Master B's Web log

Winds Of Change Over the years we have constantly strived to improve our martial arts program. Some years it was adding new material, some years it was taking some out (because it was too much) but we have always worked on the concept of never ending improvement. One thing that we have always stayed true to would be our base style of Tang Soo Do. Although we have integrated many martial arts systems into our curriculum, this Korean style of martial arts has given us guidance with the codes, tenets and philosophy. The character values of our Tang Soo Do has never failed us in making great Black Belts. Over the years we have modified the traditional belt system in order to adapt to needs of younger students creating the tiny tiger, little dragon and children's curriculum and belt system. We underwent another change. The traditional Tang Soo Do Belt philosophy has always been to wear a Midnight Blue belt in place of a Black Belt. Midnight Blue is worn as a symbol of the wearer...

While on our trip to Korea my group of senior Dan members enjoyed a morning training with Grandmaster Estioko. First I want to say the setting of overlooking the ocean on Jeju island was breathtaking. Second, having the opportunity to train with the Grandmaster was a privilege onto it’s own. Thirdly, learning a new form is still exciting to me even after fourty two years in martial arts. Our form today is titled Unsu. Unsu translates as "cloud hands", a very advanced hyung also practiced in Japanese karate. It includes a 360 degree jump, spinning techniques on one leg, one finger attacks from a cat stance, kicks from the floor and several other techniques not seen in any other Tang Soo Do hyung. The opening sequence of the form highlights the rise of the sun along the horizon, the finger spear represent thunderbolts from the heavens and the jump symbolizes a hurricane. This form has many different techniques and strategies. One unique quality is employing examples of de...

This is a huge concept in Korea. This is the Japanese version. The Warrior’s Filial Piety – Honoring Your Parents and Ancestors Most cultures have a version of what is called filial piety which represents the concept of honoring your parents and ancestors; and in the martial arts culture your teacher, your sempai or those senior to you, as well as your kohai or those lower than you. Basically, filial piety means to be good to one’s parents; to take care of one’s parents; to engage in good conduct not just towards parents but also outside the home so as to bring a good name to one’s parents and ancestors; to perform the duties of one’s job well so as to obtain the material means to support parents as well as carry out sacrifices to the ancestors; not be rebellious, show love, respect and support; display courtesy; ensure male heirs, uphold fraternity among brothers; wisely advise one’s parents, including dissuading them from moral unrighteousness; and display sorrow for the...

Today we are heading to the land of the morning calm- South Korea. Everyone who trains in martial arts dreams about training in the country of their art. This will be a reality for many American Tang Soo Do students. I am very excited about the trip. I am a travel junkie and have been to many parts of the United States and overseas. The trip is scheduled to start out of JFK where we will meet several other association members that will travel with us to Korea. A fourteen hour fight will get us into Seoul where we will pick up our west coast members and head to the DMZ. Lately there has been a lot of saber rattling from the north so we think the alert level will be very high. This first day we will also tour one of the five castles that are in Seoul. We plan to stay in Seoul before we head south to Song Tan, where Chuck Norris received his Black Belt. In Song Tan we will train in ancient Korean weapons at Hwa seoung fortress and train with Grandmaster Song Ki Kim- highest rankin...

This is from Master Instructor Tom Callos and his modern version of Black Belt testing. I believe Tom is the premier martial arts "thinker" and "doer" in modern history. I have studied his technology of martial arts progressivism and am amazed daily at how innovative and traditional his thinking can be. Well done Tom. Physical * 50,000 push ups * 50,000 ab exercises * 1000 rounds of sparring/rolling * 1000 repetitions of a single kata * 1000 miles of running, walking, swimming, and/or biking * 20 hours with a professional boxing coach * 20 hours of BJJ or judo training * Completion of Body-for-Life diet/training program -or equivalent Empathy Training * 1 day blind * 1 day deaf * 1 day mute * 1000 acts of kindness * 50,000 acts through students and community * Mend 3 relationships gone bad * Fix three "wrongs" you've done in your life Educational * Profile 10 living heroes * Intervi...

The Six-Fold Path is related to the Chil Sung Hyung in its intent of development. Where they differ is that the Chil Sung Hyung are intended to develop the artist as a person. The Yuk Ro Hyung are intended to develop the artist as a warrior. The Yuk Ro are described as: Du Mun - The Great Gate - As a martial artist, you must open your mind to information. Indeed, the gateway to the mind if often the most difficult to open, and why it is known as the Great Gate. Joong Jol - Cut the Middle - As a martial artist, much of the information that passes through the Great Gate will be either useful information that is obscured by fluff, pure nonsense, or perhaps, purely useful knowledge. Po Wol - Embrace the Moon - When you've cut through the middle and sorted what has passed through the Great Gate, embrace the information you've discovered and make it part of your energy. Yang Pyun - High Whip - You will come to a point where your martial art skill will be at its highest, and as a warr...

Itosu's Ten Teachings Karate does not derive from Buddhism or Confucianism. In olden times two styles, called Shorin style and Shorei style, came from China. We consider that both have distinct advantages and should not be altered or combined - they should be left as they are. 1. The aim of karate is not only to train the body. If you train at karate eventually you will gain the spirit to be able to sacrifice yourself for your ruler or nation. Never fight over insignificant matters; do not fight ruffians or villains. Avoid such people as often as possible. 2. Training in karate will make your muscles powerful and your body strong. As a result you will develop a courageous spirit. If you train at karate from childhood you will find that you are able to make a great contribution to society, even as a soldier. For example, the Duke of Wellington said after his victory over Napoleon the First, "Our victory was because we exercised and played disciplined games when we were at...

Scotty A few years ago I attended the World cup, a prestigious martial arts tournament held in Hungary. A large group from the U.S.A. attended including some physically and mentally challenged students. We trained for several months and were looking forward to visiting Europe. I chatted with many of the people on the team. The group had a lot of age ranges including children, teens and adults into their fifties. There was a big group of teens flying over with us. One boy in particular I had met before and his name is Scotty. Scotty was one of the challenged members. He suffered from spina bifida as a child and used crutches to make his way around. His balance was very compromised and his legs had very little strength but he had the heart and courage of a lion. Scotty is a Black Belt. Maybe not a Black belt in the traditional sense, but for a person with his means he knew all the requirements as well as a person with his challenges could. This kid was an absolute cha...

Post NAGA Well here we go. Silver medal at the NAGA tournament. The divisions were small so I was upgraded from intermediate to advanced. It was a fun match but I lost by two points. It was a long day waiting (just like the karate tournaments) and I must have warmed up twenty times before my division actually started. In my lifetime have competed in over 200 karate tournaments. Some weekends we competed in two. I remember one Saturday on Long Island (Joyce Santamaria) and then a Sunday (Butch Marino) back in Connecticut. I even competed in Europe and Australia as well as all over the USA. My last tournament was in Maui around five years ago. I won trophies in sparring, forms and weapons. I watched a grappling tournament a year ago to see how it was run and it looked like fun so I thought; let’s try something new. I was surprised how jittery I was in anticipation. I guess watching all the UFC shows didn’t help. The match was four minutes long and I should have prepped ...

Click here to view these pictures larger

In all the years I have been training I have always looked for new opportunities to learn and grow. This summer we will travel to South Korea for training and touring. In 2 weeks I will attend a Brazilian Jiu Jutsu tournament to grapple. I used to compete regularly in karate tournaments and did quite well. I have competed all over the country and across the globe. This will be my first grappling tournament. I have been training specifically for these type of matches and feel very prepared. Most of all I am looking forward to a new way to have fun and meet new practitioners. Many of my friends have come through tournaments like this. This will be something out of my comfort zone and I am very excited. Stay tuned for the results.