ninjanurse

Thanks-same to you!

Yoga is part of my training plan...definitely helps with balance, flexibility, and core strength! I also include it in my cardio classes...adding dynamic resistance to keep heart rates up when needed, and as a cool down after kicking their butts!

Same to you Patrick---Happy Holidays!!!

Like this!

AJJF

I have a kid in my adult class with similar circumstances. After much frustration and many months of listening to him whine and act like a toddler I finally figured out that he had almost zero self esteem therefore he continually told himself he couldn't do it so why try-it was a learned behavior stemming from circumstances at home. I enlisted the rest of the class to develop a plan to encourage him without babying him or letting him off the hook for his behavior-and we all worked at it together. So far it is working (he comes back after every class and has made great strides in retention of material)-and with continued encouragement and increasing expectations I am hopeful he will eventually turn around and believe that he really is capable of anything he choses.

Yes!

Thanks for letting us know!

I feel your pain!

Great interview John...thanks for sharing!

Great list-I'm in both the top 2-yay!

You're awesome~!

Great interview!

Thanks for sharing!

Nice!!!!

Congrats!

Good drills to add to the "bag of tricks'"! thanks!

Great to hear more from you ps1-lthank you for sharing your profile with us! I have always enjoyed your contributions to KF (even those you deem pretentious) -keep them coming!

Thanks for letting us into your world a bit! I always enjoy your posts and look forward to many more!

Great to hear your story Sai... and you aswered the question I have always had about Mr. Clarks Room !!!!

I enjoy your contributions as well and share your sentiments about KF's impact on personal motivation! Thank You!

Thank you everyone. It has been my pleasure to be a part of Karate Forums and a member of the great team that supports it....Kwanzu!

This post was originally published as an article in a dedicated KarateForums.com Articles section, which is no longer online. After the section was closed, this article was most to the most appropriate forum in our community. The tenets and precepts of Kwok Wu Chuen embody the Chinese concept of "Wude," which defines and cultivates the virtues of martial arts (or martial morality) needed to become a true master of oneself. It transcends the physical aspects of the art and is required to become a true student. Thousands of years of experience have created ways to cultivate and achieve this "warrior mind" and, in many cases, it requires a leap of faith to stay the course. Those that strive to develop their mind, yet disregard traditions and teachings that they don't see as relevant, leave gaps in their martial training that hamper their development. Wude includes two aspects - morality of deed and morality of mind. The morality of deed includes humility, respect, righteousness, trust and loyalty. Meanwhile, morality of mind includes will, endurance, perseverance, patience and courage. The tenets and precepts of Kwok Wu Chuen can be found within these concepts. Morality of Deed 1. Qian Xu/Humility "The taller the bamboo grows, the lower it bows." - Chinese proverb Humility comes from learning to control your feelings of pride and striving to make others feel important. Students who are always looking for ways to better themselves are willing to learn - to "empty their cup." A master cannot teach someone who is already full or who seeks knowledge out of pride. 2. Zun Jing/Respect "Those who respect themselves and others will also be respected." First, respect must be earned and cannot be demanded from others and second, respecting yourself leads to learning to respect and value those around you. This is the foundation of all relationships. Expressions of respect can be found in bowing, giving polite greeting, or attending class on time but it is the motivation behind the action that transforms it from ritual to reverence. 3. Zheng Yi/Righteousness Righteousness entails taking care of business when business needs to be done, and doing it without hesitation or for the wrong reasons. It also means not sticking your nose into things that do not concern you. This ensures that you will have a clean mind, without guilt, and you will earn the trust of others. 4. Xin Yong/Trust Being trustworthy starts with trusting yourself – the key to confidence. This external demonstration of confidence helps earn the trust and respect of others. Never take your promises lightly and always fulfill them. 5. Zhong Cheng/Loyalty Loyalty is the foundation of trust and is especially crucial between a student and his/her master as obedience is a prerequisite for learning. Pride and concern for one's own dignity only puts a barrier up that prevents mutual trust and personal growth. "A warrior is only a warrior because he believes in a cause greater than himself, and a warrior whose cause is himself and his own ego is no warrior at all." - Dr. Makia Pai Loyalty requires an emotional commitment not just a physical presence. Morality of Mind 1. Yi Zhi/Will The struggle between the emotional mind and the wise mind constitutes the internal battle of will that plays out when you commit yourself to a goal. The sincerity with which that commitment is made drives the strength of that will. Your desire must be deep and never vague. It is always the student's responsibility to walk the path and seek improvement - the teacher merely provides the guidance and direction to travel. 2. Yi Li/Endurance, Perseverance, Patience These are the manifestations of a strong will and help build a profound mind which is required for committed learning and the ability to understand your actions. Successful people are those who are patient and persevere. Self discipline is learned through consistent and mindful practice. 3. Yong Gan/Courage Courage and bravery go hand in hand. However, courage is the internal understanding that comes from the mind - a comprehension of the situation that allows one to act. An emotionally balanced mind gives courage an enduring presence that is always ready when the need to be brave (act) arises. Knowing the risks to yourself but acting for the benefit of others transcends the act itself. The concepts of Wude, deeply ingrained in the history and culture of martial arts, are just as relevant to students today as they were to the warriors of the past. While various styles of martial arts have different traditions, concepts and techniques, these particular concepts are common among many. The modern warrior has varied reasons for the study of martial arts but all have moral responsibilities to use their skills for good and not evil, and while some of these ideas may not seem immediately clear and relevant to a new student, adherence to and practice of them will reveal their purpose over time. Loyalty to the instructor, and the system itself, guarantees the longevity of the style and binds the student and teacher together in a relationship that allows the style to flourish and grow - thus insuring its survival for future generations. How then do we choose a system and instructor under which to study? Traditionally, students did not choose a teacher, but rather the teacher chose them. Often, their loyalty was tested, prior to receiving any formal training, through several tests designed to measure their existing virtue and readiness for learning. A student had to prove he/she was worthy of learning and some of the criteria included: Being devoted to martial arts and willing to learn wholeheartedlyBeing ready and willing to endure hardship True humbleness Wit and courage Patience and endurance Sincerity Helpfulness Standing up for ones' teacher and fellow students Being able to subdue the ego for the good of the group Respect and loyalty toward the teacher the lineage of the school - including all other martial arts Adherence to the etiquette of the school and systemFor myself, it was this same criteria that I used in my investigation and evaluation of the local martial arts community that led me to apply to be a student of this blended yet traditional style. This is a seemingly inverted approach. However, when analyzed, it becomes apparent that the student and the system gravitate toward each other via their shared virtues and stay with each other through shared loyalty. San nian zho, san nian kao: "a student searches for years to find a good teacher, and a teacher will examine the student for years before really teaching her or him." "Watch your thoughts; they become your words. Watch your words; they become your actions. Watch your actions; they become your habits. Watch your habits; they become your character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny." - Unknown author References Loyalty and Dedication in the Martial Arts by Dr. Makai L. Pai On Respect, Loyalty and Lineage by Dr. Makai L. Pai The Value of Loyalty in Martial Arts by Alex So ShouyuLiang.com Martial Morality by Dr. Yang, Jwing-Ming

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