**TRY THIS ONE    
    


Here are some of the questions you have sent.

dwlister@shaw.ca

We'll take whatever you ask and
give you an answer.

See if you can stump us.

   

I don't want my son to become a bully. If I was to enroll my son at your academy what do you teach in your classes that will prevent my child from becoming a bully ?

In recent years the concern about bullies has been in the news and on the minds of parents, students and teachers. And rightly so!

The martial arts as portrayed on TV, or in the Movies, could very well create the image that martial artists are bullies solving all their problems by force or intimidation.

To answer your question about our classes and our teaching. Here are three points: self-control, self-esteem and compassion.

1. Self-control

The skills we instruct go beyond kicking, punching, jumping and spinning. They are skills that reach into and change a character.

The class structure is full of discipline. It is the discipline which leads to self-control. Then self-control builds into each student what you want - the safe guard against being a bully.

You would have to see a class to understand how much this ability to control oneself is being taught and practiced. As a quick example for this answer at class within minutes you would see students - Lining up on command, bowing in on command, doing warm-up drills by count / by direction / by command / in unison / in rhythm / in sequence and more. Within this structure kicking and punching (all techniques) are not done whenever you want or on a whim or in frustration. The student makes the choice only under controls; which develops throughout their training the ability to always be in self-control of their actions. In the following minutes of class you would also see the drills, exercises, games and practice having the same philosophy evident.

The philosophy that the more a student learns self-control through the disciplined structure of the classes the greater they will be in also exercising that self-discipline around other people.

2. Self-esteem

Our martial arts classes are well designed with goal setting and personal victories to build into each student healthy self-esteem. There is no need to find importance in life by bully type actions and bully attitudes toward others when you feel good about yourself and look forward to your future. It is with this great understanding of ones self and having future goals that our students respond to others around them as a helper, an encourager and a friend.

3. Compassion

What may be unique to our WTTU academy is the number of activities we schedule that ask our students to get involved in compassionate acts toward others. We spend time learning about, discussing, raising money for, and even going out and helping others in our city or world.

From raising funds to drill water wells in Ethiopia, answering phones for the Variety Club telethon, sending a team to build homes for the homeless, breaking boards as fund raiser for 'breast cancer research', food for the food bank, community street clean-up and doing a demonstration at a seniors care home we are busy providing and living out compassion.

The students are encouraged in caring about others, thinking about others before themselves and seeking ways they can be servants to assit someone else. Bullies are not servants. They are not interested in serving others. With our emphasis on 'loving others better than we love ourselves' you'll find your child can train with us and you'll have no fears about his becoming a bully.

Thanks for your question!
   

What value is there in learning "fake fighting" when in a real fight you're a goner?

(editor's note: - This question is an abrievation of a paragraph where the writer asked about our point style sparring and its lack of aggressive contact, take downs and full contact. This he referred to as 'fake fighting'.)

I enjoyed your questions and the descriptive way you wrote them. You are very correct in noting that point style sparring is not like a real life fight or self-defense situation.

In self-defense your first priority is to remove the danger and second priority is get control of the situation. Done properly this should be accomplished within 10-15 seconds. Then it is over. Finished! Done!

Its accomplished fast enough that you would be hard pressed to call it a fight. Done wrong and yes you have a fight, perhaps even a brawl; and this may put you where your question said, "a goner".

Of course you can understand that our style does not encourage fighting. So the sparring is done as a competitive sport. It is the sportsmanship of competition and all the thrills of victory or the learning experiences of trying again next time. It is the development of timing, evading, distancing, strategy, self-control and sportsmanship to list just a few qualities of our point style sparring.

For self-defense training we offer another level of training. It has a specific class and schedule. There are the classroom drills of level 5 self-defense sparring for practical defense situations (Some of which we do on site in the alleys and parking lots of the city centre.).

Any value in "fake fighting" ??? Not really if your thinking of fighting on the street. If that is what you are thinking of you are right in disagreeing with our emphasis on point style sparring. However, we are not preparing or training for the street fighting so our style has an emphasis on sportsmanship, competition and self-defense (remember self-defense is 10-15 seconds to remove the danger and it is finished. It is not winning a fight or brawl or getting even.)

We enjoy the sport. We are prepared for defense. We are not street fighters.

Thanks for your question!
   

What is the value of learning TaeKwonDo when you keep on emphasising that we can not use it? (editor's note - This question came up as the student was planning on quiting classes because of the emphasis not to go around school or community fighting.)

****

Thanks for asking. You're right in understanding my emphasis. However as I answer your question you will see that I must make this emphasis until it is clear each student has a better definition of the TaeKwonDo they are learning.

It certainly would not be the common definition that the movie industry portrays.

It probably would not be the first definition that most students have come to their mind.

It's a definition that takes time to understand.

(Understanding the definition)

There is more to TaeKwonDo than just kicking, punching, jumping and spinning. It involves the whole person and that includes the inner character, moral code, the emotions, the spiritual and the physical. So when a student begins the physical aspects develop quickly or at least let us say quicker than the other aspects do. Therefore caution must be exercised until a greater balance is achieved. It will take time. As instructor I must take an active role in providing this caution until the other characteristics of Martial Art training catch up to the physical.

I must exercise that control, and place an emphasis on it as I instruct each student. It gives them time to learn the qualities of character that will allow them to be self-controlled. the day will come when I will not be needed to put the emphasis on control. So it means you're right in understanding I have an emphasis on controlling the physical response.

(Understanding the value)

I'll express the value in learning TaeKwonDo like I have done with its definition. It's value, like it's definition, is not in ONLY learning the skills of kicking, punching, jumping and spinning. It's value is in the whole person and that includes the inner character, moral code, the emotions, the spiritual and the physical. So a student finds value in all the character development that occures while training.

There will come a day when flexability has decreased and reaction time has slowed. The aging process will have proceeded to the point where we cannot do what we at one time could. What's left of all our Martial Art training? What's left of our TaeKwonDo?

Oh, the character is left. Our inner person is strong, healthy and capable of love.

Right now in our training we cannot use the physical aspect of what we have learned to solve a problem. Real life is not like the movies portray it. It takes more than a jump spinning kick to set things right or bring about justice.

Therefore as all of us continue to develop in character we wait for the day when God establishes justice. Keep on training and God will use your willingness to bring about justice as he enacts His great plan..

Thanks for your question !!
   

Is there good in everybody even if they seem mean?

I can answer this in different ways and in each way the reader will interpret a different meaning depending on their perspective of what 'good' is. When we make a comparison of good and bad it is often done so according to our history of experiences, our tastes, our training, our society, our culture, our knowledge and our and our and so on and so on....

People's perspectives will give different meanings to my answer to your question. So let's go to the top and hear what Jesus' said in Luke 18:19. He was addressed with this "Good Master, what shall......" and he answered him with "Why are you calling me good? No one is good - only God." From this perspective of good it does not matter if you act mean or not, if you are kind or not or if you are anything else or not.

Looks like we all miss the target's bull's eye on this one.

Remember the key to violence from last week's question. It was the pride of 'I' (me) being number one. 'I' being in the center. Like in the word sin. When 'I' takes center stage we have a definition of 'sin'.

Now with 'sin' we know that it includes us all. It is also the same from Jesus comment that 'no good' includes us all.

For we have all sinned and fall short of God's bull's eye mark. (Romans 3:10 & 23)

Therefore in answering your question about people who seem mean. It looks like the truth of who they are is really showing up in their lives when they act mean. Our 'good' is only camouflage in an effort to cover up the mean we are so capable of whenever I gets in the way. Our 'good' is not good enough.

AND THAT'S OKAY.

IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE.

God responds toward us by grace and not according to our 'goodness'.

So we all are capable of being mean and our goodness falls short of the mark. But God does not need even the slightest speck of goodness in those who seem to be mean in order to bestow His gracious gift of merciful forgiveness to them or to us.

I'M REALLY GLAD ABOUT THAT.
     
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We are now answering individual questions but you can read the overview on violence from the first week at the conclusion of the questions.

I'm interested in TaeKwonDo training for my children and notice your website has religious content. We have a different religion so do you have a disciplined structure that expects children to participate in the religious content?

Thanks for asking for clarification. You have noticed correctly that I have a Christian devotional page as part of the web-site. It is an optional page that students can click on to or not. This allows for the freedom of choice. This freedom is one of the greatest forms of courtesy and respect I can give my students.

With the motto
"Everyone Is Loved, Everyone Is Special" you can see why this freedom is an important part of living the courtesy and respect our martial art teaches. I seek to live this way daily.

I also seek to live daily my Christian faith. At home, at work, in class, in the community. Live it so all students have the opportunity to learn how Christianity applies to daily life. I pray with and for my students, I answer questions in light of what the Bible teaches, I provide challenges that require real decisions of faith, and I recognize each student is unique, special and loved by God.

I respect their freedom, I respect their parent's and family's choices and I meet with all the parents in their homes to answer questions. The class structure does not manipulate or force the students into Christianity. NO student would say they felt pressure as a part of our training to become a Christian. ALL students would say that Mr. Lister believes that Jesus is essential for his daily life and for their daily lives also.

As Christians, we believe, the work of the Holy Spirit is essential for faith, for our salvation and for changed lives. We provide a fun filled training enviroment where the Holy Spirit can do His work. The disciplined structure of our classes allows the students to express themselves and discover themselves in light of God's gracious love.

Thank you for asking

Previous Questions..

I disagree with the aggressive responses that TaeKwondo uses as self-defense in light of Jesus saying "turn the other check".

Thanks for your comment. It is a good quote you use in reference to Jesus' teaching when someone slaps your face. It comes from Matthew chapter 5 where Jesus said let's take another look at the 'eye for an eye' and 'tooth for a tooth' saying.

As children we all probably at somepoint said, "He pushed me first", as our defense for pushing back. A push for a push. Or perhaps it was a poke for a poke, or you messed up my toys so I'll mess up yours.

As teens and adults we have the same tendancy to keep on doing this 'get even stuff'. We just do it in different ways and on different levels.

Jesus was saying, 'Grow up - stop this tit for tat attitude'. When slapped on the face it stings, you're humiliated, you're embarrassed; but you'll live. So do not be intimidated into a violent response by slapping back. Where will that get you?

In our self-defense classes we learn to walk away. Even though the slap, cruel remark, or vulgar jesture will sting, humiliate, and embarrass. Our self-esteem is strong enough to walk away - we will survive it.

To this point I can agree with your comment. To take it further and say Jesus was teaching not to aggressively protect yourself when your life or limb is in danger is reading too much into the passage. Knife attacks, choking, abductions and rapes are more serious than a slap on the face. Therefore they require a more serious (aggressive) response. BUT !

But the principle is still true. You're not out to get even. It's not 'an eye for an eye'. The aggressive response in self-defense is to remove the danger quickly and lessen any injury or harm to both attacker and defender before it escalates. It is never 'Now is my chance to get even'.

Self-defense taught properly does not have to conflict with Jesus' teaching on 'turning the other cheek'.

Thanks

Previous Questions.

What is the meaning of peace and why is it so uncommon in the world?

Thanks for your question. To answer what is the meaning of peace I'm wondering if my definition and yours is somewhat the same? Would your definition of peace include a feeling of calm and quiet? Would you include freedom from stress or hostility?

If I look into nature, God's creation, I see peace in a sunset (I'm not usually up early enough to see the sunrise). I see it in a still lake with perhaps a light mist hovering over the water, or the white snow capped mountains. All these images present calmness and quiet.

If I look to my fellow man for peace I find it in a baby sleeping, I see it in the cooperation of children at play, and in the embrace of lovers in love. These, and more, portray an absense of hostility and enjoy the freedom from stress and turmoil.

BUT

These images I use as examples can have storm clouds blow across the horizon, white capped waves being wind swept, or billowing clouds of deadly snow avalanching downward.

The child sleeping may awake in unquenchable screams and crying which no amount of soothing singing or rocking can ease. The children at play begin to fight as they exercise their independance and lovers quarrel, seperate and divorce.

Peace is uncommon because it takes effort. It requires work. It is by choice not by accident.

Or

Peace can come as a gift. "My peace I give you, my peace I leave with you." from John 14:27 . However this gift of peace, like all other gifts, requires a choice to accept it. It does not just happen but will require staying connected to Jesus.

How connected are your friends?

How connected is your family?

How connected are you?

The good news would be to have everyone connected.

Are you looking forward to that day?

Are you ready for that day?

A DAY OF PEACE

Thanks

for next week's question choices - send yours in at
feedback@srtkd.com

Why is there a lot of violence in the world?

Why are there drugs, violence, wierd and bad people now when in the old days there wasn't?

From different people but the questions have a theme to them. So we'll begin by answering the violence. Then we'll answer the specific questions.

Violence is the forceful expression of words or actions that go beyond the normal and inflict abuse or pain or injury. It is used to gain control, for restraint, coercion and constraint.

All of these uses come back to the issue of 'pride to protect or advance your position'.

Violence may then be used to gain control to accomplish this. It could be used to stop and restrain someone who threatens your position. Perhaps it is used to force someone into submission or keep them from rising to greater independance.

It stems from pride. From the ugly side of pride. The SELFISH side. When thoughts are centered around ME. Where I takes center stage.

It is this human condition of mankind that runs out of control. Ever since Eve was tempted in the Garden with the opportunity of advancement to become wise knowing good and evil its been here. Our thoughts and desires are often continually centered on ourselves and when left undisciplined they lead to acts and words of violence. Humble self-discipline answers that. It brings control.

If humble self-discipline is necessay to prevent pride from rearing up as violence how often do we really emphasis and strive for humble self-discipline? Do you?