Mountain Academy Martial Arts

The Dragon Book

// June 2nd, 2010 // No 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 // 1 Comment » // 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 // 2 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 // 2 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 // No 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

Safety Tips for Parents

// February 25th, 2010 // No Comments » // Master Rankin, Safety

Chances are you started to teach your children safety rules as soon as they could move about – rules like “don’t touch the hot stove,” and “don’t run into the street.” And every child learns about “not taking candy from a stranger.”

Here is another set of safety rules to help you teach your child the difference between affection and abuse, between good touching and bad touching. Your willingness to talk about sexual abuse with your children can be the first important step in preventing it from ever happening.

1. Teach your children that they are special and deserve safe touching.
2. Find out what your children know about safe and unsafe types of touching. By asking about it, you let them know it is okay to talk about these things.
3. Be simple and specific when talking with your children. Be sure they understand what you mean.
4. Be calm and matter of fact. This information does not have to be embarrassing. It is okay to tell your children that this is a difficult topic for you to talk about – they will know this from your attitude anyway.
5. Teach your children the correct names for all the parts of the body. If you are uncomfortable with the anatomically correct names, practice them aloud in private until you are comfortable with them. In the meantime, the term “private parts” will do, as long as you are specific about which these are.
6. Encourage your children to come to you with any and all questions. Let them know that you are an “askable” parent, and LISTEN to what they say.
7. Encourage your children to trust their feelings. Tell them that it is okay to say NO to ANYONE, including to people they know, who touches them in a hurting or confusing way and that they should always tell you about.
8. Teach your children that it is unsafe to keep secrets about touching. Let them know whom they can tell. And that they should keep telling until a safe adult listens to them.
9. Teach your children that it is not okay for any grown up or even a big kid to touch them inside or outside their clothing, stare at their private parts, or take pictures of their private parts.
10. Teach your children that it is not okay for them to be forced into looking at or touching another person’s private parts.
11. Play prevention games with your children. Create “what if” situations that may be confusing or scary and ask your children what they would do about it. (“What would you do if someone asked you to play undressing games?”) Balance this with games about touching.
12. If your children are afraid to be alone with someone, such as a family member, relative or babysitter, FIND OUT WHY! Most abusive touching is done by someone children know.
13. Teach your children that you will believe them when they come to you with problems about touching—and mean it!
14. Teach your children that while most grown-ups know how to behave with children, some do not – and may need to get help. If they meet one of these grown-ups or older children, tell children they can utilize the safety skills of yelling no, getting to a safe place and telling a safe adult.
15. Make sure your children know that when unsafe touching happens, it is not their fault, and that they will NOT get in trouble for telling you about it.
16. Give children permission to make decisions about who touches them and how, even when the touch is a safe, or, “good” touch. For example, instead of “Give Aunt Paula a kiss goodnight!” say, “Would you like to give Aunt Paula a kiss goodnight?” And, be okay with a “no” answer – you are teaching healthy boundaries.

We all want our children to grow up to be safe and happy people. Today, this means more than warning them not to take candy from strangers. It means giving them the knowledge and confidence needed to defend themselves, if necessary, from friends and relatives. Teaching the difference between affection and abuse is a big step that you as a parent can take to be sure your child has a safe and happy life.

John W. Rankin

Security Inside the Home

// February 25th, 2010 // No Comments » // Master Rankin, Safety

KEYS

Secure door and window locks are to no avail if a spare key is left “hidden” on the premises. Common hiding places, such as under the doormat or in the mailbox, will be quickly found by a determined intruder.

Remember to store any spare keys in a safe place. If you must leave your car keys with a parking attendant or auto mechanic, give him only the keys he will need. Never give anyone the chance to make an impression of your house keys in a bar of soap or lump of clay.

Whenever you move into a new home or apartment, have your locks re-keyed. Every previous tenant or owner could still have a copy of the key to your new living quarters. In order to prevent illegal entry by such former occupants, re-keying the locks is essential. This does not mean that the new locks must be installed, that is an unnecessary expense. For a small fee, a locksmith can re-key the locks by changing the tumblers in your present locks and give you a set of new keys.

Your home and life will be more secure from unwanted intruders and potential rapists, by taking good care of your keys.

John W. Rankin