Mountain Academy Martial Arts

The Ball or the Sword

// June 30th, 2010 // View Comments // Master Rankin

We have all been given this choice, the ball or the sword. What does this mean? Most of my students have heard me say, “We learn to fight so we don’t have to fight.” Let me explain.

When some guy cuts us off in traffic we can get upset, maybe have a few choice words for them, or we can say to ourselves, “Boy I’m glad I am not in that big of a hurry.” In other words we could pick up the Sword or play with the ball. Which has less stress, and at the end of the day, which is better for our own wellbeing? The ball, of course.

In day to day life we are confronted with this choice every day, someone bumps into you in the hall at school, ball or sword. A coworker gives you a hard time or blames you for something you didn’t do, ball or sword. Someone calls a wrong number and gives you grief, ball or sword. The ball would be the right choice, but not always the easy one.

When you have the confidence, and the responsibility that goes with it, as a Martial Artist you can pull your sword anytime. That is why it is important to exercise control. We have an ability that most people don’t. We have to be cautious how we use it. We should give anyone the benefit of the doubt, maybe they are having a bad day, maybe we misunderstood, and maybe they need a friend or someone to just talk to. We have to take the time and find out. Don’t jump the gun, don’t pull your sword right away because we know we can anytime.

Should we ever pull our sword? Yes, when you or your family is in danger, you can and should protect those you are close to, but only to the extent of the attack. If someone verbally attacks you it doesn’t call for a kick to the face. If someone pulls a knife on you or your family then yes pull your sword and use it!

Remember the vision of the Ball and the Sword, play with the ball or pull your sword, it is always your choice. Choose like a Martial Artist, we learn to fight, so we don’t have to fight.

23-2-1

// June 14th, 2010 // View Comments // Master Rankin

Two Thirds, One Second and One First 23-2-1. The Mountain Academy experienced a first last weekend. We had 2 students test for 3^rd degree black belt, 1 student test for their 2^nd degree black belt and 1 student test for their 1^st degree black belt. And another 20 students test for all ranks. What a wonderful experience for all of us.

There were 19 Black Belts at the Friday night test and 11Black Belts sat on the board on Saturday. A tribute to the Mountain Academy Family.

I would like to congratulate Imy Rich and Jim Beasley for achieving 3^rd Degree Black Belt, quite rare, and Melissa Barrow her 2^nd degree Black Belt, an impressive achievement, and Jody Nelson, 1^st Degree Black Belt, very proud. Along with the other students that tested, I am humbled by the dedication, the practice, the attitude, the overall quality of students that are part of the Mountain Academy Family.

I would also like to thank the Black Belts for the wonderful cards, gifts and particularly my new Black Belt in honor of 8^th degree. I will wear my belt with enormous pride. It is because of you that I am where I am and it is because of you that I do what I do. Thank you.

The combination for our success this past weekend was 23-2-1, it unlocked a memorable weekend. I hope to see the same again in the future.

Grandmaster John W. Rankin

The Dragon Book

// June 2nd, 2010 // View Comments // Master Rankin

As a teacher there are times when it all seems worth it. When a troublesome white belt all of a sudden, “gets it”, when you can see the light turn on and a student completes a technique that has been giving them heartache.

Sometimes this happens with back to back to back students and other times it seems like you are not making any progress with anybody. Time passes, you question your teaching methods, you try some new things, you ask for guidance from some senior students. This is growth, this is learning to enjoy the plateau. There is satisfaction in reaching a goal, and then the ambition to move on. We all experience this from white belt to Master, to Grandmaster.

We have to stay diligent, enjoy the journey, and savor the “gets it “times.  When you least expect it you receive a compliment, or a gift saying we respect what you are doing, we are listening, we are reading, we are advancing, we are learning.

Keep up the journey, remember the Tao, a journey of a thousand steps begins with the first one. We continue to teach, to mold, to help students along their own private journey and we will, if we have the patience, receive the benefits along the way.

Take a step back, remember where you started, look at some of your own obstacles that you have experienced and apply those to your present state of mind. Enjoy the moment, open the Dragon Book and write, teach, apply, and continue the journey.

John W. Rankin

Kwan jang nim

// May 6th, 2010 // View Comments // Master Rankin

Grandmaster-Kwan jang nim. This will take some time to get used to. I would like to thank everyone who offered their congratulations to me. It is a tribute to my students because without them I would have never come this far.

I have been teaching Martial Arts for forty years and over that time it has been my privilege to meet and become friends with the most amazing people. All walks of life, men, women, children. It is truly humbling when I recall the past.

It has been a challenging and rewarding journey that I have enjoyed and will cherish forever.

So it begins another chapter in my life as a Martial Artist. I am looking forward to the opportunities ahead with the current and future instructors. I feel we will accomplish great things. New ideas are emerging it seems every day. Great creativity, passion, and dedication is evident. It is a new time in the life of the school.

It is my hope that all students and instructors will at some point themselves become a Grandmaster, and experience the same satisfaction and pride in the Mountain Academy of Martial Arts that I do.

Thank you,

Grandmaster John W. Rankin

Congratulations Grand Master Rankin

// April 15th, 2010 // View Comments // Instructors, Master Rankin

We would like to extend our sincere congratulations to our esteemed Grand Master Rankin on being awarded the rank of 8th degree and therein being promoted in title from Master to Grand Master by the Moo Duk Kwon Association of Seoul Korea.

Precautions Outside the Home: Transportation

// March 9th, 2010 // View Comments // Master Rankin, Safety

In today’s present society, a woman does not need a bodyguard to escort her to all of the places she wishes to go. She is now able to venture forth alone; however, in doing so, she must be aware of the dangers that abound. Precautions must be taken if she wishes to remain safe.

To be completely safe from night street attackers, never go out alone at night. This advice is, at the same time, impractical because many women have night jobs. Steps can be taken to diminish danger.

Whenever you leave a building, remain in well lit areas. Have your keys in your hand before you leave a building to go to your car. Once inside the car, keep all windows rolled up, and doors closed and locked, especially if you are in an unfamiliar neighborhood. Vents can be opened for air circulation.

If you have car trouble while driving, do not alert any other cars of your trouble by putting up the hood or by turning on the emergency flashers. Doing so may invite an intruder to stop and “help” you. If someone stops, ask that person call the local law enforcement agency at the nearest telephone. Otherwise, stay in the car, wait for a patrol car to drive past, and then beep the horn to attract the officer’s attention.

If you frequently drive alone, especially at night, it would be wise to invest in a C.B. radio or cellular phone. Any emergency calls should be made on the police or emergency frequency (channel 9 in most states) in order to avoid potential intruders. Avoid short cuts down deserted alleys or lonely stretches of roads.

If you discover someone following you, drive directly to the nearest law enforcement station. If the nearest precinct office is too far, drive to a well lit service station. By being cautious and careful about driving alone at night, you can discourage a would be intruder.

Public transportation is an inexpensive way of getting around town, but it can also be a potentially dangerous situation for a woman alone. When boarding a bus or subway, visually check its occupancy. Stay away from seats occupied by men, and try to sit near the front of the bus, or by the driver. If someone begins to bother you, get up and move. Never wait for a bus, or a subway in a poorly lit area. If possible, travel with a friend, or have someone meet you at the stop where you get off. Being aware of your surroundings while using public transportation will keep you safer from attacks.

John W. Rankin

The Sculptors

// February 26th, 2010 // View Comments // Master Rankin

We learn to fight so we don’t have to fight. There is nothing pretty about fighting. It’s not a movie or opera. Students that come to class to learn to fight will learn nothing.

Why do we practice Martial Arts? It is a means of discipline. If you learn Martial Arts, it will improve your health and give you the discipline to do anything in life. The demands to master all the facets of Martial Arts will shape your personality and give you the resources to face all that fate sends your way.

If you acquire discipline, then you will have the freedom to do anything and be anything you want in life. Then you can walk through a whole wonderful world that you would never suspect existed. That’s not the world of fighting, it’s the world of experience. Life is the best teacher, and we are trying to equip you not to fight, but to learn from the true teacher, yourself.

For us, the instructors, it is a thrill to share the art that we cherish with someone who is falling in love with it for the first time. That freshness is a source of renewal for us.

A word, a light bulb goes on, a form is learned, a block or punch is executed, this is why we are there. To witness that growth from the beginning is humbling and inspiring!

Each student is creating themselves. Instructors are like sculptors. We take a little here, add some there, but we cannot change the inherent nature of the material. After time the student becomes the sculptor and it is then that the beginning of a great deepening of learning takes place.

We then become a guide who has the guidance and wisdom of our linage to call upon and help our students on their journey.

We welcome the challenge; we enjoy the journey, and take pride in being a sculptor.

John W. Rankin