Over the years, I’ve met people who began training in martial arts for a wide variety of reasons.  Self-defense, physical fitness, improved grades in school, respect, confidence, focus, discipline; these and many others are all excellent reasons to start training.  I’ve noticed, however, that most people stay with martial arts not necessarily for the reasons they joined, but rather because of the community and the friends they make while training.  Along your path to black belt and beyond, the other students and instructors at the school often become a second family and the friends you make through seminars you attend who may live across the country or even internationally become like an extended family.

Through martial arts, I’ve been fortunate enough to meet some of the most incredible people and have even trained with a number of Hapkido legends including Grandmaster Kim Jung Soo, Dr. He-Young Kimm, Grandmaster Bong Soo Han, Grandmaster J.R. West, and many others.  It’s hard not to look at these Masters in awe, but as you get to know them, you quickly realize that they are not distant figures, but accessible, amazing people who genuinely want to help you.

I remember the first time I met Master West.  Despite the fact that I was a purple belt, a relative nobody in the martial arts world, and he was a 7th dan Grandmaster with decades of experience as well as the head of a federation of schools, he was nevertheless very approachable and inclusive.  What really impressed me, though, was that the next time we met, almost a year later, he not only remembered my name, but also the details of what we chatted about and specific things about me.  Think about it.  How many people must Master West have met that day and over the course of that year?  And, yet, he was able to remember me, a purple belt.

Those of you who have visited enough martial arts studios know that not all martial arts schools and federations are so inclusive.  How many of their students, however, stick around for years?  Not many.  As in any field, there are always bad apples.  I count myself as extremely lucky to be a part of an organization, the USKMAF, that is so inclusive, supportive and competent.

Like any other family, martial arts families invariably have a range of personalities.  Regardless of our differences, though, we stick together, treat each other with respect and help each other out.  As my good friend and fellow instructor, Mr. Don Ebaugh once remarked, “I love our Hapkido family, crazy cousins and all.  It just wouldn’t be the same without them.”  We bond through our shared love of martial arts, our shared experiences, through the challenges we face and the fun we have in class.  We respect each other, regardless of rank or ability, because everyone comes to class and works hard rather than taking the easy way out by kicking back at home and watching TV instead.

Perhaps it’s because of these original goals of confidence, respect and discipline – in short, the pursuit of excellence in all areas of life – that people who stay with martial arts are such an incredible group and such a tightly knit community.  Or, maybe, those are just ancillary benefits which simply draw the right crowd.  Either way, there’s no other family out there like a martial arts family.

​Master Jim Bannister