The physical manifestations of martial arts, the kicks, forms, throws, and other techniques are the most visible aspect of these arts and probably what most people first think about. However, a slight reflection reveals that there is something more than the physical technique; even Hollywood portrayals of Kung Fu or Steven Segall in Aikido, suggest this “otherness” about martial arts masters, an inner peace, self control, and a different way of looking at the world.
Tang Soo Do teaches that there are three aspects, the physical (Neh-gun), the mental (Weh-gun), and the spiritual (Shim-gun) to both the martial arts and life in general. One begins by learning the physical techniques through hard training and repetition. But opening and closing class, we also repeat the five codes and seven tenets which is in the realm of the mental. Eventually, we integrate the martial arts as part of our lives and our lives as part of the martial arts, and realize that we are not learning techniques for ourselves, but that we are contributing to something bigger than ourselves, making the world a better place. This begins to touch on the spiritual aspect of the martial arts and provides an anchor when old age begins to sap our physical strength and technique. Indeed, the difference between simple martial training for physical technique and fighting, and the martial arts as a way of life encompassing much more than physical technique is clearly recognized in the distinction between the suffix “-jitsu” and “-do”. While karata-jitsu emphasizes physical technique as an end in itself, karate-do emphasizes physical technique as a stepping stone to mental and spiritual development.
Why do I discuss these esoteric ideas at the beginning of an essay on teaching Tang Soo Do? I discuss them because when I am teaching, I want to know what I am teaching: Am I teaching “-jitsu” or “-do”? Is there a difference is how or what I teach depending on the answer? If the students interrupt their training at some point, what do I want them to take away with them?
The things I want my students to learn begin with the 5 codes and seven tenants (Integrity, Self-Control, Humility, …). While learning their physical technique, I want them to learn the self-control and awareness to avoid needing to use their technique and to not misuse their technique. I want them to learn to be aware of their bodies and their surroundings, to be able to learn by watching. Some instructors I have observed, in other styles, give almost no verbal instruction, it is up to the student to learn to observe what the instructor is doing, and then learn to control their own body to perform the same action. While I see value in this approach, I believe in providing verbal instruction in at least some areas. But I also believe in training students to observe both others and themselves. Demonstration of proper technique, sometimes with verbal instruction concerning subtle concepts, coupled with allowing the students to observe and correct their own technique in the mirror provides this. Another form of awareness is to be aware of your surroundings, to avoid being surprised. Students can practice this outside the do-jang and take this awareness with them regardless of the level of their martial arts training.
We teach detailed awareness of our bodies through physical training. As students progress, they learn the length of their own arms and legs, and the range of motion of opponents. This is recognized in the way we teach sparring. Beginners through orange belt do not engage in free sparring. Green belts do not have good distance judgment or self control, so techniques are executed at a rather large distance. As the student progresses, and their control and awareness increases, the distance is decreased, even while power is increasing. At the black belt level, students begin two on one sparring, which requires yet a further increase in awareness. In one on one sparring, the student is focused on the opponent, and learns awareness of distance and what the opponent is doing. When sparring with multiple opponents, the student is focused on one opponent and yet aware of what the other opponent is doing.
Awareness training continues even into teaching. As a teacher, observing a class of students executing a form, I have to learn to become aware of what each student is doing, perhaps be able to pick out the “different” motion indicating one student is doing their technique differently than the others. As teaching becomes more complex, the students may be doing multiple forms simultaneously. Trying to be aware of what each student is doing in this mixture of forms is confusing and difficult, and provides additional practice at observing multiple patterns and being aware.
I have spoken of self-control in terms of controlling the body and knowing the extent of techniques with increasing precision. Self-control also blends into the mental discipline and is related to confidence and inner peace. People with little confidence may either be unsure of themselves, passive, timid, and inviting targets for bullying, or they may be aggressive, needing to “prove” how tough they are. Development of excellent technique, and demonstration of skill, against other skilled partners, by breaking boards, and other demonstrations can give confidence to avoid either of the above mistakes. It brings what I think of as “balance”. The student with confidence in their technique, gained through years of practice, and awareness of their surroundings, can present a confident demeanor which discourages bullying in the first place. However, confidence and self-assurance should not extent to swagger and arrogance. The student should learn that in the martial arts, there is always something else to learn, more power in techniques, more awareness of the opponents, better application, and that there is always someone better - humility. The student should also learn that there is no honor in hurting someone who is not really a threat but who has merely insulted them – self-control. The vast majority of fights are a result of “honor” and a lack of sufficient self-confidence to let it go and walk away. How do we teach this? We teach it by teaching respect and self-control in the do-jang, and insisting that they carry these principals with them.
The things I would like to see all of my students carry away with them are an appreciation of the 7 tenets, an awareness of themselves and their surroundings, and a sense of balance.
Tang Soo!