My Lessons In Life – Training and Learning From My Master
Old School - The Way of the Grandmaster
Some people believe that as a Korean, knowing the language and culture, that I was given "special" access to the GM. In some respects, that would be accurate. I understood the subtleties of what was not said, or said, of emotion, of lack of emotion. I understood the nuances of the Korean language.
Old School and the Way - 道
I should have known better. When I was learning pressure point techniques, I had been with the master for around 10 years, + or -, that's one thing i didn't keep in my diary, dates. I just wrote the technique. I was foolish enough to ask upon being hit with the eagle's beak strike, "does that really hurt". I must have been playing dumb that day, so I was shown that part of the technique again, with a little more force. It hurt, a lot.
Intestinal Fortitude
I’ve
The Beginning of Training
In September of 1989, I began training with GM Myung. At that time, I was yet another of the hundreds of black belts that had walked through those doors. The master was very fair and told me that I had to learn all the techniques over again - 2 a day until I caught up, from the beginning but that I would also get to learn black belt level techniques, one a day. So he asked me, "what did you learn last", words I would hear for the next 15 years.
My First Day
I walked in through the doors of the World Hapkido Federation in September of 1989, Los Angeles CA. I made introductions and asked if I could start training. I had no idea of the late GM’s stature. I just knew he was high ranking. In fact, looking back, I don’t think he ever mentioned or self promoted himself to me. His demeanor, the countless awards, pictures, visitors to his school, and technique, spoke for themselves and I realized over the years what an honor and privilege it was to have trained under one of the premier and pione