This is to the newest members of the World Hapkido Association. Congratulations and Welcome! We all look forward to many years of training and collaboration.

Aaron Fruitstone

Miami Shores, FL

News & Events

Korea Summer Camp – July 2 thru July 9 – 2006!

Summer Camp specifics have been finalized! The fee for the camp will be $1900 and include airfare, lodging at 4-star hotels, all food, gratuities and training expenses. This is a great chance to see and train in the homeland of Hapkido’s birthplace. Deposits due as soon as possible. Contact Mr. Dan Piller for pricing and payment specifics. He can be reached through the World Hapkido Association website or at http://www.kimartialarts.com

**!!! Update: 5 Spots left…don’t delay. Register now !!!**

Northwest Regional Hapkido Seminar with Master Tae Jung

Saturday, September 16, 2006

Location: Northwest Mudo College, Hillsboro, OR.

Time: 10 – 1:30 pm

Cost: $55 WHA Members / $65 for Non-WHA Members

Co-sponsored by Mr. Jeff Hindley of Northwest Mudo College and Mr. Al Kamara of FamII Hapkido and Personal Training in Washington. Come join us for a chance to share the mat with one of Hapkido’s greatest masters.

Contact Mr. Hindley at www.northwestbudo.com or by personal e-mail at firstpe315@aol.com for detailed information!!

Announcements

1. There is now a "Links" button on the World Hapkido Association homepage. Master Jung would like all Charter members who have their own website to be included on it with their link. However, you must have the WHA logo on your homepage and an "indication of affiliation" with the WHA.
2. The NEW 2005 Pro-Hapkido DVD will be out soon. Pay attention for the announcement!! Seminar participants were able to see the rough footage at camp last year … this one was fantastic!

The Sunbi Spirit

By: Jeff Hindley

Due to all of the new members that join year-by-year, I will occasionally reprint an old article…hopefully, for the benefit of the membership.

The Uke/Nage Relationship

…the most important relationship there is

 For those of you that are as familiar with the Japanese martial arts as I am, you are no doubt aware of what these words mean. They convey a special meaning indeed with nuances galore. The one thing I enjoyed about the Japanese arts is that there are many words within Budo (Japanese for the "Martial Way") that were designed to impart a certain understanding or a certain concept. It is far more difficult to find such words or phrases in the Korean language that specifically illuminates a martial idea. Therefore, I’m going to stick with the Japanese terminology here. The meaning conveyed is one of universal importance as it relates to martial art, especially to our Hapkido training.

Before we begin, let me define terms again for the "Korean-ized" of you. In it’s most basic form the Uke is the person on the mat who is having the technique applied to them. The Nage is the person who is actually applying the technique to the Uke. When Master Jung picks a person from a crowd for him to demonstrate on, that person taking the falls is the Uke and Master Jung, of course, the Nage. There! Sound simple? Look simple? It’s not! On the contrary, there is a lot going on in that brief exchange.

To be sure, there are many "styles" or arts in which this concept or relationship has very little significance or importance for them. In a striking art such as TaeKwonDo or the various forms of Karate, a teacher usually will demonstrate a technique on a paddle, bag or a motionless person (let’s say in the form of one-step or three-step sparring) or even in the air. However, once the "demonstration" takes on a more self-defense nature (i.e. locks, chokes, throwing etc.) then the concept of the ‘Uke/Nage’ and the importance of this relationship rears its head. Notice that I use the term "relationship" to convey a meaning as to what is going on here…more on that in a minute.

There is nothing of more importance, especially to an instructor, than an Uke who understands how this relationship works and what is inherent in it…and what their role is. It’s the same for the Nage. Each person within this relationship has clearly defined parameters of what needs to be accomplished. As is true in most relationships such as a husband and wife, supervisor and employee, parent and child and the even the Uke and Nage, nothing is more important, than that of Trust!

In any martial engagement between students this is, of course, of great significance. Whenever you allow dangerous techniques to be applied on you, a student is putting a great amount of Trust, if not Faith, in the hands of the other person. In a classroom situation, the goal is to practice your techniques with intensity and enthusiasm without causing harm. It should be implicitly understood that there is a great capacity to do harm. You are trusting your partner to exercise control, to not take advantage of your vulnerability, to release when signaled and to be sensitive to injuries and ability level.

This is where the crossover exists regarding the importance of manners and etiquette within the dojang setting. Bad manners and poor attitude often is reflected in a "dysfunctional" Uke/Nage relationship. People of this ilk often take advantage of such vulnerabilities to promote themselves, show some semblance of dominance or make an attempt to show how a technique "will not work on them" and on and on. This is an outpouring of one’s ego and a person such as this is never more dangerous than they are within the confines of an Uke/Nage relationship that is predicated on trust. This is often noticed by people getting hurt or injured or verbal exchanges that border (if not cross) the line of disrespect. Individuals such as this are a risk to others and often sew a great deal of stress within the larger context of the dojang. Don’t despair! Again, we see that it’s just such a relationship (one that requires so much protocol and etiquette) that fleshes out individuals like this and exposes them for what they are. Fortunately, to the observant instructor, this happens well before injury, they are not hard to spot. Again, such is the beauty of this relationship.

In addition to the control that is necessary for a Nage, the Nage must also have an awareness of an Uke’s ability level and adjust his or her techniques accordingly. If the Nage is practicing Hip Throws and the Uke is not skilled in falling, they should not continue the throw through to its conclusion thus risking injury. In a positive Uke/Nage relationship, one would either ask the student if they were comfortable with falling or should err on the side of caution. To the more skilled Nage, this would be perceptible well prior to their physical practice together. Amazing at how many individuals really miss this piece that you would think is so obvious. That is, again, where an instructor must be keenly aware of what is going on around him with his or her students. Therefore, from the "student-to-student" perspective, the ideas of trust, control and the awareness of an Uke’s ability level are all figural if this relationship is to be a positive one. Indeed, one’s training cannot progress properly if the dojang is not filled with individuals who understand and practice this as a standard course. However, having said all of the above, there is another component to this relationship that is of even more importance and usually finds its quintessential expression…that is the student-to-teacher Uke/Nage relationship.

For this aspect of it to be successful, the above-mentioned skills need to be at a heightened level to be sure. Beyond this, the Uke must be able to be Perceptive as to what the Instructor wants. This will often happen non-verbally. Not much different than two spouse’s who have spent so much time together that they understand each others meaning based on the faces or gestures that they make. Additionally, the Uke must be able to skillfully give the proper level of resistance, read the changing dynamics of the demonstrated techniques (which is always sure to happen) and adjust accordingly. An Uke’s movement at this time is imperative as the instructor is attempting to demonstrate something specific and the Uke must not only understand perceptually what that is, but how it should look and more importantly, how the Instructor should look doing it. This is very much, part of the educational process that takes place during the demonstration of a particular technique. The skills of the Uke at this time are invaluable to the Instructor and it takes many years of practice and training to do this.

Watch closely during seminars and you’ll often see an instructor and student within this relationship say nothing at all. Meaning will be conveyed non-verbally and the Uke will understand exactly how attack and with what type of attack with no word said. It’s truly amazing when it happens to you.

It is difficult for positive training and thorough teaching to take place within the dojang if the Uke/Nage relationship is not one of heightened importance. Of course, it ultimately falls to the instructor to make good Uke’s out of his or her students, both physically and perceptually. It is the students’ job to make sure they are good Uke’s emotionally and from the perspective of a proper attitude.

MEMBER INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

Name: James Rosenberg

Arts Practiced: boxing, jujitsu, little bit of aikido, Marine Force Recon close combat, Judo, Hapkido

Years Training: 15-20

Current Rank: Brown Belt

1. What was the reason you began your Martial-Arts training?

As a forensic psychiatrist, I evaluate people who are very dangerous. For

example, I’m often locked alone in a room with an angry prisoner who’s there

for life. I’ve been attacked by people on PCP, with crowbars, etc. I also enjoy sharing martial arts with my three sons.

2. During your training, has your reason for training changed? If Yes, How?

Our family bond with Master Tae Jung is so strong that we all train in part

just to learn from him how to be a better person.

3. What is your favorite technique / or category of training and why?

Various punches because I perform them at a much higher level than a

brown belt due to my years of boxing and Marine special forces fighting.

4. What do you think are the most important qualities in a Teacher?

Being a good role model as a person in society; poise; kindness;

generosity; being at peace with oneself. I despise teachers who try

to be tough guys or have something to prove to others.

5. What do you think are important qualities to have as a Student?

Being supportive of other students; having the maturity and self-confidence

to view training or sparring with others as a collaboration rather than a

contest of who’s the better fighter.

6. What do you think is the most important physical aspect of Martial-Arts training and why?

Practicing a technique until it’s second nature or automatic. You have then

truly incorporated it into who you are.

7. What do you think is the most important non-physical aspect of Martial-Arts training and why?

Having the generosity of spirit to want to help others to excel. It makes you

grow as a person.

8. What is your belief on the value of Tournaments?

It provides a sense of community and sport rather than just a sense of individual training.

9. Have you ever competed before? If yes, what is your competition background?

Only in boxing in my late teens.

10. Do you cross-train in other arts outside of your main one?

Not at the present time. However, I review those aspects of practical street-

fighting from Marine Force Recon training that I haven’t found yet at my

level of Hapkido. I do cross train in combat shooting with .45, assault rifle,

tactical shotgun, and knife-fighting.

11. How often do you practice on your own or with others outside of class if any?

Unfortunately, very rarely. I’m busy with work and have a strict schedule of cardio

and weight training.

12. Who in the Martial-Arts has inspired you the most and why?

Master Tae Jung has clearly inspired me the most becomes he embodies the

spirit of the ultimate gentleman. I fear Master Wong the most, even if I’m

in a different state or country.

13. What is the most important think you have learned from Martial-Arts?

15. What is your favorite Martial-Arts Movie?

Health & Sports Nutrition

Quote of the Month

Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself

- Chinese Proverb

NEXT MONTH – The beginning of a 3-month foray into flexibility training in the Monthly Guest Column!!

COMING SOON – Look for a new Newsletter format! Should be cool…of course!