In this edition:
Moo Do Jaseh
Stillness in Motion
Studio Profile: Hwa Sun Martial Arts
Sa Bom Spotlight: Master Hoke Nunan
Moo Do Jaseh
By SBN John McGuinness III K-14
Edited by SBN Susie Cuseo K-159 (thecuseos@yahoo.com)
Moo Do Jaseh is a term probably not referred to often. I would like to offer a
brief breakdown of this term and then try to explain the more important subject matter of understanding the basic principles of stances, learning the fundamentals and maintaining them.
Moo Do
Moo=military
Do=path or way
Moo Do is basically referred to as military art way or the path of discipline. We are all Moo Do practitioners. Moo Do philosophy governs our path and, therefore, helps maintain our discipline in training and in life.
Jaseh
Jaseh is the term well known to most practitioners as the Korean word for stance. Used in every class to give Korean commands for movement with the various hand techniques. In most cases any Korean term can be broken down into the different characters that make up the word which can give the word a deeper understanding and meaning.
Ja: Figure or posture
seh: force of discipline and concentration
If you are practicing a front stance with your knee bent in the proper position, back straight, good balance and alignment is correct; this would be a demonstration of
strong posture. Ja is present. Seh is the concentration, focus and discipline portrayed by this action. So if our training is honest and consistent, we have the opportunity to develop strong force and principles. These principles are based on our desire and commitment of the art and the philosophy of Tang Soo Do in action.
In general, all martial art systems are governed by the same principals of movement because the body can only move in so many ways! There are many martial art systems which may appear different; but the main thread is that discipline should always be present. A strong mind and strong stance will carry great force. Therefore, Moo Do Jaseh can be described as a mental, physical and spiritual state of mind. Being fully present and with clear intentions. Moo Do Jaseh creates a certain impression of an individual’s inner strength.
''The superior Samurai never has to draw his sword.”
Discipline is not something granted to someone for their number of years of practice or their loyalty. It is acquired through one good stance after another. Every time we put on our do boks we are given the opportunity to train in such a manner as to better ourselves and those around us. Tang Soo Do is a living art, thereby, we are the living history of these principles, the keepers of Grand Master Hwang Kee's vision. As instructors we are preserving the art through our students.
"There are no such things as advanced techniques, only basic techniques done at an advanced level.”
We are servants of the process. This is a phrase that describes the many years of training on a certain path and trusting that our hard work, longevity and training methods match the philosophical lifestyle we set out to achieve and live by.
Moo Do Jaseh and the Aging Process
It seems that as we age our stances aren’t as low, the speed and power may not be there, but the discipline, determination and focus are still strong. Once the foundation is set, the senior martial artist must embrace the aging process and make the adjustments needed to continue training. I have seen far too many older practitioners stop training for one reason or another, but most of the time I believe it is because they start to doubt their abilities whether it’s the inertia setting in, not being able to keep up or perhaps just forgetting some of the material. All real reasons, but everyone can overcome these crossroads, if they want!
In many Asian cultures, parks and town squares are full of seniors practicing some sort of martial art every single day. In most cases they never feel the reason to stop because of age, but actually consider it to be one of the main reasons that provide longevity and vitality in their daily lives. Age is a gift!
In Tang Soo Do, our curriculum is based on the natural progression of the aging process. Typically, one begins their training at a young age when the body and mind are developing and the training is more rigorous with forms being more external and physically demanding. The longer we remain on our path of learning Tang Soo, the curriculum tries to accommodate the physical and mental development of the student at their particular rank.
When we have advanced to a certain level of training and the years to match, there
is an introduction to the softer arts, such as Tai Chi. At this time the practitioner is usually older and the natural aging process is evident. Although these forms are still demanding and difficult to learn, they introduce a very different side to the training and learning process. Naturally the aging process will slow us down physically, but the mind still craves stimulation, development and growth. Letting go of the ego will help us with more time for reflection and gratitude.
The later forms of Tai Chi are just that – an introduction into the softer art forms.
Does this mean we need to learn a complete new system or does it simply provide a different look at Tang Soo Do? I believe it is a natural progression from one art form to another. In particular, the Chil Sung and Yuk Rho hyungs are intrinsically based on the softer arts making the principals of Tai Chi something we are already familiar with.
There are seven Chil Sung and six Yuk Rho hyungs in our standard curriculum. In my personal training I have added 13 more Tai Chi forms that will take me a lifetime to develop and enjoy. You don’t have to change the form, just the delivery! Remember, all martial arts are basically the same, just the delivery is different.
With age comes the realization that our mental and physical needs to adapt to a new type of learning. This is the time to embrace something different and open a
new door to your own unique personal abilities. Practicing a form in a slower and more fluid manner gives birth to a more “Somatic Exercise” where throughout the exercise you focus on your inner experience as you move and expand your internal awareness. Internal awareness is the basis of all Qigong exercises and without a doubt one of the best things you can do to stay healthy, happy and mentally fit.
So, as instructors of aging students or a senior practitioner yourself, there is a world of new beginnings and doors to be opened if you wish to go through them.
I would like to leave you with part of the Song of Sip Sam Seh that best sums up this article, “The mind is the primary actor and the body the secondary one. What is the purpose and philosophy behind the martial arts? Rejuvenation and prolonging of life beyond the normal span. So an eternal spring.” In closing, I would like all senior students who have questioned themselves or have had feelings of doubt, to re-evaluate and consider what a benefit you are, both inside and out of the dojang. Your maturity, patience and knowledge have enormous value to your instructor, your school and the future of the Art you study.
Wisdom is something that can only be achieved through and by the aging process.
HOLD ON TO YOUR SPIRIT!
Upcoming Events
October 5 – 58th Region 1 Dan Shimsa/Clinic – West Haven Academy of Karate, Inc., West Haven, CT – Kodanja Clinic 9:30 am–10:30 am; Red/Dan Clinic – 10:30 am–11:30 am; Dan Shimsa – 12:00 am – For additional information call KJN Charles Ferraro – 203.932.5335.
October 12 – Gup Testing – White belt through Cho Dan Evaluations – West Haven Dojang – 12:30 pm.
October 12 – Rumble in Humble – Humble, TX – Contact: SBN Tripp Davis – 281.812.2811.
October 19 – 58th Region 9 Dan Shimsa/Clinic – San Diego, CA – Contact: SBN Mark Pattison – 760.942.6470.
October 26 – TAC Clinic – Hwa Sun Martial Arts – Contact: SBN Maria Spratt – 512.257.8552
November 13 – Gup Testing – 10th gup through 4th gup upgrade – 6:30 pm – West Haven Dojang.
November 16 – Weekend with the Masters Region 1 and 2 – location TBA – West Haven, CT – Contact: KJN Charles Ferraro – 203.932.5335
December 11 – Gup Testing – 10th gup through 4th gup upgrade – 6:30 pm – West Haven Dojang.
December 12 – Kodanja Class/Holiday Party – Thursday – 5:00 pm – TBA.
December 23, 2024 – January 1, 2025 – School Closed – No Classes Christmas/New Year Holiday. RE-OPENS – January 2, 2025
January 21 – 26, 2025 – 30th Annual Kodanja Shimsa – Clinic/59th Dan Classing – West Haven Dojang – Contact: KJN Charles Ferraro – 203.932.5335.
Stillness in Motion
By SBN Patrick Dillon K-203 (devitadillon@gmail.com)
Edited by SBN Susie Cuseo K-159 (thecuseos@yahoo.com)
The most essential piece of Tang Soo Do literature is The Song of Sip Sam Seh, which details the Thirteen Influences of our martial art. Among its many beauties are the variety of ways it resonates for different people and its ability to correlate with other aspects of being. As an artist whose background is in film and photography, I always find myself trying to link things to the fine arts. Which is why I suspect that I’ve always found special meaning in the passage: “Stillness embodies motion, motion stillness. Seek stillness in motion.” This passage not only verbalizes what we seek in Tang Soo Do, but also defines the motion blur genre of photography and, ultimately, finds common ground between photography and the martial arts.
Photography is the process of creating images by capturing them through either chemical or electronic means. After framing the subject, the photographer opens
the shutter of their camera, allowing either a grain of film or sensor to be exposed to the light. The length the shutter is open will determine how much light will be exposed – more light to the film/sensor; the longer the shutter is opened. The longer the shutter is open, the more light is necessary to capture the image. If the subject moves during this time, the photograph is bound to get a certain degree of motion blur – which is the apparent streaking of objects in a frame.
It’s this purpose and intentionality that separates an artistic photographer from an amateur. When the latter includes motion blur, it is often an inept mistake that comes about when the photographer doesn’t fully understand how to use their camera or the concept of mise-en-scéne. When the photographer understands these things and intentionally incorporates motion blur into their photographs, the work becomes “artistic”. The reason to incorporate such a technique varies from artist to artist, subject to subject and photograph to photograph. In my personal work, motion blur is used to recreate performance in a more surrealistic form. Others, such as Ernst Haas, have used the technique to create metaphors, while others (namely sports photographers) use it to capture spontaneous moments.
At the heart of every motion blur photograph is the contrast between stillness and motion and the moment of stillness captured in the midst of the motion. To put it differently, motion blur captures stillness in motion – motion stillness. Motion stillness is central to Tang Soo Do. In the martial art, it takes on many different forms and can be seen in everything from free sparring to hyungs. For every martial artist, motion stillness is different, as it happens at different times for every person. When it does occur, it is the moment that defines their performance. Where motion stillness is most apparent for me is in hyungs; a conclusion I came to through my photographic work.
While in college, I did a series of black and white photographs revolving around the martial arts. For most of them, I took pictures of myself doing sections of different
hyungs and advanced one-steps in motion blur. The final photographs were, on the surface, surreal amalgamations of my movements that did not look like they would have, had they been seen performed live. The more I looked at the photos, the more I noticed the small details captured in them and realized they actually resembled the hyungs I was performing. This revelation led me to notice even more details about the photos and made me think about my performance in relation to the concept of motion stillness.
In all the photographs there are, obviously, portions in which you see my body in motion. There are also some in which you don’t see it in motion. In one of the photographs, my entire body is seen while I am performing a section of Kong Sang
Koon. While most of my body is depicted in motion and thus out of focus, my right foot juxtaposes this. Instead of being out of focus, it remained perfectly clear and has the most detail of any part of my body. To be more straightforward, my foot stayed still the entire time the shutter was open. Perhaps the passage referred to the concepts of stillness and motion being able to co-exist as separate, but equal entities.
However, in most of the photographs I took, only my surroundings were in focus. In one of the photos, I perform one of the Nai Han Ji hyungs and am completely out
of focus. It’s ultimately photos like this that caused me to shift my perspective on the idea of motion stillness and what the ultimate goal of martial artists should be. The line between motion and stillness in the photograph is nonexistent. While I am clearly in motion, it is, however, depicted in the confines of a still photograph; and therefore, the movement is an illusion and thus not real - there is no difference between the stillness and the motion.
Although my perception of this passage might seem like it only applies to photography, I think it applies to the martial arts as well. To reiterate, the passage in The Song of Sip Sam Seh specifically states to “seek stillness in motion”, meaning stillness happens while in motion. As martial artists, we strive to make our
techniques and hyungs as fluid as possible. Just as the motion and the stillness in the photographs are one and the same, the fluidity in our techniques should blur the line between the movement and pauses. Those watching the martial artist perform their hyungs (or really any aspect of the curriculum) should not be able to differentiate between the two states of being. Instead, they should view them as one continuous flow of energy – where one finishes, the other begins.
It’s this continuous flow of energy that gives Tang Soo Do common ground with motion blur photography. Both seek the concept of motion stillness described in The Song of Sip Sam Seh by obscuring what is motion and what is stillness. The thing that ultimately unites the two is that both are arts. One might be a fine art and the other a martial art, but both are still, nonetheless, arts. Maybe it’s the goal of all arts to seek stillness in motion and to achieve motion stillness. I can say with certainty that The Song of Sip Sam Seh has a lot of wisdom that can be applied to every art form and for me the passage that is the clearest example of this is, “Stillness embodies motion, motion stillness. Seek stillness in motion.”
Studio Profile: Hwa Sun Martial Arts
By SBN Virginia Folger K-228 (folgervirginia@gmail.com)
Edited by SBN Susie Cuseo K-159 (thecuseos@yahoo.com)
Hwa Sun Martial Arts opened in April 2022. The studio's name comes from a hyung (form) taught at the Third Dan level meaning
Pure Flower. This hyung is a favorite of the studio owner, Sa Bom Nim Maria Spratt. SBN Spratt started training with her son, Tomas all the way to 2nd-degree black belt when he decided to shift his focus to ice hockey. SBN Spratt knew she loved the art and that it was a part of her. With experience in teaching group fitness classes as a fitness trainer, it didn’t take SBN Spratt long after starting Tang Soo Do to see herself teaching and sharing her passion for the art with others. Master Spratt decided to open a school of her own and found the best place at the time in a church. She knew she wanted to expand and in January 2023 she moved into her current location in Liberty Hill, Texas. This small town near Austin, Texas, has strong
community values just like Master Spratt does. Currently, she has just fewer than 100 students; many of whom are families that train together. Hwa Sun Martial Arts offers 19 classes, which includes a Lil Dragons program for ages three to six and a regular program for ages six and up. There are morning classes on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays and evening classes Monday through Thursday. Classes are expanding as the student body grows and advances.
SBN Spratt strives to have a family-oriented studio whereby training together builds strong ties among members. It should come as no surprise that this family atmosphere comes naturally to SBN Spratt. Her husband has been a major supporter of her starting and growing the studio. Her brother designed the studio logo, representing all the belt colors in TSDMGK, while her mom helps with events regularly. This family backing is echoed with their first tournament which took place on June 8th of this year: The Midsummer Challenge Tournament. This invitational tournament was open to all Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan schools and had traditional forms, weapons forms and sparring divisions. The name
Midsummer Challenge was inspired by the Midsummer celebrations in Sweden, where SBN Spratt grew up. Her mom came up with the name while her brother designed the tournament logo with the gnome. Swedish gnomes are known for their incredible strength, as well as, fairness, honorable treatment and respect. Many of these traits are exemplified and displayed through the actions of all the competitors. Tournaments are always exciting events and the studio was enthusiastic about this new event. Master Pratt looks forward to having it on the calendar annually.
Master Spratt continues to grow the studio and support the community through free self-defense classes and other events.
She is currently looking into adding an after-school program once she has more staff and a few buses!
When asked about the studio, Master Spratt said, “I am so
grateful to have such wonderful, supportive students (young to adult) and so much support from my family and SBN Nunan, whose unwavering belief in me has enabled me to push forward with my school.”
Additional information about Hwa Sun Martial Arts can be found on the website at www.hwasunmartialarts.com. You can contact her by phone at 512-203-9757 or email her at maria@4spratts.com.
SBN Profile: Master Hoke Nunan
By SBN Susie Cuseo K-159 (thecuseos@yahoo.com)
Ancestors of the name Hoke date back to the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain where it was derived from the Hoke family who lived in Dorset at Hooke, a parish and chapelry in the union of Beaminster, a Bridport division. SBN Hoke Nunan has the namesake of his uncle and grandfather before him. Each generation has a child who’s named Hoke which typically means “place at the hook of land or bend in a river or hill.”
Before the age of six, Master Hoke Nunan moved around several different states since being born in Virginia. He’s relocated from there to North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, and then finally to Texas. He moved to Georgia at 10 and then back to Texas at 15 where he has remained. With his father being a geologist at the start of Master Nunan’s life, the family moved from one location to another due to his father’s continuing education and career, settling on Texas at the end where oil and natural gas were his main objectives.
SBN Nunan went to Memorial High School in Houston, TX and then attended Texas State University in San Marcos graduating with a degree in Business Administration with specificity in Marketing. His education has proven to be most useful as he has
created his own business in opening up Nunan’s Martial Arts in Cedar Park, TX. His studio celebrated their 20th anniversary several years ago. His success has been due to his knowledge of Tang Soo Do, his outstanding ties to his community and his desire to stick to his school’s motto of “Dare to Achieve” where students and instructors work hard with dedication, integrity and confidence to succeed.
When he was seven years old, his mother took him to a judo class thinking that training there would help him build his confidence so that he would be able to protect himself since he was skinny and growing up in the local area of Houston.
His first experience at that studio shocked and startled him to the point where he begged his mother to reconsider signing him up. He was awe-stricken to see two grown men throwing themselves around on the studio floor. He thought that this was way too rough and violent for him, but his mother did not relent maintaining that her son was going to train and learn the ways of keeping himself safe.
He’s dabbled in martial arts since the beginning but didn’t formally start getting serious until 1985 when he studied Cha Yon Ryu at Kim Soo Karate. In 1990, he took an intermediate karate class for PE at school thinking that this was going to be an easy A; and it was. He never thought that it would re-spark a huge interest in martial arts. In June of 1991 he began his Tang Soo Do career when he was 20 years old. He visited the studio owned by Master Donnie Meadows where things really got kicked into gear. At his first visit there he saw students performing Pyung Ahn Sa Dan. He recalled that they looked so cool and really wanted to learn the form. He liked the idea that Meadows TSD was part of a larger organization with schools in many locales and states. When he was in college, he knew that when he started TSD, he could continue training at another location while keeping his current rank.
For several years after that Master Nunan never considered having his own studio let alone teach those willing to learn the knowledge he’d already acquired. During the summer of 1998 his brothers-in-law convinced him to teach them. They began training outside at the tennis courts of his apartment. He agreed thinking that this idea wasn’t going to last long since the weather wasn’t conducive to training
barefoot in temperatures hovering in the hundreds and you walked away with blisters on your feet. Contrary to that mindset, they persevered and eventually moved the students in November of that year to the Westside Church of Christ in Austin. This developed into the West Haven Academy of Karate, Austin. Classes were 2 hours long and held twice a week. WHAK, A had a consistent group of twelve very serious students.
During this time, SBN Nunan got married and was baptized. He wasn’t feeling fulfilled in his full-time job working in sales at Dell. He started to apply to other companies thinking that this was where his life was leading him. For a while he and his wife went back and forth with the pros and cons of continuing his sales work or starting up a school of his own in the local area. This led to a venture that became the Tang Soo Do Academy. Here he would teach the adults and children in separate classes. As more children enrolled there was a demand for summer camp and for after-school programs. After a while he realized that teaching martial arts, especially to children, was his calling. He had a connection to younger students who were open-minded and learned faster and better.
The Tang Soo Do Academy is now known as Nunan’s Martial Arts. It is still located in Cedar Park, TX. With three full-time and six part-time staff members, there is always something going on at the studio; whether it’s after-school camp, summer camp or evening classes. Along with a full schedule of Tang Soo Do classes, NMA teaches classes in Judo and Kali. There are times when Master Nunan’s schedule entails a 14-hour workday. With a roster of around 200 students in all sorts of classes, he’s proud to say that he’s got the support of a wonderful and hard-
working staff to make his school a success in the local area. His website states that he “chose to open the martial arts school in 2001 because there is too much negativity in our society. He saw a need to create a place of positive reinforcement and safety for our community’s children. Our school quickly becomes like their second home. Our modern teaching techniques focus on peacefully resolving conflicts and the genuine interest we take in our students' progress and development ensures that every member of our extended family feels connected and welcomed.”
Amidst the challenges of having his own business, he and his wife adopted a boy,7 and his sister, 10 years old. Both took classes in Tang Soo Do where Lizzie became a green belt while Liam went on to be a black belt. As high school was coming to
completion both stopped their training. The Nunans also fostered their two nieces and a nephew. Master Nunan can proudly say that he’s a “grandpa” to two little ones. He is a faith-filled man who believes in giving chances to those willing to accept them. He’s a family man dedicated to those under his support and care. He’s open and accepting to all his students who come through his studio doors wanting to build their self-esteem and integrity.
SBN Nunan has been a dedicated martial artist in Tang Soo Do currently holding the rank of 7th Dan, in Jujitsu he’s a 4th Dan, in Judo he’s a 2nd Dan and a first level instructor in Pekiti Tersia Kali. He’s served on the Board of Directors for the Mi Guk Kwan for over 20 years and during that time for more than 15 years has been on the Executive Board of Directors serving in all capacities from Chairperson, Vice-Chair, Treasurer and Secretary. Just recently he’s accepted a seat on the Technical Advisory Committee which is a huge honor that he will serve with much exuberance.
Martial arts have been a part of his life for over 45 years. It is a part of who he is: dedicated and motivated to train and teach daily because it rejuvenates and centers him. It makes him happy that he’s found his “thing”. Training has given him the confidence to protect himself and his loved ones. It’s enabled him to stay calm when threatened even when he was afraid. It’s helped him make better choices and with the increased confidence he received, he acquired the ability to be peaceful. He states, “When confrontation arises, we have the choice to respond peacefully or aggressively. In the past I have been able to diffuse confrontations before they get physical by remaining calm in the face of threats. In the times when I was not able to diffuse things before they got physical, my training paid off and I was able to defend myself and those I love.”
When Master Nunan finds the time to relax and be himself, he can be found
enjoying his favorite activities like cycling and playing guitar. As a child, he used to ride bikes with his dad. This sparked a lifelong hobby of road cycling. He enjoys the serenity of being on the bike where he can focus only on riding and allow his mind to rest. Master Nunan began playing guitar in college when his mom gifted him an acoustic and an electric guitar. While the acoustic guitar had to be replaced, the Telecaster is still going strong. He considers himself the eternal beginner guitarist playing mostly in his office alone. It is a time to lose himself to the music and the process of learning.
There’s a quote by author, Joshua Marine, that says, “Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.” Master Nunan took up his first challenge by stepping out onto the studio floor at the age of seven. He’s debated long and hard with his career choice. It took lots of gut, resilience and commitment to adopt two children with numerous hardships. Challenges force us out of our comfort zones, which is where all the magic happens. When we push through hard times, we prove to ourselves that we can handle adversity and strife. The pride and joy that comes from persevering gives us a sense of purpose and meaning. It’s the struggles that make achievements feel worthwhile.
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