Here are some wonderful comments from Miss Gail Jacobson and her students from the recent Grading and Master Class in Bundaberg

Dear Sir,
I would like to thank you for today and also for re-introducing the old training schedule. I had started doing the 10th kup 3 step and now I feel vindicated. I thoroughly enjoyed today. Good memories of those years.
I went onto the ITF Australia website and I did like the way you broke down movements in Dun Gun and Yul Gok and I will try this out several times to make sure I have it right before I show the students. Excellent idea and very helpful. I also appreciated what you demonstrated with Joong Gun today with the upward block. I think now my students will understand that movement a lot better and we can make those changes smoothly with your explanation and demonstration. Am looking forward to more of those demonstration clips.
Thank you again for today.
Yours in Tae Kwon Do
Gail Jacobsen

Today was good, I actually spoke with Master Daher after class and appreciated the pointers on my hooking blocks. In the last few minutes I actually got a lot out on the power stances especially for the punches still have to work on the blocks to sort that part out. When I actually was coordinated enough to do it that is.

When he said we were going to do patterns in action I actually thought he meant like what we do with the people standing at the 4 sides whilst one does the pattern in the middle.

Overall I think the grading and seminar was great.
Sianne

Dear Miss Jacobsen

Thank you for your kind words.

I think I went good, even though I did get a bit confused in my second attempt at Do San.
I was a bit disappointed that the Master did not check the flexibility, as I like doing the flexibility and I am very good at my side splits.
I learned a lot about the stances and am happy that the Master didn’t have to fix any of them for me.
I am very proud of my performance today and very pleased that the Master was happy with me.
Regards

Casey Robertson

Grading and Masterclass in Bundaberg on 17th August, was once again extremely fulfilling. After listening to the passion that Master Daher expressed for our art, reinforced to me the deep spiritual aspect of Taekwon-do. It is so much more than just kicking a few bags and sparring someone in the ring, Taekwon-do goes deep to your heart, and Master Daher was able to share with us how, by embracing this, we will succeed in not only our art, but our life!
We spent a number of hours going over fundamental movements, going back to the basics, investigating the circle of power, and how essential it is when executing moves. Nobody has been able to explain these philosophies so accurately, but also in terms that even the youngest members could understand. Whilst I only had one moment during the Masterclass, that it all came together perfectly, I felt the power, and sense of perfection, that Master Daher had previously expressed. I will be working hard to get that feeling more often, as I continue to study and perform this wonderful art of ours called Taekwon-do. Thank you Sir, for sharing your passion, and insights with us, it is invaluable beyond belief!
Yours in Taekwon-do,
Michelle Millar

Good morning Miss Jacobsen,

Firstly, Dax said that he enjoyed doing his patterns most and then doing the punching and the breathing we did at the end, when Master Daher brought all the elements together, with the winding up and breathing, to maximise our punching power. Dax also said he did not ever want to stop Tae Kwon Do and wanted to be a black belt one day.

For me there were a few things which I found informative, but firstly would like to express my appreciation for my instructor’s ability to teach/instruct and the way in which it is done.

A part of my nature is to be critical, especially when theory and practice is supposed to be the same thing, which every training session and in particular yesterday has been. I asked the question on movement and the centre line because I watched Master Daher very closely (and Miss Jacobsen during training) yesterday and his theory and practical execution were 100% aligned. Further, I have struggling with the transition from Goju Kai Karate’s approach to Martial arts and that of Tae Kwan Do, but especially yesterday, gave me the insight which I needed to understand why our moves have twists, winding up and action/re-action in it. It has changed my approach to the execution of my movements!

The things I found valuable yesterday were:
1. Tae Kwon Do is a life-changing lifestyle, not just a “sport”.
2. The most significant part was the, ” Listen, understand what you heard and then react” for me as that affects every part of life and was very meaningful at this very point in my life! This shows that Tae Kwon Do is a wholistic life approach.
3. Our Master and Instructors are compassionate yet strict and fair people, as it was my first grading and I was pretty scared of the unknown. I specifically like the way in which Miss Jacobsen handles us, her students, with respect and understanding.
4. The breathing and step-by-step instruction around our patterns and other moves was very helpful.
5. I felt part of the Tae Kwon Do family although only a white belt.

Kind Regards

Dr. Francois Du Toit
Ph.D; M.Sc (OH&S)

Dear Miss Jacobsen,

Thank you for your nice email. I was a bit worried about my mistakes. When my name got called out for my turn at grading I thought that I just needed to try my best, focus on technique and put in as much power as possible. In Do San I stuffed up my jump but knew that Master Daher doesn’t mind if you make a mistake as long as you try your best. When I did two breathes instead of one I just kept trying and didn’t give up. I also made sure I showed as much respect as I could and thanked him for coming, but I was nervous. He was really nice and showed me a few things that I need to work on.
I used to get nervous at gratings but not anymore. I’ve been doing them since I was in Prep and I know that everyone just wants us to do our best and that Master Daher is trying to teach us things he knows.
See you Tuesday.
Yours in Tae Kwon Do
Luca Bowe

I sure did. The passion of Master Daher, combined with that of everyone in the room was infectious. Just standing in front of him, doing our grading, showing him what we’ve learnt was an amazing feeling. It was encompassing, body moving as we’ve been taught. My hands were even the right way up! I’m annoyed about the stumble in the middle, i know i can do better, but i was exhilarated to have been able to be in the zone (i didn’t even freak out when he asked for sparring!). Even Gail was smiling at us when we finished (in a nice way) so we must have done ok.
Hi Gail,
I was just thinking about you and the grading (all good). Thank you for your comments.
The grading was amazing. I had an absolute ball. Master Dahers passion and the atmosphere he created in the room was electric and infectious. I have never felt so powerful and “in the zone” as i did when i was in front of him doing my grading. The structure of the day was so much better than the day here at Agnes. He put us at ease to start off with, giving us a brief outline before the grading, and then we got a chance to show him what we had learnt and what we ourselves could bring to Tae Kwon Do.
I think it was beneficial having the break between the grading and the master class, having the chance to take a break while we watched the other students go through their grading. The girls and i really enjoyed being able to partner up and practice the techniques Master Daher was telling us about, and his and the other instructors (including yourself) input was invaluable. We received feedback from someone sitting next to my sister-in-law. Her son has being doing Tae Kwon Do for six years, and she commented about how well Francois and myself, and Dax and Teagen worked together. Thought you’d like to know that. Must be something to do with all being part of the Agnes club!
I think the session in Agnes was very long being only the master class, however i was only an observer so i can’t comment on the difference in content of between the two master classes. The general feeling i got was that yesterdays class format seemed to be enjoyed more by the students. The atmosphere in the hall was awesome, and it lasted all day.
The slippery floor let me down on my balance on a couple of my high rising kicks, but i was stoked with how i went. Just as you said, don’t think about it, just do it. I have no idea how the others went in my grading group. Teagen said she was best at her patterns, but Caitlyn said she messed hers up. But I saw the look of pride when we all finished, so i reckon we must have done Ok. Credit to the instructor too!!
If the next grading/master class is anything like yesterday, i can’t wait.
Hope this helps.
Steph.

I appreciate your kind words. It is nice to know that my extra work is worth while and that I am making progress. I liked the change with the grading first and then the master class. I was able to focus more on the masterclass and not be nervous and thinking about patterns as in previous gradings. I was happy with Master Dahers comments to Gemma. Hopefully it will inspire her to have another go.

Gem and I enjoyed the master class. This format will be useful to every one whether you are a white or black belt. It is important not only to know the technique and its name but what it it is used for and how to deliver it. This is really helpful with the final position of your arms, hands, legs and feet. The two step sparring was great. I can see this been useful in all four directions or if you are having difficulties or learning a new pattern. Thank you Sir for the grading and master class. I look forward to putting this knowledge into my training.
Kerry Lavell