Saturday, August 29, 2015

Integrity




by Gianna Zappier

age 11

Integrity is how someone lives his or her life. Everyday we face choices that only each of us can answer for ourselves. We decide how we run our own lives, and that defines who we are. It's having a set of values and choosing to do the right thing versus the wrong thing.
Merriam-Webster defines integrity as:'
1. firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values: incorruptibility
2. an unimpaired condition: soundness
3. the quality or state of being complete or undivided: completeness

There are many ways to live a life of integrity; however, being honest in what you say and what you do is a big part of it. Speaking up and sharing your opinion can be difficult because when you share your opinion, you share a part of yourself. You are trusting others to respect your opinion, even if it is different than theirs.
Speaking up against bullying is a way to show integrity. It is the right thing to do though it isn't always the easiest. When someone is a victim of bullying, they feel alone because they feel like no one can stop the bullying. I wouldn't want anyone to feel that. I wouldn't want one of my classmates to feel so alone when I could speak up. It's not easy because speaking against a bully makes you a target. I know I have strong relationships with my family and friends, the other kid might not. By speaking up, I can become a part of that kid's support system.
By living a life with integrity, I hope to become a person of courage, honesty and compassion.

The Meaning of Respect and how it Relates to Taekwondo

by Zachary Brescia
age 8

Respect means a care that you carry for people, yourself, places and things. Respect mean listening and following directions. It's allowing what you do to be done. I show respect in my life when going to Chosun. I respect Chosun because it is my Tae Kwon Do school. I show
respect there by bowing to people and wanting to go to Tae Kwon do. I dress in my dobok and never drag my belt; I remove my shoes before entering the dojang and put them away on the shoe rack. I listen to people when they are talking to me, also. Another way I show respect is to myself. I allow myself to be myself and that is a type of respect. I think  everyone should show respect to themselves and other people.

Retrospective

by Julie Cheshire-Gluckstein

     I am amazed that in a few weeks I will be at the halfway point between the white and black belt. I still feel so new. In fact, I am still adjusting to not being in the last row.

      There is comfort in that last row. Comfort in knowing you are the newbie and can make mistakes.  Not that you feel that way at the time, but just as a child fears the expectations of the next grade, there is the anxiety that comes with the added responsibilities of a higher belt. 
     On the other hand, many things come easier. When I tried and failed to do a front kick with a ball of foot as a lower belt, I was told not to worry - that would come later. What do you know?  I did a front kick with a ball of foot last week. Today Instructor Garrett
Steps to the Stone Buddha at Golgulsa
emphasized the importance of a reaching stretch we were doing; he noted that it helps with the ball of foot kicks.  Amazing.  The stretches in class must have enabled my body to make the move.  Slow and steady. Patience. Progress.
     I have also gained confidence in my ability to meet each belt requirement. I now have overcome enough obstacles that I have faith that with hard work, I can and will achieve the next belt. This self-efficacy has allowed me to relax more when I struggle with new movements. It is my hope that as I continue in rank, I will also be able to approach the belt tests with less anxiety.
     The more I learn, the more I realize there is to learn. But isn’t that true of all the most valuable pursuits? Instead of feeling overwhelmed by the sheer amount of knowledge to be mastered, I have gained an appreciation for the endless amount of lessons to be learned (I must admit the Korean language component is still daunting; foreign language has always been my worst academic area).
     I am enjoying blue belt. Besides the fact that it is the most striking color (my favorite), it has also been a time to reflect. Moves are coming a little easier. Connections between previous and present learning are beginning to become apparent. And the poomsaes are relatively short and fun. While I look ahead with trepidation, I also know that is part of the process for moving forward. 

How Taekwondo has Influenced my Life

by Christina Dolan
     Taekwondo has influenced my life in many ways.  It has helped me in mind and in body.  When I signed up four months ago, I expected a life style change.  Taekwondo has not only influenced my life, it has become my life.
Chosun students meditating at Golgulsa Temple
     I grew up in a household where perfection was expected and anything less than perfection wasn't worth doing.  It was either an all or nothing type of lifestyle.  You could only imagine the type of pressure one might feel with this type of mentality.  If I didn't get the highest grades in school, my grandmother would ask why didn't I know whatever it was that I didn't get correct.  I had very little self confidence because, let's face it, you are in school to learn.  If I knew EVERYTHING, than I wouldn't be a student, I'd be the teacher.  Even as a teacher, you don't know EVERYTHING.  There was so much focus on the things that I didn't do or didn't get, there was no room to focus on what I DID accomplish or DID achieve. 
      This sort of "all or nothing" mentality was devastating to my self-confidence.  I was afraid to try anything because I was so afraid of failing.  I was afraid to take chances, I was afraid to take risks, and I was afraid of disappointment.  I learned as a young child that if you didn't achieve perfection, you were a disappointment.  I began to internalize this feeling, and it carried over to adulthood. 
      As an adult, I very rarely stepped out of my comfort zone.  I was afraid of hearing my grandmothers voice saying "why?"  I would not take many chances.  But in 2010, a devastating accident took everything I knew about my life and changed it.  Nothing was in my comfort zone.  I found myself lost and confused and almost everything I did, I was failing.  At least that I what I thought. I entered into a great depression.   
     My children started Taekwondo in 2012.  Through them, I began to see that not everything had to be as perfect as I thought.  They were taught that everyone moves at their own pace.  They were encouraged to make their own mistakes, rather than watch someone else's.  Martial Arts was something out of their comfort zone.  As they continued to go to class, they learned about courage and integrity, self control and perseverance, and spirit.  Their spirit shown brightly with every class.  After giving much thought, I decided to join them in Taekwondo. 
      Taekwondo has influenced my life by giving me self confidence.  I still get frustrated when I don't get my turns correct or when I can't get my arms and feet to move in the right direction.  Instead of giving up when my technique isn't perfect, I want to try harder.  I will work as hard as I can to get my form correct.  The teachers and other students are so patient with me, they never once question why.  Taekwondo makes me want to try new things WITHOUT fear. 
      Taekwondo influenced me to venture out of my comfort zone.  It has given me the courage I need to block the "why isn't it perfect" out of my head.  When I do start to question myself, I think back to my teachers and fellow students words of wisdom.  They often say that it's ok if you didn't get it the first time, or that it took many belt levels to perfect a technique.  The courage that I have building is not just for Taekwondo, but for many others aspects of my life. 
      Taekwondo has been a stepping stone for me to try new things.  I recently joined my community's fire department.  I do not know anything about firefighting, but with training and school, I am learning.  I was so scared the first time I put on a Scott mask.  I knew that I only had 30 minutes of "breathable" air.  I knew that if I let fear overcome me, I would accelerate my breathing and that would only decrease my "breathable air".  I walked around a building and walked up and down stairs and through windows and stairs.  Slowly, other students began to lose their air and had to leave the building.  I continued to concentrate on my breathing and sure enough, I finished the obstacle course WITH "breathable air" flowing through. 
      There was a few times that I questioned myself.  I asked myself "what are you doing?  People run out of burning buildings, and you are running in!"  I have to change that thought to "Look at what you are accomplishing!"  I may not be perfect, and I may not have been able to crawl through a window, but I'm getting there.  I am not putting myself down because I am not able to do something 100% right away.  That change in mindset is a huge accomplishment for me.  Previously, I would have given up, saying that it is too hard for me and if I can't do it right, then I'm not doing it. 
      Taekwondo has influenced my mind as well as body.  I am able to breathe in a controlled manner.  My breathing comes in handy when I'm having a panic attack.  I find that when I am panicking, I'm not able to control my breathing, which often leads to hyperventilation.  Hyperventilating makes a bad situation worse.  When I first joined Taekwondo, I did not like to meditate.  I understood the reason for mediation, but for me, sitting in quiet with my eyes closed was anxiety producing.  It was hard at first, but I kept on trying.  At this point, I'm no longer panicking, but using the skill of breathing in other areas of my life. 
      Mediation or at least concentrating on my breathing was one of the reasons I was able to  finish the obstacle course with "breathable air".  It helps me when I feel anxious.  Instead of hyperventilating, I am able to slow my racing thoughts by slowing down my breaths.  It has taken a long time to get to this point, but I have come a long way.  I still hear the discouraging voice in my head, but I try to overcome it.  I try to replace that thought with "look at how far you've come". 
      Taekwondo has influenced my life in many ways.  It has given me the confidence that I need to find new hobbies.  It has given me the courage to start over again.  Through meditation I am able to control my breathing and that will help in many other areas of my life.  

A Meditation on Growth: Midway Between White and Black Belt

by Taylor DiMeglio
     I’ve been thinking about our butter knives. We keep them in the horizontal section of our silverware organizer in an allocated drawer. Like the dinner and dessert forks and serving and table spoons, they have their place. Everyone agrees to store them in standard fashion with the handles facing south and the tips facing north. Yet, when it comes to the butter knives no such concord exists.
Cheonggyecheon in Seoul, South Korea
     I use the law of common sense: handles should face east. After all, in our family everyone is right handed; this should make things easier, more natural. It’s a minority opinion. Still, I wage a silent war, returning the knives time and again to their “natural” position, despite knowing the very next time I pull out the drawer, west-facing handles will stare at me with unabashed mocking and converts will follow until order is wholly abandoned. Should I stage a protest? Post signs? Hand out pamphlets declaiming the benefits of handles facing right (No smudged blades! No hyperextended wrists!)? Forget it. I’ll ban butter knives altogether—and extend the battle to include the marauding crumbs who invade every nook and cranny.
     Kidding aside, it’s not really our butter knives I’ve been thinking of, but how they relate to a central tenet of the um-yang: the acceptance of constant change, how change is inevitable, even in the silverware drawer, and how closing yourself off to change closes yourself off to possibilities, to openness itself. If a knife handle faces left, my left hand is available. My youngest daughter easily points this out. Ah, I think, beginner’s mind, infinitely open. And, it’s true. I have two hands; I may as well use them.
     Change one part of your life and you change in myriad others. It’s been nearly a year since I crossed the threshold of the dojang floor. From the outside I look about the same, though, perhaps, I’m a little more toned. I remember doing ten push ups that first morning all belts class. It took me so long. From the dazed looks of the other students’ faces when I’d finished I had the feeling they’d been watching me for quite some time. Nevertheless, I’m used to push ups now and can roughly keep pace for twenty to thirty in a set.

     Meditating on constant change is natural, as with every belt level change marches forth with a strong, sequential cadence: new kicks, strikes, self-defense techniques and poomsaes—and the challenge to build the whole of them into a integrated repertoire. Doing well requires focus, intention, practice and a willingness to be loose, flexible, adaptive. In other words, being willing to grow. I have always been willing, but I have never taken growth so seriously as I have in taekwondo. To the contrary, I have often lived my life like a leaf in stream, perceptibly content to either flow swiftly with the current or ensnare myself in the debris of a bend.
     It’s been only a year. Change manifests itself subtly and overtly. I’m more engaged in life, more relaxed, more willing to surrender ego in the service of a broader confidence, less anxious and less likely to become entwined in the emotional vortexes that arise from within and without. My ability to focus has increased. I’m faster in the kitchen, faster with domestic chores, more efficient overall. When I toss something in the trash, I often hit the basket. In the dojang, I’m comfortable among fellow students, comfortable with the hierarchy and routines, more willing to learn through mistakes and failure. Beyond this, I sense within myself an opening, a deeper understanding and appreciation of life’s flowing nature.
     Taekwondo inspires within me a reckoning. What are my intentions? Am I present with them? Fulfilling them? Ignoring them? Taekwondo keeps me, if not on, then mindful of the path, and the path is life itself. If life is a river, I need not be a leaf but a tree, deeply rooted in the stream, withstanding the gush of wind and rain, contemplating stillness and calm, accepting the changes that come and go. I suspect the further I go with taekwondo and the sincerity of my practice has much to do with the perspective through which I approach all of life. What I do within the dojang, and the consequent contemplations of my mind flows outward into everything else. In-class meditations inspire me to learn about and meditate on my own; sporadic interest is manifesting itself into a routine, focused practice.

     Some kicks require jumping. Yop chagi (side kick) requires a torque of the hips unnatural for many my age, myself included. Knife hand, executed properly, is entirely foreign. Yet, having an open mind and a willing spirit, I know I will persevere. Physical changes, physical challenges. When you change something outside, it changes something inside. Physical challenges induce resilience and strength. Between inner and outer life, there is no distinction. One mirrors the other. I may not be the fireball of reckless daring I once was—recklessness is a folly of the young!—but my spirit remains; it burns strong. I can kick. I can jump. I won’t just persevere. I will succeed in all the ways it’s possible. One thing flows into another; change is with us always. Crisscrossed knives, missing forks, the rosebud spoon of unknown origin. Accept change here and you can accept it elsewhere. You won’t need to stop and wonder what silverware has to do with taekwondo. You’ll already know. Nothing. Everything.

Yoga at CHOSUN "Effort and Ease"

Chosun Taekwondo Academy & Hatha Yoga Center 62 Main St. Warwick NY   www.chosuntkd.com
"Effort and Ease"
Sthira sukam asanam is a fundamental principle that runs through the yogic discipline and refers to a balance created between stability and strength on one hand and ease and comfort on the other. Although this might sound simple, it can be a difficult concept to grasp and even harder to achieve.  Embracing two opposite ideas at the same time can be a foreign concept in our often dualistic culture. This week, in our seated yoga class, we will explore ways to embody ease and effort to balance our lives on and off the mat.

Join us and find your balance...

 
Visit us at Ladies Night Out
Main Street, Warwick, NY
Thursday August 27   3 - 9 pm
Special offers and raffles!


Chosun Taekwondo Academy & Hatha Yoga Center
62 Main Street Warwick, NY

Class Schedule:
Tuesdays     9:30 am
Wednesdays     6:30 pm
Saturdays     9:30 am

First Class is Free


$15 per class / $130 for 10 classes

Join us for the 18th Annual
Chosun Taekwondo Academy OPEN HOUSE
Saturday September 12, 2015      11:00 am - 2:00 pm
62 Main Street, Warwick, NY

FREE Yoga class for teens and adults - 11:00 am
FREE taekwondo class for ages 6 and above - 12:00 noon
MARTIAL ARTS DEMONSTRATION - 12:30 pm
All Welcome     Bring Friends    No Charge
Experience the Difference at CHOSUN

Don't miss the 6th Annual
Chosun Taekwondo Academy Leadership Team
Book & Bake Sale

Sunday September 13, 2015     10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Lewis Park, Main Street, Warwick, NY

Proceeds benefit the Warwick Lions Club Holiday Event for Local Families in Need
To donate books...drop off at Etched in Time Engraving   58 Main Street Warwick, NY
accepting all books!


NEWS FLASH....

CHOSUN TAEKWONDO ACADEMY WILL RELOCATE TO A
NEW LARGER WARWICK LOCATION
THIS FALL AT 62 GALLOWAY ROAD

For more information:
(845)986-2288 or info@chosuntkd.com

Beginners Welcome!   Bring a Friend!




Want to find out about Chosun sponsored events?
Sign up for our FREE monthly e-newsletter
like Chosun's facebook page
get a FREE yoga class coupon
Forward this message to a friend                                                                        


Chosun Yoga News                                                                                             August 26, 2015

Yoga at CHOSUN " The Power of One More Breath"

Chosun Taekwondo Academy & Hatha Yoga Center 62 Main St. Warwick NY   www.chosuntkd.com
"The Power of One More Breath"
 
It is a given that life holds many challenges and from time to time, our courage and resolve is tested. In truth, we have the strength to surmount the obstacles that present themselves. But how often have you heard that voice in your head that says "NO... you just don't have what it takes"? The whole of our yoga practice is an opportunity to face this phenomenon. When we are holding a difficult pose and want to "give up," take one more breath or maybe two and when you complete the posture, come back to your center of power. Instead of throwing it away, affirm your inner resolve and return with renewed vigor!

join us and re-affirm your true strength!


Chosun Taekwondo Academy & Hatha Yoga Center
62 Main Street Warwick, NY

Class Schedule:
Tuesdays     9:30 am
Wednesdays     6:30 pm
Saturdays     9:30 am

First Class is Free


$15 per class / $130 for 10 classes

Join us for the 18th Annual
Chosun Taekwondo Academy OPEN HOUSE
Saturday September 12, 2015      11:00 am - 2:00 pm
62 Main Street, Warwick, NY

FREE Yoga class for teens and adults - 11:00 am
FREE taekwondo class for ages 6 and above - 12:00 noon
MARTIAL ARTS DEMONSTRATION - 12:30 pm
All Welcome     Bring Friends    No Charge
Experience the Difference at CHOSUN

Don't miss the 6th Annual
Chosun Taekwondo Academy Leadership Team
Book & Bake Sale

Sunday September 13, 2015     10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Lewis Park, Main Street, Warwick, NY

Proceeds benefit the Warwick Lions Club Holiday Event for Local Families in Need
To donate books...drop off at Etched in Time Engraving   58 Main Street Warwick, NY
accepting all books!


NEWS FLASH....

CHOSUN TAEKWONDO ACADEMY WILL RELOCATE TO A
NEW LARGER WARWICK LOCATION
THIS FALL AT 62 GALLOWAY ROAD

For more information:
(845)986-2288 or info@chosuntkd.com

Beginners Welcome!   Bring a Friend!




Want to find out about Chosun sponsored events?
Sign up for our FREE monthly e-newsletter
like Chosun's facebook page
get a FREE yoga class coupon
Forward this message to a friend                                                                        


Chosun Yoga News                                                                                             August 19, 2015

Thursday, August 20, 2015

Yoga at Chosun "Patience and Practice

Chosun Taekwondo Academy & Hatha Yoga Center 62 Main St. Warwick NY   www.chosuntkd.com
"Patience and Practice"

As the saying goes..."Anything worth doing is worth doing well." But doing something well and achieving perfection are two different things and sometimes we can get caught up in striving for the end result and miss the process. Even a conscientious and mindful yoga practitioner can veer in the direction of viewing the product of their practice as the goal. Sometimes, it helps to remind ourselves that the journey is the valuable experience for us and if we can employ patience, focus, and good intentions... the rest will follow.


join us for the journey!


Chosun Taekwondo Academy & Hatha Yoga Center
62 Main Street Warwick, NY

Class Schedule:
Tuesdays     9:30 am
Wednesdays     6:30 pm
Saturdays     9:30 am

First Class is Free


$15 per class / $130 for 10 classes

Join us for the 18th Annual
Chosun Taekwondo Academy OPEN HOUSE
Saturday September 12, 2015      11:00 am - 2:00 pm
62 Main Street, Warwick, NY

FREE Yoga class for teens and adults - 11:00 am
FREE taekwondo class for ages 6 and above - 12:00 noon
MARTIAL ARTS DEMONSTRATION - 12:30 pm
All Welcome     Bring Friends    No Charge
Experience the Difference at CHOSUN

Don't miss the 6th Annual
Chosun Taekwondo Academy Leadership Team
Book & Bake Sale

Sunday September 13, 2015     10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Lewis Park, Main Street, Warwick, NY

Proceeds benefit the Warwick Lions Club Holiday Event for Local Families in Need
To donate books...drop off at Etched in Time Engraving   58 Main Street Warwick, NY
accepting all books!


NEWS FLASH....

CHOSUN TAEKWONDO ACADEMY WILL RELOCATE TO A
NEW LARGER WARWICK LOCATION
THIS FALL AT 62 GALLOWAY ROAD

For more information:
(845)986-2288 or info@chosuntkd.com

Beginners Welcome!   Bring a Friend!




Want to find out about Chosun sponsored events?
Sign up for our FREE monthly e-newsletter
like Chosun's facebook page
get a FREE yoga class coupon
Forward this message to a friend                                                                        


Chosun Yoga News                                                                                             August 12, 2015

Monday, August 3, 2015

Chosun e-newsletter archive Volumn 6 #8 August, 2015

Dear Martial Arts Enthusiast,

Welcome to the August edition of the Chosun Taekwondo Academy e-newsletter! As the summer winds down we are looking to September and the 18th annual CHOSUN OPEN HOUSE. See details below...and PLEASE HELP SPREAD THE WORD! Kamsahamnida!
Chosun Taekwondo Academy 2nd Annual Summer Picnic

Don't miss our first advertiser, The Tokyo Plum House, with a special offer exclusively for CHOSUN students... see information below...








Read entire newsletter
Subscribe on the Chosun homepage: www.chosuntkd.com