Archery and the Warrior Spirit

Great Grandmaster Tae Yun Kim has many many training courses.  One of my favorites, is the one that uses the ancient art of archery to train and develop our warrior spirit.

The first lessons are about the basics of safety.  To your life and others.  Which way are we shooting?  Is the range clear?  Where are the targets?  Where should the shooters stand?  What are the range rules?  Once it is clear, are you pointing the arrow in the right direction?  Never fool around, or point anywhere but down range.

The next lessons are about the basics of your equipment.  Is it safe?  Do you know how to use it?  This can include your bow, arrows, arrow heads, feathers, bow string, clothing, arm guards, finger guards, target rests, quivers, and more.

Next, load the bow with the arrow properly.  Proper posture, draw, breathing, metal focus and release.

Next is practice.  For the very first time, start close and make sure you can hit the target.  Can you hit the target at 10 feet?  At 15 feet?  If so, you are on your way.

Now it can get very exciting, and what you need is practice, practice, and more practice.  Can you hit the target at 15 yards?  20 yards, 25 yards, 30 yards and more....  Can you group your arrows?  Can you control your breathing?  Can you control your attitude and ego?  Can you focus your mind?  Can you control your energy?

Now Great Grandmaster Tae Yun Kim raises the training level.  She pushes us to train with the bong between each set of arrows.  Do forms in between, Spar with a partner.  Your energy is rising.  You are out of breathe.  You are tired and yet exciting and your are huffing and puffing.  Now can you control your breathing?  Can you calm yourself in a matter of seconds.  Can you hold the bow steady, and release very calmly?  Can you group your arrows into a tight circle?

Next you run to different stations, and load, run, and fire.  The lessons are many.  The discipline is necessary.  The excitement and learning is awesome.  I feel awesome to be part of these training programs.  What an exciting life dream.

Thank you Great Grandmaster Tae Yun Kim, for keeping and promoting the way of the warrior.
Jung Su!