Essay Excerpts from Black Belt Candidates - October 19, 2013

"Most important to me is the strong sense of connection between our practice and the history of Taekwondo.  Through our direct inheritance from Grandmaster Chun to the Korean masters preceding him, Master Cook ensures that our training enshrines history in our practice, rather than obscures it.  It is a profound gift, as significant to the martial art as a familial inheritance, and must be treasured as such.   So while I seek to develop technical proficiencies, I am most humbled to become aware of the rich tradition surrounding it.  To the black belt candidate, this adds meaningfulness to the endeavor far beyond recreation and sport."  Mark Rodenburg-1st Dan Black Belt

 

 "What I have learned from Master Cook is how long and how hard it is to learn the basics and how technique is so critical.  This is when practice and perseverance play a significant role in learning the art.  What also helps me persevere is that it takes skillful people to run a school like this.  It is the dedication that I see from the instructors that motivates me to keep coming back to class." John Towey - 1st Dan Black Belt

 "As I look back upon my life as a martial artist, I think about my first obstacle, the staircase. The steepest staircase I have ever seen. I huffed an puffed to the top wearing my brand new white Dobok, I was very excited and hoped the staircase would be the biggest obstacle I would have to face. I couldn't have been more wrong." Fiona Dunn - 1st Dan Black Belt

 "One of my most happy moments was at my Dodan belt test. I needed to do a spinning hook kick for my break. I was very worried that it would take many tries, but I ended up breaking the wood on my very first try. I felt so proud of myself. This is now my favorite kick. One of my most challenging moments was when I switched from KickStart to the regular class. It was scary because there were so many people I did not know and many students were better than me. Anika Simon - 1st Dan Black Belt

 "In 1st grade, I was asked to join the Leadership Team. I like to help people and the Leadership Team does that. For example, I helped customers find books at the Book & Bake Sale event, set tables at the Community Kitchen event and collected and rolled coins to purchase gifts to help families during the holidays, and planted flowers and pulled weeds at the Town Park Gazebo Gardening."  Francesco Desiderio - 1st Dan Black Belt

 "Another thing I think about my training in Taekwondo is how the different instructors have helped me. I feel instructor Pyke always looks out for me and has also helped me with private lessons. Instructor Klugman helped stop my habit of hopping forward after a stepping basic. Master Cook helped me in all parts of Taekwondo!" Caswell Gluckstein - 1st Dan Black Belt

 "I love Taekwondo whether it's practicing it, watching it, or just thinking about it. Whenever I walk into the dojang I am ready to train. I am welcomed by all of the black belts and I bow to them. Then Master Cook says next class and we all walk out onto the floor and we have an amazing class with meditation and focused training. I know that I will stick to the martial arts for probably the rest of my life, thanks to Master Cook. " Nelson Gaillard - 1st Dan Black Belt

 "I have truly enjoyed this time as a bodan. It has given me a chance to review and work on various techniques that always seem to take a back seat to learning the new curriculum. In fact, it's only been in the last two months that I have finally felt that I had somewhat of a handle on everthing in the curriculum. I'm not saying that things don't need work but I've started to develop confidence in myself. I know with continued training that I will improve. My balance is better and I have physically gotten stronger. In fact, there must be something that has changed in my personal demeanor because in the high school where I teach, I have noticed that I have less trouble with students doing what I ask them to do. Suddenly during training this past week, when I ki-hap, I feel the energy resonating through me. Body, mind and energy (spirit) have aligned. I believe that I am finally ready to begin my journey as black belt." Carolyn Cunningham - 1st Dan Balck Belt

"Overtime, the school in Clifton dissolved and I once again sought to continue expand my practice of taekwondo. I decided to attend Chosun Taekwondo Academy because I wanted to learn Traditional Taekwondo. While my time at Chosun has been brief, I have learned a plethora of information in regards to the art, techniques, philosophy, and history of Taekwondo. Through the instruction of Master Cook and the Chosun Instructors, I have learned new kicking and hand techniques in addition to improving the techniques that I have learned over the years. Additionally, I have also learned how to develop ki energy within my body and how to meditate better. Lastly and most importantly, I developed a knowledge of the rich history of taekwondo and Korean culture, the breadth of which I would not have been able to learn anywhere else.

Overall, the benefits of my taekwondo training up to this point in time has been amazing and I would not sacrifice it for anything. From a physical standpoint, taekwondo has made me more coordinated, agile, and conditioned. Mentally, taekwondo has taught me patience, understanding, empathy, and self- control. Spiritually, taekwondo has provided me with a moral compass with which to live my life. It has taught me to embrace the duality of opposites within the universe and to enjoy both the peaks and valleys that one will experience in their life. In closing, my taekwondo training up to this point has been poignant and unforgettable and I look forward to the new challenges and knowledge that await me as a black belt." Shane Heslin - 1st Dan Black Belt

"At our first test it dawned on us that there was a group of adults all testing for yellow belt. We became a crew of sorts looking for each other in the evenings and encouraging each other to continue. Even at green belt, we were labeled "gang green" and Master Cook told us to try and ascend the ranks staying together.
On the day of each belt test, we took a picture of ourselves before the test, often with Master Cook if we could, to mark our progression; like a child using a pencil to tick off his height in a door jam after each season. I kept all of my belts in a row in my bedroom so I could visually see our advancement through the ranks and I could recall each test and its challenges. It was very satisfying.
A pivotal moment for us was the journey we made with the school to study in Korea in the summer of 2012. We were purple belts, right at the mid-point of our training. We could not believe that when we went into these schools on the other side of the earth, and the Master called out a command in Korean, that we knew exactly what to do! One experience in particular was very rewarding for me. There were only 3 colored belts on the trip, and we were all purple. When we went to study with Grand Master Kyu-hyun Lee, he assigned a black belt to work with each of us privately on our forms. The woman who partnered with me spoke no English, yet we trained together and communicated for a few hours. Even today, Taeguk Oh Jang is still my favorite form, as it reminds me of that day out in the countryside, learning from my very own private Korean coach". Laura Towey - 1st Dan Black Belt

"I must take some time to explain how increasingly rare it is to find a martial arts school that is teaching a traditional martial art. In my many searches for a martial arts school, I discovered that, due to economic necessity, most schools are forced to cater to the trends of the day, i.e. sport Taekwondo and mixed martial arts. Many schools dropped basic formalities, trained wearing t-shirts, and lacked any serious discipline. This, inevitably, will dilute and water down the traditional practice of any martial art and can easily result in a very dangerous environment." Jason Gaillard - 1st Dan Black Belt

 

Chosun e-newsletter archive Volumn 4 #10 October, 2013

On the Horizon
Book-Signing and reception for new book, Taekwondo Black Belt Poomsae- Original Koryo and Koryo by Richard Chun and Doug Cook
Friday November 1, 2013  6pm - 8pm
Ye Olde Warwick Book Shoppe
31 Main Street  Warwick, NY
Join Grandmaster Richard Chun and Master Doug Cook for a book-signing and reception for their new book recently released by YMAA Publications, Inc. This is a rare opportunity to engage in conversation with a true martial arts pioneer, Grandmaster Richard Chun and co-author Master Doug Cook. Don't miss this extraordinary event!
For information contact Chosun:info@chosuntkd.com 

Read book reviews on Amazon.com and consider writing one!

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The Alphabet Soup of Taekwondo

Appeared in TaeKwonDo Times magazine "Traditions" column

In modern taekwondo, there seems no shortage of enticing programs ostensibly meant to bolster enthusiasm but, upon closer inspection, more likely intended to enhance student retention. Terms such as Black Belt Club, S.W.A.T. Team, Splits Club and S.T.O.R.M. Team, abound to name a few. Yet, what is it about these acronym-rich entities that bode poorly for the transmission of traditional taekwondo as the noble art that it was meant to be?

Being a successful school owner for almost two decades and throwing my entire adult life into practicing, teaching and writing about traditional taekwondo, I more than most know the value and, frankly, the necessity, of retaining students. Without the dedicated practitioners who cross the threshold of our dojang doors day in and day out, we would be left with nothing more than four square walls, some puzzle mat and an assortment of training gear; not a promising environment for the perpetuation of the Korean martial arts and certainly not a winning model for a competent instructor to earn a living.

Truth is there are critics out there who claim that money should never enter into the equation of conveying martial arts to those worthy of its virtues; that teaching taekwondo, karate-do, tangsoodo, or any other Asian discipline, should be done pro bono. While I strongly disagree with this concept, I disagree equally with the notion of relying on clever marketing gimmicks, if I may refer to them as such, for branding programs that should be a basic component of the standard taekwondo curriculum in the first place.

For instance, we as martial arts instructors should be encouraging all of our color belt students to reach for the coveted black belt at some point during their martial arts journey and not simply those who can afford to pay a fee in addition to their monthly tuition for the privilege of being members of a Black Belt Club. Presently, our school is home to well over one-hundred black belts with 80% of these being adults. Yet, I have never relied upon questionable schemes that segregate students predicated not on their level of proficiency, but rather on their ability to buy into a program of advancement based largely on club membership.  Show me a white belt who does not sincerely wish to achieve the esteemed honor of earning a black belt and the absurdity of these labels quickly become apparent. It is incumbent upon masters and instructors alike to motivate students through a comprehensive curriculum of pure-form, traditional taekwondo skills supplemented by encouragement rather than on an alphabet soup of financially predatory programs albeit if they are, to some extent, benign.

Nevertheless, there are exceptions. Many schools have established a Leadership Team – a group of individuals, in our case adolescents, who wish to gain more from their taekwondo training than the standard routine can afford them. This desire is compounded by a requirement to perform community service on a quarterly basis and to begin the long, pedagogical process of learning how to teach taekwondo, not only practice it. Members of our Leadership Team train vigorously, assist with KickStart and Youth Training classes, enjoy culturally-related field trips and raise tens of thousands of dollars for local charities. They are absorbing highly valuable philanthropic skills, reaching out to the community and cultivating compassion for society in the process. However, even this worthy mission can be corrupted by exorbitant fees ranging, as I have heard, often into hundreds of dollars per month. We charge nothing above monthly tuition for participation in our Leadership Team where the member’s only contract is their commitment.

The desire to establish a commercially solvent martial arts school should be accompanied by the realization that traditional taekwondo training is simply not for everyone. Unfortunately, not all who begin will continue regardless of all the encouragement we can afford to give. With this in mind, for the school owner or manager with little or no business experience, it is easy to fall prey to illusory programs that mirror attempts by gyms and health clubs to secure membership. Lengthy annual contracts, limited schedules, abbreviated class time, delinquent fees, third-party billing companies, unnecessary clubs fees, the “dumbing-down” of the syllabus, all fall into this category. Some of these resources can prove indispensible to those unwilling or unable to take responsibility for the clerical component of their institute. However, financially-obligatory pacts that require individuals to pay tuition after termination of membership can prove onerous at best. I personally have never supported practices such as these and have enjoyed continuous growth every year since our school’s inception. Yes, it requires more work on the part of my staff and me, but as any martial arts school owner who truly appreciates what they do for a living can tell you, I am glad for it.

I realize I will receive criticism and push-back from a segment of my colleagues for revealing my views regarding the branding of programs that should be commonplace. Nevertheless, it has always been my opinion that students embrace traditional taekwondo as a vehicle intended to enrich their lives through the sincere practice of a disciplined martial art and not to be bludgeoned by dubious sales strategies that, if left unchecked, are certain to pollute the dojang.

In today’s world where money is often the measure of success, it is easy to allow dollars to trump tradition in the martial arts. And since, unlike other professions, taekwondo is not officially regulated, some individuals take advantage of this aberration. Yet, financial victory, technical excellence and community awareness are all within reach simply by offering students an uncorrupted, comprehensive curriculum in conjunction with a clear path to advancement that naturally results in student retention.

A taekwondo school as a viable business entity should stand in solemn tribute to the moral values we teach – courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control and indomitable spirit – and not be built on acrimonious, manipulative tactics meant to hold students against their will. Martial arts by their very nature, act a filter supporting those who personify discipline while discouraging those who consistently seek the easy way out. This process should not be subverted by unbridled greed stoked by a sea of superfluous programs.

 

 

Master Doug Cook, a 6^th dan black belt, is head instructor of the Chosun Taekwondo Academy located in Warwick, New York, a senior student of Grandmaster Richard Chun, and author of three best-selling books entitled: Taekwondo…Ancient Wisdom for the Modern Warrior, Traditional Taekwondo - Core Techniques, History and Philosophy, and Taekwondo–A Path to Excellence, all published by YMAA of Boston. Master Cook and Grandmaster Chun have recently completed a new book, Taekwondo Black Belt Poomsae: Original Koryo and Koryo, targeted for publication in July of 2013. Master Cook can be reached for lectures, workshops or questions at www.chosuntkd.com or info@chosuntkd.com.

Chosun e-newsletter archive Volumn 4 #9 September 2013

Dear Martial Arts Enthusiast,

Welcome to the September, 2013 edition of the Chosun Taekwondo Academy e-newsletter. 
As the eventful summer of 2013 comes to a close, we can look ahead to a busy autumn season at Chosun. Every September, Chosun hosts an OPEN HOUSE for the community to come and see the school in action. If you know someone who has an interest in either the martial arts or yoga, please let them know about this event. This is a chance to talk to students and instructors about their experiences, see a taekwondo demonstration and take advantage of our Basic Training Package. Looking further ahead, mark your calendar for the 16th Annual Awards Banquet and Dinner Dance which is always the culminating social highlight of the year. And even farther ahead yet, it is not too early to plan for the 2014 Chosun Taekwondo Academy Korea Training and Cultural Tour. This tour promises to be extremely exciting with the addition of a excursion  to the beautiful Jeju Island. Please contact Chosun for information or to reserve your place: info@chosuntkd.com 
 

For highlights of 2012 at Chosun, view the Chosun Taekwondo Academy 2012 Retrospective.

Kamsahamnida,
Patty Cook, Editor www.facebook.com/chosuntkd
 

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The Many Benefits of Meditation by Master Doug Cook

The following appeared in Warwick Valley Life magazine - September 2013

Meditation is a treasure chest overflowing with the virtues of enhanced focus, increased energy, heightened self-awareness, improved overall health and a greater sense of well-being. Yet, as with any worthwhile endeavor, these rewards do not come easy.

Observing an individual seated quietly in a meditative posture reveals nothing of the extreme effort hidden just below the surface needed to achieve practical results. Nevertheless, with sincere practice, anyone can become proficient in this ancient discipline.

More than ever, clinicians are discovering significant distinctions, both physically and intellectually, in the minds of those who regularly engage in meditation. Recently, the Huffington Post published an article citing the many benefits of frequent practice including stress relief, hypertension reduction and improvement in cognitive functions. But several types exist and it is important to match the style to the intention.  Some forms of meditation are meant to clear the mind and relax the body, others to cultivate internal energy, and still more are aimed at visualization.

One approach I teach students as a preface to a meaningful meditation session consists of sitting cross-legged in a full or half-lotus position supported by a cushion to promote comfort. The hands are then positioned in a gesture known as a mudra - a Sanskrit term referring to a seal of authenticity. There are a variety of mudras, each intended to amplify or authenticate a spiritual concept. The cosmic mudra, where the back of the left hand is placed in the palm of the right, thumbs touching, is a simple and effective mudra to begin with. Strive to articulate a perfect oval rather than permitting the thumbs to create a “peak” or the palms to collapse into a “valley”. Allow the hands to rest gently in the lap. Close the eyes and sit erect with the tip of the nose in line with the navel. Turning responsibility for your meditation over to the breath, slowly inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth. Invariably, as you meditate, stray thoughts will attempt to intrude on the mind; briefly acknowledge these feelings and permit them to pass through your consciousness just as clouds drift past in the sky, all the while returning to the breath. Assign a single count to each cycle of inhalation/exhalation. Count to ten only, and then return to one. Eventually, with patience and time, you may be able to abandon your counting altogether and simply focus on the breath, utilizing it as a silent mantra or phrase. This basic method of meditation should serve to calm the mind prior to the activities of the day if practiced in the morning, and partially eliminate the distraction of anticipating rather than fully experiencing the constantly changing present.   

Enhancing the flow of internal energy known as ki in Korean and Japanese, or qi in Chinese, throughout the body, is yet another objective of meditation. For instance, in order to promote health, the practitioner of kiatsu, or ki therapy, messages various acupoints along the body to stimulate ki flow; when an abundant amount of ki is present, a sense of well being is experienced, when it is deficient, illness is likely to ensue. This requires long practice but can be addressed through meditation and breathing exercises. While inhaling and exhaling, place your hands on your abdomen. What do you feel? When you breathe in, the abdominal area should expand; likewise, when you exhale, the abdominal area contracts. This process is commonly known as normal or Buddhist Breathing. Now, make a conscious effort to reverse this sequence, allowing the opposite to occur where the area surrounding your tanjun, or ki center, two inches below the navel and one inch in, contracts during inhalation and conversely expands when you exhale. This style of breathing is referred to as reverse or Taoist Breathing and represents an ancient method by which your breathing acts as a pump to move the flow of ki throughout a series of pathways or meridians traversing the body.

Lastly, visualization represents another aspect associated with the meditative process. Visualization can be employed prior to work-related meetings, academic testing and competitions as a precursor to success. In fact, it is not uncommon for the Olympic athlete to mentally see themselves performing flawlessly while meditating before an actual event.

While we may never reach a state of nirvana, oneness or enlightenment, as advanced by the great meditation masters, there is a little bit of the Buddha in each of us and meditation can become the key to a more relaxed and healthy mind, body and spirit.

Master Doug Cook, a 6^th degree black belt, is head instructor of the Chosun Taekwondo Academy located in Warwick, New York and an author of four best-selling books focusing on the traditional martial arts. A six-time New York State gold medalist, he has frequently trained in South Korea and is the recipient of many citations and awards presented to him there and in the America. Master Cook can be reached for lectures, workshops or questions at www.chosuntkd.com or at info@chosuntkd.com.

 

 

 

Chosun e-newsletter Archive Volumn #4 August, 2013

Dear Martial Arts Enthusiast,

Welcome to the August, 2013 edition of the Chosun Taekwondo Academy e-newsletter.
There are no lazy days of summer at Chosun this year! As you can see from the information below, this has been one of the busiest and most eventful summers on record. From the long awaited release of Taekwondo Black Belt Poomsae - Original Koryo and Koryo to the Taekwondo Retreat in Southern France, to the recent Mutual Martial Arts Seminar, the life and reach of the Chosun brand is expanding and growing both locally and internationally. We never take this success for granted and continually strive to be true to our ideals by offering our students authentic martial arts training. We are in the middle of the Chosun Summer Program and there are many exciting training opportunities yet to come. Be sure to check the Special Events page on the Chosun website for listings of these programs.

 For highlights of 2012 at Chosun, view the Chosun Taekwondo Academy 2012 Retrospective.

Kamsahamnida,
Patty Cook, Editor www.facebook.com/chosuntkd
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Chosun e-newsletter archive Volumn 4 July, 2013

Dear Martial Arts Enthusiast,

Welcome to the July, 2013 edition of the Chosun Taekwondo Academy e-newsletter.
The long awaited book, Taekwondo Black Belt Poomsae - Original Koryo and Koryo by Richard Chun and Doug Cook will be released this month by YMAA Publications, Inc.

Reached for comment, Master Cook stated, " Take custody of your taekwondo inheritance by adding the original version of the most popular black belt poomsae to your training routine. Learn Original Koryo, the precursor to Koryo poomsae, through the pages of Taekwondo Black Belt Poomsae - Original Koryo and Koryo, published by YMAA of Boston. Written by martial arts-legend Grandmaster Richard Chun and myself, this work promises to become an essential tool in the cultivation of traditional taekwondo technique." The book can be ordered from amazon.com or barnesandnoble.com and is available at booksellers worldwide. Details about a book signing celebration will follow. The DVD will be released later in the year.


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