Grandmaster Ken MacKenzie - Taekwondo Times

for the power and speed it generates, Chulki Cho
Dan (iron horse) for building a competent horse
stance, and, in the case of Karate-Do, kata Sanchin
(three battles), for internal and external strength,
to the exclusion of all others. This concept has
profound implications when viewed through the
lens of the offensive and defensive possibilities
embedded within formal exercises. These can be
interpreted in any number of ways dependent upon
the martial wisdom of the teacher in tandem with
a supreme willingness on the part of the student to
learn. Consequently, it would be virtually impossible
to demonstrate each component of a poomsae
within the scope of a single training session or even
a year’s worth of classes for that matter. Bit by bit,
excessive movement is chipped away, refinements
are polished, and hidden techniques are revealed
that principally must be viewed as revelations rather
than indiscriminate changes.
At the culmination of class, traditional Tae Kwon
Do schools everywhere frequently recite a student
oath. Ours includes a principle that represents a
central pillar of martial arts philosophy: establish
trust between teacher and student. In satisfying
this standard, it is the teacher’s responsibility to
transmit traditional, pure-form Tae Kwon Do skills
on to others worthy of the art unblemished by personal
preference. The competent instructor must
execute this in a manner that satisfies the spirit as
well as the human mind and body, particularly in
the case of poomsae, hyung or tul. If a technique is
taught before the spirit is prepared to accept it in
its fullness, it will be at best misunderstood or at
worst, taken for granted, diminished, and potentially
abused. By the same token, it is the student’s
obligation to absorb technical attributes with an
open mind, a degree at a time, with a vengeance,
until the true heart of the skill is realized. If these
gradual enhancements are viewed as refinements
rather than changes in routine, then an authentic
accumulation of knowledge will occur. If not, the
questioning mind will eclipse the potential for
enlightenment through the revelation of meaningful
martial doctrine and technique.
Master Doug Cook, a fifth-dan black belt, is head instructor of
the Chosun Taekwondo Academy located in Warwick, New York,
a senior student of Grandmaster Richard Chun, and author of
the best-selling books entitled: Taekwondo…Ancient Wisdom for
the Modern Warrior, and Traditional Taekwondo…Core Techniques,
History and Philosophy, published by YMAA of Boston.
His third book, Taekwondo–A Path to Excellence, focusing on the
rewards and virtues of Tae Kwon Do, will be released in 2009.He
can be reached for discussions or seminars at chosuntkd@yahoo.
com or www.chosuntkd.com.