Kuk Sool Update!

I've now been practising the traditional Korean Martial Art of Kuk Sool Won continuously now for over thirty years .

Last weekend I participated in a Masters' training session held in Norwich, with the Grandmasters two eldest son's.

I have to say it was one of the best sessions that I've had for many years and it gave me every reason to want to continue practising this wonderful martial art for several years to come.

Although our Association has been going through some major changes over the past couple of years, I felt re-assured that our art has not lost some of it's more traditional aspects, despite what some people might think.

As Master Alex Suh (the Grandmasters 2nd eldest son) suggested that just because we are more concerned with putting into place more of the safety aspects these days, the techniques that we do learn are still as effective, if executed to their full extent.

Admittedly the Kuk Sool style that I initially learnt at the very beginning is totally different to that which is practised today, I do however personally enjoy my training just as much as I ever did, if not even more.

As long as we still have 'true' Masters like Sung Jin Suh & Alex Suh teaching us, there's definitely no need to look elsewhere for any other martial art training - these guys' are the best of the best and certainly know their particular art inside out.



Kuk Sool!

Knee Injury

Last week I was demonstrating a specific martial art move to an Instructor when I suddenly twisted my knee joint, so much so that I heard something inside crack.

My first reaction was to fall to the ground in pain. Afterwards I then massaged and stretched the knee joint and tried to assess the damage that had been caused.

In the past I've had suffered cruciate ligament problems that have taken approximately two years to completely heal, so I actually feared the worst that the same might have happened again.

The next morning my knee was very stiff, sore and painful but I was still able to walk, which was very good sign.

Slowly over the next couple of days, the stiffness wore off and the pain subsided - Thankfully the damage was not as great as I'd first expected.

This time I had been very lucky and my injury caused only minimal disruption to my training. However my sympathies go out to anyone who is suffering with a similar knee problem at the present time.

I know that is nothing more frustrating than an athlete or sports-person that can't train because of a specific knee problem. For those people in this situation you'll know exactly what I'm talking about.

So anyone reading this post suffering with a knee injury - I wish you well and a very speedy recovery.

Word Of The Moment ~ Passion

Passion - Isn't that just a fantastic word...... It's a word that I've been thinking about a lot just lately.

Below is a definition of the word taken from Wikipedia, which kind-a sums it all up really.

Passion can be expressed as a feeling of unusual excitement, enthusiasm or compelling emotion towards a subject, idea, person, or object. A person is said to have a passion for something when they have a strong positive affinity for it. A love for something and a passion for something are very similar feelings.

I've recently asked myself the following questions concerning my own passion;

• Do I still have a passion to want to live an inspired life
• Does passion still exist in my own personal relationships
• Am I passionate about helping other people

The answer to all three questions is of course............YES

So let me ask you .......what puts a smile on your face, what is it that you're willing to do absolutely free of charge, what can't you stop talking about, what sparks your creativity? These are all very good questions aren't they.

A recent survey suggest that maybe 75 % of people do not know what there true passion is .... do you?

So I want to know - what keeps you up late at night or gets you out of bed early in the morning? Don't be shy - reply to this post and let me know 'what floats your boat.' Sorry to be inquisitive but I'm interested in 'You'.

So as far as today is concerned - As Tony Robbins would say ~ Live With Passion

Coincidentally - look at the time of this posting, does that give you an indication about what I'm passionate about doing!

Peace & Quiet

Every so often I do yearn for some peace and quiet, space away from everyone! Don't get me wrong I love people, but sometimes I just need solitude.

Last week my wife Ali and I went back to the Peak District in Derbyshire. We stayed at the same location as we did last year, Blakelow Cottages, near Matlock.

While my wife was just chilling out in the Cottage, I ventured off and did some hill walking alone in the countryside. I must have walked miles without seeing another person.

For me just spending time alone allows me to relax and just think. After a short while I then seem to find a higher level of inspiration, it's no wonder that many artist's, poets and song writers have felt inspired by this type of environment also.

Anyway after spending four days wandering in hills, I've just returned home to 'flat' Suffolk.

I have to say that I'm feeling really relaxed, re-invigorated and once again ready to face the big wide-world.

Meditation

I've recently started to meditate again.

I'm pleased to say that I'm able to start my day with a minimum of twenty minutes meditation / concentration every morning.

I do rise a little earlier than the rest of the family to find a quiet location within my house where I'm able to position myself undisturbed from any distractions.

Sitting cross-legged on a couple of cushions, I generally close my eyes and quietly focus on my breathing. During this peaceful period I try to clear my mind of any unwanted thoughts, just bringing my attention back to my breath if my mind wanders off, which it often does quite frequently.

I do not consider myself an expert quite yet, however I believe that I understand enough of the basics of meditation to gain benefit from the practice.

Currently I'm reading a good book about meditation, written by Jack Kornfield called 'A Path With Heart'. The book describes both the fundamental principles of meditation as well as some of the more advance methods of practice.

Like anything else, I believe you can't always learn from just reading a book and the help of a good teacher is always required. Therefore I'm on the look-out for a good Meditation Teacher.

But as the saying goes "when the student is ready the Teacher will appear." Until then I'll keep sitting in silence every morning.

I shall be returning to this subject with some additional posts in the future letting you know how it's all progressing.