The Flip Side To Physical Training
by Deb Rohr, 1st Gup
As important as our physical requirements are; the written knowledge for the art we study should become just as important in developing. As a student progresses in training an interest in studying and learning as much as possible will also develop. Tang Soo Do; Do... a way of life can be enriched through the written expression of others in various martial arts books. As a martial arts practitioner we all strive for..."THE MARTIAL WAY AND IT'S VIRTUES" TaoDe Gunjg and F. Chu 2003.
A martial art with "Do" in the style name seeks to develop a way of life...the martial way.
The Dojang for which some have come to regard as our second home; our classmates a second family; represents the philosophical, spiritual as well as the methodical dimension of our training. The dojang is a physical place yet it transcends to a state of mind.
A section of the book has an interesting history of the marital arts. As martial arts filtered into the West the author makes note paraphrasing Winston Churchill "never have so many wished for so much while expending so little." Impatient students taking shortcuts, and young children progressing rapidly may only visualize a black belt before them, and for some acquired prematurely. The subtleties of the art are complex and require time to comprehend not in weeks or months but YEARS. The passage of time itself is a test for the serious students; one that many students fail. Master Schmitt has stated on more than one occasion "the only way of not reaching your goal to black belt...is if you quit." Perseverance in training becomes a part of every day life and the serious student will be...
"LIVING THE MARTIAL WAY" Forrest Morgan 1992.
The heart of this book discusses that nowhere can the honor and courtesy of a warrior be better demonstrated than in classical/ traditional martial arts. Anytime spent in a traditional school and you will observe that the most humble, patient, and courteous members are those most senior. Could the line from the Spiderman movie been taken from martial arts training? "With great power comes great responsibility."
We live in a cash and carry society. We buy goods and services and once we paid the vendor; we feel no further obligation. But martial arts' training is different. It is true we pay monthly membership fees to support the dojang, but our instructor is not selling a service. He is giving you a part of his life. No monetary value can be placed on this gift or on his wisdom. The money you pay supports the dojang making it possible for him to offer his art to us. This book will inspire your mental, physical, and spiritual awareness inside as well as outside the dojang to find...
"THE SECRET POWER WITHIN" Chuck Norris 1996.
In his book Zen solutions to real problems Norris looks at Zen analogy for winning by losing in both life and in competition by controlling your emotions and to slow down in order to go faster. Throughout the book Norris frequently refers to his own martial arts training and tournament competition, which at times I felt, was redundant. But of note in one particular portion when he speaks of his training Norris mentions training with Grandmaster Jae C. Shin and a quote by Grandmaster Shin: "What you are doing at the moment must be EXACTLY what you are doing at the moment and nothing else." This is when you will find...
"ZEN IN THE MARTIAL ARTS" Joe Hyams 1979.
Mr. Hyams book is one of the first books I picked up and it is a must read. The application of Zen principles in daily life for mental discipline in controlling personal problems; self image, work pressure and competition. The pressures, problems, conflicts we endure can be razor sharp as a sword, but through discipline and principles we are able to brush away the rough times. Analogy of ...
"THE SWORD AND THE BRUSH" Dave Lowry 1995.
A widely practiced art in Asian countries aside from the martial arts is calligraphy. In this book Dave Lowry demonstrated a connection between the two. For people not involved in either of these arts they may wonder about "the secrets" of the art..."Teaching is spiral, circling around returning to basics again and again each time in more detailed and comprehensive fashion." This is so very true in our daily practice of physical requirements and of those who practice brush strokes of calligraphy. The author's experience in the martial arts is viewed from a Japanese style perspective. Though we study a Korean style it is possible to grasp what it useful at this time and leave the rest. There remains a relationship between these special arts. Each art develops focus and Ki energy...
"THE KI PROCESS - secrets for developing dynamic energy" Scott Shaw 1997.
If an increased awareness of body meridians in relationship to health and diet, the five elements (fire/earth/metal/water/wood), Yin and Yang and acupressure are of interest this book is a good start. In addition Shaw writes about Ancient Korean and Japanese histories. A look at Korean history can not be viewed without a mention of Migamoto Musashi. Musashi's...
"BOOK OF FIVE RINGS" interpretation by Stephen Kaufman.
This book of strategy is any martial artists must read. This book should be read and re-read at varying stages of your training. A different perspective will be found with each read. Though the first reading may be confusing and difficult this book needs to find its way into every martial artist's library.
Seek out books and find what interests you. Develop knowledge for the art you study.
ENJOY!! TANG SOO!!