In-Person Classes Have Resumed!

I am sure this has happened to us all at some point: you've made a search online, found some promising results and clicked the link to one of the websites. The website opens and after a quick scan around at the information and images, you click on the News or Blog link, eager to find out what the service or business has been up to recently, only to find the last update was several months ago... 

"Has the business closed", you wonder. "Or have they just not got round to posted anything recently?!"

In our case it's the latter, but I'm pleased to confirm that our in-person martial arts classes have literally just restarted. A combination of lockdowns and searching for a new venue means this has been a 20 month break! (In fact, this is not strictly true; we've had a small group training and grading online since April 2020). 

In the interests of protecting each other we are operating with some restrictions (see further below) but our classes are now held at the following location, conveniently located between Ealing Broadway and Ealing Common:

St Matthew's Church Hall

North Common Road

Ealing

London W5 2QA

Google Maps link 

Look out for the gate on the left side of the church. Follow the path to the hall at the rear to your left.

Some points for returning students and those interested in discovering Choi Kwang-Do for the first time:

- Currently, classes are observing social distancing and will not include any partner or equipment work, unless training in a family group. 

- We would ask that students arrive dressed for class, as much as possible. Toilets are available and a separate kitchen area for changing, if needed.

- Doors will be open for ventilation, so you may wish to wear a t-shirt or extra layer under your uniform top. 

- No spectators; we're asking parents of regular students to drop and collect their child. Parents are welcome to observe if bringing a child for a free trial lesson. 

Get in touch today if you would like more information on the new classes or interesting in booking a free trial.

CKD Online Seminar & Workshop with Grandmaster Choi

As part of OUR World Choi Kwang-Do celebrations in 2021, we have the opportunity to make history and train online - for the first time ever - with Grandmaster Choi and our fellow instructors and students from around the world. Please join us on Saturday, March 27th, 2021 at 7.00pm GMT for the historical event. The event is from 7.00 - 9.00pm for all students and then from 9.00-10.00pm for Black Belts only.

Registration is simple - just go to www.ckdworldday.com. There you can register attendance and receive the private Zoom link. The cost is only $30.00 and is completed through PayPal (you can check out as a guest).

We have an opportunity to make history (again). We look forward to seeing you online at the event!

*This event is open to existing CKD students and instructors only*

World Choi Kwang-Do Day 2021

March 2nd marks two significant events in the Choi Kwang-Do calendar:

1. Grandmaster Kwang Jo Choi, the founder of Choi Kwang-Do, turns 79 years old.

2. It's the 34th anniversary of Choi Kwang-Do.

Officially announced on March 2nd 1987, Choi Kwang-Do is product of Grandmaster Choi's martial arts experience and training coupled with modern science to create a system that is good for your health, powerful and practical, yet gentle on the human body. 

Choi Kwang-Do, translates as "the art of Kwang Choi". 

If you're not familiar with the history of CKD, the best summary is the 5 minute video below. Our students may recall that we showed this in class on World CKD Day 2020 (one of our last 'in person' classes as we've been online only since then) but for convenience, we've included it below for those either missed it, have joined us since then, or existing students who would like a refresher. 

Enjoy...and keep training.

Getting Started With Virtual Training

Is virtual martial arts training an exact replacement for 'face to face' classes? Of course not...but they have grown in popularity given the current pandemic, and with an understanding of the limitations - physical interaction and impact training being the most obvious - virtual training can provide a convenient and productive alternative.

Whether attending a live, online class led by an instructor, training with pre-recorded videos, or submitting videos for feedback from your instructor, consider virtual training as an innovative way to develop new skills and maintain a health routine from your home...or anywhere you have an internet connection!


How Does It Work?

If you've been wondering how virtual martial arts training works, the following shortlist of tips and advice may prove helpful:

• You do not need a large training space. Most activities can be conducted in a 1m x 2m space, or modified that they can be performed in a smaller space if that is all you have available.

• Our online martial arts classes are delivered via the Zoom video conferencing application. If using a desktop or laptop you can use Zoom via your web browser without installing any software or creating an account. If using a tablet or mobile phone you will need to install the app from your devices app store and an account is required.

• Aim to connect to an online class a few minutes before the scheduled start time. This will ensure you have time to resolve any technical issues that may arise when connecting. You can also join the class directly from the Online Classes page in our members area.

• Microphones are kept muted during classes aside from (1) right at the beginning so students can be greeted and recite the promise, principles and pledge, and (2) at the end so students can close the class together, say goodbyes and the instructor can answer any final questions. 

• Live instruction, demonstrations and feedback are provided during the class to ensure students are training correctly (just like a 'normal' class, just through your device!) However, as microphones are muted, if you have a question it's best to wave to indicate this and your microphone can be unmuted and any queries addressed.

• We ask that a parent of any children attending the online class remain close by to help children stay focused and fully participate. Alternatively, they can always join in with them!

• Online gradings create motivation by defining learning objectives along with target dates for assessment. For example, our students recently submitted videos for written feedback on their progress in advance of an upcoming grading.

• If training with pre-recorded videos, obviously live feedback is not possible but does offer more flexibility in that you are not tied to a specific class time. Just watch the video and train! These can be found in the Video Training section of our members area and a new 30 minute video class is currently released each week.

Lastly, don't forget: technology can enhance our lives greatly, but just like 'face-to-face' classes, there's no escaping the fact that online martial arts training still requires a commitment to regular practise. So however you are currently training...keep practising!

__________
Jason Wright is a 6th Degree Black Belt and Master Instructor at Ealing Choi Kwang-Do. Classes are temporarily suspended and virtual training is available instead. For more information please visit www.TheMartialArtForLife.com/virtual-training

The Martial Art For Life News - 06/05/20

Video training and online classes are now available
Click here for the latest newsletter

Online & Video Classes - Coming Soon!

Ealing Choi Kwang-Do is currently closed until further notice due to the coronavirus outbreak.

One month ago, if someone had suggested to me that we could offer classes remotely online, I admit I would have had some doubts...but that was one month ago...

Different situations require different solutions, and while I acknowledge that change can be unsettling, if there is something that humans are generally good at doing, it's adapting.

So you'll be pleased to learn that we will soon have online classes up and running. Full details - once finalised - will be sent out by email. So watch this space, and in the meantime, stay safe.

The Martial Art For Life News - 15/02/20

World CKD Day, syllabus updates and Coloured Belt Grading dates. Click here to read the latest newsletter