Mat Chat: Self Control

We have 5 tenets of Taekwondo. They include:

Courtesy 여의 ye-wee

Integrity 염치 yom-chee

Perseverance 인냬 ee-nay

Self-Control 극기 gook gee

Indomitable Spirit 백절불굴 beckjool boolgool

Self control is arguably the glue that holds the other tenets together.

Courtesy is easy to show someone you just met, someone you admire, or someone you respect, or someone you love.

Perseverance is simple enough, when you are just starting out and have excitement and passion.

Indomitable Spirit, and integrity both hinge on Self Control as well.

“the ability to control oneself, in particular one’s emotions and desires or the expression of them in one’s behavior, especially in difficult situations.”

Oxford Languages

In martial arts training, we provide many opportunities to practice self control. When we are faced with a partner during drills and we are choosing to kick strong or not.

When we’re sparring a novice opponent and we are choosing to match their level, or dominate them.

When we are practicing a dangerous technique and choose to take care or be reckless.

These all sound so straightforward; so simple!

Yet in practice, self control can be challenging.

For me, my challenge is having self control with my children. When my young daughters would wet the bed, or reach a certain age and try to find themselves, or discover their place in the world… I would have to have self control over my reactions, over my emotions.

It wasn’t always the case… 😅

Self control can be found situations where crying is either acceptable or not.

Losing the sparring match? Probably not a good time to cry.

Boss is being a jerk? Crying probably won’t solve your problem.

Death of a family pet? Crying can help with healing our torn emotions!

Martial arts training used to be purely to strengthen the body and mind for self defence in a physical and primitive world. However these days, we have laws and government which help keep us safe.

This shifts martial arts training to practicing techniques to improve our physical body for self defence (in the off chance we may need it), health, confidence, character building and more.

Self control is learning how to master our own body, learning to spar both on the mats and in the conference room with tact and grace.

Self Control is thinking before acting… what effect will this have on my partner? If I kick them hard, if I kick them lightly?

discipline

willpower

Self control is required for both! Want to wake up earlier? Sleep earlier? Make better choices when it comes to eating habits?

Self control comes from having respect for one another. It’s in our founder General Choi’s Taekwondo oath, which is recited more often in ITF (International Taekwondo Federation) dojangs, however they still ring true on WT (World Taekwondo) mats as well:

• I shall observe the tenets of Taekwondo
• I shall respect the instructor and seniors
• I shall never misuse Taekwondo
• I shall be a champion of freedom and justice
• I shall build a more peaceful world

Train hard, build self control, and see you on the mats.👊