Questions...

We get asked some questions quite often; others, we have been asked only once or twice, but the question seemed really good. Because this format can be a good way to learn a lot of information in a hurry, we present some questions here.

Are you a martial art, or what?
Are you a mix of different styles?
How large is Chongdo?
Where are your schools?
What is a class like?
Why are you closed to the public?
Why do you need a website?
Who is your founder? Who is your grandmaster?
Do you compete in tournaments?
Does it take a long time to learn?
How demanding is the training?
What does it cost per lesson?
How many weapons do you study?
Do you have forms?
What uniforms do you wear?
How do you validate your techniques?

Are you a martial art, or what? Back up

Although our earliest roots are in a traditional Korean hard/soft system, Chongdo’s training is only partially geared for fighting purposes. Because we also train in a variety of sciences, and teach a significant number of non-martial topics such as survival, navigation, climbing techniques, project management, team building, and so on, it would be inaccurate to call ourselves either “martial” or an “art.” Yet, we do offer a formalized system of hand-to-hand fighting (both armed and unarmed); we therefore use the term “combat system” to incorporate the arts and the sciences involved.
What we are is an organization that formally teaches its students a wide range of topics designed to help them survive desperate situations, but also achieve their personal and professional goals.

Are you a mix of different styles? Back up

Despite the wide variety of training areas, Chongdo is a carefully unified system built around core philosophies. Our techniques are effectively our own. Therefore, while a given martial art may add in another style’s grappling techniques (if you’re on your feet, use style A; if on your back, use style B), these different fighting elements are (for us) part of one singular system. Principles, terminology, theory, and application are consistent and recognizeable as one system. Similarly, some other groups offer firearms training: that is, they teach their regular self-defense techniques but also bring students to a nearby range to shoot targets. Chongdo does not “tack on” shooting, but fundamentally incorporates a range of firearms as basic weapons, and includes these applications as a logical inclusion similar to our other weapons. Finally, diverse elements such as survival training, awareness development, rope climbing, and so on, are not mere “add ons,” but consitute tightly integrated training programs internally consistent with all other studies.

As a result, students are able to move from situation to situation with no transition, and no shift in approach or thinking. The resulting improvement in learning speed and elimination of gaps is generally possible only with a single, unified system.

Note: this does not eliminate our need to meet with and interact with other training systems and styles. We’re delighted to collaborate with various schools, arts, and groups, and we maintain productive working relationships with a wide-range of traditional, progressive, and mixed stylists from around the world.

How large is Chongdo? Back up

Chongdo maintains a small corps of regular students. There are usually less than 20 active students at a given time. Historically, students depart and return as their time allows.

Where are your schools? Back up

Chongdo is based in the greater Chicago area (both city and suburbs). We do not maintain storefront locations, but utilize private facilities. Students are expected to travel to one of these locations, although a regular location may change for special circumstances (such as a larger group, workshop, or guest speaker).

What is a class like? Back up

A class tends to be reasonably casual, although formality is applied when reviewing any safety issues. Class sizes are generally very small, mostly due to meeting the complicated schedules of our students. A class can easily consist of one student but two or three instructors, each covering specific aspect that day.

In a larger setting, an instructor proposes a training exercise from any of the many modules we have. These exercises will come in any order, without the student knowing beforehand. If the student has not covered this material before, the instructor introduces the theories and techniques, and then lets the student try them, defeat them, improve them, or otherwise explore. If the student has previously encountered the material, he or she will be immediately tested to see what material has remained. Our attitude is that life will throw a series of pop quizzes: you either know the material, or you don’t. If you don’t, you have to go on what you remember to make it work. This approach allows our students to respond immediately, without warning, to a given situation so that clearer thinking is possible in a surprise situation.

Certainly, a student with a specific need or requirement can propose covering a topic of special value, and any student can request a review of specific material if he or she feels the need.

Training topics can be randomly picked, selected by instructor prerogative, inspired by a recent event, or chosen due to special circumstances: for example, during a sudden deep snowfall, students may be brought outside to cover cold weather sheltering, or winter survival techniques.

Why are you closed to the public? Back up

Chongdo is interested in the thorough training of its members: as a result, we remain very selective in our recruitment. Because we are a volunteer organization, signficant time and money is spent on each student. Consequently, we know that a smaller number of students results in a marked improvement in their training.

It is essential to note that Chongdo will never exclude members based on gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, level of education, or income level. We reserve the right to exclude students based on age (the lack thereof), health condition, criminal background, or intention to misuse classtime.

Why do you need a website? Back up

Given that we are a private organization with no open recruitment, it may seem unnecessary to have a website. However, this website is ultimately intended for the use of our students to share information and get updates anywhere they are, at any time. However, there is no reason that we cannot also provide interesting and useful information to the general public, as well!

Who is your founder? Who is your grandmaster? Back up

Chongdo was brought together by many individuals, not a single founder, and we have no structural provision for masters or grandmasters. Instead, Chongdo is directed by a maximum of four individuals who can and do change over time. Each individual maintains the same authority as the other three, and all four actively solicit ideas and recommendations from students of all levels. While the four senior members may disagree from time to time, and “tie” votes may result, we have virtually eliminated the cult of personality that many traditional systems eventually foster.

Do you compete in tournaments? Back up

Chongdo does not compete in traditional sparring tournaments; further, Chongdo does not participate in full-contact sparring outside of its own classes. This is certainly not because we believe our techniques are “too deadly for the ring,” but because ring-based competitions, with rounds, referees, gloves, and time limitations, are utterly unlike the situations most people will face. Those wishing to pursue sport interests are welcome to share ideas with us, but will be directed toward an organization dedicated to those pursuits.

Does it take a long time to learn? Back up

Chongdo should effectively provide new material on a constant basis, as long as the student wishes to attend. However, the core elements are quickly learned within the first few weeks. Students are actively engaged throughout class: their time is not spent performing calisthenics or memorizing forms, or engaged in sparring drills. As a result, students move rapidly through the modules at their own, ideal pace.

While some systems offer artificial ranking systems to promote continued attendance and contract renewals, Chongdo divides the class into students and instructors. The only difference to an outsider is who presents the day’s material, as instructors are expected to participate fully with students and students can interact directly with an instructor. There are no “secret” techniques: students learn exactly as the instructors learn. Over time, as he or she indicates proficiency in all of our modules, the student will be invited to lead classes, and become regarded as an instructor.

How demanding is the training? Back up

Training is always as demanding as the student requires it. We expect students to maintain their own health and diet and exercise: we are not a fitness club, and students will not spend valuable class time performing calisthenics. Some students will feel tired or sore after a class, but most will not. Even so, we do increase the individual student’s resistance level quickly over time. Most students maintain exercise regimens outside of regular class.

What does it cost per lesson? Back up

Chongdo is a non-profit organization that presently does not charge for instruction, but instead relies on the very generous donations of its members. We understand that many students are not in a position to afford long-term contracts, monthly dues, or testing fees. Instead, we are pleased that students offer equipment and training materials as they are able. Every little bit helps us train and research. There is no minimum or suggested donation: students pay what they can as they can. All funds go to the system, not the instructors.

How many weapons do you study? Back up

Although our weapons list would suggest we have a finite amount, the reality is that we expect students to improvise their weapons use: using techniques taught in our various weapons modules, students should be able to adapt most convenient nearby objects into useful weapons.

Instead of counting individual weapons, we prefer to categorize weapons: for example, we teach four types of knives (single edged, double edged, palm/push knives, and balisongs). We teach four types of archery (long bow, recurves, compounds, and crossbows). We cover different types of sticks ranging from short sticks to batons to long staves, both balanced and off-balanced, and so on. This allows students to adapt techniques to weapons at hand (a baseball bat works like an off-balanced baton), or use weapons from their own collections in class (as permitted by local laws).

Do you have forms? Back up

Chongdo has numerous drills that may seem formalized, but we do not utilize pre-patterned forms (or “kata”). Students are expected to be fluid and flexible, and may modify techniques to suit their needs in any given instant. Students are not required to memorize long sequences of techniques; rather, time is spent applying them in various scenarios.

What uniforms do you wear? Back up

Some time ago, Chongdo reached the inescapable conclusion that a student should dress “accordingly” for his or her daily requirements. In other words, you should train in today more or less what you plan to wear tomorrow. Comfortable pants, including jeans, are encouraged. Shirts can consist of pretty much whatever one normally wears. Shoes and socks are worn except where water is likely, and so on. Your clothing is your own risk: if you normally wear a suit to work, you may not wish to risk one in training. Generally, the only prohibitions are practical: sharp or pointy adornments on clothing are not allowed, and short pants are discouraged except in water or at shorelines. Jewelry of any kind must be removed for class.

How do you validate your techniques? Back up

All techniques, basic and advanced, are evaluated periodically based on feedback from our students. Students and instructors come from a variety of backgrounds, including the military, law enforcement, healthcare, security, corrections, and professional fighting. Each of these students has provided us critical feedback on our traditional background; not surprisingly to many, a good portion of traditional techniques proved impractical or inconclusive under stress and were removed. Other techniques that proved valuable under high stress situations were introduced. What remains is the better combination of practical and resourceful techniques. Some readers may raise an eyebrow at the diversity of eclectic studies; it is essential to note that all techniques covered have proven critical to someone at some point in time. In time, this process repeats, and the system improves overall. Read some examples of this process here.