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

Black Belt Dan Gradings 2020

Please see below dates for Black Belt Dan Gradings during 2020 to be held at:

Wembley CKD
Barham Primary School
Danethorpe Road
Wembley
Middx. HA0 4RQ

Sunday 7th June
Sunday 6th December

Leadership & Black Belt Training 2020

Please see below dates for Leadership & Black Belt Training and Black Belt Tag Gradings during 2020:

Friday 10th January
Friday 7th February
Friday 6th March – Black Belt Tag Grading
Friday 3rd April
Friday 1st May
Friday 5th June – Black Belt Tag Grading
Friday 3rd July
Friday 7th August
Friday 11th September – Black Belt Tag Grading
Friday 2nd October
Friday 6th November
Friday 27th November – Black Belt Tag Grading

A Quick Look Back At 2019

Do You Know The Rules?

All new students are sent a copy of the school rules and guidelines upon joining, and naturally this takes time to digest as they engage in learning how the school operates, alongside the various martial art techniques and drills.

A simple example is bowing – a polite greeting and sign of mutual respect between students and instructors. Or the use of the word Pil-Seung – the Choi Kwang-Do motto translating as Certain Victory. This has the multiple purpose of creating a positive mental attitude in our students, a positive atmosphere in our classes, and as a general salutation. How and when to use these is explained and practised in class, but will be completely new to the average student.

When we are unsure of how to act, we often look towards our peers or those we identify as our reference group to see how we should be acting, and conform accordingly. This is often referred to as social proof, and for a new student, the reference group will be other students and instructors.

The reference group’s behaviour is driven by positive beliefs and values (the Children's Promise, Adult Pledge and Principles of Choi Kwang-Do), and with time and nurturing we hope that new students adopt similar positive beliefs and values. In fact, studies in social influence show in many cases, people eventually acknowledge the reference group's beliefs and values as their own.

Why does this happen?

Whether the modification takes place consciously or unconsciously, people adjust their thoughts, beliefs and behaviour under such conditions because their conformity fulfils psychological needs such as belonging and esteem generating feelings of approval from the reference group.

Parents and students: to refresh yourselves, I suggest taking a few minutes to view the excellent video on the Rules for the Dojang by Miss Kirsty Dickson (Reflect CKD) here

__________
Jason Wright is a 6th Degree Black Belt and Master Instructor in the martial art Choi Kwang-Do. For further information on Choi Kwang-Do classes in Ealing, West London visit www.TheMartialArtForLife.com

Make Your Choi Kwang-Do Practise More Mindful

Grandmaster Choi recently gave a simple piece of advice to School Owners and instructors:

"Remember, it is important to practise slowly, regularly in a relaxed manner and with mindfulness".

Becoming more aware of what you are doing and how you are doing it can assist in creating a more engaging and enriching training experience – even aside the physical benefits. The problem is, this can be challenging for instructors and black belts due to experience; having performed so many blocks, punches, strikes and kicks over the years you can now perform the techniques and sequences automatically, without conscious thought.

Ironically, it takes another conscious action to break that automatic process – to pause and take note of what you are doing and how you are doing it. In the context of a physical activity, we could stop and reflect. This is an important exercise in its own right, eg. asking yourself questions such as, "what do I enjoy most about training CKD?" or "what aspect of my training do I want to focus on improving?" However, in our recent monthly Black Belt Training session at Ealing Choi KwangDo we sought to raise awareness during the activity.


3 Simple Steps

Firstly, before doing anything we agreed to reduce the speed and intensity of all drills throughout the class. Not drastically - just enough to ensure students can work at a consistent and moderately comfortable pace, while enabling them to think about what they were doing, while they are doing it.

Then we enhanced focus on the movements using the Three Ts:

1. Tool – which part of the body should be used for the techniques. Have you prepared this? Eg. For a punch, have you formed the fist correctly? Is your fist and/or arm in the correct position? 

2. Type of movement – consider how the body should prepare for the movement and the trajectory of the arm or leg. Eg. For an Inward Punch, have you extended the arm with the fist and elbow level and the knuckles horizontal? 

3. Target – where is the technique aimed towards or designed to make contact with? Eg. For a punch aimed at the head/face, which surface are you aiming for? 

Exhaling with each technique can also assist with deliberate performance.

I made up the Three Ts in the hope that it would provide students with something concise and catchy while capturing the overall theme in a simple way: to make the experience of Choi Kwang-Do practise more purposeful and keep our minds in the present moment. If you try them, let us know how you get on!

__________
Jason Wright is a 6th Degree Black Belt and Master Instructor in the martial art Choi Kwang-Do. For further information on Choi Kwang-Do classes in Ealing, West London visit www.TheMartialArtForLife.com/free-trial

The Martial Art For Life News - 08/09/19

A reminder of our new class times, and that instructors are students too! Click here to read the lastest newsletter

Ealing CKD Summer Schedule 2019

Summer is here which means a small amendment to our class schedule as we merge the 6.00pm and 7.00pm children's classes. This year the children's class will take place at 6.30pm. Full details and dates below:

6.30pm – 7.20pm Children’s Class
7.30pm – 8.45pm Teens & Adults

Monday 29th & Wednesday 31st July
Monday 5th & Wednesday 7th August
Monday 12th & Wednesday 14th August

After the class on Wednesday 14th August we have our summer break and return on Monday 2nd September.

The Martial Art For Life News - 04/07/19

Black belt promotions, school lunch, summer classes and a new arrival. Click here to read the latest newsletter

The Middle of the Road

We have a small group of students preparing to take black belt gradings this weekend. This made me think about an article I read recently over at Cartersville Martial Arts on character development and a martial arts student’s journey. 

The piece covers some personal perspectives from School Owner and Master Instructor Michael Wilson too. You can read the full article here

I particularly liked the section titled The Middle of the Road. Master Wilson uses this analogy to describe that point when a student is somewhere after the beginner stages of training, but before the advanced stage or having achieved black belt. 

Unsurprisingly, my instinctive thoughts were of the Choi Kwang-Do intermediate syllabus (orange belt to blue belt senior). It’s here where students generally understand the basics concepts of the techniques, drills and become ‘comfortable’ with the syllabus. Broadly speaking, things are ‘familiar’ (although some may misinterpret this as ‘easy’). It may even feel like there is not much happening, and that achieving black belt seems far away in the distance.

For some students there may have been an occasion when they didn’t feel like going to class, or that classes were boring…

(For this reason, it’s also here were instructors may invite students to be ‘stretched in a different dimension’ through leadership training or undertaking roles of responsibility within the school).

If this is you, it sounds like you’re in the middle of the road!

Try looking at it this way:

• That feeling of things being ‘easy’ is actually your growth in competence
• That feeling of things being ‘boring’ is actually your growth in confidence

With the above in mind, rather than thinking about what you do know, what do you not know (yet!) Look at what you do know. Who, what or how can you improve this? What can you do to move yourself to the next level of expertise?

Martial art training is a journey, and yes, at times maintaining your motivation can still be a challenge for some, but hopefully a simple reframing of the situation might help. Being in the middle of the road is great opportunity to work on your perseverance and unbreakable spirit. 

Read the full article here

__________

Jason Wright is a 6th Degree Black Belt and Master Instructor in the martial art Choi Kwang-Do. Why not start your martial arts journey with a free trial? Visit www.TheMartialArtForLife.com/free-trial

Black Belt Grading - June 2019

The Regional Black Belt Grading will be held on Sunday 9th June 2019.

We're sending best wishes to the following students from Ealing CKD:

Mr Jamie Liu - 2nd Degree
Mr Tony Nicholls - 2nd Degree
Mr Andrew Wood - 3rd Degree

Family, friends and fellow students are welcome to attend.

Wembley CKD
Barham Primary School
Danethorpe Road
Wembley
Middx. HA0 4RQ

10.00am start

Leading By Example

In our April leadership workshop we reviewed class procedures, general guidelines and our role in both adhering to them and helping others to do the same. We touched on a handful of subjects most easily summarised in the 3 points below:

(Side note: This was a session with our leadership team - junior leaders, assistant instructors and head instructors - and discussed from the perspective of undertaking leadership roles the class. In reality they may be useful for all students).


1. It Starts With Us

We all know the school rules – the official Choi Kwang-Do school guidelines are sent out in the welcome pack whenever a student enrols. However, as clear as they are, reading a list of instructions can be very different when compared to actually following them.

The bottom line is that it starts with us; leadership team members are expected to maintain the highest standards so their ki-hap must be louder, their movement to line up faster, their uniform standards higher, etc. etc. than everyone else.

We have to provide an example and collectively, guide and influence others to follow.


2. Take Pride In Your Position

Students know you are ‘special’ by the colour of your uniform, but we should also seek to display that difference in our character.

So take pride in your position! Show people that you are ‘special’ - not to be confused with showing people you feel superior – through the way you conduct yourself and your knowledge of the martial art, as well as your techniques.

It goes without saying that this should always be done with humility.

This doesn’t mean you know everything and never make mistakes. We're all human and sometimes forget things or get things wrong. Mistakes are a necessary part of the learning process, but you can still take pride in being curious and finding out the right answers or course of action.


3. Remember, Everything Counts

Whether we are aware of it or not, people pick up on the things we say and the actions we take (or don't take). Sometimes it's conscious, at other times it can be unconscious.

Many would say it’s more what you do, than what you say. Whatever you believe, what this simply means is that everything you say and do counts and perception, as they say, is ‘everything’. Ask yourself:

- Do my words and actions ‘match’?
- Am I trying to do the right thing and acting truthfully, both in public and in private?

Being consistent in our actions can help others to have confidence in our words and is an outward display of personal integrity. Just like martial arts skills this requires focus and practise; aim to keep you intentions in mind and persevere, using the feedback from instructors, fellow leadership team members, students and parents, as helpful reminders.

__________
Jason Wright is a 6th Degree Black Belt and Master Instructor in the martial art Choi Kwang-Do. For further information on Choi Kwang-Do classes in Ealing, West London visit www.TheMartialArtForLife.com

March 2nd 1987

March 2nd is World Choi Kwang-Do Day.

Grandmaster Kwang Jo Choi, the founder of CKD turned 77 years young (or old - it's matter of perspective...) If you attended any of the anniversary seminar events in June 2018 you'll have learnt that Grandmaster Choi is an innovator in the field of martial arts and has a career spanning 6 decades.

It was also the 32nd anniversary of CKD. It was on March 2nd in 1987 that Grandmaster Choi announced his new martial art - Choi Kwang-Do, which translates as "the art of Kwang Choi" - to the world. The result of several years of research to create a martial art based on modern science that is good for your health, and powerful, yet gentle on the human body. (Officially launching in the UK in 1988, it's actually the UK's 31st anniversary).

Thanks to the parents and siblings that joined us recently to mark the special occasion.

Some of our students may not have seen Grandmaster Choi perform so we also showed a few video clips at the end of the classes. As promised, to save you hours of searching through YouTube I've shared them here for your convenience (not the curriculum DVDs, however).


In this first one from the early 1990s, eagle-eyed black belts may notice early versions of our black belt patterns and speed drills.

See if you can spot any of our instructors from Ealing CKD in this next clip.

Lastly, a personal favourite (which I like so much I copied)

World Choi Kwang-Do Day 2019

 

Can you believe it? World Choi Kwang-Do Day is nearly upon us again!

Here's how we'll be celebrating at Ealing Choi Kwang-Do