12.12.2016 / National technical seminar with Grand Master Hwang Ho-yong (IX. dan) & other instructors

Taekwon-do nation in Brno

Just 2 weeks before Christmas day, Czech taekwondoists had their small Christmas. Around 100 of us met not to win medal or trophy, but to spend time together and to practice and improve. Eighteen of our advanced students (red belt and above) took part in Czech national seminar. Four of us had harder goal - they needed to both practice hard and sav
e energy to be able to perform well on next day´s Dan tests.

We left Prague at 7 AM - very early we thought. We found out it was good decision at first stop as one of us decided to go to toilet, other one decided same way as the first one returned and sat down in car. It was repeated by 4 people. Then one of us lost her thermos and she crawled through parking lot, guy sitting behind me in car said "oh, I am sitting on it". I had to rise my voice a bit to persuade him to tell her. I am writing this because of two reasons. First we know why we depart so early, second if you think you are bad at self-control, loose temper easily, I have recommendation for you - become Taekwondo instructor it is great way how to improve it :o)

We reached Brno with enough time to stretch a bit (older ones) or to kick each other (younger ones) and to talk to colleagues from Sonkal and with friends from all over Czech republic.

First 2hour training was focused on fundamental movements and patterns. Group of students up to I. Dan was led by master Zámečník and Milan Prokeš (VI. Dan), higher one up to VI. Dan was led by master Kaňka and our Ondřej Vrábel (VI. Dan). Ondra´s playful warm-up was accepted with scepticism at first (even by me), but after few moments everyone was happily running as small kids (together with me :o) ) . Master Kaňka started with basic moves and patterns and gave us corrections we do not normally get. Few facts I consider importatnt: 1/ when master Kaňka shows something it is good to watch, because he moves in really nice manner 2/ he repeated many times "focus mentally on attacking/blocking tool not to stuck your power" and described classical movement mistakes we do withdrawing our power. 3/ at beginning of each pattern he motivated us to focus on few techniques we want to correct. It is evident we want to improve, but I think that we often continue to practice all the same way turning in circle of what we do well and what are our mistakes. And it leads to stagnation.

Afternoon training was led by national team coaches Jan Mraček and Aleš Vyzrál. Higher group (I was part of) was led by Jan, who focused on basics from stance, hand position and work, feet position. Everything with deep commentary to describe what mistakes brings to us and our students. Then drills of hand techniques, dolmyo (reverse) kicks and combinations followed. We probably knew everything we did, but the point was to correct us deeply and to see in way how Honza (and two national team members - Jan Vrchovecký and Tomáš Vodička) performs techniques that drill and understanding of basics brings success.

As second training ended most of us had their plan finished, but Ondra Vrábel, Vláďa Švanda, me and Tomáš Vodička took part in last training for IV. Dan and above with master Zámečník. I´ve practiced with Martin Zámečník many times since I was 1. kup (and he II. Dan), but I still enjoy his deep and always improving understanding of our martial art. Understanding based on regular training, discussions with our Grandmaster Hwang and taking part in seminars with masters and grandmasters all over the world. As last Taekwon-do pattern´s, Tong-Il, time came, most of us were sitting and watched VI. Dan to practice it. Three guys much bigger or/and older than me still with sharp power and quick legs. Good to see :o)

Way back home was fast and without problem (ok, my car was trying to tell me something about engine problem, but it was in german which I don´t understand). Sitting at my home writing few notes I found out I have plan for my trainings at least for following month.

So this is how National seminar 2016 was. Nothing what would twist our view of Taekwon-do, but many possibilities to understand better and deeper what we do and practice for many years. It has to be so as all insructors leading the seminar are long-time GM Hwang students. And so are also regional seminar we have monthly. Repeating things to improve, to understand better - if you are open minded. I am happy that majority of Sonkal advanced students are seeing it this way probably. Proof of it is 18 of us taking part.

Martin Svitek, IV. Dan, Sonkal Praha