The first two purposes are
fairly obvious. Tang Soo Do’s early developed evolved during an almost constant
state of warfare in the early history of the Korean peninsula. The self-defense
aspect of Tang Soo Do is a direct result of learning to use martial skills in
combat to protect yourself, your loved ones and your kingdom. The physical
nature of learning the self-defense skills naturally lead the practitioner to
develop stronger-healthier bodies.
The third purpose (better
person) does not immediately jump out as an obvious purpose of training in Tang
Soo Do. In the past I have discussed the goal setting skills that are
inherent to Tang Soo Do. This skill lends itself to becoming a better person but
it is not the core of how and why.
Why should the Tang Soo Do
instructor want to develop his students to become better people? The answer is
simple. We teach the skills that can potentially take the life or livelihood of
another person. As instructors we have a moral responsibility to be sure those
that we teach use their skills only in righteous ways. To teach a student the
combat skills of Tang Soo Do without also developing their concepts of humanity
is reprehensible.
Now that we understand the
why it is important to understand the how. As an instructor it is important to
discuss with the students the philosophies of the seven tenets and five codes of
Tang Soo Do. We must also speak with students individually to uncover the
challenges that they face in everyday life. When working with children it is
often necessary to work with the parents to mold the ideals of Tang Soo Do with
their goals as parents. When the instructor understands the challenges and goals
of the student they can help to steer and guide the student down the correct
path.
The specific methodologies
that are used to guide the student vary depending upon the individual. Typically
we utilize the goal setting skills previously discussed with a plan to steer
them on the path. Ultimately the goal of the instructor is to teach the student
the value of self-evaluation. To help them develop the skills to determine
proper action from improper action.
As instructors it is
sometimes necessary to hold a student back from promotional testing until they
are able to demonstrate they have improved their understanding of the five
virtues of Tang Soo Do. Trust, Humanity, Respect, Etiquette, Wisdom. Students
should demonstrate by their actions a continually improving understanding of
these virtues. If the student lacks the proper level of understanding they
should remain at their current level of training until they can demonstrate this
understanding.
Often times the student or
the parent of the student will not understand the importance of this
development. Western society believes in the time-served concept. If I spend a
prescribed amount of time at this level then I should automatically be granted
access to the next level. Martial societies believe in progress through
achievement. Show you have mastered a certain level and you will be granted
access to the next level.
Unfortunately failing to
understand this principal will often leave students believing they are being
treated unfairly. This is as far from the truth as possible. The instructor must
establish the standards and constantly monitor the student’s progress against
these standards. The instructor must be willing to deny a student the next level
of training until they see they have adequately mastered the current material.
To do otherwise is inherently unfair to all the students. The student who is
granted access before they are ready will most likely not properly develop the
skills necessary for future progress. The students who did properly develop the
skills will feel that their accomplishment has been diminished because the bar
was lowered for other students.
It is the instructor’s
responsibility to say yes and no to the students at the appropriate time. If a
student should decide to quit training because they were told they are not ready
then they truly were not ready to progress in the art. We hope that one day they
will realize the lesson that was being taught and will return to the art. If
they do chances are they will be ready to take that next step. If they do not,
then the other students in the art will have a clearer understanding of the
accomplishments that they have achieved.
As Tang Soo Do instructors
it is our job to ensure that the art does not get watered down to appease those
who do not wish to learn the art by the methods that have been laid out before
them. We are charged not only with preserving the art for future generations but
also preserving the integrity of the art, even when it requires us to teach the
hard lesson.
Tang Soo!
Master Scott C. Homschek
Originally published on www.rvtsda.com May 2003
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