Student Name: Dr. Michael Blankinship

What Hap Ki Do Means to Me

I started taking classes with Master Lee in 1998 while attending undergraduate at Albion College. I could tell right away that it was something I would enjoy doing. I had studied judo and European fencing previously but hadn't done any martial arts for awhile; I was looking forward to getting back into it. I didn't know much about Hap Ki Do, but, after a few months, my initial impression was born out. I really enjoyed the art and the instructors; KMA has a great group of people.

In 1999 I started a Ph.D. program at the University of Michigan and continued to come to class on Saturdays. Shortly after achieving 1st Dan in 2001, I left Ann Arbor to continue my graduate work in Seattle, and unfortunately had to take a break from training. Fortunately, this summer I came back to Ann Arbor to start medical school and was able to come back to KMA. While in Seattle, I visited many of the martial arts studios, and I have to say that I am very impressed with K.M.A. In a city of four million, with as strong a background as Seattle has in the martial arts, I was unable to find either facilities or a group of instructors better than those at K.M.A.

I believe that to be a well rounded person it is important to have diverse interests and that some of those should be physical activities. I enjoy the physical aspect that Hap Ki Do provides and Hap Ki Do also gives me a connection to the past and some familiarity with a culture that is not in my own background. Today, I believe that people too often sell themselves short by focusing only on their job and simple diversions such as television. Too many people neglect to cultivate themselves and fail to realize much of their potential.

Aside from the obvious benefits of exercise, stretching, and self defense, practicing Hap Ki Do is a great example of a way to practice self-control, discipline, and goal oriented achievement. I have been involved in academics at all levels for over a decade now, and the number one reason I've seen people fail to do well in higher education is that they don't know how, or are unfamiliar with, how to take on a goal and achieve it. Every time you pursue a goal and achieve it, the next goal becomes a little easier. You gain confidence that you can succeed and learn how to make yourself work for something. You also learn how to accept constructive criticism and criticize yourself; these abilities are key to bettering yourself in any undertaking. Doing well at activities such as school makes it easier to succeed in activities such as Hap Ki Do, and conversely, I am sure that the effort I put into Hap Ki Do will help me in medical school.

Learning Hap Ki Do at K.M.A. has been a great way for me to get exercise, learn and teach some new skills, learn to defend myself, and hang out with a great group of people. I look forward to continuing my training with Master Lee and seeing where the school goes from here.