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We are all so familiar with the progress
society has made in many different areas.
Yet when we look at Tae Kwon Do it seems
we have moved backwards. From a standpoint of self defense we have
veered of course and developed into a sport. I am not saying this
is wrong, but simply trying to lead you to analyze the whole situation
further.
Japanese karate had a very great influence on TDK. Japanese
karate was, in turn, influenced by Okinawan
karate and it too was, in turn, heavily influenced by the martial
arts of the Fukien province in China. If you follow this route you
will see that White Crane played a very heavy role in early karate
development. I remember one of the living greats of karate, Taika
Seiyu Oyata, saying, "Fists
denote Japanese combat sport; Karate is open hand art."
How often have you heard someone say
that he is taking Aikido or Jujitsu to
learn locks as there is not much of that in TKD system? Is it really
missing in TDK? Remember, if our art's heritage is open hand then
all locks and traps are there. You have to analyze the forms, not
from the block, punch perspective but from the open hand perspective.
A
good rule of thumb is whenever the
arms come together or cross each other then a lock or trap is being
executed. How often does this happen in your form? Every time you
chamber your aim? Look at your form from this angle and try to work
out the locks. You will enjoy the form more and be closer to our
heritage.
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