Ever since I started studying the art of Tae Kwon Do, I've been constantly acquiring knowledge and learning valuable lessons about the martial arts. It's funny because I never expected my training to become such an important part of my life; I originally just needed an extra credit hour in PE to graduate. Now I find myself having discussions with people about Thai Boxing, practicing the drills of Wing Chun Kung Fu, and attending seminars on the concepts of Jeet Kune Do. I've even got a subscription to BlackBelt Magazine. From this exposure, I've learned that there's so much more to the martial arts than corny "hi-yahs" and Karate Kid movies.

But one of the biggest lessons I've learned from the marial arts is that of humility. When I was at Grandmaster Shin's Academy one night, there was only me and a bunch of white, yellow, and orange belts in class at that time. I remember Mr. Shin saying something like, "Oh, only one high rank here tonight?" and then I remember a feeling that was bordering on cockiness start to infect my attitude.

Let's just say I got put back in my place pretty darn fast after that.

I was hanging out in the Strauss Performing Arts building on the U.N.O. campus one day, innocently waiting for my voice lesson to begin, when my friend Dave happened to run into me. He noticed my Martial Arts Club sweatshirt that I had on and asked me if I was any good. Well, yeah, I replied, and then threw in how I had gotten first place in every tournament my last season. (Little did he know the first places were all in forms, not fighting. Now how could I have let that slip my mind?) He then asked me--get this--to attack him, and he said he'd be able to take me without having had any martial arts training whatsoever in his life. I responded with, "So let me get this straight. I can attack you, all-out, without pulling any kicks and you'd be able to stop me?" He smiled and said, "Maybe; let's see." I took it as a challenge and said, "Ok, let's go!"

Well, I can't recall exactly what I attempted, but I do remember lying on the floor face-up, wondering where I was and how I got there. He later told me that he just executed a simple block followed by a sweep. It was quite a humbling experience, to put it mildly.

I learned even more from Grandmaster Shin. One of my first mock-sparring sessions with him was an eye-opening experience, to say the least. Like many, I assumed that Tae Kwon Do was essentially a kicking art. Although kicks are an integral part of the art, Tae Kwon Do also includes empty-hand training, striking techniques, blocking, chokes, and sweeps. Mr. Shin would get me in a certain arm-bar and I would ask, "Is this from Hapkido?" He'd respond, "No, it's from Tae Kwon Do." He'd perform a certain takedown on me, and again I'd ask, "Is this from Judo?" His response would be, "No, it's from Tae Kwon Do." From trapping opponents' attacks to striking at nerves I never knew existed, Mr. Shin's skills truly amazed me.

After a year and a half of Tae Kwon Do training, my biggest mistake was believing I had acquired enough knowledge in that field. So if there's one thing I've learned from training with Grandmaster Shin, it's never assume you've learned enough or trained enough. Mr. Shin is not only an excellent instructor, he's an amazing fighter and a true friend. He makes sure the learning process never ends.

Write to Christine at [email protected].

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