Dan Shi Martial Arts Club

Advancement

By Eric Willeke
2003

I believe I am in a somewhat unusual position in my development as a martial artist. In the two years I've been working towards black belt, I've trained under three different instructors, each with a distinct style, and I've also been pushed into a role as instructor myself. This history has drastically affected my development in ways that are both beneficial and detrimental. I've experienced the joys of watching my own students succeed before I even have the chance to experience many of my own successes.

I began my martial arts career under Grandmaster Park, training there for three ranks before departing with my future wife to help her found her dream. While starting a club with a few students, I continued my personal training almost exclusively one-on-one with Marian for another 6-8 months, earning my blue belt. At this time we both desired other students to train with, causing us to sample a karate school before eventually joining Master Crays at Indiana Taekwondo Academy. At this point I was able to dedicate sessions solely to my personal training without the distraction caused by having my students training around me. I currently continue training with both Dan Shi and ITA with the support of both instructors.

The variety of environments has greatly enhanced my understanding of martial arts, and what it means to be a student. All three schools have great respect for tradition but each emphasizes different aspects of the art. Grandmaster Park's school was incredible focused on exactness of technique, sparring tactics, and classroom discipline. Marian's focus continues to be providing the students the self-development opportunity martial arts provides by developing the student's focus, self-discipline, and confidence. I've learned firsthand that these mental attributes mean more to being a martial artist than any physical attributes. Master Crays' school significantly broadened my viewpoints on martial arts, self-defense, and hard work in general, teaching me how to apply the art outside of a sport environment.

This great variety has hindered me in many areas as well. Primarily, I've been unable to truly focus on any one aspect of my training, specifically limiting me from improving my sparring and breaking abilities as much as I would otherwise desire. I also have the drawback of having to remember details of two different curriculums on almost a daily basis, along with minor differences in several forms that cause me to second-guess myself when I'm demonstrating these forms. I've also discovered that there is an unintentional tendency to think "But, that's not how we do this at…" when being presented with something new. I've come to understand that these drawbacks all derive from a lack of mental discipline, but the affliction is real.

Another major part of my enforced broadening of horizons has been from teaching continuously from a relatively low rank. Since Marian started Dan Shi, I began having to occasionally fill in leading classes as low as blue belt, and became a "full-time" instructor with my own scheduled class sometime during my brown belt year. Learning to teach has forced me to examine my own techniques and perspectives in order to properly provide for our students. It also brought me a much greater sense of responsibility because it was no longer my own training I was wasting when I was lazy, but that of all the students in the class. Learning to teach, I began to pay more attention to the other instructors I encountered, both in my daily training and at other events, such as tournaments. When I did this, I discovered the great spread of experience and attitudes. This realization led me to a much greater respect for my own instructors, both in their own ability and their respect for their art and students.

While teaching has improved my understanding of the mental discipline and memorization aspects of Tae Kwon Do, it has in many ways eroded my ability as a practicing martial artist. My focus is on my students, their development, and on how I can develop myself to teach them better. This has deteriorated my desire to train competitively and advance myself as fully as I may. It becomes an issue of how much time is available to devote to martial arts, and balancing the needs of our students against my personal needs. Another damaging aspect of teaching is that constantly demonstrating and helping people while sparring has made it very difficult for me to apply full power and focus when sparring, even against superior opponents.

This brings me to consider where I want to go from here. Inspecting my priorities leads me to realize that I do not desire any future as a competitor, and much of my drive to earn awards has disappeared in the last two years. Instead I find that I wish to delve into the details, perfecting my understanding of the various techniques while also improving my ability to apply those techniques. I also wish to share the knowledge I gain, leading others to become greater than I. I've recently had the pleasure to teach somebody who has become inspired and may have a chance to realize his potential. This, in turn, has inspired me and given me a glimpse of the joy to be found in teaching.

I have much to learn, and there is no end to the knowledge available to be gained. I have wondered several times if I can find the variety I thrive upon within my art, and I now know that I can, and I will. I have discovered that only the individual limits the study, and that both system and tradition are fully capable of supporting my personal desires for the future. With my goals ahead of me and the lessons of many behind me, I eagerly await my new role… Cho dan.