slightly bent their knees and rotated their hips before launching a technique (thereby creating more power), but Choi now wanted everyone to lower then raise the entire body with no hip rotation, so that they could use gravity while driving downwards with a punch for example… The differences sounded subtle, but, when put into action, they gave Choi’s Tae Kwon Do patterns a distinct style — a slower, more rhythmic, bobbing-on-the-sea look that dramatically distinguised it from Karate and Kim Un-yong’s [WTF] Tae Kwon Do.”
“Just as dramatic were Choi’s sudden announcements that North Koreans were practicing “pure Tae Kwon Do” (because they were doing a big sine wave) and that all the other instructors on the planet were “fakes.” The majority of Choi’s pioneers had disassociated themselves from him and his missions to North Korea, and Choi’s reaction was swift. As my instructor explained, Choi inserted a three-dimensional signature on the martial art (sine wave), handed it to the North Koreans and, in one move, disowned his wayward disciples, men who Choi viewed as disobedient and unfilial. In fact, disowning those surrogate sons was perhaps Choi’s chief goal with the sine wave…”
“Why not?” I asked. His “no” was disappointing but not surprising; many other martial arts leaders had said “no” to writing books.
He listed six reasons why he and older Koreans involved in the martial art can’t or won’t write the truths about Tae Kwon Do’s history:
1) Not everyone can write well. You need skills in interviewing, research, writing and editing.
2) You need a publisher to put up the money. The vast majority of books about Tae Kwon Do are self-published, which means the writer pays for publication of the book.
3) There isn’t much support from leaders in martial arts communities around the world.
4) Not many people know how to obtain and corroborate the facts. One man’s story (Kim Un-young’s, for example, or Choi Hong-Hi’s) isn’t enough. You need many stories for the entire history.
5) Some elderly men are overly “modest” and “humble,” and, so, won’t write about others.
6) Tae Kwon Do is still political.
As I spoke to him, I realized how lucky I was to be able to write A Killing Art:
- I’m a professional writer – an investigative journalist — who loves Tae Kwon Do and have been training in it for 25 years. Tracking down difficult-to-find information, such as U.S. Congressional hearings, comes easy.
- I found a publisher, ECW Press, in Canada and the U.S.
- Enough Tae Kwon Do leaders went on the record to tell their stories. This can’t be understated. Men such as Grandmaster Nam Tae-Hi are recounting more and more parts of the real stories. Grandmaster C. K. Choi published a book in 2008. You’ll probably see more books from pioneers in the future.
- I was in the right place at the right time to get the story started. For a number of reasons, my hometown (Toronto, Canada) was one of Tae Kwon Do’s hot spots.
- I’m a courteous and respectful man. Also, in my culture and profession, “humble” doesn’t mean “hide,” and “modest” isn’t “secret.” I believe that people who practise Tae Kwon Do deserve to know its real history, including its true Olympic history.
- I wrote this book to show that difficult stories about Tae Kwon Do could be transparent, balanced and fair. Tae Kwon Do is still political – it is still caught in a Cold War between North and South Korea, and its dozen factions in both the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) and the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) are still battling between themselves (in spite of merger talks). My book provides a couple of explanations for the secrets, politics and mayhem.
While writing the book, I kept telling myself that it had to be readable. It couldn’t be yet another boring history book full of names and dates. I wanted to capture the drama of the martial art, because Tae Kwon Do is dramatic, and the techniques – for combat or competition – are sensational, as are the men who created the art. Each one of the Korean pioneers – Uhm Woon-Kyu, Lee Chong-Woo, Nam Tae-Hi, Lee Won-Kuk, and many, many others — deserve a book. A Killing Art shows why.
This interview with GM C.K. Choi, one of the pioneers in Taekwon-Do,was conducted some years back and this website is re-publishing it for several reasons as listed below:
He was one of the TKD pioneers who first taught in Penang, Malaysia in the early 1960s;
Some of the current TKD Exponents practicing in Malaysia were not even born yet when he was teaching in Penang;
General Choi was the then Korean Ambassador to Malaysia;
As the following interview has mentioned, Gen. Choi had good relations with the Malaysian Government under the premiership of the late Tunku Abdul Rahman. There was one Minister,the late Encik Khir Johari who was conferred the Hon. 3rd Degree(?) Black Belt by Gen Choi.
Some of us the Malaysia National Team ( under MTF at that time ) renewed our friendship when we met up with him at the 2nd ITF World Championship in Oklahoma City, USA in Sept 1978.
For many the name Grand Master Choi Chang Keun is unfamiliar to them, but in its abbreviated form of ‘Grand Master C.K.Choi’ it brings instant recognition to anyone who has truly studied TaeKwon-Do.
For those who either trained under him, or have witnessed any of his performances as part of the ITF Demonstration teams of the 1960’s and 1970’s, they describe him as a man of awesome ability. He is renowned for his array of powerful kicking and jumping techniques and has attained a fearsome reputation when sparring.
Grand Master Choi is open and approachable, he has an actively astute mind, is an articulate, genuinely friendly man, who talk’s openly with a wealth of knowledge on both the techniques and history of TaeKwon-Do. You are also aware whilst in conversation with him that he also has both an inner strength, and a steely self confidence.
Q: Can I start by asking when you first became interested in the martial arts?
A: I began to study TaeKwon-Do in 1956 whilst I was still in middle school in the city of Won-Ju, South Korea. The Dojang I originally trained at was affiliated with the Chung Do Kwan. However in 1958 I started to train under Master (Major) Woo Jong Lim (Director of Tae Kwon Do for the Korean 1st Army) who although serving in the R.O.K. Army was also teaching at the only civilian Oh Do Kwan gym in Korea at that time. All the other Oh Do Kwan gyms taught only military personnel. As you know General Choi Hong Hi had founded the Tae Kwon Do (Oh Do Kwan) in 1954 with the assistance of Master (Captain) Nam Tae Hi.
Q: Which patterns were you practicing at this time?
A: I practiced Tae Kwon-Do patterns created by General Choi Hon Hi along with Karate patterns (Katas) and sparring patterns designed by my Instructor; Master Woo Jong Lim, in the 1950’s and the early 1960’s.
Q: I believe you became a TaeKwon-Do Instructor in the R.O.K. Army how did this come about?
A: I had attained a 2nd degree in TaeKwon-Do whilst training under Major Woo Jong Lim. At this time in 1960 Master Woo was appointed to the R.O.K .Army training center in Non San from Won-Ju and became Chief of Staff to General Choi. It was here that he asked me to give a TaeKwon-Do demonstration along with Master Han Cha Kyo for a TaeKwon-Do educational film. General Choi; who at this time was commander of the R.O.K. Army recruiting center, was watching.
He wanted a Tae Kwon Do educational film made and sent to the United States so that Tae Kwon Do could be introduced to there. After the demo had finished he asked if I would be interested in joining the Army to teach Tae Kwon Do. After discussing this proposal with my parents I accepted and joined the R.O.K. Army in 1960, after which I taught Tae Kwon Do at the R.O.K. Army’s largest recruiting center in Non-San.
Q: You were young to be teaching in the R.O.K. Army. Did this cause you any problems?
A: I had gained experience teaching as an assistant whilst training under Major Woo Jong Lim. I was the first Korean Tae Kwon Do (Oh Do Kwan) Champion in Tae Kwon Do in 1962, in sparring and patterns. I also taught under General Choi’s order. Therefore this helped me gain respect from those I trained. I had to train very hard not to disappoint Master Woo and General Choi and I was promoted to 3rd Degree Black Belt in 1962 by Master Woo Jong Lim.
Q: You are renowned for your flexibility and kicking abilities. How hard did you have to work on this or did it come naturally to you?
A: Although I have always trained hard I did have a degree of natural flexibility, which in truth I was not aware of until I started to teach TaeKwon-Do. (Grandmaster C.K. Choi then, without any warm up, dropped straight into both front and side splits with ease. He is 64 years old!) As regards my kicking, Major Woo Jong Lim emphasized to me to practice both left and right equally. I also practiced extensively with a bag to improve both my power and technique. I also practiced my punching and striking techniques endlessly, as well as my standing and jumping kicks.
Q: How many hours daily did you teach in the R.O.K. Army?
A: I would teach for two and a half-hours in the morning and evening respectively -5 days a week – and for two and a half-hours on a Saturday morning. I must emphasis that the training in the military was extremely hard, as it should be. We would practice patterns, breaking and sparring. We also spent time on physical conditioning that included lots of running which helped create more power and improve our stamina. In addition we spent time conditioning our hands and feet. You can have beautiful techniques, but without the power it does not work for self-defense. This is what military TaeKwon-Do was all about. We would also practice defenses against bayonet and rifle attacks.
Q: I’ve heard it said that upon first meeting General Choi and joining the R.O.K. Army that he told you to go into a room and just practice TaeKwon-Do on your own. Is this correct?
A: Yes. He told me to go to the gym and practice Tae Kwon Do.
Q: Did you also train under Grandmaster Kim Bok Man at this time?
A: No, I did not. When I was teaching in the Korean Army Training Centre under General Choi and Master Woo Jong Lim, Master Kim Bok Man came to see me in 1961. I spoke with him for about 5 minutes. That was the first and last meeting with him in Korea. When I went to Singapore I met him and stayed with him for about a week before going to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. However my masters were General Choi and Master Woo Jong Lim (Master Lim became a Major General in the 1980’s)
Q: Could you tell us about your competition career in the early 1960’s?
A: In 1962 Master Woo Jong Lim created the Tae Kwon Do Championship in sparing, patterns, breaking and special breaking. Master Woo held the 1st championship in Won-Ju Korea with the assistance of Kim Jong Chan and others in February 1963. I won the first Tae Kwon Do (Oh Do Kwan) Championship in both the sparring and patterns.
This was the first Tae Kwon Do Championships ever held in Tae Kwon Do history. I won the second championship in June of 1963. I also won the first Korean Tae Soo Do (Tae Kwon Do, Tang Soo Do, and Kong Soo Do) heavyweight championship in the 3rd, 4th and 5th degree division in 1963. I was the smallest in the division, but quite fast so the bigger opponents found it hard to hit me. The rules used were similar to those used by the WTF today but we used more hand techniques. In that tournament 1st and 2nd degree were divided into light, middle and heavy, as were the 3rd 4th & 5th degrees. This was the first combined Martial Arts tournament in history.
Q: Why was it called Tae Soo Do?
A: There were Tae Kwon Do, Tang Soo Do and Kong Soo Do styles that wanted to affiliate with the Korean National Athletic Association under their respective names. Therefore the Korean National Athletic Association told them to come up with a unified name.
The two Tae Kwon Do representatives wanted to use the Tae Kwon Do name but the seven Tang Soo Do and Kong Soo Do representatives did not. The only name that could be agreed upon was Tae Soo Do. Tang Soo Do and Kong Soo Do Masters wanted to use the word Soo as it means hand. As a result the Korean Tae Soo Do Association was formed and affiliated with the Korean National Athletic Association.
Q: I think many readers will be surprised by the name Tae Soo Do.
A: The Tae Soo Do name was suggested by Tang Soo Do Master, Lee Jong Woo who became the Vice President of KTA, Kuk Ki Won and WTF. Tang Soo Do and Kong Soo Do Masters would eventually control the Korean Tae Soo Do Association which became the Korean Tae Kwon Do Association in 1965.
I should also make it clear that I have a problem with those who have helped to cause confusion in Tae Kwon Do. I had a personal experience with them after becoming the first Korean Tae Soo Do heavyweight champion. There were 6 champions and 6 runner-ups set to go to Japan to represent Korea, for the goodwill tournament in 1963. 11 were from Tang Soo Do and Kong Soo Do and only one was from Tae Kwon Do. I was supposed to go to Japan as part of this, but I was excluded from the team solely because I was the only Tae Kwon Do man
Now however they claim to represent and practice TaeKwon-Do. I would just like to know when they started to learn Tae Kwon Do. When I was practicing Tae Kwon Do in the late 1950’s early 60’s they certainly were not practicing Tae Kwon Do.
Q: Did you have any input into any of the patterns?
A: I was with General Choi from 1962 until 1981. At this time he was still creating the Tae Kwon Do patterns and I assisted him on the creation of the pattern Gae-Baek. When General Choi was appointed the Commander of the 6th Army Corps in 1961 I was invited many times to perform some new patterns that he created. After performing the patterns for him he would ask me “What do you think?” I then told him my opinions.
Q: How did the opportunity arise for you to go abroad to teach?
A: In 1962 General Choi asked me to go to Malaysia to teach (He was the Korean Ambassador to Malaysia) but at this time I was still in the R.O.K Army. After being discharged from the Army in 1963 General Choi invited me to come to Malaysia. I first met Master Rhee Ki Ha in Seoul. Korea in 1964 when we were both applying for our passports.
When we went to the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs to get passports our passports the clerk at the counter told us that there was no such occupation as “Tae Kwon Do Instructor” listed. I asked what we should put down as our occupation on our passports. The clerk went away to consult with his superior. He eventually returned to us and said that we had been approved to have “Tae Kwon Do Instructor” on our passports. He told us we were the first Tae Kwon Do instructors recognized by the Korean government.
Q: In which country did you first teach?
A: I went to Malaysia in 1964 to teach Tae Kwon Do in Penang.
Q: How popular was TaeKwon-Do prior to your arrival?
A: Tae Kwon Do was already popular, as General Choi had started to teach there whilst he was the Korean Ambassador to Malaysia. However many referred to him as the Tae Kwon Do Ambassador as his goal was to teach everyone. General Choi was very friendly with the Prime Minister, Tunku Rahman, as well as many other Government officials.
We were asked to perform many demos like the one on Malaysian Independence Day when both the King and Prime Minister were in attendance. Tunku Rahman helped General Choi immensely.
Q: Were you now teaching the Ch’ang-Hon patterns?
A: I was teaching Tae Kwon Do patterns from Chon Ji upward. We did not use the term Ch’ang-Hon Patterns because there is only one Tae Kwon Do system; that which was founded by General Choi with the assistance of many Masters.
Q: You had quite a reputation at this time and yet many have said that both your appearance and demeanour were quite deceptive.
A: Yes this is true. My friends used to call me schoolmaster, as they said I had the appearance of one. But I have always had total confidence in my Tae Kwon Do ability. Once they saw my training they knew I was a good Tae Kwon Do Master.
Q: Did your students compete whilst you were in Malaysia?
A: Yes, many of my students were successful at the 1st Asian Championships held in Hong Kong in 1969. However, my teaching’s were not tournament based, but for self-defense. I used to tell my students that winning tournaments was fine, but if they were ever in danger they should also be able to save their own lives with the powerful techniques that they possess.
Q: Did you grade under General Choi at this time?
A: Yes. I did and I received 8th Degree Black Belt in 1981.
Q: How was your own training developing at this time?
A: I was always looking for better ways to train, especially with regards to power, speed, strength, stamina, flexibility and the application of techniques in sparring. If your body is flexible it is much easier to perform. This benefited my students greatly. Our objectives are to train our mind and body to achieve the highest level of physical fitness and mental discipline so that we can uncover the supreme person within each one of us. It is also important to practice the original Tae Kwon Do patterns to maintain the traditional Tae Kwon DO training system.
Q: Did you believe back in 1966 that TaeKwon-Do would achieve the global recognition that it has today?
A: Its beyond my belief that TaeKwon-Do has become as big as it has. Under the leadership of General Choi, many Pioneering Masters, instructors and supporters worked hard to teach and spread Tae Kwon Do all over the world. believe we all did our best to promote Tae Kwon Do and Korea.
Q: Were your current grades accepted by the ITF?
A: Yes. I think so. In 1981 I received 8th Degree Black Belt from the founder of Tae Kwon Do, General Choi. Who is not going to recognize that? Unless they are not a Tae Kwon Do organization. I was also one of the founding members of the ITF and received the No. 5 Recognition Plaque from the ITF.
Q: Do you think that the original pioneers of TaeKwon-Do receive the recognition that they deserve?
A: No. I don’t think so because the Korean Tae Kwon Do Association, Kuk KI Won and WTF, with the support of the Korean Government did not allow the teaching of the original Tae Kwon Do (ITF style) in Korea since 1973. The Korean government dissolved the ITF in Korea with the support of KTA and WTF because of General Choi’s opposition to President Park Jung Hee and his dictatorial regime. This is one of the reasons the original Tae Kwon Do Pioneers’ devotion and hard work has not been recognized by the Korean government.
It was wrong to ban and dissolve the original Tae Kwon Do in Korea because of General Choi’s personal political views. The Korean government officially approved Tae Kwon Do as Korea’s National Martial Art in 1965.
Since 1973 there has been no original Tae Kwon Do in Korea. Many people outside of Korea have more awareness of Tae Kwon Do’s history than the Korean people themselves. Unfortunately, there are people in Korea who tried to eliminate the truth for their own benefit and protection.
The Korean government is now in a position to recognize the original Tae Kwon Do, correct its history, and support its teaching in Korea again. This is the only way to honor all the Pioneering Masters and Instructors who have traveled the world to teach and spread Tae Kwon Do under the Korean name. They have been the real Korean patriots.
Q: How long was your stay in Malaysia?
A: I lived in Penang from 1964 to 1969 teaching Tae Kwon Do in Penang, Ipoh and Aloh Star. I had to teach in almost half of the country from time to time. I miss my old students very much. I hope to see them in the near future.
Q: Did you modify your teaching in any way from the way you taught in Korea?
A: The training method was the same whether you were in Korea, Singapore, Maylasia or Canada but I continued to develop modern training methods all the time. In my experience; when teaching, it is important to understand a beginner’s point of view. You do not want to train them too hard in the beginning. You do not train them as you would a champion.
Q: In 1973 you were chosen to be part of the ITF Demonstration Team that travelled the World. Could you please share with us any memories you have from this tour.
A: General Choi selected Masters Kong Young Ill, Rhee Ki Ha, Park Jong Soo and myself we were chosen to travel the world demonstrating, promoting and giving TaeKwon-Do seminars. We traveled for a total of 43 days. I have many happy memories of this tour. We performed in front of huge crowds in some wonderful stadiums. When we were giving a demonstration in Cairo, Egypt the stadium was full of people but they could not see from one end to another. We had to give four demonstrations, one on each side. They were impressed by our demonstrations and it seemed like we were treated like rock and roll stars. Our demonstrations were very popular everywhere we went.
Each host country provided our breaking materials. I recall on one occasion our boards had been soaked in water by a karate group to make the boards tougher, but we still broke them. On another occasion we (and our hosts) were embarrassed by a group of martial artists who gave a demonstration using, what I perceived to be tricks. I asked the MC to make a public announcement that I wanted to challenge anyone of the martial artists. It was out of character for me but I wanted to show them Tae Kwon Do’s power and skill. They quickly disappeared.
I also traveled frequently with General Choi in the late 1970’s. On one particular tour we traveled to Poland, Hungary and Yugoslavia. This was the first Tae Kwon Do demonstration Team that ever visited communist countries. Some Korean Martial Art practitioners said that we were communist. However, the WTF invited these same countries to the 1977 WTF World Championships in Chicago and I was told they even paid for their expenses. So I was somewhat confused as to who was a communist and who was not. In 1979 I traveled throughout South America giving demonstrations and seminars, accompanying General Choi and Master J.C.Kim, and others.
Q: Who has impressed you most throughout your TaeKwon-Do career?
A: General Choi Hong Hi and General Woo Jong Lim. General Choi is the founder of Tae Kwon-Do. There was no Tae Kwon-Do prior to the 11th April 1955. I respected him immensely as he was both intelligent and creative. He devoted his life to create and develop Tae Kwon-Do with the assistance of Grand Master Nam Tae Hi and other Masters.
I would also like to mention General Woo. He had all the good qualities of a human being that any man would want to have. He taught me not only the best Tae Kwon Do techniques which allowed me to become the first Tae Kwon Do and Tae Soo Do champion but he also taught me values for life. I received Tae Kwon Do lessons and life lessons at the same time. Unfortunately General Choi and General Woo are not here with us now but I sincerely thank them for what they have done to make me who I am today. I would also like to thank all my Tae Kwon Do Pioneering friends who devoted their life to teach and spread Tae Kwon Do worldwide. You have been my good friends and my strength.
Q: I believe you were instrumental in the creation of the ITF emblem on the back of the Doboks. Can you tell us more about this?
A: General Choi asked me to develop a new Dobok for the ITF that was different from the karate style uniforms we were wearing. The emblem on the back of the ITF Dobok symbolizes a tree, which has continual growth. I designed this for everyone who practices Tae Kwon Do. It was not designed for profit. However, recently I have heard that people have tried to patent the design. I sincerely hope that this is not the case.
Q: When did you leave the ITF?
A: I had been with General Choi since 1960. He came to Vancouver in 1979 and General Choi and Grand Master J C Kim and I had discussions to go to South and North Korea to give tae Kwon Do demonstrations. We all agreed to do so but General Choi decided to go to North Korean only. I disagreed with General Choi’s decision to go to North Korea. I felt it was wrong at that time, as there was no dialogue or communication between the two Korea’s in the late 70’s early 80’s.
I parted from General Choi in 1981. Today however the climate is different and the two Governments are talking. Many of my fellow pioneering Masters felt the same as myself at that time and also left General Choi. General Choi lost most of his Senior Grand masters and Masters and was forced to re-organize with Junior Black Belt Instructors while saying that all Korean Instructors betrayed him, which was not true. In 1982/83 General Choi tried to contact me, but I was not ready to talk unless he could change his politics. Obviously, he did not. Prior to leaving General Choi, Master J.C. Kim and I were selected as ITF representatives to merge with the WTF. Both ITF and WTF representatives had three separate meetings in Vancouver, Canada and Seoul, Korea but we could not reach any agreement.
Q: How are you involved in TaeKwon-Do today?
A: I still train every day. I also regularly conduct seminars and promotional tests together with advice on how to run a successful Do Jang (school). Since General Choi’s death in 2002 I have been meeting with ITF’s Pioneering Grand Masters to find a way to unite the original Tae Kwon Do family under the leadership of the most senior Grand Master, Nam Tae Hi.
On August 16th 2005 in Vancouver, Canada we set up a committee to begin the formation of The Tae Kwon Do Pioneers Council with Grand Master J.C. Kim, Grand Master Cho Sang Min, Grand Master Lee Yoo Sun and myself Grand Master C.K. Choi. The objective of the Council is to help and support all Tae Kwon Do groups worldwide whenever they need assistance. The Council would like all the Grand Masters, Masters and Instructors to work together to support and unify the Tae Kwon Do family.
Q: If you could give one piece of advice to the various ITF groups what would it be?
A: I would like to see all ITF groups unite and put all of their differences to one side and work together to make the ITF stronger for the benefit of everyone concerned. I am willing to help any true Tae Kwon Do practitioners in the world. I am also currently writing the true history of Tae Kwon Do. If you have any historical information please feel free to contact me. e-mail address: itfchoi@shaw.ca
Thank you for giving such an interesting and informative interview Grandmaster Choi.
NOTE:
At the beginning of the interview General Woo Jong Lim is referred to as a Major. This was his military title at that time.
Philip Hawkins can be contact at www.taekwon-dohistory.com
Grand Master C.K. Choi
1956
Began training in Tae Kwon Do and Karate under Instructor [Army Captain] Hong Sung In and Instructor Kim.
1958
Trained under Master [Major] Woo Jong Lim, Director of Tae Kwon Do for the Korean 1st Army.
1961
Taught Tae Kwon Do at the largest Korean Army Training Center under Master [Lt. Colonel] Woo Jong Lim and General Choi Hong Hi and assisted Gen. Choi to create Gae-Baek Pattern.
1962
Won the First Korean Tae Kwon Do Championships in Sparring and Pattern in Won Ju City, Korea. This was the world’s first championship.
Selected Member of First Korean Army Representative Team.
1963
Won the First Korean Tae Soo Do [Tae Kwon Do, Tang Soo Do, Kong Soo Do] Full Contact Heavyweight Championship in 3rd, 4th,5th Degree Black Belt Division.
Won the Korean Tae Soo Do Representative Full Contact Heavyweight Championship.
1964
Was invited by Malaysia Tae Kwon Do Association to teach Tae Kwon Do and became the First Professional Tae Kwon Do Instructor recognized by Korean Government.
1966
International Tae Kwon Do Federation [I.T.F.] was formed and received # 5 Recognition Plaque.
1970
Opened First Tae Kwon Do School in Vancouver, Canada.
1973
Was member of I.T.F. Demonstration Team to tour the world In 1973, 1978, 1979, 1981.
Was Chairman of I.T.F. Umpire Committee.
1980
Designed the I.T.F. Uniform Tree Logo.
1981
Promoted to 8th Degree Black Belt by I.T.F.
Was one of two I.T.F. Representatives attempting to merge I.T.F. with W.T.F.
With deep regret, Master Choi dropped support for Gen. Choi because of his ties with North Korea. At this junction, South Korea was technically at war and had no diplomatic relations with North Korea.
1980′s
Created Sparring Patterns.
2002
Became 9th Degree Black Belt.
2007
Published his book The Korean Martial Art of Tae Kwon Do and Early History. Was inducted into the Tae Kwon Do Hall Of Fame in New York City.
2010
Revised the above noted book to include training guidelines, sparring patterns and a testing schedule.
1st Nov 2011 ( 1.11.11) marks another historical date that is to be cherished and remembered by members of the Pan-Malaysia Global Taekwon-Do Federation(PGTF) fraternity.
The momentous evening occasion was to honour the PGTF National Team and Officials who brought glory and pride to the nation by bagging 4 Golds, 4 Silvers and 3 bronzes under the various categories of events during the recent 8th GTF World Taekwon-Do Championship in Dundee, Scotland on July 5-12, 2011.
The Ministry of Youth & Sports, Malaysia hosted the Award Presentation dinner function which was graced by the Honourable Senator Gan Ping Sieu, Deputy Minister of Youth & Sports, Malaysia, held at the prestigious 5 star hotel, ‘ The Palace of Golden Horses,’ Kim Ma Restaurant, Mines Resort City. We wish to record our thanks to the Sports Ministry for recognizing the achievements of PGTF.
The PGTF Champions and and Officials (Squating –left to right, Cheong Yee Wai, See Kean Piew, Lee Chien Ming, Shiu Siew Yee, and Chan Pei-I). ( Standing left to right, Master Lee Hok Heng, Mr. Johnson Kong, Master Ngiaw Wee Sun, Honourable Senator Master Dato Andy Ng, Honourable Senator Gan Ping Sieu, Deputy Minister of Youth & Sports, Malaysia, Master Ng Hooi Lai, Master Dang Kok Wai, and Master Alex Lee Min Pong)
Here are the PGTF National Team highlights and category of events.
1. See Kean Piew (Perak) – Pattern: Gold, Free Sparring: Gold, Flying Kick Special Technique: Gold
July 13, 2011 also marks a significant date to be recorded in the PGTF history. On this day , the government Sports Authority, the Sports Commissioner’s Office (PPS), officially approved and issued the Certificate of Registration to the Pan-Malaysia Global Taekwon-Do Federation (PGTF), which is sanctioned as the National Governing Body to represent GTF interest in Malaysia.
The Honourable Senator Gan Ping Sieu, Deputy Sports Minister, presenting the Certificate of Registration to the Honourable Senator Master Dato Andy Ng, Deputy President of PGTF at the Palace of Golden Horses on 1.11.11.
The following States and Districts PGTF Affiliates were also presented with the Certificate of Registration by the Honourable Deputy Sports Minister:
i) PGTF Johor
ii) PGTF Negri Sembilan
iii) PGTF Pahang
iv) PGTF Pulau Pinang
v) PGTF Kedah
vi) PGTF Daerah Pekan, Pahang
vii) PGTF Daerah Bentong, Pahang
viii) PGTF Daerah Hulu Langat, Selangor
ix) PGTF Daerah Petaling Jaya, Selangor
x) PGTF Ancient Taekon-Do Club
PGTF KEDAH OFFICIALS WITH SENATOR GAN PING SIEU, DEPUTY SPORTS MINISTER
PGTF NEGRI SEMBILAN
PGTF PAHANG
PGTF PETALING JAYA PRESIDENT MR. STEVEN SOO WITH HON. DEPUTY SPORTS MINISTER
PGTF PENANG WITH DEP. SPORTS MINISTER
PGTF JOHOR
PGTF HULU LANGAT DISTRICT
PGTF PEKAN DISTRICT
Mr. Johnson Kong receiving the ASUS award for being the best Sports Organization in the KL Federal Territory. This carries a Trophy and a RM5,000.00 Cash Award. Standing beside is Mr. Ting Siew Chuan, President of Kuala Lumpur & Federal Territory TKD Association (GTF)
Selangor PGTF Business Executive Class Group Photo
The Ripple Effect is based on the understanding that we are all connected. These connections stretch like an incredibly interwoven and complicated tapestry. Each of us exists within this tapestry. Thoughts and actions are like stones dropped in a pond and they create ripples that travel outward.
Everything we do and think affects the people in our lives and their reactions in turn affect others. The choices you make have far-reaching consequences. Each of us carries within us the capacity to change the world in small ways for better or worse. We can use the Principles of the Ripple Effect to magnify our actions and their effects.
The Science behind The Ripple Effect
In a nutshell, physics is the study of matter, energy, and the interaction between them. The core theories of physics are classical (or Newtonian) mechanics, electromagnetism, optics, thermodynamics, quantum mechanics and relativity. Within each of these branches, science has developed theories that have been validated through mathematics and experimentation: for instance, Issac Newton’s famous Three Laws of Motion.
These theories have proven to be accurate models of nature within their respected domains. What has puzzled science is that these theories tend to be inaccurate outside of their respected domains.
For instance, classical mechanics correctly describes the motion of objects in everyday experience, but it breaks down at the atomic scale, where it is superseded by quantum mechanics, and at speeds approaching the speed of light, where relativistic effects become important. Since Albert Einstein first proposed an underlying set of rules in which each branch of physics would be an integrated subset, the Unified Field Theory has become the Holy Grail of science.
Some of the most exciting work has been in the field of Quantum Physics. Researchers have long understood that the basic building block of matter, the atom, could be broken down into its basic components: protons, neutrons and electrons. We have come to understand that these components are not absolute, but can be broken down into even smaller particles, called leptons and quarks, which in turn can be broken down even farther. The theory is that when you go down far enough, there is no finite bit of matter, there is only energy. This has been popularized by two recent movies: What the Bleep Do We Know and The Secret. The concept espoused in these movies is that since everything is energy, our thoughts can be used to interact with that energy to effect changes in our environment.
The Ripple Effect is based on the belief that the energy of our intentions, through both thought and action, does ripple out through time and space to effect our environment.
To this, we add two accepted theories of physics: entrainment and wave characteristics. Entrainment is the process by which two vibrating or oscillating systems which would have different periods when operating independently, will lock into phase and operate in synchronicity when they interact with each other. You can demonstrate this yourself by setting two pendulum clocks on a wall together. No matter what the initial timing is, they will eventually swing together.
Wave theory teaches us that, unless acted upon by an external effect, a wave will continue to travel out without a change in its initial amplitude or wavelength. In addition, when two waves intersect each other, the height of the effect is the sum of the heights of the two individual waves.
This means that if we can synchronize our intentions and actions towards a common goal, our independent waves will continue to add to each other as they travel out through the energetic field and the result will be much greater than we can manifest independently.
The following article is an interesting read and perhaps an eye-opener for some Taekwon-Do exponents who are practicing the Juche patterns (tuls/hyongs) with or without full knowledge of its implication or interpretation.
It makes sense to be aware and be conscious of what we practice in our dojang, besides following blindly the political ideologies. – 1 martialart.
As the North Korean government announces the death of Kim Jong-il, the future of the “hermit kingdom,” along with its 25 million people, remains largely uncertain. It is no secret that life under the Dear Leader was no picnic. Just this month, over 40 human rights organizations, marking the 63rd anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, called for “international action to stop crimes against humanity perpetrated by North Korea’s dictatorship.”
Human Rights Watch marked the occasion of Kim John Il’s death with a statement that governments around the world should demand that his successor reform the country’s dismal human rights record. As the rights agency noted, “Kim Jong-Il exercised total control for 17 years over one of the world’s most closed and repressive governments. He was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands, and perhaps millions, of North Koreans through widespread preventable starvation, horrendous prisons and forced labor camps, and public executions.”
But even while the North Korean regime has been a major concern of governments around the world due to the horrendous treatment of its people as well as its obsessive nuclear ambitions, little has been written about its driving state ideology – the “Juche idea” – and the clues it may hold for predicting the nature of post-Kim Jong Il North Korea.
As Christopher Hale has written, “In its simplest form, Juche is generally defined as North Korea’s ideology of autonomy and self-reliance, and it is meant to replace the principle of sadaejuui (serving the great) that has characterized Korea’s foreign relations throughout much of its history.” As is well known, with the end of the Second World War, Korea was divided along the 38th parallel into the north (administered by the Soviet Union) and the south (administered by the United States). North Korea, or the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), was formally established in 1948.
The 1948 constitution of the DPRK closely resembled other communist countries under the control of the USSR and was patterned on the Soviet Union’s 1936 “Stalinist” constitution. Soviet influence in the DPRK was so strong that the U.S. State Department stated at the time that North Korea was “well advanced toward becoming a Republic of the USSR.” According to Hale, the political philosophy of Juche stemmed from Kim Il Sung’s disillusionment with Soviet dominance as well as his “highly nationalist orientation.”
This nationalist orientation reached full bloom in the 1972 Constitution, which enshrined Juche as the overarching ideology of the state. Article 44 noted that there was a need to “thoroughly establish Juche in scientific research,” and Article 45 expressed the need for “a Juche-oriented, revolutionary literature and art.” Christopher Hale goes so far as to say that “it would be accurate to call the constitution a Juche constitution in light of its saturation with Juche ideology.”
Over the next several decades, the “Juche idea” became more entrenched in the foundation of North Korea. The fall of the USSR in 1991, rather than weakening Kim Il Sung’s commitment to socialism, was a major boost to the Juche idea. According to Kim, the fall of the USSR only signaled the superiority of the North Korean system. As such, in 1992, a new constitution was introduced, one in which references to Marxism-Leninism were replaced by articles reaffirming the superiority of Juche.
However, a more pivotal event would occur two years later that would enshrine Juche as a kind of state religion: the death of Kim Il Sung. As Hale points out, with his death in 1994, Kim Il Sung was relegated to godlike status, “and subsequently he and his purported Juche ideas were regarded with a level of holy sanctity that was not quite possible while he was alive.”
Thus, while Juche was originally used by the elder Kim to emphasize the autonomy of the North Korean state, it has grown into something very different. It was Kim Jong Il’s treatise On the Juche Idea, published in 1982, that first highlighted some of Juche’s religious elements. The treatise raised Kim Jong Il to a kind of prophet, uniquely capable of interpreting and implementing his father’s hopes for the country. After the elder Kim’s death, a new constitution was introduced in 1998, which by all accounts was “a religious eulogy to Kim Il Sung,” referring to him as the “sun of the nation and the lodestar of the reunification of the fatherland.”
As Grace Lee has argued, “Kim Il Sung and his son Kim Jong Il have successfully wielded the Juche idea as a political shibboleth to evoke a fiercely nationalistic drive for North Korean independence and to justify policies of self-reliance and self-denial in the face of famine and economic stagnation in North Korea.”
Now with the passing of both father and son, the future seems uncertain. While some commentators are optimistic that the death of Kim Jong Il signals an end to decades of brutal rule, one wonders if the philosophy of Juche and its religious status in the country will be an impediment to the forging of a drastically new path. As Adrain Buzo rightly argued in The Guerilla Dynasty: Politics and Leadership in North Korea, “to depart from this ideology would threaten the DPRK’s very self-definition as a state.”
Pan-Malaysia Global Taekwon-Do Federation (PGTF), the National Governing body for Global Taekwon-Do Federation (GTF), adds another cap to its honour roll when the Honourable Senator Dato’ Master Andy Ng, Deputy President of PGTF, was conferred the Darjah Indera Mahkota Pahang Peringkat Kedua (DIMP) award which carries the title “Dato”
At an investiture ceremony held in conjunction with the 81st birthday of the Sultan of Pahang, Sultan Ahmad Shah, at the Abu Bakar Palace on December 22, 2011, the Honourable Senator Dato’ Master Andy Ng received the “Most Distinguished Order of the Crown of Pahang – Knight Commander(1967) (DIMP) from the Crown Prince of Pahang.
Pahang Knighthood Insignia
Darjah Indera Mahkota Pahang Peringkat Kedua (DIMP)
Most Distinguished Order of the Crown of Pahang – Knight Commander (1967)
BIODATA
Master Andy Ng was an educationist for the past 30 years culminating as a Senior Assistant at St. Thomas School. He took an optional retirement to prepare himself for a political career that led him to be appointed as a Senator in the Malaysia bicameral Parliament House of Senate for the term 2009 – 2012. Prior to that, he also served as a Municipal Councillor for 6 years.
As a law-maker with close and influential ties with the Government Ministers, Master Andy Ng was instrumental in assisting PGTF to obtain its Certificate of Registration approved by the Sports Commissioner Office, Ministry of Youth & Sports, Malaysia.
Master Andy Ng began his TKD training since 1970 and received his promotion to 7th Degree Black Belt Master in 2007. His 4th Degree Black Belt was personally tested by the late Grand Master Park Jung Tae in 1992 when Grandmaster Park visited Malaysia. Master Andy Ng was among one of the first Instructors who took the challenge in aligning himself with GM Park whilst the rest of his contemporaries chose to remain with ITF.
Master Andy Ng with Master Ngiaw, GM Park Jung Tae and OCCI Pahang Assistant Police Commissioner, Datuk Sulaiman in the Police Headquarters.
Master Andy Ng holds a MBA degree (Marketing) from the University of Wales, U.K. He is married with 4 children with the eldest son who graduated as an Architect, now doing his internship in Kuala Lumpur.
On behalf of PGTF, we wish him the very best in all his endeavours and may he continue his ‘Yang Berkhimat‘, ‘national service’ in taking PGTF to the next higher level of operations.
“Many of the great achievements of the world were accomplished by tired and discouraged men who kept on working.”
Footnote:
For more additional information on the Decorations and Medals of Federation of Malaysia – State Awards, log onto this website @ http://www.medals.pl/my/my2.htm
For more information on the teachings of J Krishnamurti please log on to www.evolutionarymystic.wordpress.com and go to Tags column and click ” Life Story and Teachings of J Krishnamurti
Year 2012 is the chinese year of the dragon. Disclosure of the reptilian race during this dragon year would be interesting. I feel there is hope in the dark recesses for all races.
This is a reflection of the times in synchronicity with all alien disclosure, astrology,and the reptilian element. I would say to go look beyond the histories of alien and earth wars,but there are those who will never accept change and hold fear in their hearts,but, who could ever want to live forever in a world such as it is right now?
Is it ‘normal’ to inflict pain and torture on another human being?
Hope is for changes in the hearts of governments and a united humanity.
music..by Kitaro,the song,’Dholavira.’
2012: The Year of Freedom, Courage, & Change!
This is a video highlighting what to expect in 2012 due to Chinese Astrology and Numerology Influences.
The Tao-te Ching, a classic of the literature of enlightenment, expresses the same reality of life as the Vedic literature of India. Speaker: Dr. Bevan Morris, President of Maharishi University of Management.
Taoism Quotes by Lao-Tzu
Inspirational Taoism quotes by Lao-Tzu. Some are Lao-Tzu’s quotes in the Tao Te Ching. Enjoy! Namaste.
In order to choose the right martial arts dojo (dojang) for you and your family, it’s important to first identify your goals. Different studios cater to different objectives. For example, many instructors specialize in teaching self-defense. Others focus on spiritual development. Still others offer classes that specifically prepare students for tournaments and competition. The problem is, dojos rarely excel in everything. Your experience at any given school will depend heavily on whether the instructor is qualified to meet your unique goals.
In this article, I’ll provide an overview of the four most common aims of martial arts classes. We’ll take a look at self-defense, spiritual growth, self-discipline, and competition.
#1 – Self-Defense And Vocational Confrontations
A large number of beginning students have the impression that learning karate, judo, and other styles will train them to defend themselves. Even though learning the various fighting systems can meet that need, it’s worth clarifying a few points.
First, it’s a narrow perception of the instruction offered by dojos. Martial arts can offer much more than mere fighting techniques. Second, most schools that offer instruction in combat training focus on that single objective to the exclusion of other goals. The reason is due how such training is delivered. True combat training requires a psychological leap in order to inflict injury – and in some cases, death. Most studios will not offer that type of instruction.
#2 – Spiritual And Physical Health
Many classes focus on helping students achieve spiritual growth. Dojos that offer this type of instruction help enrollees develop an inner harmony that strengthens the connection between their mind, spirit, and body. It’s not uncommon for pupils to practice these “gentle” styles throughout their lives.
Other disciplines focus on physical health; students are given an opportunity to participate in intense aerobic activity. In effect, they receive a physical workout that puts all of their limbs and muscles to use. Many parents enroll their children into this type of martial arts class in order to help their kids stay active throughout the year (team sports are usually seasonal).
#3 – Self-Discipline And Behavior Modification
This aim has the most benefit for children and young adults. Parents who enroll their kids into martial arts classes often discover their children gain a boost in confidence and mental focus. What’s more, young people learn the value of being respectful and courteous to others. Their ability to socialize and maintain friendships with peers also improves.
Increasingly, many experts have suggested that martial arts classes can prove invaluable for children with ADD. The instruction helps them clear their minds and eliminate distractions. It gives them singularity of purpose. As a result, kids with behavioral issues slowly learn the benefits of self-control.
#4 – Tournaments And Competition
Many students are instinctively drawn toward participating in tournaments. Whether they do so as an outlet for aggressive energy, or to sate a competitive thirst, it requires a high level of dedication. Martial arts classes that train pupils for competition focus on proficiency in technique, quick response, and the ability to calculate an opponent’s skill. Instruction for some fighting disciplines, such as Taekwondo, is specifically geared toward tournament competition.
Most dojos focus on one main objective in their martial arts classes. Whether self-defense, spiritual development, self-discipline, or tournament fighting, it’s important to know which is their primary aim. That’s the only way you and your family can confidently enroll into classes that will meet your needs and personal goals. Given that karate, aikido, kung fu, and other styles tend to become an enduring passion, a little research can help pave the road for a fulfilling, lifelong experience.
MENTERI BELIA DAN SUKAN RASMI KEJOHANAN TAEKWAN-DO KEBANGSAAN PGTF 2012 Disediakan oleh : Yusfadhila Yunus (Unit Komunikasi Korporat, KBS) yfadhila@kbs.gov.my
Queens Hotel, Dundee
The sacredness of a sporting event is that individuals rise beyond their limitations, achieving a state of abandon that is usually known only at the peak of spirituality.Thus, we have always included sports in our yoga programs. All of our programs have an element of play — as to play is to live, and to live is to play.
Grand Master Choi Chang Keun
