The philosophy
The philosophy of Qwan Ki Do is governed by the principle of polarities: Âm and Dương according to the following idea: Cuong Nhu Tuong Thôi: “Unceasing harmony between Physical Force and Vital Energy, or between Strength and Flexibility”. This principle is one of the applications of the ancient science of the mutation of Âm (Yin) and Dương (Yang).
n Qwan Ki Do, it is essential that the practitioner does not respond to an attack in the same way, thus requiring advanced technical mastery. This approach implies accepting all aspects of a fight, including the possibility of injury. If the aim is personal progression, victory and failure become positive stages in the learning process. Harmony in combat allows us to understand the true value of a practitioner, who learns to live in harmony with his partner rather than seeing him as an adversary. In this way, the martial art fosters sincere relationships between practitioners. In addition to improving physical and mental fitness, Qwan Ki Do prepares the individual for a collective consciousness, leading to the attainment of serenity, the ultimate goal of this martial art.
the ten fundamental principles
Qwan Ki Do being a traditional martial art, Thày Chuong Môn PHAM Xuân Tong decided to establish the ten fundamental principles of the method, which all practitioners worldwide undertake to follow and respect:
To reach the highest technical level of Qwan Ki Do, by cultivating the notions of Effort, Perseverance, Self-confidence and Respect for others, in the ancestral spirit of our martial art.
Forging body and mind for oneself and for others.
To practice the moral virtues on which Qwan Ki Do is founded: Righteousness, Probity, Gratitude, Simplicity, Modesty, Tolerance.
To develop Qwan Ki Do according to the noble traditions handed down from Master to Master over the millennia, never betraying this state of mind through individual pettiness that attempts to sow ill-will, division or dissent within the method.
Cultivate the notion of respect for teachers and leaders, and the fraternal spirit among members.
To consider the practice of Martial Arts combat or free fighting as a means to progress and not as an end in itself.
To use Martial Arts only in self-defense, and to respect all styles of other methods.
Strictly apply the rules and regulations laid down by the Qwan Ki Do governing body.
Practice regular class attendance, respect the notion of hygiene and the conditions of admission to the Qwan Ki Do club.
To accept sanctions or to withdraw permanently from the Qwan Ki Do method in the event of non-compliance with these ten fundamental principles.
Ceremonial in Qwan Ki Do
Ceremonial, which is not unique to the martial arts, has always been necessary to establish rules for important events. In Qwan Ki Do, each practitioner develops courage, greatness of spirit and physical qualities on entering the club, marking a break with external conditioning. Practising Qwan Ki Do implies a commitment to respect the internal rules, including outfit, greetings and silence, which constitutes a form of etiquette. Accepting this etiquette reflects a desire to learn and to self-regulate.
So, by attending a Qwan Ki Do class, you agree to abide by the club's internal rules (outfit, bows, silence) - in a word, to respect etiquette.
The Student’s conduct
During the class, the student agrees to respect the following rules:
Comply with the 10 fundamental principles of Qwan Ki Do
Respect the cleanliness of the place.
Respect the formal ban on smoking in the gym and in the training room.
Keep one's Vo Phuc (black Qwan Ki Do outfit) clean and free of odors, stains, frays and fading.
Enter the training room with clean hands and feet. Fingernails and toenails must be neatly trimmed.
Remove all objects that could cause injury: rings, watches, bracelets, chains, necklaces, earrings, piercings, etc.
Respect class timetables, and if you are late, wait at the edge of the room for the teacher's authorization to enter the room.
Salute the training area on entering and leaving. Bow before and after class.
Observe silence during training (switch off cell phones, except in exceptional cases to be notified to the instructor).
Mutual respect and courtesy demand that you bow to your instructor when asked to perform an exercise, sequence or technique. You should also bow after asking for a favor.
Report any physical difficulties or injuries to the teacher before each training session.
If you have long hair, tie it up or use a 5cm-wide headband to keep it in place.
Stand or sit correctly (legs crossed or sitting on heels).
To fasten your belt in the training room, you must be in the “one knee on the ground” position.
During the class, do not leave the room under any circumstances (even to quench your thirst or for other purposes), without the teacher's permission. It is not permitted to consume sweets (candy, chewing gum, etc.), food or fruit. All alcoholic beverages are strictly forbidden.
Furthermore, relations between practitioners must be marked by courtesy and respect, with a technical hierarchy taking precedence over social or physical distinctions. Beginners must recognize the experience of their elders. During collective greetings, the high ranked students occupy privileged positions. It is essential to express gratitude to one's partner by greeting him before and after exercises, adapting to his pace and offering help in case of difficulty.
Etiquette teaches everyone to find their own place, in relation to each other and to the teacher.
In the training room, the teacher, while remaining accessible, must avoid excessive familiarity. Respect for advice, silence during explanations and greetings are signs of recognition of the teacher. Beginners should remember that the teacher is also a practitioner who is working on his or her own shortcomings. Respect for etiquette encourages vigilance and readiness to learn. Although the rules may vary from one method to another, the fundamental principles remain constant.
The different types of bow
Bowing is a ceremonial act deeply rooted in Asian culture, with different forms depending on the circumstances.
In Qwan Ki Do, the standing bow, Nghiêm Bái, symbolizes the path of all energies. It represents the duality between Emptiness (open left hand, negative aspect, Âm) and Fullness (closed right hand, positive aspect, Dương), the foundation of energy work. By joining hands, the practitioner evokes an age-old tradition, symbolizing both strength and peace, as well as the ancient heritage of the martial art.
The Bái bow, though simple to execute, has great significance. It shows that the art of combat is not limited to defeating the opponent, but illustrates the complementary duality of opposing concepts. For the practitioner, this salute is both a signal and a guide, symbolizing the Way of Serenity, a path to personal fulfillment.
To perform the salute, the practitioner must bring together the closed right fist and the open left hand, with the forearms horizontal, while tilting the torso slightly forward, gazing at the ground or at the space being saluted.
The Kính Lễ bow corresponds to the one-knee-down salute.
The one-knee salute is performed to greet the Master Founder (Thay Chuong Môn PHAM Xuân Tong). It is an act of gratitude and respect.
Steps to perform the Kính Lễ salute:
- Stand with feet together.
- At the “Xuống” signal, place the right knee on the ground while keeping the torso vertical and hands on the left knee.
- At signal “Nghiêm Lễ”, keep hands in front of left knee.
- At “Lễ” signal, tilt chest, right elbow at left knee.
- At the “Lên” signal, straighten the torso, then, at the second “Lên” signal, return the right foot to an upright position and stand up, bringing the right leg forward.
The Lê Tô kneeling bow is a ceremonial act reserved for special circumstances. It is performed at major events, such as end-of-course or graduation ceremonies, in homage to deceased masters.
- Stand with feet together.
- At the “Xuống” signal, place the right knee on the ground, keep the chest vertical and hands on the knee.
- Then place left knee on floor and sit on heels, head and chest straight.
- At the “Nghiêm Lễ” signal, join hands in front of you and place them on the floor.
- At “Lễ” signal, tilt chest and rest forehead on hands.
- At the “Lên” signal, straighten the torso, then return the right foot to the upright position and stand with the right leg forward.
The “Binh Lễ” Bow is the salute with a traditional weapon. It must be performed in the same way as the Kính Lễ salute. The practitioner must hold his traditional weapon on his left side.
The plate opposite shows only the Qwan Ki Do salute practised with the Bổng long stick, and the same applies to the other traditional weapons.
