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.

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

Combat The Real Dangers In Life With Martial Arts

If you’ve been thinking about taking up Choi Kwang-Do (or one of the many different martial arts that exist) you may be initially drawn to developing self-defence skills. After all, personal safety is important. Ironically, most martial artists have no desire to use their combat skills in real life. It can be reassuring to know that if the need arises you have some sort of strategy to fall back on, but how often will that occur for the average person?

As Grandmaster Kwang Jo Choi (the founder of Choi Kwang-Do) says, “You may go through your entire life without ever having to use your self-defence skills, but good health is important to everyone, all the time”.

The thing is, there are other dangers that we face in life and it is important that we give ourselves the best chance of warding off these dangers. Consider these conditions and illnesses:

• Stress
• Heart disease
• Depression
• Asthma
• Bone and joint conditions
• Obesity

These are all serious conditions that can negatively impact on a person and their families. So, finding ways to combat these conditions is crucial in leading a happy, healthy and productive life, in the best way that we can. This is why adding a martial arts class to your weekly schedule makes sense because it doesn’t just provide you with self-defence skills; it will provide you with health benefits and positive social setting that will go a long way to boosting your overall physical and mental health.


Feel Fit & Focused 

With martial arts, you will receive a total body experience with every muscle group in your body being used. This can help to improve your stamina levels, co-ordination and muscle tone while improving your flexibility. You should also find that your energy levels are positively impacted, helping you to feel more energised and focused.

This in turn can enhance your self-esteem. If you want to feel more confident or comfortable with yourself, a martial arts class can provide the fitness and psychological benefits you may need.


Beat That Stress!

If you are the sort of person that constantly feels under stress and pressure, always in a rush with no time, then it’s important to find an outlet for these emotions, plus some time for you. Allowing stress to build up is dangerous and you need to find a safe place to release these tensions. This is why martial arts can have a great impact on your life because it provides you the opportunity to punch, kick and shout your way through class drill, yet in a structured and controlled environment.

Add in the fact that martial arts students maintain a sense of fellowship – particularly so with a non-competitive style like Choi Kwang-Do, and you should find that your troubles and stress will feel less important. They will still be there...you’ll just be better equipped to handle them!

Whether you want to lose weight, be more active, meet new people in a shared social environment or just feel more confident in life, martial arts classes can help. Focusing on the self-defence and combat element of the discipline can be a great motivation to start for some, but over time, the wider benefits of studying martial arts can help you to develop and grow in many areas of life.

Do you want to find out more about our Choi Kwang-Do martial art classes in Ealing? Interested in taking a free trial but not sure where to start? Contact us via our website so we can explain the process and put your mind at ease. 

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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 for children, teens and adults in Ealing, West London visit www.TheMartialArtForLife.com

Build A Better You With Martial Arts

There are many great reasons for adults to start learning martial arts, but it does take some time to develop the discipline of sticking to the schedule, regular practise and putting in the effort that is required to hone your skills and get the most from the training.

If you’re an adult who has already taken the first step of booking and attending your first martial arts lesson, congratulations! You’ve already achieved something that many others are still thinking about.

Give yourself a pat on the back and attend your next lesson as soon as possible.

Why is this important?


Don’t Let Fear Stop You Before You Start

While there are many reasons to start martial arts, but reasons can also arise that cause adults to stop before they really get started (we’re excluding all of the legitimate reasons such as work/home schedule, health, moving away, finances etc.)

One reason may be given, but the real reason may also be plain old fear:

• Can I do this?
• Will I be any good?
• Will I look silly?

(For the record, children generally do not analyse their participation in martial arts in this way).

When you take steps to better yourself and gain new skills in a new environment you naturally run some risk of the points above, and these are situations that most adults would rather avoid. So your best option here is not to hesitate; if you enjoyed your first martial arts lesson, ride the wave of enthusiasm and schedule your next lesson right away.

Embrace The Challenge

The thing about martial arts is that they can actually help you overcome these fears and issues. There is often a focus on the physical benefits and the self-defence attributes, but there are many positive psychological benefits too. For example, Choi Kwang-Do martial arts classes are an excellent way for adults to feel fitter, stronger and more confident.

• You can engage in exciting martial art workouts that will stimulate your brain through co-ordinated movements, and challenge your body to improve your mental and physical fitness.

• You can set short, medium and long term training goals and feel a sense of achievement when you accomplish them.

• You will learn scientifically designed techniques that are gentle on your joints but will enable you to produce explosive striking power for self-defence.

• You can train and socialise with a group of like-minded people to provide you with a feeling of purpose.

• You can develop new self-defence skills in a structured, non-competitive environment to build your confidence and self-esteem.

Let Us Support You

We’re fully aware that the martial arts class environment can be strange if it’s completely new to you – odd phrases and chants, oriental customs etc. So our friendly team of Choi Kwang-Do instructors will help you feel welcome and support you in each class as you learn valuable new skills. In addition, Choi Kwang-Do’s non-competitive training philosophy means that everyone – students and instructors -  are supportive of each other’s development in class.

The only way that people grow and develop is by taking on challenges and aiming to get better in life. Yes, there will be days when the thought of attending class or practising at home after a stressful day at work isn’t very appealing, but the discipline involved with martial arts can help you realise that you have to put effort in, in order to get the benefits out and begin building a better you. Similarly, there will always be reasons to stop or hesitate doing something that challenges you, but when you succeed at something that challenges you, you can find many more motivating reasons to keep going…and it all starts with taking that first step.


Take the first step to building a better you with a 3 month trial membership for only £99

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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