When people ask me where ideas came from for the various forms of martial arts, I tell them to look closely at the way God created the butterfly. Butterflies are not born butterflies. First of all, they start as an egg laid by another butterfly. Secondly, after a period of time, the egg hatches into a caterpillar. Finally, after sealing itself up into a cocoon, the caterpillar is transformed into a butterfly.

The metamorphosis of the common, relatively colorless caterpillar to the exquisite winged butterfly is a wonderful metaphor for the way the beginning martial arts student (i.e. a white belt) becomes a true martial artist (a black belt). When one first begins studying the martial arts, one is like the caterpillar. One's movement is labored and slow. In this stage, the martial arts student has not learned the proper ways to move, punch, kick, roll, and block. Furthermore, in this stage, the he/she has not learned all of the philosophy behind what it truly means to be a true martial artist.

Like the stages of development for the butterfly, transformation of the martial arts student into a true martial artist takes time. Furthermore, during that process, the martial arts student will slowly become something new, like the caterpillar miraculously becoming a butterfly.

Becoming a true martial artist is all about the triumph of the spirit and soul over the physical prison, the material world. This is not to say that the true martial artist no longer cares for her/his body or the world in which she/he lives. Rather, it is to say that the true martial artist cares more for their bodies and the world precisely because they are now more aware and appreciative of the spiritual meaning and value of the human body and God's creation.

In many ways, it is like contrasting the difference between crawling (the caterpillar) and flying (the butterfly). When we crawl, we can only see and sense what is immediately in front and around us. However, when we learn to fly, we can see and sense things that are miles and miles away. In this way, our senses are reborn, our bodies are transformed, and our souls are given new life. 

HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN?

In the martial arts , there are three stages of development through which every person must pass. The first stage of development is the strengthening of the BODY . Through regular exercise and training under the direction of a trained Master, the beginning student becomes much stronger and learns how to move and stretch the body so that each movement has purpose, meaning, and flexibility. Furthermore, the beginning student is taught to breath in such a way that allows her/him to provide the maximum amount of oxygen to the body, therefore building stamina and lung capacity.

The second stage of development through which every successful martial artist must past has to do with the focusing of one's MIND. By learning and remembering a series of specific body movements (known as forms), kicking techniques, quick self-defense moves, and basic philosophical tenets, one begins to become a new person whose body and mind are working together in harmony to accomplish a specific purpose.

The third and final stage of development has to do with the development of one's SOUL . A caterpillar cannot become a butterfly without spending motionless time within the cocoon. So too, each successful martial artist must learn not only to move and think in a disciplined and harmonious fashion, they must also learn to surrender to a force that is greater than themselves through meditation. This is the most difficult stage of development for any person who wishes to become successful in the martial arts. To center oneself in meditation involves slowing one's breathing, calming one's soul, forgetting one's troubles, and seeking a greater purpose in life from one's Creator. This takes time and focus. And, it takes a willingness to allow oneself to be reborn into something truly new and wonderful.something as beautiful and as miraculous as a butterfly.

At the World Champion Taekwondo Academy, we want to teach every single student to develop themselves into something that is beautiful and miraculous. We want to teach every single student to fly! And, we want to help each and every student through these three stages of development so that one day we can proudly tie a Black Belt around your waist.a goal that every martial artist strives for in their life.

I look forward to personally welcoming you to experience the amazing world of martial arts here at the World Champion Taekwondo Academy.

Thank you.

Grandmaster C.J. Park, Ph.D.