jdowdy - Part 7

Evolution to Black Belt

Congratulation to Lane Moore and Ryan Fowler for their promotion to 1st degree black belt in Tiger Shark Hapkido. More pictures to follow about their test in a few weeks. I recently promoted two more hapkido students to 1st degree black belt. This makes a total of 68 first degree blackbelts (33 females and 35 males) whom I have certified. Both of these students were intelligent young men...

Regardless of the Question…

As a martial arts instructor there have been many times I have directed students to do something and then be asked the question: “Why?” I never take that question as a student being disrespectful, but I see it as an opportunity to further educate my students. Regardless of the Question, the student deserves an answer. If I can guide my students to a deeper understanding of their martial...

40 Years of Martial Arts and I’m Still a Student

I have been studying martial arts for 40 years now. Some of the things that I have learned include, for instance, that there are just so many ways to kick, punch or even twist a wrist. After that revelation, I had to look for other ways to further my martial arts development. I became a student in numerous other styles. Some styles that suited me and some that didn’t fit me at all. My...

Belt Promotion – The Journey

Robert Louis Stevenson (1850 – 1884) said “To travel hopefully is better then to arrive. The success is the labor.” Bruce Lee (1940 – 1973) said: “The success is the Journey, not the destination.” Regardless of the journey, each individual’s path is uniquely his own. The achievement of belt promotion will have different meanings and time schedules for each martial...