Control

For the last while I've been thinking about this word that gets tossed around the kwoon on a regular basis, at the same time wondering why it is not used as much outside the kwoon.

I believe that many take the word 'control' as, a physical term. The ironic part is that it is purely mental.

The majority of my thoughts lately have been about controlling my emotions. Controlling anxiety, anger, what generally stresses me and altering those feelings. When I think of control inside and outside the kwoon, I find them to be one of the same. We recognize a lack of control in the kwoon and address it! Do we recognize it the same outside the kwoon?

A martial artist who can't control his or her emotions outside the kwoon, is failing inside the kwoon. Being involved in martial arts is not just about training in the kwoon and leaving it there, it is a way of life.

Exercising and conditioning the mind is a full time practice. With the fast paced, stress filled world that surrounds us, this sort of training can not just remain in the training hall.

Darcy Regier, Silent River Kung Fu ,UBBT, Stony Plain, Alberta, Canada.