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!

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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.

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

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

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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!

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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

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

Black Belt Dan Gradings 2019

Please see below dates for Black Belt Dan Gradings during 2019 to be held at:

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

Sunday 9th June
Sunday 1st December

The Martial Art For Life News - 19/07/18

Summer schedule, school lunch, black belt promotions and more. Click here to read the latest newsletter

Black Belt Grading - June 2018

Sunday 10th June is the date for the next Regional Black Belt Grading for several Choi Kwang-Do schools across London. On this occasion we have Param Sandhu from Ealing CKD testing for 1st Degree Black Belt.

Several students have said they plan to attend to support the event and details are below:

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

10.00am start

UK 30th Anniversary Seminar

Wow...what a week!

Gradings, guest instructors, school owners meetings, black belt training, showcase of excellence, seminar, presentations and promotions, training, learning, meeting Choi Kwang-Do friends and family, old and new, from around the UK and beyond - this week had it all.

Updates in the form of pictures and videos are currently in full swing across across the usual social media channels, and we suspect that this will continue for the next several days as students and instructors return to their respective schools, countries and training routines.

If you were present for any part of the events and have pictures that you are happy to share, please forward them so we can collate a small album. We truly hope that you were inspired by witnessing Grandmaster Choi explain and demonstrate the martial art that we study and teach at Ealing Choi Kwang-Do.

If you weren't present then make the most of the flow of updates as they are the next best thing! Until we get round to sharing some of our favourites moments we'd suggest starting with the CKD London 2018 Facebook Group which you can view here.

Leadership & Black Belt Training - 04/05/18

Friday 4th May is the date of our next Leadership & Black Belt Training session. This is a monthly class where senior students, Junior Leaders and Instructors get to train with other students of similar rank and focus on black belt syllabus. I like to call it development and maintenance. I say this because ultimately, these sessions serve a dual purpose:

1. They develop senior students and help to prepare them for the black belt grading

2. They support existing black belt students in maintaining the black belt standard

Like every other skill this is an on going process and naturally, in the martial arts there is a general desire to progress and improve. However, as a coloured belt, the rate of progress feels relatively 'fast'
especially during the beginner level (White Belt to Gold Belt Senior). Nearly every new belt brings new techniques, new drills and new concepts.

Fast forward to black belt and that rate of progress seems to decrease. Gradings are less frequent but more importantly, and there are much fewer new techniques and drills - it's more about refinement and enhancement to existing skills rather learning completely new skills. As a resulthe level of skill acquisition is far more subtle.

This is why the forthcoming seminar UK 30th Anniversary Seminar is so important. I can assure you that you will learn numerous pieces of information to help you refine and enhance both your physical performance of the martial art, and also your general understanding of Choi Kwang-Do. Black belts will also have the opportunity train with Grandmaster Kwang Jo Choi in a separate session.

Further information including links for registration here 

Go directly to the seminar registration page

Get £10 off when you book your seminar and black belt training tickets at the same time - only £80.00 when you select Combo Ticket (normally £90).

__________
Jason Wright is 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

UK 30th Anniversary Seminar Registration Now Open

Tickets for the UK 30th anniversary seminar are now available. Don't miss your chance to learn from the founder of Choi Kwang-Do, Grandmaster Kwang Jo Choi. The seminar is open to all students and instructors and all ranks and ages. Plus, you can also be involved with the celebrations by taking part in the Showcase of Excellence. Blacks belts have a special training session planned also.

Read the full seminar update here 

6 Tips For Achieving Your Goals In 2018

The end (or start) of the year is an excellent time to stop, look back, and review what you’ve accomplished before looking ahead and considering what you are planning to achieve in the next 12 months.

Given that martial arts training is a long-term activity, it's a really worthwhile and productive exercise and we’ve discussed a simple, practical approach in the past, but if you haven’t yet decided to start thinking about your goals for 2018 and beyond, here are a few quick tips:


1. Know Your Goal 

Obviously, the first priority is have a very clear idea of what you want to achieve. Know and define your end goal. While an expected answer for a Choi Kwang-Do student goal might be “become black belt”, it could also be “achieve yellow belt senior within 6 months” or “find out what’s required to become an assistant instructor by the end of the year”.


2. Create An Action Plan 

This doesn’t need to be complicated:

• Regular class attendance (where you can be supported by instructors) 
• Regular practise at home (where you can refer to your syllabus guide) 

Your actions will logically be guided by your overall goal and if the above 2 steps are on your action plan there is a high chance you are moving in the right direction. Your goal will also help to rationalise your actions too. If you’re aiming to achieve yellow belt senior in 6 months, and you are questioning yourself on whether you should allocate 10 minutes a day to practising your pattern and speed drill, the best answer is "yes".

Remember: action creates results! 

3. Set Realistic, Short-Term Goals 

One of my tasks over the Christmas break is to prepare and publish the schedule of dates of coloured and black belt gradings for the coming year. From this, students should be able to schedule realistic, short-term goals complete with the dates by which they can work to achieve them. For reference:

- Coloured belt gradings are roughly every 2 months for students taking 2 classes per week, and every 4 months for students taking 1 class per week.

- Black belt tag gradings are every 3 months for 1st degrees, and every 6 months for 2nd degrees.

- Black belt dan gradings are every 6 months.

As you will know, a sustainable way to achieve long-term goals is by breaking them up into smaller, more achievable, short-term goals. Thereby creating numerous successes and helping yourself stay motivated.

4. Keep Track Of Your Progress 

Write down your short-term goals and their dates. A simple wall calendar can be useful for this and will inspire you in a number of ways. Firstly, the physical act of writing them in some way brings the goal 'alive', and using a calendar will provide a visual reminder. You'll see the dates approaching and be inspired to work harder towards achieving them. In addition, not only does ticking them off feel good, you can also look back to see your previous achievements and acknowledge how far you have come. 

5. Reward Yourself 

Like many other martial arts, Choi Kwang-Do is fortunate to have reward system in place: belts. These serve as an indication to both you and your fellow students your level of expertise and/or duration of time training. They are also great for motivation as they prove to you what you can do with a little planning, execution and focus.  

Once you have achieved one of your short-term goals (and definitely when you achieve a long-term goal), reward yourself! This is will mean different things to different people - a new purchase perhaps (book, music, clothing), a meal with friends, etc.

Marking your achievements with something else you enjoy will give you something to look forward to and help you stay consistent.  

6. Re-evaluate Your Progress 

Every month or so, re-evaluate your short-term goals to make sure that you are still on track. How are you getting on? Great, or not so good? Was your goal realistic? Do you need to invest more time? Is your action plan working but not as you had hoped? Take time to assess what you need to do differently and adjust your plan or expectations. Feedback from an instructor can prove useful 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 for children, teens and adults in Ealing, West London visit www.TheMartialArtForLife.com 

Leadership & Black Belt Training/Tag Grading - 08/12/17

Our final monthly class for the 2017 also includes our quarterly Black Belt Tag Grading. The grading list will follow by email.

7.00 - 8.00pm Children
8.00 - 9.00pm Adult Black Belt/AIs & HIs

Click here to pay Grading Fees online

After this grading there are only 2 regular classes left for 2017 at Ealing CKD - Monday 11th and Wednesday 13th so please ensure you are present to receive your results. The first class back in 2018 will be Monday 8th January.

Black Belt Grading - December 2017

The Regional Black Belt Grading takes place this Sunday 3rd December 2017. It's a big event taking place only twice a year and this time we have around 50 students from schools across London taking park. So we're really excited to have 13 students from Ealing CKD grading for 1st and 2nd degree black belt:

1st Degree
Umair Mahmood
Julien Lee Dubuisson
Daniel Barvarz
Marko Ivanovic
Lumumba Diessa
Farshid Khorsandi 

2nd Degree
Mr Hadi Khorsandi
Mr Kasra Taheri
Mr Edis Svraka
Mr Deni Svraka
Mr Raza Mahmood
Mr Chris Wilkie
Ms Smita Shah

Family and friends are encouraged to attend to support our students and instructors. The grading will be held Wembley CKD:

Barham Primary School
Danethorpe Road
Wembley
Middx. HA0 4RQ

10.00am 1st Degree Brown
12.30pm Brown Seniors

Leadership & Black Belt Training - November 2017

This month's session takes place on Friday 3rd November.

7.00 - 8.00pm Junior Leadership Team
8.00 - 9.00pm Assistant Instructors and Head Instructors followed by an instructors briefing

Don't forget the schedule of extra classes for Black Belts during November 2017. These have been planned to support the students and instructors preparing for the Regional Grading on 3rd December.