Ki Bohn Soo Master Level Techniques

What an excellent class we had on Friday last week and Monday of this week. Master Martin went through the first 15 Ki Bohn Soo techniques with us at Master level. He explained there are 3 levels of practitioner for Kuk Sool Won which I have heard from other Senior Masters too:

1. Student Level
2. Instructor Level
3. Master Level

Master Martin recently spent some time with 9th Degree Black Belt Master Barry Harmon at the UK Seminar where Master Barry was demonstrating how to execute these basic techniques at a very advanced level.

Ki Bohn Soo are the first techniques taught to beginners at Kuk Sool Won. Even though they are very effective I was thrilled to learn how to apply the technique to a higher standard when I learned them at the "Instructor Level" many years ago.

Then over the last couple of lessons, we have been shown how to execute the techniques at Master Level. Man, I tell you I was blown away. It was like learning them all over again! The subtle differences in the execution makes all the difference. The effectiveness of the technique was stunning (and very painful!).

Years ago I often used to ask myself - why not teach it this way to begin with? Then we could all be awesome at beginner level, and I wouldn't have to learn the same techniques three different ways.

The thing is, I didn't understand the time and practice required to understand each technique at its fundamental level. "Ki Bohn Soo" translates as "Foundation Level Technique". As such they are the very foundation of the thousands of techniques that follow. Plus - you have to take your time to learn them, make them become second nature so you don't have to think to execute the technique. And, probably most importantly - when learning as a beginner the movements are strange to us, our bodies are not conditioned for the manipulation we put them through when doing the technique as well as having them done on us. If the advanced versions of the technique are taught from beginner level there would be serious injuries from the early stages of development as a martial artist and that would lead to long periods of not training while the joints and muscles repair which in turn can lead to students leaving.

I understand the need for the different levels as I have matured as a martial artist and it was a real pleasure (and a treat) to receive such a high level of tuition for these techniques. We are privileged to have a 6th Degree Master teaching our classes.

I for one really enjoyed the session and my good lady wife Psbn Helen really enjoyed it too having the opportunity to hurt me with these fundamental techniques! Two days after the lesson I was still sore!

We need more practice!

Picture sourced from http://www.lowestoftkuksoolwon.co.uk/

Up goes the Christmas Tree

On Saturday Luke and I put up the new Christmas tree outside. I remember when I was a lad it was always great to be helping dad out when I was allowed. I know years later, now that I have my own son, that he may not be interested in the same things as me. But I always like to try and encourage a bit of manual labour in today's kids where the only strong muscles in their bodies tends to be their thumbs for texting and games consoles.

I was really pleased at how Luke got involved. He helped dig the (very deep) hole and really enjoyed himself. Especially when I dug in the wrong place and nearly went through our sewer pipe with my spade! We quickly filled that hole back in and started again in a different location! (Dont tell Helen)

We got the tree up and spread out the branches and put the 500+ lights on it. Luke thought that number of lights was excessive but he also admitted he couldn't wait for it to get dark to see it properly.

A truely lovely afternoon and proper bonding time with father and son.

These are the days that must happen to you.

Techniques are back in check

I'm back!!

On Monday Kwang Jahng Nim Alison took the class. This is always a treat as KJN's classes are usually mentally difficult as well as physically challenging.

KJN Ali is not only stunningly beautiful, she is blessed with a photographic memory and so her techniques are spot on. This means that she will notice a mistake very quickly when she is testing us.

As I stated in a previous post I noticed my techniques haven't been up to scratch lately so I have really been paying attention to them and trebled my practice time going through every single technique I know.

This paid off ten fold on Monday night because KJN Ali gave us mini test on our techniques. I was thrilled with my performance, every technique was executed correctly and came to the forefront of my mind instantly. There was no lag at all!

I'm back! Now I know what I need to do to make sure the techniques stay in my mind. Go over them all more often. I took it for granted that I knew them all so I didn't put as much time into practicing them as I normally do and the result - they started to deteriorate.

Like I say to my own students - if you don't use it, you lose it.

Time to practice what I preach!

A way of thinking

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.

The men talked for hours on end.They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation. Every afternoon, when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.

The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside. The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance. As the man by the window described all this in exquisite details, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine this picturesque scene. One warm afternoon, the man by the window described a parade passing by.

Although the other man could not hear the band - he could see it in his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.

Days, weeks and months passed. One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away. As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.

Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window besides the bed. It faced a blank wall.

The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased room mate who had described such wonderful things outside this window. The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall. She said, 'Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.'


Epilogue:

There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations. Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled. If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can't buy.

'Today is a gift, that is why it is called The Present.'

I did it !!!

I've finally done it! I have achieved my target weight through diet and exercise. Mainly through diet lately since damaging my ankle I haven't been able to work out as much as I usually do. This proves I can do more than I think I can and I will reset my goal.

To date I have lost 1 stone (14lb) and now weigh in at 13st 7lb.

My new target is to get to 13 stone which I haven't weighed for over 10 years. Which means I will be sensible through the festive season and not over indulge.

Sometimes, eating and drinking too much over the Christmas and New Year period can leave you trying to lose the weight right up to April the following year - I don't want to spend 4 months losing weight for stuffing myself over a 2 week period!

I'm very proud of myself and I'm looking forward to seeing if I can ever hit the 13st target? I will speak to my GP about further weight loss as I am 6' 1" tall this shouldn't be a problem. I think my "Ideal" weight should be 12 stone 7lb but I think that would make me look very ill indeed.