The Evolving Martial Artist focuses on the life enhancing aspects of training: a way to health, self-development and heightened awareness. Nevertheless, when push comes to shove, the Evolving Martial Artist is prepared. The bottom line: martial arts is about fighting.
Our friend Neil R. Hall, Author and Chief Instructor at the London Chinatown Tae Kwon Do School, recently used his martial art skills to deal with a man attacking a woman while riding a London train. In his blog he recounts his thought provoking tale.
First, Neil chose to be a Good Samaritan martial artist – might for right – instead of displaying the urban indifference or “let’s not get involved” attitude. The couple’s arguing intensified, and then the man began to strike the woman. Second, instead of indiscriminately unleashing his martial powers, he displayed a higher skill level: he consciously chose to restrain and not incapacitate, by utilizing a manipulation technique rather than injuring the violent man with a strike. This is control and moral conscience. And third, as a thoughtful teacher, Neil shares this encounter as a lesson to teach his students the difference between training and the real thing. For example, the difference between practicing in an open dojang, with mats and space, and the reality of fighting in close quarters. He also shows a concerned awareness on how other by standers may be affected by the confrontation.
Skillful. Mature. Moral. Yes, sounds like an Evolving Martial Artist.
A bow to you Neil.
Read the full story.
First Steps In Martial Arts by Neil R. Hall
Lawrence Tan
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Tags: evolving martial artist, lawrence tan, LCTKD, London Chinatown Taekwondo, Martial Arts, tae kwon do
Thank you, my friends. I’m completely humbled and indeed left speechless by your kind words. A bow from me to you.