Families Grow Stronger at Martial Arts Brisbane

One of our Core Values at Factor10 is "Family and Belonging is Everything" and this is also a very strong principle of the Martial Arts generally.  The concept of family is at the core of the all we do in Martial Arts because first and foremost the study of this modern and ancient art is about the person, their personal development and the development of excellence in a close nit community or family.  It is understood in Martial Arts that unless one pursues this Martial excellence in the family environment it will be doomed to failure, for being part of the family martial system is what nurtures this to fruition.

The secular age old concept of family is about being from the same kinship as another person, and this is where the concept of family becomes so uniquely evident in Martial Arts than in any other sport. Indeed at Factor10 our kinship is clearly evident as our roots date back a long way, far beyond the time when Master Damien O'Flaherty started his first club to train members of the public in Innisfail in Far North Queensland in 1989.  Whilst this is a very important part of our origins as a Martial Art family, our traditional roots date back to the traditional school or family of Taekwondo Jidokwan and Hapkido Hoohakkwan through our Grand Master Sung Soo Lee.  This line of family heritage dates back to the 1940′s in Seoul Korea where these schools of Taekwondo and Hapkido have their humble beginnings.

So what is family all about in the Martial Arts.  Well, it's about a sense of belonging.  Knowing that mums and dads entrust their children to learn Taekwondo or Hapkido at this Martial Arts Brisbane based school says it all.  Parents know that their children will be cared for as they themselves would care for their children.  We care for children as parents do, because when people join Factor10 they become part of our traditional family.  The kinship is strong – as it should be at a Martial Arts school – because when someone becomes part of the Factor10 family we presume they will be part of the family for the rest of their life.  Another of our Core Values is "Martial Arts is a life journey" and so with this in mind in everything we do, we seek to develop the whole person, physically, socially emotionally and academically, as any responsible family would do.

In a great, family focussed, healthy Martial Arts environment we see things start to emerge that happen in any normal extended family.  There is a healthy mix of boys and girls, men and women, and people of all ages.  We see this evident at Factor10, just as we see family members training together.  At great Martial Arts schools it's not uncommon to see father and son training together, or mother and daughter doing the same.  Families come together on two levels – the concept of family is experienced from a martial arts point of view where people belong to the broader Martial Arts family and also train within their paternal group – it's exciting.  Families come together at Factor10 Martial Arts to experience success through excellence, develop leadership skills, improve focus and concentration, and above all just have fun being together.  After all, isn't that what families should do?

In our next blogg we'll be investigating the relationship between parents and children and looking at how the Martial Arts helps us to get the most out of paternal relationships.

 

About the Author

Factor10  Taekwondo Brisbane, Australia, is not only a family-friendly but also is a family. The children that start as young as 4 years of age at the school continues till they are adults not just because they receive excellent self defence training, improve their confidence and discipline but also since the environment is safe and caring like a family. Marcum Doughton is a staff writer at Factor10. If you want help improve your child's life, visit http://www.taekwondo-hapkido.com/

 

Focus at Martial Arts Brisbane Academy:

The word "Focus" is often used in the Martial Arts to describe a more "mystical" dimension as we saw in the Karate Kid movie and in David Carradine's Kung Fu movies set in the 70′s.  "Focus

Grasshopper" the Master would insist as young Carradine explored the multi faceted dimensions of the ancient Chinese art.  Set in the scenes of mountainous terrain where this young devotee sought to reach the enlightened state that the Martial Arts can deliver, his Master's theme for training was often targetted at his apprentice learning how his body alone could not deliver excellence in his Martial Arts training and that his mind needed to be engaged in every physical endeavour.

One of the highest subscribed Martial Arts Brisbane academies, Factor10 Martial Arts, seeks to explore this ancient practice on a daily basis with the young practitioners of the Korean arts of Taekwondo and Hapkido.  Master Damien O'Flaherty and Grand Master Sung Soo Lee believe that the essence of greatness in Martial Arts practice is found in the mind.  The mind's ability to take the body where it has never been before has never been fully understood, other than to say that Martial Artists of their calibre know this to be the case.  This Master's and Grand Master's training and technical excellence are testimount to this.  The basis for this understanding is not a scientific one – its purely based on practice .. experience ..    the Martial Art way.

When talking about the power of the mind we speak of "focus" in the Martial Arts and how when practicing to focus on an activity or a thought we can gain greater insights and develop improved physical reactions, coordination and overall excellence in techniques and moves.  What then is the difference between "focus" and concentration?  After all, are we not just using a fancy Martial Arts word that brings with it some mystical connotations for the sake of it?  Are we not just using words for the sake of words?  Then why not use the word concentration and why don't our Masters and Grand Masters of the Martial Arts just do the same?

Where "concentration" is about thought alone, "focus" is about a bringing together of the mind and body in a coordinated, kind of choreographed way.  Simply speaking, the mind becomes the conductor of the orchestra with the body being the orchestra itself.  The conductor, or mind, interprets otherwise meaningless movements and brings them together as they were intended, with the correct rhythm, tempo and tenacity as required.  As the mind seeks higher level of interpretations of the Martial movements and techniques, whether it be though the combinations, purpose, variations in execution and so on, the Martial Arts practitioner reaches what we call the more "enlightened" state.  Enlihghtened in sofar as those movements and techniques are concerned.

It is though Martial Arts "Focus" that the practitioner can develop in ways personally that they would never have otherwise developed had they not trained in a Martial Arts Brisbane based school like Factor10.  The Master system is so developed at Factor10 that the students and members can explore the higher level understanding that sharp and attuned focus in training brings.  Children at the age of 6 will develop academically, physically and socially in ways that no other sports can deliver, simply becaue the way of the Martial Arts through "focus" is not practiced elsewhere.  Likewise teenagers and Adults will do the same.

At Factor10 Master O'Flaherty commented recently that a parent spoke to him saying the Year 1 teachers at a school reported that their son, a Little Legends member, had improved in his concentration overall, and that his balance in Physical Education classes and also his reading had improved.  "Why is that?", Master O said, "Is it concentration?  We'll let the teachers think that … but we know it's Focus – the age old practice of bringing mind and body together".

As we train our mind to behave a certain way, we achieve synergies not understood by those outside the Martial Arts.  While practicing focus in martial arts moves, developing and exploring physical moves and applying them in higher order circumstances and environments, our mind learns to be able to apply this same type of thinking in all of life's endeavours.  We learn to aspire to the notion of excellence and perfection in other areas as we do in our traditional training.  We learn to persevere in order to achieve success.  Children, Teenagers and Adults find that other aspects of their lives become more meaningful and fruitful, delivering more feelings of satisfaction with daily routines and life challenges.

So … "Focus Grasshopper"

 

About the Author

Factor10  Taekwondo Brisbane, Australia, is not only a family-friendly but also is a family. The children that start as young as 4 years of age at the school continues till they are adults not just because they receive excellent self defence training, improve their confidence and discipline but also since the environment is safe and caring like a family. Marcum Doughton is a staff writer at Factor10. If you want help improve your child's life, visit http://www.taekwondo-hapkido.com/

 

Taekwondo Training Brisbane – Hanmadang a Hit

The Factor10 "Hanmadang" technical tournament is scheduled for Saturday 18 June and promises to be an exciting step in the Martial Arts journey of every Factor10 member. For anyone doing Taekwondo training Brisbane Martial Arts clubs have welcomed with open arms the Factor10 Hanmadang.

 

Just as gradings in Taekwondo and Hapkido are an essential part of the development of all Martial Artists, a technical tournament provides a second to none experience in developing, enhancing and honing the critical life skills of concentration and perseverance.  The Hanmadang technical events are especially designed to develop skills across the four black belt qualities of speed, power, intensity and balance.

 

Likewise, for anyone doing Hapkido training Brisbane clubs have been participating since the inaugural Hanmadang back in 2005 and coming back every year to be involved

The name Taekwondo is translated as meaning "the way of the foot and fist" (tae, "foot"; kwon, "fist"; do, "way"). Taekwondo is a Korean Martial Art which has an interesting history spanning about four thousand years.

 

Taekwondo has been practiced as a Martial Art and as a sport since its beginning. Apart from improving one's physical fitness and health, it aims to achieve self-confidence, respect and inner peace.

 

In its earlier form, Taekwondo was probably practiced to ensure protection from wild animals. Since these attacks could have come from any direction, a system of self defence movements was developed to allow one to spontaneously defend.

Taekwondo has been practiced as a Martial Art and as a sport since its beginning. Apart from improving one's physical fitness and health, it aims to achieve self-confidence, respect and inner peace.

In its earlier form, Taekwondo was probably practiced to ensure protection from wild animals. Since these attacks could have come from any direction, a system of self defence movements was developed to allow one to spontaneously defend.

The Factor10 "Hanmadang" technical tournament is scheduled for Saturday 18 June and promises to be an exciting step in the Martial Arts journey of every Factor10 member. For anyone doing Taekwondo training Brisbane Martial Arts clubs have welcomed with open arms the Factor10 Hanmadang.

 

Just as gradings in Taekwondo and Hapkido are an essential part of the development of all Martial Artists, a technical tournament provides a second to none experience in developing, enhancing and honing the critical life skills of concentration and perseverance.  The Hanmadang technical events are especially designed to develop skills across the four black belt qualities of speed, power, intensity and balance.

 

About the Author

Factor10 Brisbane hapkido, Australia, is not only a family-friendly but also is a family. The children that start as young as 4 years of age at the school continues till they are adults not just because they receive excellent self defence training, improve their confidence and discipline but also since the environment is safe and caring like a family. Marcum Doughton is a staff writer at Factor10. If you want help improve your child's life, visit http://www.taekwondo-hapkido.com/

 

Hapkido Brisbane Shrouded in Secrecy

Hapkido's development through the years is, unfortunately, uncronicled due to the shroud of secrecy placed on it in order for Korean Martial Arts to survive the years of foreign army occupation.

 

It was only after World War II that Hapkido instruction became available to the person in the street. Until that time, only selected Buddhist Monks and members of nobility were allowed to learn its powerful techniques.

 

Hapkido is a combination of three characters – "Hap" meaning harmony or combination, "Ki" meaning power (internal energy of the body) and "Do" meaning the way. In short, Hapkido means the art of power coordination. This coordination of power is shown in two ways – first and most important is the harmony between mind and body.

 

The second concept of harmony deals with the coordination of an attack or defence. A person might know how to save him or herself from a knife attack, but if that person allows too much fear to affect the physical movement in such a way that the person becomes clumsy, hurried, or even worse, frozen, then all the knowledge gained is in vain.

 

Hapkido uses kicking, punching, throwing, falling, joint locking, pressure point attacking and many hand-held weapons, such as the knife, sword, walking cane, fan and long and short sticks to name a few.

 

Hapkido training at Factor10 Martial Arts provides another extraordinary opportunity for members to participate in an authentic traditional Martial Art.

 

These movements became utilised into a complex system of blocks, kicks and punches that is the ancestor of today's modern Taekwondo.

 

Advanced training and coaching methods, along with world class Olympic standard facilities such as those found at Factor10™ Martial Arts ensures Taekwondo athletes realise their full potential.

 

Access to Queensland's first full time Taekwondo facility 6 days a week provides a "second to none" opportunity for Factor10™ members.

Hapkido training at Factor10 Martial Arts provides another extraordinary opportunity for members to participate in an authentic traditional Martial Art.

 

These movements became utilised into a complex system of blocks, kicks and punches that is the ancestor of today's modern Taekwondo.

 

Advanced training and coaching methods, along with world class Olympic standard facilities such as those found at Factor10™ Martial Arts ensures Taekwondo athletes realise their full potential.

 

Access to Queensland's first full time Taekwondo facility 6 days a week provides a "second to none" opportunity for Factor10™ members.

 

 

About the Author

Factor10  Taekwondo Brisbane, Australia, is not only a family-friendly but also is a family. The children that start as young as 4 years of age at the school continues till they are adults not just because they receive excellent self defence training, improve their confidence and discipline but also since the environment is safe and caring like a family. Marcum Doughton is a staff writer at Factor10. If you want help improve your child's life, visit http://www.taekwondo-hapkido.com/

 

Martial v's Arts The Brisbane Martial Arts

As a popular Brisbane Martial Arts Academy we are often asked about the difference between the many Martial Arts that are out there and what the words "Martial Arts" actually mean.

At Factor10 we have already developed a fantastic guide for families and friends interested in finding out what the difference is between the many martial arts and how to choose the right one for you. In this blogg we'll take a look at what these two words "Martial" and "Arts" mean in relation to each other. We"ll particularly take some interest in looking at the day to day practical training implications of this.

So where do we begin. Well, let's take a look at what Wikipedia says Martial Arts is:

"Martial Arts (Literally meaning arts of war but usually referred to as fighting arts) are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat.

So clearly Wikipedia see the Martial Arts as an organised traditional activity involving some form of fighting. The word "Martial" means "relating to or suitable for war" according to the Webster dictionary. Webster also defines the word "Art" as "an occupation requiring knowledge or skill" and "the quality or state of being artful".

Putting "Arts" with the word "Martial" tells us that the Martial Arts are about systems of fighting that involves an expended period of learning during which we acquire knowledge and skills. Quite simply we can describe the "skills" of the Martial Arts as the actual technical movements learned to progress a trainee in the Martial Arts from one level of competency to the next, or as is commonly done today in the modern Martial Arts, from one belt level to the next.

For people who enjoy the hands on side of the Martial Arts, that is the practical hand to hand combat skills of the Martial Arts Brisbane people can go no further than Factor10 Martial Arts to develop these skills. With a specialisiation in the Korean Martial Arts of both Taekwondo and Hapkido members learn the unique traditional and very practical combat strengths of of each of these Martial Arts. The hand to hand combat described here is not what driuves all people to learn the Martial Arts.

So what else is it then that captures the attention of so many people world wide, and in particular the many followers of Martial Arts Brisbane wide in attending Factor10 classes. Well, the answer seems to lie in the "Art" of the Martial Arts.

The "Art" form of the Martial Arts is enjoyed by so many people. In fact, it is often said that more people enjoy the "Art" of the Martial Arts than the "Martial" aspects that are learned. This is largely due to the fact that most personality types are more passive and non confrinting by nature. Most people love the idea of being able to study combat arts and sports without necessarily applying them in real life situations. We know at Factor10 Martial Arts that these people develop extraordinary skills and knowledge through focussing on the art form of the Martial Arts and in fact are often seen to develop better hands on practical martial and combat skills than those whose original purpose and intent is purely for fighting, whether this be for sport or for practical self defence resons.

The reason for this is that the traditional Martial Arts were designed to accomodate both "Martial" and "Art" aspects for the aspiring bl;ack belter to develop in a whiolistic way. Martial Arts Brisbane schools like Factor10 recognise this fully, and the programs of training reflect this.

So how does it happen? Simply put, training is carefuly designed to ensure a complete and wholistic approach to learning the traditional Martial Arts. The classes cover both "Martial" and "Arts" aspects of Taekwondo and Hapkido. A good example of this is when we learn as a beginning white belter to stand in a traditional Horse Riding stance or "Jochum Seogi". We learn this stance as part of our stand

terminology and we practice the stance while performing single, double and triple punches to the front. This stance is rarely if ever used when executing punches in a real life self defence situation, in combat, and likewise the punching would not be executed in the way we do it when in this stance with the punching or other arm returning to the hip and belt position. So why do we do it this way? The answer is that when doing it this way we are practicing the "Art" not the "Martial" aspects of the traditional system. The art or way that is being developed for the student includes the balance, focus, timing, coordination, extension, strength and muscular endurance. There are many other personal and "Art" aspects being developed as well including patience, perseverance, listening, concentration and so on.

And how do these two aspect of Martial and Art come together to form the "oneness" or unified Martial Art. It's probably obvious to most people that in order to be able to execute techniques in a timely, focussed and accurate way in a combat situation the Martial Artist needs to have developed all the traits listed in the example above. That is, they need to be able to have developed the balance, timing and concentration skills, to name just a few, in order to be able to execute the "Martial" aspects of Taekwondo and Hapkido.

In Taekwondo training Brisbane members at Factor10 Martial Arts are taught to understand the unique relationship between the "Martial" and "Arts" elements of the traditional Korean martial arts. It's through this clear understanding that our members train in the true tradition that our Grand Master Sung Soo Lee 9th Dan and Master Damien O'Flaherty 6th Dan have brought to them in order to strive for life long excellence in the Martial Arts.

 

About the Author

Factor10  Taekwondo Brisbane, Australia, is not only a family-friendly but also is a family. The children that start as young as 4 years of age at the school continues till they are adults not just because they receive excellent self defence training, improve their confidence and discipline but also since the environment is safe and caring like a family. Marcum Doughton is a staff writer at Factor10. If you want help improve your child's life, visit http://www.taekwondo-hapkido.com/