Board Breaking Tips

One of the things I love most about Taekwon-Do practitioners is their unique openness to trying new things despite potential failures. Not the least of which is our exposure when demonstrating a board break at a test.

Everyone wants to break on the first attempt (including the holders!) All eyes are upon you as you stand there staring at those boards knowing you just have to hit it hard in the center, but knowing there is the risk for failure. Missing on the first attempt can be embarrassing and even physically…

Master Paul Hoppe has been a teacher and respected senior of mine since the late 1990s.  His flawless technique and effortless sparring skill cannot be mistaken for anything other than countless hours of practice and disciplined mental training.

Recently, he completed a 28-day Grindathon, during which he played poker, then recorded a Hand of the Day video and a video blog every day. He made $30,000 in profits and raised $3,000 for cancer and autism charities.

Although I know nothing about poker or Texas Holdem, I took away a tremendous amount of wisdom…

Most martial artists and non-martial artists understand that a black belt is something you “earn”, not just something you “get”.

But, please hear me out, I would like to take it a step further.  I like to think of a black belt as something in the present tense.

I like to think of a black belt as something that you “Be“.

Today, I’m going to be a black belt.  Tomorrow, I will be a black belt.

I call myself a black belt because I do the things that a black belt does. …

Grandmaster Kim said something to me several years ago that remained with me and has helped me avoid the injuries and nagging pain that plagued me during my blue belt and red belt years.

He said “Don’t just do Taekwon-Do“.

He also said, “if all you do is Taekwon-Do, your body starts to fall apart”.

Whew!

That’s a little rough, a little depressing!

I have to admit, I haven’t had nagging injuries thanks to Grandmaster Kim’s advice.

One of the fittest, healthiest, fastest and top practitioners at Master Kim’s school was a 56 year…

If you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll never get there.
- Yogi Berra

Dear Students,
First, thank you very much for the generous gifts. I was very surprised and happy to receive a gift I can enjoy with my family.

I have been thinking a great deal about the coming changes for Oneonta Taekwon-Do and wanted to share my goals with you.

As I started writing my goals, I prepared one of my Zig Ziglar Goal Worksheets which I wrote about in an article here.  There are a couple…

If you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll never get there.
- Yogi Berra

Theory, theory, theory. Blah, blah, blah.

Over the years I’ve read countless articles and books on personal development and the pursuit of goals.  Most of them were put down, tossed aside, <yawn>, NEXT!

A couple of years ago, I was in one of the worst financial struggles of my life and happened to borrow this video by Zig Ziglar on goals.  Before it was over, I had pen in hand, a half dozen of my goals written down, and…

Thanks and congratulations to everyone who tested.  It was great to close the year with a black belt interim test and a long overdue promotion for Cael McCabe.

I’ve posted the videos for each student in it’s own article:

Brian Davis 2nd Dan interim test

Finn Brown-Collins earns yellow belt

Jennifer Butler earns blue stripe

Terri Graig earns a blue belt

Cael McCabe earns his 2nd red stripe

It was great fun to finally do a flying side kick.  Thanks to Jennifer and Terri for their trust and thanks to Mr…