My Lessons In Life – Training and Learning From My Master
Great Expectations
One of the more difficult special fly kicks.
Perfection
I am a product of my master. GM had the highest of expectations, expected nothing other than perfection, and even then, the best I got from him was a half grunt of approval, usually he just walked away when I did it perfectly. If I didn't, I got a disappointed look from the master, or, sometimes he would walk away.
The Terminator (so I'm Told)
My students have called me the "terminator" - heard that way after the fact. the fact is, i trained those that were serious, that wanted to learn, that put in the extra effort, i trained them harder, i pushed them harder, i treated them harsher.
The Karate Kid and Hapkido
While at times a cheesy movie and half hearted, often misguided and misrepresentation of martial arts, karate specifically, there are, as expected with any Hollywood movies, some grain of truth, moments of clarity and truth if you look hard enough, and, if you understand enough.
The Fundamentals
Mastering, Perfecting Technique
Training under the Master
One thing that stands out most about the late GM was his passion and pursuit of perfection of Hapkido. He took the saying "practice makes perfect" to another level. For him, practice did not make perfect, "perfect practice makes perfect". With these few words, it epitomized his passion, drive, and expectation.
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.