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Dear Martial Arts Colleagues,
Over the years, our National Office has received numerous requests for promotions in Black Belt Grades of 5th Dan & above. In nearly all cases, the individual has noted that they have “not been promoted in a while” and generally that they have proper “time in grade” for the promotion.
What is often “forgotten” is in addition to training & skill development, the Dan Grades of 5th Dan and above are clearly classified as “Leadership” ranks.
What this means is that any promotion for grades 5th Dan & above must be reviewed and approved by the National Technical & Promotion Committee.
And, in addition to looking for skill development (per our Rank Requirements), the Committee Members are looking for “evidence” of long-term Leadership and Service in our National Organization.
“Key Examples” of Leadership and Service include the following –
- Regular Dojang Teaching
- Leading or assisting in Seminars or Special Events
- Conducting specialized Training Courses for advanced students, teachers, coaches & referees
- On-Going Recruitment and Registering “Student & School Memberships” in our National Organization
- Teaching / Testing / Promoting Students and Associates in our National System(s)
- Leading or Assisting in Regional or National Events such as Tournaments or Camps
- Researching / Writing / Publishing Technical Papers, Manuals, or Books related to our Martial Art(s)
- Participating at a Regional or National Level on Committees or Board(s)
- Serving as an Officer of our National Organization.
- Providing Special Counsel to Officers or Committees of our National Organization
Above are “Key Examples” of providing Leadership and Service in our National Organization.
Also note that –
For 5th & 6th Dan – You should be serving at the Regional Level
For 7th & 8th Dan – You should be serving at the National Level
For 9th Dan – You should be serving at the International Level
I hope this information is helpful to you as we continue to Develop and Grow our National Organization.
Sincerely,
Richard Hackworth
President, USAHKD
Welcome from Richard Hackworth
Welcome to World Hapkido News website. You complete Hapkido & Lifestyle Resource, a place for Hapkido News, Instructional Videos, Articles, Program information, Mindfulness, and Lifestyle. Explore the site to find a wide variety of articles from Hapkido enthusiasts and Grand Masters, for beginners and professionals alike.
Each time we move into a Hapkido stance we deepen our ability to control our body, breath, and focus. Likewise, when we dig deeper into the philosophy of Hapkido, we naturally begin to eat, sleep, train, and think more like Hapkido masters. If you have been yearning for practical ways to incorporate all the branches of the Hapkido way of life, it might be time for you to discover how to live a Hapkido lifestyle.
What is a Hapkido Lifestyle?
A Hapkido lifestyle involves consciously shaping our attitudes, habits, and general ways of life to be more congruent with the philosophies, principles, morals, and ethics of Hapkido. While we will all have a highly individual way of implementing a Hapkido lifestyle, there are a few guidelines we can all follow.
Firstly, Hapkido practitioners should make lifestyle choices that bring them towards a place of confidence, a state of equanimity and inner peace. Secondly, establishing and maintaining a healthy body, a focused mind, and a calm heart should be priorities. Lastly, a Hapkido lifestyle should be conducive to the pursuit of Hapkido technique, history, and knowledge.
Living a Hapkido lifestyle does not mean you need to move to a temple or become a reclusive hermit on top of a mountain. Your lifestyle choices will reflect and be aligned with the total mind, body, and spirit philosophy, you are currently pursuing. Entering a Hapkido lifestyle can also be as gradual as necessary based on your current life circumstances. Fully committing to living a Hapkido master’s way of life may eventually lead you to relocate, eat differently, change jobs and develop new friendships—if that’s meant to be, you’ll get there in time.
How To Live The Hapkido Lifestyle
Deepening your breadth and depth of Hapkido knowledge will be necessary in order to integrate Hapkido into your daily life. Most importantly you will need a working knowledge of the techniques, history, and core Hapkido principles. You will also need to develop tools and techniques for mastering control of your body, breath, thoughts, words, and actions.
Sleep Like a Hapkido Master
Getting a full eight hours of sleep is essential for a Hapkido masters to have a focused and clear mind, a rested and energized body, a robust immune system, and a happy heart. Ideally, a Hapkido lifestyle practitioner schedules their sleep time to be able to wake up at sunrise—the best time of day to practice breathing or meditation. To achieve deep and peaceful sleep, Hapkido practitioners should aim to minimize mental stimulation before bedtime and instead engage in light-hearted and positive activities like reading, gentle breathing, or guided meditation.
Think Like a Hapkido Master
While Hapkido practice helps strengthen and sharpen mental focus, a regular meditation practice will further allow you to master your mind, achieving deeper awareness of your emotions so that you can better regulate them. Cultivating concentration and focus not only stabilizes and clarifies the mind, but it can also boost your creativity, productivity, and happiness. Practicing nonjudgmental awareness throughout the day will bring more peace and richness into your life and will prevent you from wasting time and energy in excessive negative thinking.
Living The Hapkido Lifestyle
There will naturally be some growing pains when one chooses the path of Hapkido mastery, but the benefits and rewards are great—both on and off the mat. The lifestyle of a Hapkido practitioner naturally changes, fluctuates, deepens, and develops over time.
An easy way to dip your toes into the Hapkido lifestyle is by attending local Hapkido class, retreats, and workshops or by spending a week or two at a Hapkido course. Whichever aspects of a Hapkido lifestyle you choose to explore, remember to take it slow and make the changes that involve the least resistance first.
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