MY MARTIAL ART HOME TOWN IN IOWA
May 2019 issue p.54-p.55
– Taekwon Block Shin Chang-sop recalls his time in the United States. –
What is a martial art? Many martial artists have expressed their opinions about this. But I think there is no right answer. The important thing is that the martial arts are continuously developing technically. The important value of the martial arts is more spirit than technology.
I was an instructor at Jung’s Taekwondo academy in Cedar Rapids, a rural town in Iowa, USA. When I arrived there, I was very confused as a leader in the early days because of the different environments in Korea, such as training spaces, training programs, and examination systems. Over time, I got a chance to experience and learn Tae Kwon Do as a martial art at Jung’s. Looking back, I notice a few things:
First of all, poomsae. In this dojang both ITF and WTF forms were practiced. It was a situation that was unimaginable in Korea. In particular, the poomsae (hyung) were not modernized but were fixed as they had been taught when Grandmaster Jung first trained. When I saw this, I had to accept a whole new way of doing things. I felt out of place for a few months in poomsae training.
Second, black belt class: This class, which is open only to brown and black belts every Friday night, is a class where both men and women are taught by Grandmaster Jung. I became a trainee on this day and practiced with others. The onehour training time for basic activities, poomsae, and sparring is still vivid in my mind.
Third, belt tests: The tests at this dojang were in a very different format from those in Korea. The purpose of this study was to encourage and engage the judges, not for the judges to evaluate acceptance or rejection.
Here’s what i learned from this experience: First, poomsae is a means, not a goal. The important thing is that it is the way of incorporating the training philosophy through the poomsae. Secondly, it was wonderful—although against common sense—in the way that both men and women practiced together in a space called a dojang, sweating and developing themselves rather than experiencing pain. In this class, we practiced together, everyone from nine years old to 70 years old. Third, the trainees who participated in the tests showed that the test could be motivated by and directed toward the next goal, rather than being a fearful place to be evaluated.
Later, based on this valuable experience, I ran a Tae Kwon Do studio in Korea for adults. It won the “National TKD studio management method and teaching method competition” held by the Korea Taekwondo Association. Since then I have taught methods to many leaders. Tae Kwon Do is now practiced mostly by children. However, for 10 years or so the Taekwondo Association education for the leader has created many awards for adult trainees. However, it is a reality that a lot of schools teach Tae Kwon Do to adults as a sport rather than as a martial art.
When I visited a US dojang recently, there were 800 practitioners. But there were few adults. Adults have to practice Tae Kwon Do so that there will be a future for the dojang and so that related industries will grow steadily. Also, if there has ever been a time when Tae Kwon Do training is needed, it is now. I want to thank my greatest Grandmaster WooJin Jung, the publisher of TaeKwonDo Times, who has made great accomplishments in Tae Kwon Do history.
