The Dalai Lama
"Some people come into our lives and quickly go.
Some move our souls to dance.
They awaken us to new understanding
with the passing whisper of their wisdom.
Some people make the sky more beautiful to gaze upon.
They stay in our lives for awhile,
leave footprints on our hearts
and we are never, ever the same."
(In my opinion - I believe completely that the the above refers to how many past students, including myself, feel about Kyosah.)
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The greatest weakness of most humans is their hesitancy to tell others how much they love them while they're still alive.
There comes that mysterious meeting in life when someone acknowledges who we are and what we can be, igniting the circuits of our highest potential.
Sometimes our light goes out but is blown into a flame by another human being. Each of us owes deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this light.
A teacher affects eternity, he can never tell where his influence stops.
It is better to deserve honors and not have them than to have them and not deserve them.
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Sometimes when we're in a dark hour, we may believe time has suddenly stopped. Forever after we shall always have this pain or sadness or despair. From here on, we think, this is how it's going to be - minute after minute of pain.
But we need to remember time passes quickly when we're enjoying ourselves. When we're in the midst of a negative feeling, every hour seems like two. But this present hour will not endure. Nor the next. Sorrows pass, just as happiness does. Pain passes, just as pleasure does. Nothing really stays the same, nothing ever stands still.
All we need to do, right now, is endure this moment. It too, shall pass. We need to have strength, patience, faith, and a strong belief that this moment - and the feelings in this moment - will not endure. Time passes, and so will the pain. (Night Light - A Book of Nighttime Meditations.)
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Quietly for the past ten years (written in 1981), Robert G. Zychski has been teaching Taekwondo, free-of-charge, at a local Salvation Army building. When the program began, classes were held once a week; now there are five classes a week with a pre-teen class held on Saturday mornings. The pre-teen class, which began about six months ago, already has sixty students attending, with a waiting list quickly growing. Parents bring their children from all the other areas of New York City to this unique school.
Zychski has been involved in the martial arts since 1948 and has not only studied Taekwondo, but also judo, aikido, hapkido, karate, kung-fu, aiki-jitsu, tai-chi, yoga and Zen. Therefore, his teaching is a composite of all these arts. His students are taught judo throwing, falling and rolling; hapkido and aikido techniques. As the student progresses, he becomes aptly qualified to handle himself in any type of situation.
Zychski began his school primarily to afford people a place to learn the martial arts for a very reasonable fee. Since Taekwondo is suitable for people of all ages, it is an excellent all-around exercise program rather than only an art of self-defense. However, the instructor must be knowledgeable enough to teach people of all ages.
Just a glance through any newspaper will reveal stories of muggings, rapes, etc. That is why attendance is increasing at martial arts schools. However, many of the commercial schools have been affected by the high cost of rent, advertising, etc., and as a result, they must charge a higher tuition. Since Zychski charges his students only $1.00, $3.00 or $5.00 a week, depending upon how many lessons the student attends a week, many people are seeking out this school. Because the school is non-profit, there is no money for advertising, but actually - none is needed. Word of mouth has made this one of the most popular schools on the East Coast. it is now very difficult to become a student at this school without waiting for several months for an opening. Because of the interest shown in his school, Zychski continuously tells present students that if they are away from school for one week, without letting an instructor know first, they are automatically expelled. Even though this happens very infrequently, it still provides some openings for students on the waiting list who might be more serious about studying.
Students begin with the familiar 'white' belt and then progress to 'yellow' belt, 'green' belt, 'purple' belt, and then to 'brown' belt in about two years. If they desire to go on to 'Black' belt, they must wait one year since the time they received their 'brown' belt. During that time, they must practice at least three times a week. Before a student joins the school, he is given a set of rules and regulations. Some of which are: the first student into the gym must sweep the floor; if a student comes late to a class, he must kneel at the doorway until the instructor allows him to join the class; any student who has been away from classes for a long time (with permission), but get approval from chief instructor before joining practice sessions again. All his time must be devoted to practice and not any type of socializing (this applies to both students and instructors). All students must bow in the direction of the school flags when entering or leaving the gym, as a sign of respect. They must also bow to a Black Belt holder. "In many Asian countries," Zychski says, "students bow to teachers even in grammar and high school. Teachers are respected almost as much as parents and therefore, a student is usually a student for life in a martial arts school and respects his instructor even into the instructor's advanced years. However," Zychski sadly notes, "American students tend to think that when they reach Black Belt level, they know everything. Actually, reaching the Black Belt level means that the student is just beginning to learn the true meaning of the Martial Arts. Now the theory and philosophy begins. In the beginning it is 90 percent physical and 10 percent mental. However, that quickly reverses when one reaches Black Belt level, or at least it should."
Taekwondo is very similar to Japanese karate but tends to stress more leg moves for self defense. Breaking boards and smashing bricks is not what Taekwondo and karate are all about. These feats of so-called super human strength only prove the power or concentration that the martial artist has achieved and the ability he has to focus all his power into a very limited area, namely his knuckles or sides of his hands or foot, etc. Many people have been led to believe that the martial arts are only for bullies or tough guys. Actually, the higher the degree, the quieter the person. Usually! But this quietness should never be confused with cowardess. If necessary, the martial artist can easily defend himself with blinding speed and power. Over the years, his hands and feet have actually become lethal weapons. He must be constantly on guard never to use his knowledge of Taekwondo unless in extreme emergency. Too many students begin studying with the thought of becoming good fighters ONLY, but that state can very seldom be achieved, because there is always going to be someone better and then the student will lose much of his self confidence and usually stop practicing.
Along the road of study, the student should always be trying to develop his inner self also. There is a great difference between the two. The students who remain in the martial arts, year after year, are the ones who are trying t learn everything, rather than just free-fighting or trying to be better than anyone else. My learning is also my sharing with others what I have learned. The show-offs will usually discontinue studying after reaching the Black Belt level, if they ever they do reach that level. I must respect anyone who is trying to teach me to become a better person. A student must never get mad at his instructor when the instructor tells him he is doing something wrong. In the school, the chief instructor is the sole authority. If the instructor didn't care about the student, he wouldn't even bother telling him that he was doing something wrong. He would just promote the student for the time spent in the school, with no though of the student's proficiency. That is the difference between an instructor and a good instructor. When the student can no longer listen to the instructor with patience and understanding, the student had better leave the school. All of these rules and teachings can be found at the Horangi Taekwondo Dojang, and maybe that is why so many ex-students want to return. They realize now that while they were students, they felt a feeling of belonging to a martial arts family. Once they left, they discovered that the 'outside' world was not what they expected it to be. Everyone is always trying to be better than others and no one has the time to lend a helping hand. At this unique school, every student is eager to help another; just as he was helped when he first began.
Official Karate magazine aptly put it, when they wrote in their Yearbook: "In a world that worships the almighty dollar, Zychski's school is thankfully out of step with the times." Money never enters into the teaching philosophy at this school. Hard to believe, but true!
"Self confidence, as I see it," says Zychski, "means walking away from a possible fight, rather than getting involved in it." As far as he is concerned, it would prove nothing to show his expertise to others, unless absolutely necessary. It is private possession. Maybe if more young people young people adopted this motto, there would be far less crime in the world. None of Zychski's students smoke, take drugs or drink alcohol. If they feel as though they must experiment with these dangerous substances, they must leave the school.
Brown and Black belt students also are taught the use of the "sai" and "nunchaku" to broaden their knowledge of the martial arts. Zychski recently received a Certificate of Achievement from Un Yong Kim, President of the Koran Taekwondo in Seoul, Korea. The certificate cites Zychski as a person responsible for spreading the word of Taekwondo outside of Korea. Zychski also received a plaque from the Salvation Army for his dedication and leadership in dealing with the young people of New York. The school was also featured in the Daily News; Newsday; Queens Weekly; Black Belt magazine; Official Karate magazine and Yearbook, Big Book of Karate, International Karate and others, too numerous to mention.
After his daytime job, Zychski is off to teach Taekwondo and after that he goes home to answer letters that he continues to receive from all over the world. Each one he attempts to answer personally, but at times he must call on his senior students to do some of the typing. In just one day he could receive letters from Poland, Korea, Holland, England, Isle of Man, India, Bahamas, Japan, Cuba and foreign missions to the U.N. One recently arrived from the Russian Embassy looking to buy Tiger Balm for sore muscles.
Zychski's school might be one of the very few schools in the country to remain completely commercial free, even to the point of not allowing any visitors to watch the classes. The parents of the pre-teens soon learn that they are not allowed to enter the building with their children. Only during special events are the parents allowed to watch a class and to note the progress of their child(ren). Once again, they are beginning to like their children and the way they are now beginning to behave. Because of the success of the school, Zychski is constantly approached by other organizations to start a Taekwondo program at their location; some have even offered to pay him for his time. However, for the time being, he is content to teach solely at the Salvation Army. It might be interesting to note at this time that this is the first time a martial art has ever been taught at the Salvation Army. One of the Captains at the Salvation Army told Zychski that she wishes all of the children who used the building were as well mannered as the students who attend Zychski's school.
It is not unusual to see Zychski spending some time with a student who might have a problem. For us it is a pleasure to write about this instructor and let the martial arts community know about his philosophy of non-profit teaching. If we would try to find just one word to describe the man, his school and his students - that word would be LOVE. (Karate Monthly. Sept 1981)
THE STUDENT OATH
I shall observe the tenets of Taekwon-Do
I shall respect the instructor and seniors
I shall never misuse Taekwon-Do
I shall be a champion of freedom and justice
I shall build a more peaceful world
(The Tenets of TaeKwon-Do with Explanation)
COURTESY (Ye Ui)
It can be said that courtesy is an unwritten regulation prescribed by ancient teachers of philosophy as a means to enlighten human beings while maintaining a harmonious society. It can be further be as an ultimate criterion required of a mortal.
Taekwon-Do students should attempt to practice the following elements of courtesy to build up their noble character and to conduct the training in an orderly manner as well.
1) To promote the spirit of mutual concessions
2) To be ashamed of one's vices, contempting those of others
3) To be polite to one another
4) To encourage the sense of justice and humanity
5) To distinguish instructor from student, senior from junior, and elder from younger
6) To behave oneself according to etiquette
7) To respect others' possessions
8) To handle matters with fairness and sincerity
9) To refrain from giving or accepting a gift when in doubt
INTEGRITY (Yom Chi)
In Taekwon-Do, the word integrity assumes a looser definition than the one usually presented in Webster's dictionary. One must be able to define right and wrong and have a conscience, if wrong, to feel guilt. Listed are some examples where integrity is lacking:
1) The instructor who misrepresents himself and his art by presenting improper techniques to his students because of a lack of knowledge or apathy.
2) The student who misrepresents himself by "fixing" breaking materials before demonstrations.
3) The instructor who camouflages bad technique with luxurious training halls and false flattery to his students.
4) The student who requests ranks from an instructor, or attempts to purchase it.
5) The student who gains rank for ego purposes or the feeling of power.
6) The instructor who teaches and promotes his art for materialistic gains.
7) The students whose actions do not live up to his words.
8) The student who feels ashamed to seek opinions from his juniors.
PERSEVERANCE (In Nae)
There is an old Oriental saying, "Patience leads to virtue or merit, One can make a peaceful home by being patient for 100 times." Certainly happiness and prosperity are most likely brought to the patient person. To achieve something, whether it is a higher degree or the perfection or a technique, one must set his goal, then constantly persevere. Robert Bruce learned his lesson of perseverance from the persistent efforts of a lowly spider. It was this perseverance and tenacity that finally enabled him to free Scotland in the fourteenth century. One of the most important secrets in becoming a leader of Taekwon-Do is to overcome every difficulty by perseverance. Confucius said, "one who is impatient in trivial matters can seldom achieve success in matters of great importance."
SELF CONTROL (Guk Gi)
This tenet is extremely important inside and outside the dojang, whether conducting oneself in free sparring or in one's personal affairs. A loss of self-control in free sparring can prove disastrous to both student and opponent. An inability to live and work within one's capability or sphere is also a lack of self-control.
According to Lao-Tzu "the term of stronger is the person who wins over oneself rather than someone else."
INDOMITABLE SPIRIT (Baekjool Boolgool)
"Here lie 300, who did their duty," a simple epitaph for one of the greatest acts of courage known to mankind. Although facing the superior forces of Xerxes, Leonidas and his 300 Spartans at Thermoplylae showed the world the meaning of indomitable spirit. It is shown when a courageous person and his principles are pitted against overwhelming odds.
A serious student of Taekwon-Do will at all times be modest and honest. If confronted with injustice, he will deal with the belligerent without any fear or hesitation at all, with indomitable spirit, regardless of whosoever and however many the number may be.
Confucius declared," It is an act of cowardice to fail to speak out against injustice." As history has proven, those who have pursued their dreams earnestly and strenuously with indomitable spirit have never failed to achieve their goals.
"The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires"
Kyosah once told me that if a student does not respect the instructor, the student should leave the school or the instructor should leave the school. The instructor should no longer teach that student (or students).
What is a friend?
Some people come into our lives and quickly go
Some people become friends and stay a while
Leaving footprints on our Hearts
and we are never quite the same
because we have made a good friend!
You're...
My Friend,
my companion,
through good times and bad
my friend, my buddy,
through happy and sad,
beside me you stand,
beside me you walk,
you're there to listen,
you're there to talk,
with happiness, with smiles,
with pain and tears,
I know you'll be there,
throughout the years!
THE MANTRA OF UNIFICATION... The souls of men are one, and I am one with them. I seek to love, not hate; I seek to serve and not exact due service; I seek to heal, not hurt. Let pain bring due reward of light and love. Let the soul control the outer form, and life, and all events. And bring to light the Love that underlies the happenings of the time. Let vision come and insight. Let the future stand revealed. Let inner union demonstrate, out cleavages - be gone. Let love prevail. Let all men love.
How to Live in the Moment
Living in the moment is all about living like there's no tomorrow. It takes practice but in the end, you'll lead a fuller life. To do this you must realize beauty in every moment, and in everyday activities. This is your life, now live!
Take notice of the world around you. No matter what you're doing, try to find something beautiful around you. Maybe on your way to work or school, you go over a beautiful bridge, or you get a view of the sunrise behind the city buildings. Realizing these small things can bring life and happiness even to the most boring or routine days. Be thankful for those little things.
Focus on whatever you're doing. Even if you're just walking, or wiping the counter, or shuffling cards - how does it feel? There's probably some kind of commentary spinning through your mind, and it probably has to do with something other than what you're doing. Let those thoughts go and focus on what is (not what was, or what could be). In Buddhism, this is referred to as mindfulness. Pay attention to your senses - touch, sight, smell, sound, and taste. Pretend it's the very last time you'll ever experience whatever you're experiencing. Have you ever been so engrossed in something that it seemed like the rest of the world just disappeared? Living in the moment is about creating that state of mind at any time. Slow down, and try to savor the present.
Smile when you wake up. You can set the tone of appreciation and awareness for the next 24 hours by simply waking up and smiling. Don't wake up with a groan and a smash of your alarm clock. There's scientific proof that the expressions that you make with your face can actually influence how you feel, In particular, true happiness is most closely tied to a Duchenne smile which involves smiling with your eyes, as well as your mouth.
Commit random, spontaneous acts of kindness. Whether it's donating 1 dollar to a fund at the pharmacy, picking up litter, or helping victims of natural disasters, keep alert in every moment of your day for some way in which you can make the world a bettler place. Even the smallest thing, like complimenting someone, can bring joy. It's the most spontaneous and unexpected acts of kindness that produce the greatest impact, and you can't be sensitive to those kinds of opportunities unless you're living in the moment.
Minimize activities that dull your awareness of the moment. What are you doing that tempts your mind to run away from the present? For most people, watching television puts you in a passive state of mind, and time slips right by. Daydreaming and getting lost in a good movie or book isn't bad, but it's not living in the moment because it places your concentration on something that isn't right here, right now; it's a form of escapism. Don't zone out; zone in. Do things that are active, and that encourage you to look around and engage the world in that moment. Gardening, playing a game, knitting, and playing an instrument are all activities that lend themselves to mindfulness. So get off the computer after reading this article!
Be Thankful for what is. When you find yourself wishing for something you don't have, or wishing your life would be different, start your quest for your wish by being thankful for what is already in your life. This will bring you back to the present moment. Make a list of what you are thankful for right now even if all you can think of is that you are alive and can breathe. You don't want miss the gifts right in front of you because you are always looking beyond what is in the present moment to what once was or what might be. If you are thankful for what is, you'll be happy to be in the moment instead of somewhere else.
Tips: Play with kids! Children don't worry about the future; they play and enjoy every moment for what it is. They haven't yet learned to think ahead, or mull over the past, so take the opportunity to learn from them.
Forgive Many of us carry grudges with us that haunt us, and those grudges also prevent us from opening our hearts to others because we're scared of getting hurt again.
Watch your breath, by noticing your breathing pattern your mind naturally quiets and pays more attention to the present moment.
Listen to music and enjoy it. Express yourself by dancing to it or singing along.
Participate in active conversation and engage in the subject matter with another human.
Think about how happy your good deed could make someone!
Warnings: Living in the moment doesn't mean you shouldn't care about the future, or do reckless, irresponsible things. It means that when you make a choice to do something, you focus on actually doing it, rather than letting your mind dwell on the future (or past).
Do not let living in the moment be offensive, rude, uncaring, intrusive, or inconsiderate of others while focusing on living for yourself.
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Go to 'Drop Down" menu on first page and click on School Videos.
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-- Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow, don't walk behind me, I may not lead. Just walk beside me and be my friend.
-- It is really amazing when two strangers becone the best of friends, but it is really sad when the best of friends become two strangers.
-- Never travel life's open road alone, you never know when you'll fall and need help up.
-- A friend hears the song of my heart and sings it to me when my memory fails.
-- Silence makes the real conversations between friends. Not the saying but the never needing to say is what counts.
-- If you die in 100 years I want to die in 100 years minus 1, so I will never have to live without you.
-- Friends are angels who lift our feet when our own wings have trouble remembering how to fly.
-- We are each of us angels with one wing, and we can only fly embracing one another.
-- We started out as total strangers and ended as lifelong friends, we shared a season of our lives, but every season has to end.
-- Some of the finest friendships are between persons of different dispositions. The mind is often attracted by perfections it lacks itself.
-- Angels come to visit us, and we only know them when they are gone.
- Best friends never tell each other that they're best friends, they just know.
-- Memories build a pathway that goes winding through the heart and keeps friends close, even when they are far apart.
"Silence is a friend who will never betray." Confucius
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Kyosah is no longer teaching.
Please show your respect for Kyosah by not taking any of the images/photos from this site!
