Sekoudog

I believe that a practioner's proficiency is his/her own doing. Whether a TKD stylist can defeat a submission fighter or vice versa is not the question, because everyone and every style has strengths and weaknesses. All that matters is how hard you train. We all chose our styles because they appeal to us. It is my opinion that those people who just look for an art that is superior in destructiveness will continue that searh forever and a day. My art Hwa Rang Do is considered a comprehensive style meaning we study grappling, striking, joint manipulation, etc. However, that doesn't mean that we are superior. I would even venture to say that it doesn't really matter how big or small you are either. Morehei Ueshiba was a small man, but very effective in his technique. Royce Gracie, Bruce Lee, Benny "the Jet", Tito Ortiz are not and were not the biggest kids on the playground, so to speak, but no one can deny their skill and ability. Focus should be placed on building one's skills and ability.

I must state that I am a direct student of Chief Master Lee, Tae Joon, eldest son of Do Ju Nim, Lee, Joo Bang. Also, I hold a black belt in Tae Soo Do, the sister art of HRD, and a yellow sash in HRD. The differences in KSW, HRD, and Hapkido are not just in hyungs/forms, but also in philosophy. There is a reason why, at least KSW and HRD, have their names trademarked. It is to set the art apart from all others. The names express a founder's religious or spiritual groundings, which guide and support the development and application of his techniques. For example, there are a finite number of joints in the body, thus it flows logically that there can only be a finite number of ways to break or manipulate them. Therefore, the distinction cannot be in a new technique per se, rather it is in how the technique is applied, i.e. angles, forces, situations, etc. Also, the founder's philosophy sets the stage for student-teacher and student-student relationships in the dojang. In the case of HRD, loyalty is demanded! In fact, loyalty is stressed in the Hwa Rang O Kae. Whenever a student enters the school he/she is progressly reminded of that duty, as well as the duty to make and keep commitments. Some students do and some don't. It is as plain and simple as that. Still the philosophy never changes. We must remember that a martial art is and should be a way of life. The Code of the Samurai, Hagakure, were rules for daily life. The same is so of the Book of the Five Rings. Furthermore, as we all know you are as you practice. Therefore, you must practice the philosophy of your art--this is what makes you and your art stand apart.