 How “Integrity Growth” Vital to Kids Taekwondo - Martial Art in Surrey - Delta.
Author – Master Edward Kim c/o Jong Kim Martial Arts – Surrey – Taekwondo. Integrity, by definition, means being honest and having strong moral principles. It defines the most important essence of what it means to live a fulfilled life. Integrity represents who you are and what you stand for. It directly affects you and those whom you associate with; be it at school, at work, or in life in general. I systematically outline how integrity development, through kids martial arts programs in Surrey and Delta, is a vital area of concern. The most common martial arts which incorporate Integrity in their teaching philosophy include taekwondo, karate, and judo in the surrey and delta area. Taekwondo incorporates moral culture and is outlined in the first Taekwondo book created by General Choi. Within this book, is outlined to instructors and students alike, what is expected from general conduct of Taekwondo students and instructors. I outline, systematically, the approach I take in my martial arts career in the following:
Having the “right attitude!” Firstly, what is attitude? By definition, it means to have a settled way of thinking; something, typically one that is reflected in a person's behavior. To me, personally, I define it as my mental approach to every circumstance in life’s situations that may arise. In martial arts schools in Surrey and Delta, it is of grave importance that nurturing the right attitude in class! Too often, taekwondo schools overlook this because they wish to please kids. They want to a have a student who stays for all the wrong reasons. I strongly believe in laying out clearly, the expectations of my martial arts students from the get go. Kids want boundaries and rules! They honestly need it to feel more secure as outlined in major studies about the mental well-being of children. Kids who do not respect boundaries often are led astray to gang life or disobedience towards parents and classmates. Children to learn to understand boundaries are more apt to leading successful lives! During taekwondo class, I outline how listening is expected. I give an example that God gave us two ears and one mouth. A wise person listens more than he/she talks. This is something I learned early in life from my father through taekwondo class under my father’s guidance! Another example is how proper behaviour is expected. One way is through proper and sincere bowing during partner exercises. Bowing, in kids martial arts, represents the most important lesson in my opinion. It is akin to having a proper handshake when you greet someone. A firm and sincere handshake speaks volumes about one’s integrity; this along includes sincerity in eye contact. I can go on and on about this but I will move on to the next criteria. Honesty to oneself and others projects integrity. Honesty, to me, means being sincere and seeking the “truth” and allowing one’s life to be congruent to one another. We all know what truth means. It means we do not deceive ourselves about what is truly important in life. If a student blurts out in class, he/she is not being honest to themselves. We all know speaking in turn and not interrupting others demonstrates respect and thus the “truth.” Taekwondo classes, in Surrey and Delta, must include this ideal. Taekwondo kids in Surrey and Delta, learn way more if there are few interruptions during classes. Students, as a result, learn at an exponential rate. This key life concept is critical to the well-being of martial arts students. Importance of patience and its correlation to integrity I believe patience and self-discipline are congruent to one another. They are symbiotically related. Patience means not being hasty. Haven’t we all said something we shouldn’t have? Sure we have! During arguments we jump to our point of view immediately; without even hearing the other person’s story. Usually this does not lead to good results in confrontation settlements. Patience is to forbear oneself in order to hear both sides of the story so that we can come to a logical and peaceful solution. In life, kids and adults will inevitably need to deal with unruly people. How you handle it with patience and wisdom, will dictate the course of one’s life. Life is the culmination of thousands and thousands of wise decisions or actions. I teach my students to listen more. It is not easy because the are so excited to share who they are. I love this trait. Instead, I redirect their energy to be presented in a respectful and more meaningful way. Taekwondo kids at Jong Kim Martial Arts in Surrey, are taught to harness patience throughout the entire class. They wait their turns in line exercises; they work on a particular kick or punch while waiting for their next turn, etc. Martial arts kids in Surrey, learn to use their time wisely in harnessing exponential growth rate during classes. How to see tell-traits a Taekwondo – Martial Arts School’s Instructor has integrity? It’s called honesty. Who doesn’t want their child to have honesty? Of course, we all do! When students attend for trial class, I clearly explain what is included or not included in their enrollment. I mention gloves are not included and are necessary as training tools for martial arts classes and so on. Being straightforward is essential to building trust with anyone! Parents appreciate this approach. No one wishes to be deceived in anything. Integrity is thus tied to honesty and humility. Taekwondo kids learn honesty every minute in my Surrey martial arts program. They learn to give 100% effort. Kids know, through their conscience, whether an action or inaction is appropriate. I tell them conscience is God’s early warning system to let you know what is wrong actions and to heed your inner gut feeling. Learn to trust your gut instinct! It will protect you and lead to wise decision making for your life. Every moment of life is a “yes” or “no” decision! Another life lesson I teach my kids in Surrey martial arts or taekwondo class is the power of every moment! Yes, every single moment! I explain you can talk or you can do; you can try or not try; you can have the courage to volunteer for a kick demonstration or choose not to. Depending on each decision can alter drastically the direction of a child’s life in taekwondo class or at home. I choose yes to guide my life! When I was in elementary school, my music teach, who was in charge of the Christmas performance, asked me play the lead role as Santa Claus in the school play performance. I politely declined. You say why?! Honestly, it was because there was a tremendous amount of memorization and effort involved; I chose the easy route in this scenario. I regret it to this day. You may say what’s the big deal? The big deal is I missed out on an exciting opportunity to learn and be a part of school spirit and expanding my life’s experience! People go on vacations to experience other cultures and so on. Experience is something innate we all wish to do; it represents a more fulfilled life in my opinion. I tell my students that my very best students are the ones who volunteer the most during taekwondo kids class! Upon saying this, the hands all go up! This positive approach of dealing with one’s insecurities and gaining the freedom that I CAN DO IT attitude! Kids need taekwondo encouragement to take risks. I tell them that it doesn’t matter if you do a new kick or punch well or not. What matters is that you try. If one never tries, how can you they ever know that they can overcome? I explain being bold and courageous is a very noble trait. Kids martial arts in Surrey and Delta is not mainly about self defense skills. It is so much more! Taekwondo is mainly concerned with having the right attitude that if you prioritize effort over results, then one can bear the fruit of having a sense of self! This is why integrity is vital to Surrey and Delta kids in martial arts – taekwondo! Integrity culminates in a child’s sense of self, a sense of possibilities, and respect from others! This is the million dollar result! If this perspective on integrity resonates with you, I welcome your child to try our Jong Kim Martial Arts – Surrey – Taekwondo academy! www.JKTKD.ca Sincerely, Master Edward Kim 9th Dan Black Belt (sharing my insight from 50 years of my Taekwondo and martial arts career as a student and as an instructor…)
Jong Kim Martial Arts - Surrey - Taekwondo. Unit 136 - 7536 130 Street, Surrey, BC, V3W 1H8. 604-590-1000 Comments are closed.
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AUTHOR: Jong Kim Martial Arts - Surrey - Delta - Newton - TaekwondoArchives
March 2025
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