Ki Hahp and other Ramblings about KSW

[swooshfinn]

Ok, I have to admit that its great to be back in my home studio for KSW after taking a year leave of absence while I was learning important life lessons in Saint Louis.

 

Last night though, my instructor (I should say temporary instructor until the real instructor recovers from his cancer (different subject I know)) asked everyone: "What the is the importance of a Ki Hahp is while doing multiple kicks, multiple punches, techniques, and forms?" After going through the few yellow, blue, and red belts that thought they had the answer, he calls on me, the brown belt in the back (with the conditioning of a white belt; the mind is willing to do what is asked of it, but the body is not so cooperative at this point). While the others had some good answers, it was I that actually pinpointed the correct answer of breathing.

 

Needless to say I am quite dissappointed with some of my other classmates in that I was the one to answer it correctly. To tell you the truth, I am really not all that impressed with the effort and skill of the class as it is. I would have assumed that the higher colored belts would have taken a better leadership role than what they have currently, making things alot better for the three black belts in charge of the studio while our Kwan Jahng Nim is taking much deserved time off for his cancer. I am also dissapointed in the fact that the three black belts, while doing a relatively good job keeping things going, are not pushing the students as hard as Kwan Jahng Nim would. I realize that this is not an ideal situation for any of us, but I would at least expect the same high standards from a Pu Sa Bum Nim and two Jo Kyo Nims, that have spent a lot of time with our Kwan Jahng Nim, as from our demanding Kwan Jahng Nim.

 

I also realize that a class of 20 adults can be a challenge, since most of are participating in the Saint Louis Tournament here in a short few weeks, but there are a few of us that are not participating in the tournament and there are quite a few "newbies" that just started in the past 2 weeks. While it is not feasible to have a tournament class and a non-tournament class for the adults and the kids, and while the non-tournament people (myself included) can assist the tournament and other non-tournament people.

 

 

 

I have to ask myself is it all worth it?

 

Is it worth dealing with a cute, but extremely unstable and rather immature red belt, who can't see the world beyond herself?

 

Is it worth coming back to a system that is supposed to be getting harder (and it definitely is in some aspects) but at times overly simple?

 

Is it worth dealing with all the bumps, bruises, bangs, scrapes, sores, aches, and pains that I was so accustomed to before moving to Saint Louis, but while in Saint Louis I have to admit that I didn't miss one bit?

 

 

 

If it makes me a better person, sure, why not? I mean most of the students in the adult class are college kids from the local liberal arts college, so they come and go due to class schedule, graduation, and other school activities. And I was in the best physical condition when I moved to Saint Louis (I would have like to have a few more pounds off when I moved there). Most nights I felt like I had a good work out and occassionally I would be completely exhausted after class and the full slate of a schedule that I was doing, but I was happy. Now that I am back from a year in Saint Louis, I ended up losing some more weight (woohoo) I forgot how hard those first few months of KSW was.

 

My instructors have all went through the same thing so they completely undestand where I am coming from, and we all agree that I should be taking it slowly (but I notice some concern (?) for not keeping the conditioning I had while I was in Saint Louis). But that maybe just be might be me being too hard on myself like usual.

 

Hope to see some of you KSW peeps at the St Louis Tourny in a few weeks. In fact, I am trying to talk all the college kids into going to a Korean restaurant that I know isn't all the far from tournament.

 

And REMEMBER:

 

WE ALL NEED MORE PRACTICE!

[DLopez]

To tell you the truth, I am really not all that impressed with the effort and skill of the class as it is.

 

I wouldn't worry about that kind of stuff. It seems like it's mostly the younger and teenaged students in our school seem to fit that description - doing their forms and techniques sloppily and not seeming to care at times... but I've come to look at it from the perspective of, I don't care how much or how little others try to be their best, I will always give 100%, and then give some more. I am only in control of myself.

 

The temptation to judge others about whether they are trying their best or are not enthusiastic about being there is very great indeed, but since I am not an instructor (although I assist with the kids classes), I consider it not my place to be judgmental on who is and who isn't trying their best, so I simply dismiss those thoughts.

 

I suspect though, that you already know whether putting up with all the distractions are worth it or not, else you wouldn't be back in training!

 

Stick with it, you're too close to earning your black belt to give it all up now. I can't imagine quitting Kuk Sool now that I'm only 2 tests away from becomming Dahn Bo Nym.

[ZR440]

The PSBN that I trained under emphasized Ki breathing quite a bit. Kihaps were expected in everything, especially in the higher belts. He would mention how your grandmaster would almost cover the internal Ki aspects more during seminars than some of the techniques, so I don't know why your temp instructors aren't encouraging more of it.

 

As for your disappointment in the other belts, don't worry about it. You take your art as far as you want. Some take it to say they have a belt, some take it for personal growth. Your instructor will know who is in it for the glory or who is there to become the well rounded KSW student.

 

Perhaps KSN Doug can shed some more light into the wall you're hitting now. He can offer better advice or guidance than most of us since he's been there-done that.

[SBN Doug]

Oh sure, put me on the spot.

 

Well, to be honest, I'm trying to get a read on the true nature of your concern. I see conflicting messages so far.

 

I see that your classes aren't as rigorous as they were when KJN was running them, but you're not sure the pain of the level of training is worth it right now.

 

You seem dissapointed that they aren't working the class as hard, but you're concerned that you level of conditioning has decreased too much to handle that higher level right now.

 

First, regardless of what everyone else is doing, decide for yourself what you want out of it right now. If you want to slowly ease back up to speed, then enjoy the lighter pace for the moment. When you're ready to ramp up, there's lots of things you can do to make it more difficult for yourself, without affecting the rest of class.

 

Students are students, and human nature always tends toward the easier road when allowed, so try not to be hard on the colored belts.

 

The other instructors are in a difficult situation, where they probably don't want to rock the boat, and potentially loose students while KJN is away. So, try and be patient with them as well.

 

As stated before, turn you focus inward. Now is the time, at DBN and up, that you need to develop your ability to focus critisizm inward, toward your own skills vs. potential, and not outward. The best thing you can do for the colored belts is to push yourself harder than asked, lead by example, and potentially your ensuthiasm will be contageous.

 

However, by all means, keep training!

[ZR440]

Now that I think about it more, I can relate to what went he means about the bumps and bruises. I went through a series of strains and sprains during my blue and red belt requirements while developing the boredom factor. The last injury made me evaluate why I was sacrificing my health for KSW in the first place. As it turned out my club was being disbanded anyway, but my instructor told me not to quit training. It didn't matter if it was Tai Chi or whatever I felt would be better for my current condition. So I did just that. My new art isn't as physically demanding, but allows me to keep training. Do I miss KSW? Sure, but I know my limits. Getting back to the point, as close as Swoosh is to BB, it would be a pity to see him not achieve such an honor, in my opinion. Stay with it, man, stay with it!

[swooshfinn]

Talked with PSBN a little after class tonight and mentioned that I was going to take the little brats, er.... I meant to say the little brown/black belts, into the back room some night and run 'em hard when they get a little antsy, we both agreed that its probably just the change in season and a little cabin fever has set in and they just want to get outside and run around like the little kiddies should. Not sure if I got a definitive answer on the suggestion, but PSBN seemed to like the idea a little.

 

Oh well, I guess I have better things to be worrying about as I am hosting the Finnish exchange student all by myself, as my parents are cruising the Caribbean, and shouldn't be home until this weekend. He can really whoop my butt in NHL 2004 on the GameCube, maybe I should look into a fighter game to rent some night when things get slow.

[ZR440]

Here's some photos from the recent Great Lakes Tournament.

 

http://www.kuksoolwon.sault.com/events/tournaments/troy2004.htm

[Sorynn]

Those are pretty neat, thanks for sharing.

[DLopez]

Awesome pics ZR440!

 

Looks like some folks got promoted too? That would be so cool to snag a medal or two and a title of Jo Kyo Nym!

 

Are you in any of those pics?

[ZR440]

Nope. I'm not in KSW anymore. My club disbanded last year. I attended this tournament a few years ago and it was pretty cool. I miss it, but I also like what I'm doing now.

 

I'm not positive, but I think there's a pic of Master Harmon beside The Grandmaster. I remember the form he did at the end of the night. Whoa.

 

And then I remember the daughter of one of the instructors.....whoa.