Beginner (page 3)

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Beginner (page 3)

Perseverance

It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop. -Confucius

Without perseverance, you will not learn that technique that is giving you a problem, learn that new pattern or learn how to improve your sparring. Without perseverance, you will probably not even come to class! Statistics show that fewer than five percent of students who join as a white belt actually make it to black belt. Why? Because they do not have the perseverance to give themselves a chance to achieve black belt. There are many demands on your time and the study of Taekwondo will compete with these demands. If you enjoy Taekwondo, then commit to it and persevere. If you try, and you travail, you will triumph!

Practice Alone Sometimes

Practicing alone at times gives one an opportunity to practice patterns and techniques without the pressure of being watched. It allows you to concentrate on the meaning and reason for every move. Using a mirror to watch yourself will improve your patterns and techniques.

Share

As you progress, share your knowledge with lower belt students. The experience will be most gratifying. Never forget that you were once a beginner. Remember the problems you had as a beginner and guide other beginners through their problems. Do not teach students techniques that are beyond their level of proficiency; it may ruin their self-confidence. You may reach your own level of self-actualization through teaching others Taekwondo.

Personal Style

Each of us has a different personality, and thus, a different style of performing techniques. The way one person performs a technique will be different from the way someone else performs the same technique. People are different, with different abilities and strengths. Focused observation and critical analysis are the first steps in learning the essential components of every technique. When first learning a new technique, it is important that you grasp the essential elements of the technique, while neglecting the unnecessary style elements associated with the instructor's style. Learn to observe the details of a technique and pick out essential components that cannot be omitted. After you have mastered the essential components of a technique, you may then begin to add your own artistic flair, within certain perimeters.

Ethics

As stated above, students have different reasons for initially beginning Taekwondo training. Since Taekwondo training involves learning techniques designed to injure or kill a human being, you should want to know why you desire to learn such techniques.

You have a right to learn to defend yourself from the criminal element of society. However, if you feel the need to beat up anyone who offends you, then you have a problem. You need to examine the reasons why you think that beating someone up is going to solve your problems. Taekwondo instructors will not necessarily reject you as a student if you exhibit these aggressive tendencies, but they will watch you carefully and expect Taekwondo training to change these tendencies.

If you are ever in a situation where you must defend yourself, you have the right to use any reasonable force necessary to protect yourself, but you must still have compassion. No matter how angry you get, you must remember that every attacker has parents, family, or someone who loves and values them. Your actions will also effect their lives.

Violence for the sake of violence is a never-ending cycle. When you respond to violence with violence, the attacker will respond with more violence. You must use your creativity, dignity, integrity, and honor to end the cycle. You must use every way you can to avoid violence, but when it is inevitable, then you must be the victor. The longer and harder you train in Taekwondo, the less need you will find for the physical aspects of the training. You will find yourself dealing with people on more of an intellectual and psychological level.

Use Taekwondo in Daily Life

There is more to Taekwondo than just the self-defense aspects. It is the ability to concentrate on a problem, overcome fear, control anger, and complete a task. It is the daily usage of the Taekwondo tenets of courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, and indomitable spirit. Once you apply these tenets and the other Taekwondo principles to your daily life, you will discover the full meaning of Taekwondo.

As you train more and more in Taekwondo, you will find that what happens in the dojang is a reflection of what is happening in your daily life. The microcosm of what is happening in the dojang is a reflection of the macrocosm of your life. In class, if you are off balance, then your kick will have no power. In life, if your are out of balance in one area of your life, it will disrupt your life in other areas. For example, you may find you are expending too much energy in one area of your life (possibly too much Taekwondo training time) while ignoring other areas, such as spending more time with your family. This may be remedied by the entire family training in Taekwondo together.

Remember, the real purpose of Taekwondo training is to train the body, cultivate the mind, and nurture the spirit, which will hopefully lead to a long, healthy, and happy life.

Do not quit! Do not be the person who looks back over his or
her life in later years and says "WouldaCouldaShoulda!"

References