I have been teaching the martial arts in one form or another now for over 23 years.
i have seen a lot and dealt with every different scenario possible. Over the years, there has always been one particular "mind set" or phrase that has irked me. it happened again and now i want to rant!!
I could never force my child to >>>insert whatever here<<<<.
I have never understood that. Here is where this comes from.
Over the years i have watched many students quit the martial arts. and i am fine with that. Martial arts is not for everyone. some people quit at white belt, some at yellow, some at blue...and i am ok with that. Its when they quit at black stripe. There are 6 names that pop into my head over the years that have quit at this level. and every parent has given me the exact same response...i dont want to force them...
im sorry, but sometimes, we need to force children to do things. That is called parenting. Children are children and dont always make smart decisions...that is why they are children and it is our job to guide them...When a child is at black stripe, there are a lot of different thoughts going through their head...self doubt, scared, cant do it...every person that is on our black belt wall of fame wanted to quit. i am pretty sure i had the dont quit stay focused talk with every one that is up there. It is natural for a child to want to quit when the going gets tough. what i dont think is right is when the parent lets them. not this close to a huge accomplishemt. To me, it is like running the Boston Marathon and quitting 100 feet from the finish line. Your goal is in sight, you can see it, you can taste it, but you quit anyways...
to get to black stripe, it takes a minimum of 4 years of training, a lot of blood, sweat and tears, and thousands of dollars. It is not an easy road, but the rewards are well worth it. Part of the reward is the overcoming of the challenge to get there.
When a parent allows a child to quit something because it is tough, boring, too easy, whatever reason a self doubting child will give, they are setting a scary precedent. Relationship is not working out? get a divorce? School is tough? quit. Dont like the mundane tasks of my job? quit...children do what they know and the adult they become is based on their experiences as a child.
i know what i am using as an example is extreme, but to me, there isnt much difference. Getting a black belt is a huuuge accomplishment.
and for me, its not about the money, as someone so politely tried to point out to me once...i have put a lot of work into the student and developed a relationship with them. i look at a lot of the children at Sidekicks as my children...and then feel very helpless when that person wants to quit, because i know that at the end of the day, i wont get any say in it.
If your child was to say i dont want to brush my teeth anymore...or eat my broccoli, or go to school or whatever, think about how you react...and then maybe next time you can use the force...
Am i off base? maybe some parents can chime in and let me know their thoughts...
Just the ramblings in my head...
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Monday, August 16, 2010
All done pt 2!!
We took a quick break, long enough to refuel and change our clothes, then we went into techniques. Every kick and hand strike in our curriculum, done on both sides of the body, 10 times each. Then came weapons. All weapons patterns done two times. I had a few little memory hiccups, got stuck in an akward position while doing a back roll, but felt good otherwise.
Then came board breaking. I did a 4 board back kick, 3 level, 3 board spinning hook kick, jumping front split kick on two boards and one board jumping double front kick. Everything felt great! Then i got a little cocky and tried a 3 board punch. That one didnt go.
We broke for lunch. The local restaurant up the road catered it. I stuck with my trail mix and carb gellies.
We resumed again two hours later at the Hall. We did a quick warm up before going in to patterns. We were split into two groups. Hard style patterns in one rom (tkd, Tang Soo Do, etc) and soft style forms in the other room (hapkido).
I started at white belt with about 10 other people. I got to about brown belt in hapkido (around 10 patterns, each done in two different directions)before Grandmaster grabbed me and had me switch over to TKD forms in the other room. i did the 13 from 1st degree black belt to 6th degree with only one little problem. One pattern in particular, Moon Moo, gave me some problems. Needed 4 restarts to nail the stoopid thing!
then back to the other room for Ho Shin Sool techniques (self defense) Started at white belt again and went all the way up to 3rd degree black belt. Around 300 techniques in total. Then we were done.We started at 6am, finished around 4pm. Lond day. Felt great about my test. We went out and had a celebration dinner. Mr. Young tested along side me the whole time. He did awesome too!!
Saturday was reserved for the Grandmaster seminars. Everyone that came up to watch our test took part in the seminars. Grandmasters from all over the world. Myself and Mr. Young spent the day in the hotel hot tub rfesting our sore muscles. Saturday night was the belt presentation. I was presented my 6th degree black belt in Taekwon Do, my 3rd degree black belt in Kong Shin Bup Hapkido and my grappling instructors certificate. Mr. Young was presented with his 4th degree black belt in Tkd and his instructors grappling certificate. We were presented in front of a large panel of Grandmasters. There was Grandmaster Michael DeAlba, a 9th degree bb from Southern California, Grandmaster Ken McKenzie, a 9th degree from New Jersey, Grandmaster Rudy Timmerman, Grandmaster Geoff Booth, an 8th degree bb from australia, Grandmaster Jimm McMurray, an 8th degree from Texas, Grandmaster Serge Baubil, a 9th degree bb from Quebec and Chiefmaster Marlin Sims, a 7th degree bb from Geirgia, as well as a room full of Masters and Chief Masters. It was witnessed by many students from Sidekicks who made the journey up to watch.
One last big thing, the whole point of this weekend was to celebrate my instrcutors 70th birthday, 60 year in the martial arts and to put on a huge gathering of martial art talent. Grandmaster Rudy Timmerman also passed down the art of Kong Shin Bup hapkido to my good friend Chief Master Kevin Janisse, an amazing martial artist and someone who lives and breathes what we preach. It was an honour to be a part of it. The table of grandmasters pledged to support Chief Master Janisse and fully support this handing down. This doesnt mean that Gm Timmerman is quitting, it just means that he is preparing CM Janisse for when he finally moves on from the art, either by choice or by his passing.
It was a whirlwind of a weekend! I want to thank everyone that came up to partake and support my Grandmaster, a huge thank you to my wonderful wife for allowing me to disappear for days at a time to train, my partners Cam Hux and Graham Abell, as they allowed me to put a hurt on them numerous times over the past little while, and of course Mr. Young for taking this journey with me. We have been at this a long time my friend...and it aint over yet!!
if there is anyone i missed, thank you...you were all au huge help and your support means everything to me.
pics to follow on facebook.
these are the ramblings in my very sore and tired head...
Then came board breaking. I did a 4 board back kick, 3 level, 3 board spinning hook kick, jumping front split kick on two boards and one board jumping double front kick. Everything felt great! Then i got a little cocky and tried a 3 board punch. That one didnt go.
We broke for lunch. The local restaurant up the road catered it. I stuck with my trail mix and carb gellies.
We resumed again two hours later at the Hall. We did a quick warm up before going in to patterns. We were split into two groups. Hard style patterns in one rom (tkd, Tang Soo Do, etc) and soft style forms in the other room (hapkido).
I started at white belt with about 10 other people. I got to about brown belt in hapkido (around 10 patterns, each done in two different directions)before Grandmaster grabbed me and had me switch over to TKD forms in the other room. i did the 13 from 1st degree black belt to 6th degree with only one little problem. One pattern in particular, Moon Moo, gave me some problems. Needed 4 restarts to nail the stoopid thing!
then back to the other room for Ho Shin Sool techniques (self defense) Started at white belt again and went all the way up to 3rd degree black belt. Around 300 techniques in total. Then we were done.We started at 6am, finished around 4pm. Lond day. Felt great about my test. We went out and had a celebration dinner. Mr. Young tested along side me the whole time. He did awesome too!!
Saturday was reserved for the Grandmaster seminars. Everyone that came up to watch our test took part in the seminars. Grandmasters from all over the world. Myself and Mr. Young spent the day in the hotel hot tub rfesting our sore muscles. Saturday night was the belt presentation. I was presented my 6th degree black belt in Taekwon Do, my 3rd degree black belt in Kong Shin Bup Hapkido and my grappling instructors certificate. Mr. Young was presented with his 4th degree black belt in Tkd and his instructors grappling certificate. We were presented in front of a large panel of Grandmasters. There was Grandmaster Michael DeAlba, a 9th degree bb from Southern California, Grandmaster Ken McKenzie, a 9th degree from New Jersey, Grandmaster Rudy Timmerman, Grandmaster Geoff Booth, an 8th degree bb from australia, Grandmaster Jimm McMurray, an 8th degree from Texas, Grandmaster Serge Baubil, a 9th degree bb from Quebec and Chiefmaster Marlin Sims, a 7th degree bb from Geirgia, as well as a room full of Masters and Chief Masters. It was witnessed by many students from Sidekicks who made the journey up to watch.
One last big thing, the whole point of this weekend was to celebrate my instrcutors 70th birthday, 60 year in the martial arts and to put on a huge gathering of martial art talent. Grandmaster Rudy Timmerman also passed down the art of Kong Shin Bup hapkido to my good friend Chief Master Kevin Janisse, an amazing martial artist and someone who lives and breathes what we preach. It was an honour to be a part of it. The table of grandmasters pledged to support Chief Master Janisse and fully support this handing down. This doesnt mean that Gm Timmerman is quitting, it just means that he is preparing CM Janisse for when he finally moves on from the art, either by choice or by his passing.
It was a whirlwind of a weekend! I want to thank everyone that came up to partake and support my Grandmaster, a huge thank you to my wonderful wife for allowing me to disappear for days at a time to train, my partners Cam Hux and Graham Abell, as they allowed me to put a hurt on them numerous times over the past little while, and of course Mr. Young for taking this journey with me. We have been at this a long time my friend...and it aint over yet!!
if there is anyone i missed, thank you...you were all au huge help and your support means everything to me.
pics to follow on facebook.
these are the ramblings in my very sore and tired head...
All done!! Pt 1
Well, its been many years in the making. And now it is done. Myself and Mr. Young got our promotions. We worked our butts off and were put through the ringer. I am now a 6th degree black belt in Taekwon do, known as senior master and a 3rd degree black belt in kong shin bup hapkido. Mr. Young is now a 4th degree black belt in Taekwon Do, known as an assistant master.
Here is a rundown of how the weekend and the test went. Photos will be posted on our facebook page once i have gone through them.
I arrived Wednesday evening and got checked into my hotel. I tracked down Grandmaster Timmerman at his house as i had nothing better to do and wanted some company. Master Geoff Booth from Australia had just arrived at his house as well, so we hung out and then went back in to town for dinner. As we got situated for dinner, Master Ott (the keynote speaker) from Washington state joined us, along with his assistants, and we also had Master Zach Woon, his wife Claire and a few from their group from the United Kingdom join us. Master Troy Trudeau from Tennessee sat with us as well. We all had fun catching up and discussing the events to come.
Thursday for most of the day, i spent it in my hotel room, running through material and resting. i was to head down and sit on the masters panel for the grading Thursday night. This was the 'easier" of the two testings. I was to bring Master Booth with me as he was going to sit in as well. As i went to his room to pick him up, he informed me that Grandmaster Ken McKenzie of New Jersey (The heir apparent for Sin Moo hapkido) had arrived and was going to follow my truck as he didnt know where to go.
After a quick detour by another hotel to pick up another Master from California, we arrived at GM Timmerman's school. The temperature in the school was already into the 30's and he doesnt have a/c. There were so many high ranking masters and grandmasters there already, that i got bumped off the testing panel. As i 5th degree black belt, i got bumped, that should tell you the level of how many people were there. The test started, and as i watched, Mr. Young, Cam Hux and Graham Abell (my uke's for my test) arrived. We watched for a bit as roughly 20 stuydents went through their paces in the "easier" test. I put easier in hyphens because it was not easier. By the time we had left, the temps was in the mid 40's and numerous people had passed out already. It was insanely hot! They definitely had it tougher.
The way GM Timmerman does his ranking, if you test in the easier test, you get the ranking of Kuk Sool Won, or Kuk Sool hapkido. If you successfully test on the tougher test, you get the ranking of Kong Shin Bup hapkido, which is known worldwide as a really tough style of hapkido to achieve.
I met up with our group and had dinner and then went to bed early to stare at the ceiling for 5 hours. I slept for about 2 hours, before waking up at 3am, waiting for the alarm to go off at 4:45. It finally went off, and we all assembled at the lake for 6am. The sun wasnt even up yet, but there was about 50 people assembled and ready to go in.
At 6am on the dot, we trudged out to chest deep water and did all sort of kicking techniques for 30 minutes. It was tough work, but fun. Every other time we had to go in the water for our test, it has been November and frozen!! This time the water was much warmer.
We then were led by Rick Tischer, a former boot camp instructor up the road for a 5km run. We ran in a double line formation singing a cadence. It was a blast. He came up with some awesome songs. Did you know that his gramma is 93 and does push ups just like me? :)
We arrived back at GM Timmermans property and started into the obstacle course. The first thing was the wall. Master Kevin Janisse went up first. He is about 130 pounds and made of muscle. He pulled me up the 15 foot wall, and then the two of us together then proceeded to help and pull over 30 people over the wall. my arms were cooked!!
Then came the peg board. This is everyone nightmare from high school gym. I got about 2 pegs up before my arms gave out. Pulling up so many people took any strength i had left. I then had to climb a 20 foot rope and touch the top. Once again, no strength left, so i used a bit of the boards in the wall to climb.
We then had to walk the log for balance, fall off mor ethan three times and you fail. talk about pressure!!
Walk the high wire, leap frog through tires, carry a log around on your shoulders in a group, do sit ups with the log, roll a telephone pole around in a push up position and then run the trail, which is about a km there and back.
End of pt 1
Here is a rundown of how the weekend and the test went. Photos will be posted on our facebook page once i have gone through them.
I arrived Wednesday evening and got checked into my hotel. I tracked down Grandmaster Timmerman at his house as i had nothing better to do and wanted some company. Master Geoff Booth from Australia had just arrived at his house as well, so we hung out and then went back in to town for dinner. As we got situated for dinner, Master Ott (the keynote speaker) from Washington state joined us, along with his assistants, and we also had Master Zach Woon, his wife Claire and a few from their group from the United Kingdom join us. Master Troy Trudeau from Tennessee sat with us as well. We all had fun catching up and discussing the events to come.
Thursday for most of the day, i spent it in my hotel room, running through material and resting. i was to head down and sit on the masters panel for the grading Thursday night. This was the 'easier" of the two testings. I was to bring Master Booth with me as he was going to sit in as well. As i went to his room to pick him up, he informed me that Grandmaster Ken McKenzie of New Jersey (The heir apparent for Sin Moo hapkido) had arrived and was going to follow my truck as he didnt know where to go.
After a quick detour by another hotel to pick up another Master from California, we arrived at GM Timmerman's school. The temperature in the school was already into the 30's and he doesnt have a/c. There were so many high ranking masters and grandmasters there already, that i got bumped off the testing panel. As i 5th degree black belt, i got bumped, that should tell you the level of how many people were there. The test started, and as i watched, Mr. Young, Cam Hux and Graham Abell (my uke's for my test) arrived. We watched for a bit as roughly 20 stuydents went through their paces in the "easier" test. I put easier in hyphens because it was not easier. By the time we had left, the temps was in the mid 40's and numerous people had passed out already. It was insanely hot! They definitely had it tougher.
The way GM Timmerman does his ranking, if you test in the easier test, you get the ranking of Kuk Sool Won, or Kuk Sool hapkido. If you successfully test on the tougher test, you get the ranking of Kong Shin Bup hapkido, which is known worldwide as a really tough style of hapkido to achieve.
I met up with our group and had dinner and then went to bed early to stare at the ceiling for 5 hours. I slept for about 2 hours, before waking up at 3am, waiting for the alarm to go off at 4:45. It finally went off, and we all assembled at the lake for 6am. The sun wasnt even up yet, but there was about 50 people assembled and ready to go in.
At 6am on the dot, we trudged out to chest deep water and did all sort of kicking techniques for 30 minutes. It was tough work, but fun. Every other time we had to go in the water for our test, it has been November and frozen!! This time the water was much warmer.
We then were led by Rick Tischer, a former boot camp instructor up the road for a 5km run. We ran in a double line formation singing a cadence. It was a blast. He came up with some awesome songs. Did you know that his gramma is 93 and does push ups just like me? :)
We arrived back at GM Timmermans property and started into the obstacle course. The first thing was the wall. Master Kevin Janisse went up first. He is about 130 pounds and made of muscle. He pulled me up the 15 foot wall, and then the two of us together then proceeded to help and pull over 30 people over the wall. my arms were cooked!!
Then came the peg board. This is everyone nightmare from high school gym. I got about 2 pegs up before my arms gave out. Pulling up so many people took any strength i had left. I then had to climb a 20 foot rope and touch the top. Once again, no strength left, so i used a bit of the boards in the wall to climb.
We then had to walk the log for balance, fall off mor ethan three times and you fail. talk about pressure!!
Walk the high wire, leap frog through tires, carry a log around on your shoulders in a group, do sit ups with the log, roll a telephone pole around in a push up position and then run the trail, which is about a km there and back.
End of pt 1
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
The time is now!!
My test is here!!
It is time to put up what i've got...time to leave it all out on the floor. i preach about giving your all and then some, giving it 110%, well, now its time to put up or shut up. I have been training for this very moment for over 32 years...32 years, 8 weeks and a couple of days to be exact...
I plan on coming back one rank higher, making my students proud, the way they always make me proud...
See you on the other side...a little bit sore (ok a lot), alway more humbled...and one day closer to where ever this path is taking me...
These are the ramblings in my head...
Dusty
It is time to put up what i've got...time to leave it all out on the floor. i preach about giving your all and then some, giving it 110%, well, now its time to put up or shut up. I have been training for this very moment for over 32 years...32 years, 8 weeks and a couple of days to be exact...
I plan on coming back one rank higher, making my students proud, the way they always make me proud...
See you on the other side...a little bit sore (ok a lot), alway more humbled...and one day closer to where ever this path is taking me...
These are the ramblings in my head...
Dusty
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
