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B011R/507 The Root of Chinese Qigong—Secrets for Health, Longevity, & Enlightenment
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The author

is a self-described traditionalist and places great
emphasis on the underlying philosophical principles surrounding
taekwondo. He demonstrates this belief by infusing meditation,
breathing exercises, strong basic skills, and attention to the classic
forms in his instruction.
Aside from continuing his martial arts education in New
York City under the tutelage of world-renowned, ninth degree
black belt, Grand Master Richard Chun, the author owns and
operates the Chosun Taekwondo Academy located in Warwick,
New York. The academy specializes in traditional instruction
and internal energy development.
The author currently shares his knowledge of taekwondo
through a series of articles he has written for Black Belt and
other martial arts magazines. He is editor of the United States
Taekwondo Association Journal.
About the Author

The author

and his students are credited with the creation of
the Chosun Women’s Self-Defense Course—an effective workshop
geared towards women of all ages, generally offered to corporate
or civic groups as a community service. Recently, in
response to a request for training from the U.S. Army National
Guard/42nd Division, the author developed the Chosun Military
Self-Defense course.

About the Author

Doug Cook holds a third degree black
belt in the Korean martial art of taekwondo,
and is certified as an instructor by the
United States Taekwondo Association and
World Taekwondo Federation. After training
twice in Korea, he went on to become
a five-time gold medalist in the New York
State Championships and the New York
State Governor’s cup competitions. He
holds a D3 status as a U.S. referee and has
received high honors from Korea in the form of a “Letter of
Appreciation” presented by Grand Master Richard Chun, and
signed by World Taekwondo Federation president, Dr. Un Yong
Kim.

The emotional

wars the modern day warrior must face on a
daily basis are most likely very different from those fought by
the Hwarang. While many of the physical techniques have
remained intact, the weaponry and protagonists, being of a
starkly dissimilar nature, have radically changed over time
requiring an improved suit of armor. This garment must be
woven with the threads of self-esteem, the leather of confidence,
and the metal of perseverance. Traditional taekwondo, as the
reader shall discover, if practiced with diligence and sincerity, is
certain to provide the raw materials necessary to construct just
such a suit of armor.
Taekwondo—Ancient Wisdom for the Modern Warrior

by its daily perils. Therefore, contemporary taekwondo, taught
in a traditional manner, is not merely about physical enhancement
(although that will occur naturally over time), but about
spiritual fulfillment—the goal of which is to clear a path in
preparation for the martial artist to embrace the virtues and
rewards life has to offer.

Therefore,

by shunning conformity in the
name of art, taekwondo allows room for personal expression
beckoning the student to cultivate self-esteem through individuality.
Moreover, taekwondo is an empowering art. It is a holistic
method for nurturing internal strength by way of acquired skill.
By this standard, the more frequently one trains and becomes
proficient in the martial arts, the more one realizes they have less
to defend against. Confidence begins to replace fear. Defensive
skills become ingrained, resulting in one’s ability to walk life’s
path appreciating its simple pleasures rather than being blinded
Chapter 1: In the Shadow of the Hwarang

For one,

taekwondo has a
proclivity for transforming even the most cynical man or woman
into a spiritually enlightened person displaying a renewed passion
for life. This seemingly impossible task is accomplished by
constantly reminding the practitioner of their self-worth and
unique place in the cosmic scheme of events.
Because we are living in a world of sometimes overwhelming
proportions, technology, financial obligations, even the size of
the buildings in which we live and work, can result in a feeling
of insignificance.

Literally translated,

taekwondo is defined as ‘foot-hand way,’
or the art of smashing with hands and feet. These translations,
while direct, are incomplete at best since they only hint at the
myriad of moral and ethical benefits associated with this noble,
Korean discipline. For decades taekwondo has been the perfect
vehicle for cultivating inner strength, extraordinary endurance,
and an effective arsenal of defensive skills. In its current iteration
it can be thought of as a direct reflection of modern society’s
desire for a ritualized discipline devoid of religious dogma, but
complete with both physically and spiritually enhanced sets of
ethical principles by which to live. Beyond this, as the reader
will soon come to realize, lies a universe filled with intangibles
relating to the very essence of the art.

techniques and forms unique to the Korean martial art.
Organizations such as the World Taekwondo Federation under
the direction of Dr. Un Yong Kim, the United States
Taekwondo Association founded by Grand Master Richard
Chun, and the International Taekwondo Federation headed by
General Choi Hong Hi, have been responsible for blending these
techniques into a cohesive curriculum that has made taekwondo
the fastest growing martial art in the world today.

Although this trend has

spurred heated controversy in certain circles given the traditional
values associated with the martial arts, one cannot deny the
impact it has had on making instruction more accessible to the
masses.
This is particularly evident in the case of taekwondo where
the flicker of hope that existed in post-war Korea eventually
ignited an intense flame of interest in a portion of the general
public inclined towards a study of the martial arts. This acceptance
was partially driven by the high standardization of various
Taekwondo—Ancient Wisdom for the Modern Warrior

Consequently, it was

not long before schools began to spring up—first on the West
Coast and then in major cities across the nation. Even suburbia,
no longer immune to what can only be characterized as an explosive
growth curve, boasts an abundance of training halls located
in the ubiquitous strip malls and shopping centers.
In the distant past, many of the Asian martial arts were considered
secret weapons by the family, tribe, or nation by which
they were developed. Clearly, this is no longer the case. With
differing styles jockeying for legitimacy and the recognition of
taekwondo by the International Olympic Committee, what
began as a system of self-defense in the 1950’s has matured into
a $1.5 billion American industry.

Some veterans who wished to continue their training after
gaining proficiency in the martial arts overseas, acted as sponsors
in obtaining American citizenship for their Asian mentors.
Aside from a show of gratitude and respect, this action was
undoubtedly motivated by the realization that there were very
few teachers in the United States at the time capable of offering
quality instruction. Original taekwondo pioneers such as
Richard Chun, Henry Cho, and Jhoon Rhee continue to leave
their mark on the martial arts community.

mystery

and curiosity in the minds of many Westerners.
American military personnel returning from battle-torn Korea
brought with them tales describing unarmed fighting arts in
sharp contrast to the pugilistic sporting styles familiar to those
back home.
As legend had it, masters of diminutive stature would send
brawny servicemen flying through the air with a simple twist of
the hips. Others, it was claimed, endowed with a secret knowledge
of mind over matter, could kill with a single, well-placed
blow.

Following

the ravages of the Second World War and later
the Korean conflict, the nation finally gained its long sought
independence from the Japanese and Chinese aggressors. Korean
masters returning to their native land once again began to practice
the martial arts forbidden by law under the Japanese occupation.
In an effort to restore a national identity, the various
kwans, or martial arts schools, began negotiations in April of
1955 aimed at uniting their styles under a single banner that
would eventually come to be known as taekwondo. Since that
time, the Asian martial arts have become a combined source of
Chapter 1: In the Shadow of the Hwarang