Education

By Aarush Venkat, Teen Red Belt

Education is one of the most important foundations to academic and practical success in any society. Though many people may not choose the traditional or “standard” route of going to college and pursuing a degree, education comes in other forms such as through real-life situations and experiences. This contrast may also be known through the simple phrase “book smart versus street smart.” Summarized perfectly by American comedian and actor J.B. Smoove, “There’s book smart, there is street smart, there’s relation smart, there’s too many different kinds of smarts to know them all.” Through Taekwondo, all of these different forms of education are strongly emphasized in our Moo Sul Kwan campuses. From memorizing rules to learning different moves and adapting to surroundings, education truly is a genuine factor that creates any CTI student.

Every CTI student is encouraged to familiarize themselves with a plethora of rules, regulations, and information about all aspects of Taekwondo from the CTI manuals. However, this is not simply a matter of pure memorization. Through these guidelines, students are encouraged to understand the broader meanings of these rules, and apply them in their own lives. Through this more academic form of education, students learn to connect the words on the paper to their physical practice in Taekwondo and elsewhere. Through constant reinforcement this also strengthens the student’s ability to evaluate and apply these rules and regulations in their everyday lives, thereby improving their effectiveness in and beyond martial arts.  Furthermore, the memorization of the CTI manual ensures that students are accustomed to performing and executing movements and techniques confidently and without hesitation. By internalizing these rules, students don’t have to focus or worry about simple techniques that are of second nature, which will allow the student to focus on learning advanced, detailed, and complex techniques that require more experience and practice.

Other than excellence through academic learning, education learned through external teachers, instructors and other mentors are equally valuable in providing high levels of practical experience for the CTI student. A mentor or instructor can not only be a brilliant source of inspiration and learning, but they can also shape the worldview of the student’s perspective. This means that in addition to learning techniques and forms by the instructor, students can also take away themes like discipline, leadership, respect, and perseverance through following the example set by upper belts and instructors. This form of education can also be a form of personal development, where the student can use their instructors as role models to help them advance their technical skills and personality. Although this type of education is most successful with younger kids or lower belts, it is still a vital form of learning that is applicable to all belts and all ages, as long as the students are open to being positively influenced by the external factors around them. 

A final source of education and learning is self-learning, or learning through experience and adaptation. This form of education is vital to a student’s growth,  and plays an important role  in their success in the future. By learning independently through experiences, students don’t always have to rely on instructors and mentors for guidance, but rather find solutions to  challenges on their own. Challenges faced in one’s everyday lives creates resilience and makes the student ready to face similar situations with confidence. This type of education can come especially useful during sparring, self-defense, poomse, and even fields outside of taekwondo, such as academics, where students can explore the possible resolutions to problems themselves. In addition, through student’s repeated self-paced practice, they can learn useful skills, like how to adapt to unfamiliar situations, how to deal with pressure, and how to make quick decisions based on their own judgement as well. 

Ultimately, education goes far beyond earning degrees and certificates. It can be obtained in a plethora of different ways, most notably academics or through self-experience. With a combination of all of these methods, the CTI student can truly excel in many areas of knowledge, and they will be prepared to face any obstacles that might occur by using these different skillsets to their advantage. By embracing all forms of education, CTI students will gain the knowledge, wisdom, and character necessary to succeed in all aspects of life. 

Education at the CTI

By Hope Morgan, 3rd dan

Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo is unique in that it does an absolutely amazing job of emphasizing the importance of education in the lives of its students. Not only do we educate ourselves in all things MSK Taekwondo related through our classes, events, written tests, and monthly homework, but we strive to make it known to all students that education is a significant aspect that extends beyond the walls of our campus. We want our students attending school to take their studies seriously. And for the adults not in school anymore? We want them to understand that education is still just as important for them. Even when the work may seem hard, tedious, or even pointless, our desire to educate ourselves should never waver because learning and gaining more knowledge will only help us to become better people.

A big misconception is that education can only be found in schools, but what is education? It’s knowledge gain. It’s learning. And that’s something that you can find anywhere, anytime, in any situation. The opportunity to learn is always obtainable. We can learn by listening, watching, and applying our knowledge in specific ways. It’s important we take advantage of these everyday chances and use them to our benefit.

Time and time again, we hear that knowledge is power. The civilizations and societies that have historically flourished and prospered are those that live by this motto. The more people educate themselves, the better they can serve their communities, helping them grow and advance. If people settle for minimal knowledge and don’t challenge themselves to expand their learning, they plateau. The world around us is continually changing and it’s our responsibility to positively foster that change. To do so, it’s necessary we understand what is around us, and with the insane abundance of information out there, our pursuit of learning should be constant.

It makes sense that I may be a little biased towards promoting the importance of education considering my career as an English teacher, but this is a concept I wrestle with everyday. I repeatedly see and experience the good education can do for students. When my students take their studies seriously-- when they try and try and keep trying-- they truly do boost their chances of success beyond the walls of our high school. Learning goes beyond math problems and writing essays and it certainly goes beyond the classroom setting. Everyday, I remind myself that my main focus is not to teach students how to craft the perfect argumentative essay or how to analyze a short story for theme (although that is all part of my job description). My main focus is to teach them to value their learning, to seek the best for themselves, and to never settle for less than what they are capable of. THAT’S what education teaches us, THAT’S what education does for us, and THAT’S why education is important.

Why is Education So Important?

By Irene Kim, red belt

Education is a continuous process in a person’s life.  Since the day someone is born, he obtains education.  Learning how to eat, walk, talk, developing good characteristics, a career for living, social skills;  All of these things are parts of the process of education.  Therefore, it is very important to obtain his education the right way to prepare him to be a good person.

Our parents are our first educators. They teach us so many things until we become adults and even afterwards. We must be thankful and respect our parents for the education they’ve provided us to flourish our lives. Then there are school teachers, college professors, public speakers, Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo instructors at the Colorado Taekwondo Institute; they educate us and improve us.

Education must be systematic and organized to provide students the learning materials effectively. Even parents organize and plan on how they educate their children. They read parenting books, listen to experts, learn parenting strategies, then plan and act accordingly. The schools and colleges have well organized methodologies and curriculum to provide education in a systematic way. They have developed strategies to address differences of students as needed. A well-organized education system is efficient and improves its students’ skills and abilities.

Colorado Taekwondo Institute is a great educational organization. It provides students education to improve their body, mind and spirit.  While teaching well established martial arts techniques to develop self defense skills and a healthy body with the best Taekwondo instructors,  CTI also teaches us to practice positive attitude, great characteristics such as respect, self-confidence, empathy, courage, decision making skills, self-learning skills etc. These qualities make a Moo Sul Kwan student a pleasant and a valuable person to the society. Education framework at CTI is designed in a way to deliver these qualities to students very effectively. Programs are adjusted to cater differences in age, maturity, level of skills, proficiency and aptitude of the students. Regular training sessions, tournaments, seminars, camps, conventions are regularly organized and provide students opportunities to improve. There’re well written student manuals, teaching materials and news letter publications. Students are required to work on monthly homework, take written tests and physical tests for belt promotion. These are all evidence of a systematically structured education system.

Education gives us knowledge of the world around us.  We use this knowledge, be creative, add our opinions and ideas and change it into something better. It helps us to grow and improve our perspective of looking at life. Education helps us to become leaders at school, work, home and nation. “discit qui ducit” - who learns leads.

Training Tied to Academic Achievement

By Logan Gill, red belt

At the Colorado Taekwondo Institute, Taekwondo is closely tied to academic achievement.  Research has shown that students who engage in extracurricular activities tend to do better in school.  Why does being a part of outside-of-school activities, such as Taekwondo, help kids with academics?  For one, athletic activities like martial arts boost brain health and efficiency.  Furthermore, enjoyment of extra activities helps the student's self-confidence, which directly translates to more confidence in both academics and social areas at school.  Taekwondo also increases memory through understanding and memorization of martial arts skills, which are practiced and developed as the Taekwondo student progresses.

Taekwondo is a team sport.  In it, students can both individually excel and flourish as part of a group.  Taekwondo tournaments offer a chance for friendly competition, and the tournaments can offer both team and individual competition.  Additionally, teamwork increases your ability to communicate and work collaboratively, both inside school and outside of it.  The ability to cooperate with others is useful and sought after in all areas of life.

Involvement in activities like Taekwondo increases time management skills.  Kids who regularly attend activities such as Taekwondo learn how to manage their time in terms of what is most important to them and what needs to be done, so they are better prepared for school, especially as it grows more challenging.  In fact, the time management skills that come from attending extracurricular activities are essential for both school and academics outside of it.

At the Colorado Taekwondo Institute, the focus is not just on martial arts skills.  While advanced Taekwondo skills and patterns are being taught, students also practice self-control and respect, among other physical and mental qualities.  When Taekwondo students practice their skills, they learn the importance of practice and continual usage for the advancement of other skills as well.  Taekwondo students simultaneously excel mentally and physically.

One of the most important mental qualities of a person in today's world is grit and determination.  Upper-belt students at CTI have had to have a strong work ethic to get where they are now.  Reaching black belt and beyond takes extreme determination and perseverance, no matter the student's initial skill level— and the satisfaction is worth it.  However, reaching black belt is only the beginning.  All students of Taekwondo are constantly striving for the next level, no matter how advanced they are.  This constant reach for excellence is one of the best things a Taekwondo student, no matter what age, can do for themselves.

For me, Taekwondo has provided all this and more.  I am a good student at school and I am sure I have benefited from being part of the CTI Taekwondo community.  The constant hard work it takes has been extremely rewarding.  Any student in Taekwondo definitely benefits from it- physically, mentally, in school, out of school, and in life.

Failure is Not a Option

By Eric Evans, 2nd dan

Failing, seems like a negative word until you consider that it is the only way we achieve a higher level of understanding or training.  Webster defines failing as ‘a usually slight or insignificant defect in character, conduct, or ability.’  The key word for me in that definition is slight.  Failing is not total; it is not the end.  It is just a slight defect that has been put in our way to teach us something.

“A minute’s success pays the failures of years.” - Robert Browning, Scottish poet

As a student of Moo Sul  Kwan Taekwondo, the slight defects are always present.  You can always improve a Poomse to a new level through perfect practice.  As martial arts students we are not satisfied with the current defects in our character, conduct, or ability.  We consistently look to improve faults that keep us from achieving success.  This consistency eventually pays off at a tournament, test or during routine practice.  Think back to a time when you reached a goal or achieved a difficult task.  It took multiple steps, attempts, and failures to get to that point.

I used to think failure was a bad thing.  I strived to never fail, which is impossible.  This constant anxiety is detrimental to success.  Teams thrive when they can trust each other, hold each other accountable, and help build each other up through struggles.  Failing forward is how you can take an ok idea and make it great.  In software development for instance, it is important to create software that accomplishes something for the end user.  This does not mean that the software will not have bugs or areas that need improvement.  Great software and applications are a continual process of improvement.

Whether you are in Taekwondo, Karate or another martial art.  Take the lessons you have learned in class and use them in your everyday lives.  Learn from each of your failures and then fix them!  Failures only hold us back if we continue to make the same errors and do not take action to correct and learn from them.  ‘To Err is human, to forgive is divine` - Alexander Pope

Education is Important

By Bruce Dean, red belt

Education is important because it unifies us as a species.  It provides a common framework for human perception.  Without education we could not communicate, or even feed ourselves.  Education is the single greatest key to human survival.  After all, we aren't particularly strong, we can’t run very fast, we don’t have big teeth or claws, and we don’t have armor or a shell.  But we have a fairly big brain, and education makes our brains our greatest tool for survival.  The only difference between me and a Cro-Magnon man living 20,000 years ago is the knowledge in my brain.  And education put that knowledge there.

But education is much more than simply the pursuit of knowledge, studying, and learning.  It is the means by which our culture endures. It is the common body of knowledge that defines us as a race – the HUMAN race.  Everything from the concept of wearing clothes to language to music to love to astrophysics – and even, unfortunately, barbarism and hatred - is an integral part of what it means to be human in this place and time in this universe.

We have all heard fanciful tales of children raised by wolves or porcupines or dolphins.  And in those tales the adult does not know language or even simple things like the fact that a spoon is used for eating rather than as an item to be worn like a bone through one’s nose.  It is only through education and the consequent propagation of our culture that we know what spoons or chairs or cell phones are for.  And it is the propagation of our culture which allows civilization to exist – that allows us to live (mostly) in peace, that defines our behavior amongst one another.  All of this – education – is ultimately what separates us from cavemen (and cavewomen).

It Can't be Overstressed

By Eric Evans, 2nd dan

It is human nature for people to place a value on everything they posses or encounter.  Society tends to measure status and success by our appearance, social status, jobs and possessions.  It is the intangible items that are truly beyond measure.  Everything you have can be taken away from you.  Your money, home, clothes, even your life can be taken.  The one thing no one can take from you is your education.

At each campus of the Colorado Taekwondo Institute, including our classes in Golden, we place a strong emphasis on education.  Because it is an integral part of life, CTI places education at the top of their priorities.  Students are required to complete monthly homework, study for tests and learn about their body.  They are also exposed to the education of their culture and the culture of others.  This is a process that must be constantly and consistently practiced as students hone their ability to become thoughtful, self-directed learners.  These skills must be applied outside of Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo in our daily lives in order to become more effective.  Much like poomse, your ability to learn only enhances with practice.

You may consider school boring or a waste of your time.  You may have even bought into the misconception that you will never use the skill and concepts you learn in school in the “Real World.”  One of my personal favorites is “Who uses Algebra any way?”   You use algebra everyday of your life!  You may not realize it but even children use it.  Consider the situation where a child is saving money to purchase a new toy.  They currently have x dollars saved and they need to save y more to earn the much needed 49.99 toy.  Algebra enables them to determine how much more money they need to earn before they are rewarded for their hard work.

CTI students learn to strive to be in the front of the classroom while studying in grade school or college, just striving to be in a leadership position of a CTI class.

• By placing yourself in the front of the classroom you:
• Remove distractions from fellow students
• Remove obstructions from your view
• Become the example for other students to follow
• Place yourself in a position that requires your full attention
• Have a higher level of retention of the information or lecture being provided.

The value of education cannot ever be overly expressed.  It enables us to perform simple tasks like counting money back to a customer, without the aid of a computer, to more complex tasks such as the ability to solve a quantum physics equation.  It is the only thing that can never be taken away from you.  If not for the dedicated men and women of older times in regards to education, MSK Taekwondo and everything we do and enjoy would not be what it is today.

Setting the Example

By Eric Evans, 1st dan

Setting an example for others is a key aspect of being a Moo Sul Kwan martial artist.  It requires a black belt attitude at all times and in all situations.  Leading by example is not reserved for Moo Sul Kwan Instructors and Black Belts alone. It is a requirement at all belt levels and is a task that must be continually refined. Setting the example is what we should all strive for in and outside of class.

Traveling back to Missouri each year for the AMASEA National Conventions is always exciting. I look forward to meeting new instructors, students, exploring St. Louis and Cape Girardeau.  I also look forward to the Great Grandmaster Shin workouts. The workouts consistently push me beyond what I thought I could achieve.  I remember the first time we were told that we were going to warm up with chops. In my mind I thought, "No problem" as chops were a normal part of my daily workout routine. Then Great Grandmaster Shin told us that we were starting with 300 chops. Start? What had I gotten myself into? A wave of doubt hit me at first, but then something extraordinary happened. As we were performing the exercise I looked over and saw that Great Grandmaster Shin was doing them with us. Even after he had taught two or three other classes, he was still the example. This rejuvenated my spirit. He was giving us his best effort and that in turn pushed me to put forward my best effort, pushing myself further than I ever had before.

This attitude is repeated time and again through our CTI Instructors. Our instructors lead by example in and out of the dojang. They actively participate in the workouts with us and never ask us to do anything they are not willing to do themselves. MSK instructors and black belts are also students. They attend extra training classes to learn new ways of instruction. I believe this is one of the key reasons our organization is so strong and offers invaluable life long lessons to each and every student.

The Colorado Taekwondo Institute strives to develop leaders who help to enrich the program in their own unique way. Becoming a person that leads by example requires individual dedicated effort.  Being an effective leader is not a characteristic that can be taught but applying basic CTI techniques can help a student advance.  For example, when we learn to perfect our poomse it helps to breakdown the individual elements.  In addition to learning the actual moves we must also learn what the moves are designed for, what the meaning or pace of the poomse is and how we can improve ourselves. Each individual component of the poomse must be broken down and improved. Each move must have an intended target, power, an impact point and focus.

In comparison, to learn how to become a student that leads by example it is helpful to break down the dedication that it takes.

We must display integrity so the organization can display a positive influence and enrich the lives of families in our community.

When we are in class we must pay attention and dedicate 100% of our effort.

We must set the example of how to act through our words, our thoughts and our execution of techniques. Responding with a loud, crisp 'Yes Sir!' is just one example that invigorates the class and helps them push harder. A new white belt has the promise of hope when they see a fellow student persevere through difficult techniques or poomse they have just learned.

We must apply extra effort through attendance of advanced classes such as black belt club and events such as the tournaments, CTI Expo, Camp MSK and demonstrations.

Each student should seize the opportunity to complete the monthly homework and write articles on subjects that interest them. The articles enrich the life of the author but more importantly provides students an additional opportunity to continue to learn.  

Students should also journal their thoughts and experiences. This will allow them to reflect back on how they progressed through training and the effort they put forth to became a Moo Sul Kwan Martial Artist.

"Example is not the main thing in influencing others. It is the only thing."
- Albert Schweitzer

Knowledge, Creativity and School Pride

By Kyle Feagans, purple belt

Black Belt Team in Munich, Germany

There are many different ways to gain knowledge and creativity.  The process of gaining knowledge and creativity begins at an early age.  We gain knowledge and creativity from our elementary, junior high, high school and college teachers and professors.  They teach us to listen, read and think.  They encourage us to keep pushing, to be persistent to achieve our dreams and goals.  Fortunately and unfortunately knowledge, at times, is gained through life experiences.  Many of our most difficult life challenges are the ones that provide us with the most knowledge…knowledge that one day we can pass along to those we encounter through our life journey.

We gain and share knowledge and creativity in our work and home environment.  We are always surrounded by leaders, mentors, friends and family with years of experience.  They teach us the knowledge and creativity that they have gained in raising a family or in the occupation, business and industry we choose to pursue from their journey through life.  Like those before us, we will gain knowledge and creativity from the “School of Hard Knocks.” Then, at some point in time we will be provided with the opportunity to pass our experience along too.

Advancement of knowledge also brings creativity.  Creativity in itself is a sign of knowledge.  The art of Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo is an example of Knowledge and Creativity that has been passed along from generation to generation and from person to person.  Many of the poomse we learn are very old.  They have been created by a diverse group of people.  Their knowledge and creativity is evident in the line of movements, pattern and meaning of the poomse.  If it were not for the passion of those that posses the knowledge and creativity of taekwondo to pass it along to those with the passion to gain the knowledge and creativity the art would not be what it is today.

School pride can be shown in many ways.  It can be shown by the way we care for and encourage our fellow students.  It can be shown by our ability to listen to the upper belts, black belts and instructors that have a passion to help us meet our MSK Taekwondo goals.  School pride is seen because we treat others the way we want to be treated.  Our school pride can be seen in the way take care of the school itself.  We keep the changing and workout rooms as well as the workout equipment clean and organized.  We keep the lobby area clean for family, friends and guest so that they have an enjoyable and comfortable place to watch their family and friends workout.

I am very thankful for my family and home.  Being a father of two, while it has many challenges, it also bring a lot of joy and laughter to my life.  I continue to learn just how much knowledge and creativity it takes to raise children.  A creative solution to a problem that worked one day may not work the next day.  It always fascinates me when getting together with friends that conversations regarding our kids always comes up.  We talk about their happenings at school, their hobbies and discipline struggles.  It is during these conversations that I gain knowledge and get creative ideas that may work in my home.  I am thankful for the knowledge and creative advice that I get from my  family too.  Much of the advice they give is to remind me that they are a lot like me…now I understand why I have to be so creative and must gain so much knowledge.

What I Try to Do

By Don Symington, blue belt

From the August Homework - Knowledge, Creativity and School Pride

I often share my knowledge by teaching or mentoring others, especially in areas where I may be considered an expert or have greater knowledge.  This is related to my position at work where I often have to provide leadership and technical advice or direction.  I share by showing, advising, developing training materials and teaching.  I also share overall knowledge by how I act and approach situations.  I share knowledge at MSK by helping others or practicing with others, often answering questions or directing them to those with the knowledge and skill, if it is above my knowledge.

I try to act as a role model to others, both at the CTI Campus where I have younger students, or those of a lower belt as well as those that may be looking up to me as an adult.  I try to lead by example at work and home with great work ethics, working hard to achieve what I have set out to achieve.  By doing this I hopefully am helping show others what is right and how they can show the school pride.  I never disrespect the school or people and would not be afraid of standing up for the school or those wanting to be supported in showing school pride.  I hopefully help represent what the school pride is and strives to achieve.

I will try and spend more time and effort treating my family in ways that I would want to be treated.  As our family grows older my sons have gained much knowledge and experience and I need to understand that they have learned and developed into individuals that should be treated as peers more than children.  I should apply the training I have developed to listen more and lead by example more while maintaining a lighter side that takes time to try more creative things such as cooking and laughing more.