Han Ho Martial Arts

PERFECTION IN THE MARTIAL ARTS IS LIKE A JEWEL.  IT IS MERELY A ROUGH STONE UNTIL POLISHED.  IF IT IS NOT POLISHED, NO ONE WILL KNOW ITS INNER BEAUTY. 

CONCENTRATION:  "By making the mind void of thoughts, one can gain a natural meditative state."  It is essential to be constantly aware of what the limits are within which you practice. Everything has a limit.  Joints, for example, when placed at a certain angle can be broken with the pressure of a single finger. Thus, training in techniques that are potentially dangerous demand that one think hard about what exactly you are doing.  Concentration is also related to a calm mind.  "With a calm mind, one is free from hesitation."

PATIENCE & ENDURANCE: "If one's mind is made up to learn, then there will be success."  Knowledge will come only to those who have the patience to sacrifice, to endure the pain and recognize the humility of their ignorance.  Nothing of value is worth learning if there is no sacrifice. 

SINCERITY IN PRACTICE:  "If one does not practice regularly, then do not face the enemy."  Perfection of techniques require deeply ingrained habits and a mental attitude of thoroughness.   Excercise, no matter how many times they are repeated, are a waste of time if done incorrectly.   The perfection of technique requires that they become second nature and reflexive. If you have to "think" of your response, it is already too late.  

SPEED: "Judge the chance and take the opportunity.  Take the first opportunity and be quicker."  Every technique requires speed.  There are counter-defenses to all known offenses.  Technique must be done with the greatest speed and efficiency.

CONSERVATION OF ENERGY: "The inner force is concealed until it is released."  Perhaps the most difficult aspect of the martial arts to master is to learn how to conserve energy and to relax while under stress.  Tension is the greatest consumer of energy.  When you are calm, you are free from hesitation.

RESPECT & OBEDIENCE: "All things in nature work according to rules.  Mankind is one with nature."  In every martial art there are aspects which make it dangerous.  One of the most essential tests of character is whether the student is humble enough to subordinate their own personal ego to the rules of the dojang and respect the gravity of their new power.  The martial arts are not a store bought item that you are entitled to because you pay for the lessons.  The burden is too great, the reflection larger than the individual. 

VANITY: "Large egos are carried by small minds."  It is easy to be vain towards those who know less.  The Han Ho student must realize how little one really knows.  There are over 10,000 techniques in Han Ho.  Assuming a student learned a new technique every day, it would still take 10 years to master them.  When a fish is in a cup, the cup seems to be the whole world.  We are only a microcosm in an infinite universe.

BETTER PERSON.

BETTER WORLD.