WHAT IS OUR STYLE?

Jo Kwon Chi.

Jo Kwon Chi combines 4 martial art styles:

—Shotokan (which is a type of karate)

—Tae Kwon Do

—Tai Chi

—Sayokan (a Turkish style)

WHAT ARE OUR 3 CODES OF HONOR?

1. Honor

2. Compassion

3. Perseverance

WHAT IS THE 'ACADEMY CREDO'?

1. I have honor so I don't lie.

2. I have compassion so I don't criticize.

3. I have perseverance so I don't quit.

WHY DO WE BOW?

To show sincerity and respect.

A bow is a universal gesture of politeness.

In the west, we use the handshake.

WHAT IS THE ORDER OF BELT RANK IN OUR ACADEMY?

White, Yellow, Orange, Green, Blue, Purple, Brown, High Brown, + Black

WHEN DO WE USE MARTIAL ARTS ON ANOTHER PERSON?

Only when we, or others who need our help, are seriously threatened in an emergency situation.  We never use martial arts to defend our feelings or our pride, no matter how strong the feeling is.

WHAT PART OF THE FOOT SHOULD WE USE WITH FRONT, ROUND, & SIDE KICK?

Front: The ball of the foot

Round: Top of the foot (by the shoe laces)

Side: Edge or heel of the foot (by the heel)

WHAT DOES 'KARATE' TRANSLATE TO MEAN?

Empty Hand.

(KARA = empty)  (TE = hand)

WHAT COUNTRIES DO KARATE, TAE KWON DO, & TAI CHI COME FROM?

Karate comes from Japan

Tae Kwon Do comes from Korea

Tai Chi comes from China

WHY DO MOST STUDENTS PRACTICE MARTIAL ARTS BAREFOOTED?

Long ago, before drones, teachers taught students in their homes and it was customary to remove one's shoes before entering the home.  This was done out of respect.

WHAT IS THE 'YIN-YANG' SYMBOL?

It is a Chinese symbol or philosophy representing two complimentary elements that exist as one in harmony with each other.  Examples are:

Light—Dark

Day—Night

Man—Woman

Hot—Cold

Summer—Winter

One element cannot exist without the other.  Neither YIN or YANG is better or worse than the other.  Be careful not to judge one as good or evil. It is a human quality to assign judgment such as good or bad; nature assigns no such judgment.

YIN symbolizes the dark, the cold, the winter, the night.

YANG symbolizes the light, the hot, the summer, the day.

YIN represents all that is receptive, listening and internal.

YANG represents all that is dynamic, obvious, and external.

It is important to be balanced.

THINGS TO REMEMBER ABOUT PUNCHING:

1. Punch with your first two knuckles

2. Punch to your center

3. Keep your wrist straight

4. Punches start close to your body

5. Keep your elbows in as you punch (don't expose your ribs)

6. Don't over-extend

7. Don't punch your sister

WHY DO SOME OF THE MOVES IN THE KATAS SEEM UNPRACTICAL?

In the 1600's (and other times throughout history), practicing martial arts was forbidden. Peasants could not allow government officials to see them training, so they disguised their moves. Besides teaching self-defense strikes, footwork, and utilizing angles, kata aids the student in coordination, muscle development, grace, and balance.

WHAT IS THE ADVANTAGE AND DISADVANTAGE OF A PUNCH vs. A PALM HEEL STRIKE?

The punch has further reach than a palm heel strike.  However, striking with our knuckles hurts!  Our knuckles are a vulnerable part of our hand, protected only by a thin layer of skin.

DO MOST MARTIAL ART STUDENTS REACH THE RANK OF BROWN BELT?

No.  Only about 10% reach the rank of brown belt.  The average person does not have the perseverance needed to earn such a high rank.

BUNKAI: SHOW THE APPLICATION FOR ANY MOVE IN YOUR KATA

Bunkai must be shown in class.

SHOW A MOVE IN ANY KATA THAT DEMONSTRATES THE FOLLOWING:

1. Turning the body for power

2. Force being used against force

3. When you “go with the flow”

4. Utilizing footwork + angles

5. Not over-extending

6. Being firmly rooted

7. Neutralizing an attack

These principles must be shown in class.

NAME 3 BASIC PRINCIPLES OF TAI CHI

1. The whole body works together

2. Don't disconnect one part of the body from another

3. Deflect by redirecting their strike

4. Stay firmly rooted to the ground

5. Keep low weight

WHAT ARE THE 5 MOST VULNERABLE STRIKING AREAS ON A PERSON?

Eyes, nose, throat, groin, & kneecap

WHAT ARE THE 5 LEAST VULNERABLE STRIKING AREAS ON A PERSON?

Jaw, chest, tops of arms, thighs, buttocks

WHY DO WE WEAR DIFFERENT COLORED BELTS?

Around the turn of the century (1900), Judo master Jigoro Kano developed the belt system representing rank.  The changing color of a belt symbolizes an increase of knowledge.  As our belts deepen in color, our knowledge also deepens.

THE LEGALITIES OF USING THE MARTIAL ARTS

NAME 3 WAYS TO AVOID BEING IN A PHYSICAL ALTERCATION:

1. Be aware of your surroundings

2. Learn de-escalating skills

3. Have a well-prepared pre-thought plan of action

CLICK HERE for futher details

IF SOMEONE THREATENS TO BREAK YOUR FINGER,

CAN YOU USE LETHAL FORCE TO DEFEND YOURSELF?

No. You can only match your force with the force that was applied to you.

CAN YOU USE DEADLY FORCE TO DEFEND YOUR PROPERTY?

No. However, the laws give us more leeway when protecting our home. (very complex)

IF SOMEONE BREAKS INTO YOUR HOME (or car),

CAN YOU ASSUME HE IS A SERIOUS THREAT TO YOU?

Yes. However, if they retreat, you cannot attack them.

YOU ARE INVOLVED IN A PHYSICAL ALTERCATION

WHERE YOU WERE WITHIN YOUR RIGHTS.  AFTERWARDS,

A POLICE OFFICER ARRIVES ON THE SCENE.

WHAT DO YOU TELL HIM ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED?

It is best to say as little as possible. Be polite and do not lie,

but don't admit to or deny anything without an attorney.

The adrenaline generated by an attack can interfere

with a person's ability to make a clear and accurate statement

immediately after a traumatic event.

Wait until time has passed before making a statement.

Remember, you have the right to remain silent

and consult with an attorney prior to making any statement.

YOU LEGALLY DEFEND YOURSELF FROM AN AGGRESSOR,

AND YOU STOP HIM AND HE'S NEARLY UNCONSCIOUS.

DO YOU CONTINUE TO STRIKE HIM?

No. You must discontinue your attack once he's down.

CAN POLICE OFFICERS LIE TO GET YOU TO ADMIT TO A CRIME?

Oh yeah, and they often do!

IF APPROACHED BY THE POLICE,

DO YOU HAVE TO ANSWER HIS QUESTIONS,

OR HAND OVER YOUR PHONE IF ASKED?

No. However, you *do* have to hand over your driver's license and registration.

CAN YOU GIVE A WARNING SHOT?

Absolutely not.  Shooting a gun is considered deadly force with intent to kill in a court of law.  If you feel you must use a gun, only shoot to kill.  Also, if you “aim for the leg” it is easy to miss, and it might not be effective in stopping an attack. Shooting a gun is always considered deadly force with intent to kill in a court of law.

CAN THE POLICE HOLD YOU IN “THAT LITTLE ROOM” WITHOUT ARRESTING YOU?

No. They may not tell you this.

You can politely say, “Officer, unless you're arresting me, I am going home.”

WHEN ARE YOUR SELF-DEFENSE RIGHTS WAIVED

AFTER YOU HAVE A REASONABLE BELIEF

THAT YOUR LIFE IS IN IMMINENT DANGER?

1. When you initiate an attack.

2. If you're in the midst of a felony.

3. The aggressor is disabled or retreating.

NAME 4 INSTANCES THAT MUST OCCUR IN THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

FOR YOU TO BE FOUND INNOCENT

WHEN USING PHYSICAL MEANS TO DEFEND YOURSELF:

1. There must be a reasonable belief, by the common public,

that your actions were justified.

This means that the jury has to agree that if they were in the same situation, they would have used physical force to defend themselves, if they were able to.

2. Force used to defend yourself must somewhat match the intensity of the attack.

3. You cannot have been the aggressor.

4. Your intent must be innocent.