Tae Kwon Do Instructor and Scholar
As we begin a new year, I reflect back on the many conversations I have had with prospective tae kwon do students—and since many of them were children, with their parents as well. In many cases, the parents had heard that ‘martial art training is good for children,’ particularly in terms of physical development, character… Continue reading What do you want to achieve?
Many people, including many who practise a martial art, seem to hold the view that martial arts are exclusively about physical fighting skills. There may be some acknowledgement that there are non-physical aspects (such as tactics or determination), but for them, martial arts are ultimately about fighting, about winning the fight, about being the last… Continue reading Martial arts without morality
I taught tae kwon do in Perth’s western suburbs for more than 25 years (1995–2023), and an issue that I constantly saw was the apparent complacency towards personal safety held by many people in the area—and bear in mind, this includes people who had chosen to enrol themselves or their children in martial art schools.… Continue reading Beware the person who has nothing to lose
Here in Western Australia, we are blessed to live in a relatively safe and peaceful social environment. There are plenty of countries at war, and plenty of states, cities, and towns where just physically being there places you at serious risk of injury or death. There are also plenty of places, even in Western Australia,… Continue reading It will never happen to me
It has not taken long—in his very first class, one of my new students has asked the question, “how long does it take to get a black belt?” There are many people across the world with some experience in martial arts, and perhaps many of them would smile wryly at this question. But the question… Continue reading How long does it take to get a black belt?
As we begin 2025, I am pleased to outline some key principles for my tae kwon do school, to help guide those who might like to train alongside and learn from me. Take your time to read through; the aim is to give you a good sense of my teaching philosophy and teaching style.. 1.… Continue reading Invitation to membership in 2025
Many people seem to think of martial arts primarily in terms of physical fighting skills. While we should not hold romanticised or otherwise unrealistic views about martial arts, it has to be said that traditional martial arts often aimed at developing the student in much broader ways than just physical capability. If two opposing forces… Continue reading Protecting yourself from cybercriminals and criminal gangs
A little over a month ago, I recommended watching a video by Maitre A. A. Crown concerning one key thing that classical fencing teaches. For those of you who did watch it, you will know that the key thing being taught is, in a word, integrity. This should not be a foreign concept for any… Continue reading Integrity and courtesy
One thing I have drilled into my students over the past 30 years is that, if they are ever attacked one day, it is virtually guaranteed that their attackers will be bigger and stronger than they are. (And if not, then expect that there will be multiple attackers and that they will be armed.) Common… Continue reading Bigger and stronger
Maitre Adam Adrian Crown is a classical fencing master in the United States of America. (‘Maitre’ denotes ‘Master’ in the French language.) I have watched a few of his videos on YouTube, and much of what he says about the practice of his art resonates with me. (A caution: from my recollection, some of his… Continue reading One key thing that Classical Fencing teaches