Student Newsletter for THE DOJANG
(Adult School)
June 2025
Musings from BuKwanJangNim
What does it mean to move from your center? How do we take the physical experience of your core being engaged and connected to your movement and have that become your ‘center’? How does the concept, and hopefully reality, of your ‘center’ then get transitioned out of the Dojang and into ‘real life’? When I think about moving from my center, it’s connecting my upper and lower body, tapping into a grounded feeling right behind the knot of my belt, and pulling extra energy and focus. I visualize it like a powerful spotlight focused on a target. I also visualize or experience it like a beam that is pulling me forward in a deep and balanced way. That is what ‘center’ is for me. In activity applications, I have tapped into my center during TKD, finding extra energy in a bike race, and to refocus myself running. How have you tapped into your center? How else or in what other situations can you? What about your center for non-physical engagement? What does it mean, look or feel like to ‘keep your center’ or ‘get centered’? I find that I utilize my center, or I try to, when I am stressed or overwhelmed, or even when I feel myself becoming angry or scared. A physical sensation of being powerful and strong tied in with localized breathing goes a long way towards finding a sense of balance and calm – another way of using your ‘center’. Challenge yourself to become more aware of your center; breathing from it and moving through it.
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Reminders/News
Father's Day Class/Combo Class
Alright dads, it’s your turn! Plan to join us (and invite your fathers/grandfathers/father figures) on Sunday, June 15 for our very special combo class with the Kicking Kids students and all our dads. Class is from 3:00-3:50pm.
Black Belt Workshop
Black Belt Workshop will follow Combo Class on June 15 from 3:50 - 4:30pm. Black Belts are expected to attend, and hopefully the mothers in your life will understand. If you cannot attend for some reason, clear it with BuKwanJangNim before May 11.
Breaking Class
Breaking class is Saturday, June 7. All students will work on impact techniques, holding and setting up effective breaks. Boards are $4 each or you are welcome to bring your own.
Dojang Dinner
Dojang Dinner is Saturday, June 7 following breaking class. See you at Beyond Bread on Campbell!
Testing News
Belt promotion testing is Saturday, July 19 at 3:30pm. Overall we are on track for a wonderful test! All students, regardless of testing status, should continue to refine past forms and work on rank appropriate mastery over new material. Testing is a check in on our goal of continuous improvement over time, we do not want to ‘just’ work for testing.
Protocol Focus
Remember that in class we do not sit or lean on mirrors or chairs etc. during water breaks or when we are watching, learning or giving feedback. There is an exception though. If you begin to feel ill, dizzy or off during class, it is okay to ask permission to sit down and take a break. Sometimes we overextend or we just need a moment to recover. That is okay, sitting before passing out is always a better choice!
Tuition
Tuition is due by Friday, June 20 for July training. Thank you for remembering the tuition total of $110.00 including tax and for being on time. There is a $10 late fee for tuition received after the 20th. If you are not a TRC member, please set up AutoPay through your bank – it is quick and easy to do! Please ask BuKwanJangNim Marie if you need more information.
New Students
We are looking to add new students to our Tiny Tigers, Kicking Kids and Adult classes. Who do you know that that would benefit from our training? Please send them our way, word of mouth is a powerful recruiting tool!
Facebook
Please support the Dojang through social media and spread the word! Find us on Facebook @TheDojangTucson
Dojang Library
There is a small library of books in the Dojang office if you are interested in martial arts reading. Books are available to borrow. Please be sure to sign them out and return them when you finish.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Class Times
Tues. & Thurs. 7:00-8:15pm Adults
Thurs. 5:00-6:00pm Kicking Kids/Tiny Tigers (in the racquetball building)
Sat. 2:00-2:50pm Tiny Tigers
Sat/Sun 3:00-3:50pm Kicking Kids
Sat/Sun 4:00-5:15pm Adults
June 15 3:50-4:30pm Black Belt Workshop
*Arrive a minimum of 5 minutes before class*
Class Equipment
EVERY class, students need: full uniform and belt, sparring gear, a Dojang T-shirt, and a full water bottle. A protective cup is required for all male students. Shirts worn under uniform tops must be solid white, red or black (for black belts only) if it is not your Dojang T-shirt.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
History
Hapkido: (Korean: “way of coordinated energy”) a Korean form of unarmed self-defense based on the circular foot sweeps and kicks of traditional Korean tae kyon, but incorporating punches and circular throws and a yielding principle similar to that of aikido. The emphasis on circular motion allows for a free-flowing form of combat in which one technique can merge with the next and the direction of force can easily be changed by changing the axis of rotation. (britannica.com)
What does it mean to move from your center? How do we take the physical experience of your core being engaged and connected to your movement and have that become your ‘center’? How does the concept, and hopefully reality, of your ‘center’ then get transitioned out of the Dojang and into ‘real life’? When I think about moving from my center, it’s connecting my upper and lower body, tapping into a grounded feeling right behind the knot of my belt, and pulling extra energy and focus. I visualize it like a powerful spotlight focused on a target. I also visualize or experience it like a beam that is pulling me forward in a deep and balanced way. That is what ‘center’ is for me. In activity applications, I have tapped into my center during TKD, finding extra energy in a bike race, and to refocus myself running. How have you tapped into your center? How else or in what other situations can you? What about your center for non-physical engagement? What does it mean, look or feel like to ‘keep your center’ or ‘get centered’? I find that I utilize my center, or I try to, when I am stressed or overwhelmed, or even when I feel myself becoming angry or scared. A physical sensation of being powerful and strong tied in with localized breathing goes a long way towards finding a sense of balance and calm – another way of using your ‘center’. Challenge yourself to become more aware of your center; breathing from it and moving through it.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Reminders/News
Father's Day Class/Combo Class
Alright dads, it’s your turn! Plan to join us (and invite your fathers/grandfathers/father figures) on Sunday, June 15 for our very special combo class with the Kicking Kids students and all our dads. Class is from 3:00-3:50pm.
Black Belt Workshop
Black Belt Workshop will follow Combo Class on June 15 from 3:50 - 4:30pm. Black Belts are expected to attend, and hopefully the mothers in your life will understand. If you cannot attend for some reason, clear it with BuKwanJangNim before May 11.
Breaking Class
Breaking class is Saturday, June 7. All students will work on impact techniques, holding and setting up effective breaks. Boards are $4 each or you are welcome to bring your own.
Dojang Dinner
Dojang Dinner is Saturday, June 7 following breaking class. See you at Beyond Bread on Campbell!
Testing News
Belt promotion testing is Saturday, July 19 at 3:30pm. Overall we are on track for a wonderful test! All students, regardless of testing status, should continue to refine past forms and work on rank appropriate mastery over new material. Testing is a check in on our goal of continuous improvement over time, we do not want to ‘just’ work for testing.
Protocol Focus
Remember that in class we do not sit or lean on mirrors or chairs etc. during water breaks or when we are watching, learning or giving feedback. There is an exception though. If you begin to feel ill, dizzy or off during class, it is okay to ask permission to sit down and take a break. Sometimes we overextend or we just need a moment to recover. That is okay, sitting before passing out is always a better choice!
Tuition
Tuition is due by Friday, June 20 for July training. Thank you for remembering the tuition total of $110.00 including tax and for being on time. There is a $10 late fee for tuition received after the 20th. If you are not a TRC member, please set up AutoPay through your bank – it is quick and easy to do! Please ask BuKwanJangNim Marie if you need more information.
New Students
We are looking to add new students to our Tiny Tigers, Kicking Kids and Adult classes. Who do you know that that would benefit from our training? Please send them our way, word of mouth is a powerful recruiting tool!
Please support the Dojang through social media and spread the word! Find us on Facebook @TheDojangTucson
Dojang Library
There is a small library of books in the Dojang office if you are interested in martial arts reading. Books are available to borrow. Please be sure to sign them out and return them when you finish.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Class Times
Tues. & Thurs. 7:00-8:15pm Adults
Thurs. 5:00-6:00pm Kicking Kids/Tiny Tigers (in the racquetball building)
Sat. 2:00-2:50pm Tiny Tigers
Sat/Sun 3:00-3:50pm Kicking Kids
Sat/Sun 4:00-5:15pm Adults
June 15 3:50-4:30pm Black Belt Workshop
*Arrive a minimum of 5 minutes before class*
Class Equipment
EVERY class, students need: full uniform and belt, sparring gear, a Dojang T-shirt, and a full water bottle. A protective cup is required for all male students. Shirts worn under uniform tops must be solid white, red or black (for black belts only) if it is not your Dojang T-shirt.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
History
Hapkido: (Korean: “way of coordinated energy”) a Korean form of unarmed self-defense based on the circular foot sweeps and kicks of traditional Korean tae kyon, but incorporating punches and circular throws and a yielding principle similar to that of aikido. The emphasis on circular motion allows for a free-flowing form of combat in which one technique can merge with the next and the direction of force can easily be changed by changing the axis of rotation. (britannica.com)